DVD Rental Suggestions

[Ro]

We had a great cult/underground/underrated film thread on the old board, and because I can't dig that up, and because I always need some good rental options next time I hit up Blockbuster, I figured I'd start a new one.

I don't want to tell anyone what to suggest, but I'm hoping for some less obvious recommendations; hopefully some that even somebody who watches a lot of movies (me) may not have seen. Of course many of us will have seen the movies posted, including mine below, but let's try to steer clear of, say, Snatch, or Pulp Fiction, because if you haven't seen those, this thread might not be the best place for you to get movie recommendations in the first place. :P And you don't necessarily have to suggest your favorite underrated movies; the ones below aren't mine. Just pick a couple that the majority of the CPuck faithful probably haven't seen.

Here's a few of my picks:

25th Hour

I just watched it tonight, so you might call it the inspiration for this thread. Just an outstanding movie in every aspect. Touches on friendship, failure, redemption, trust, New York City, and saying goodbye. Ed Norton and Philip Seymour Hoffman are great, as usual, but Brian Cox and Barry Pepper are brilliant also. And I think this is Spike Lee's best film- one tremendously powerful scene after another. Great score and beautiful to look at also. Just very well done, and very few people I know have seen it for some reason.

The Shape Of Things

Based on a popular play, Neil LaBute directed. So you know it's gotta be about something to do with the destructive, sadistic side of relationships. Lots of great dialogue, and Rachel Weisz is terrific. The ending hit me like a mack truck.

Y Tu Mama Tambien

Bold, sexy, coming of age type picture by Mexican director Alfonso Cuaron, about two young guys who take a road trip with a thirtysomething woman and learn lessons about life, love, friendship, etc, etc. I liked this one a lot, one of my favorite foreign flicks ever.

Repulsion

Another foreign gem, from Roman Polanski. I've never actually been able to track this one down in a video store- I watched it in the OUC library in Kelowna while I was going to school there, on a recommendation by my film studies prof. Probably the most effectively disturbing film I've ever seen. Not graphically violent, but just psychologically chilling and harrowing, with a claustrophobic feeling to it. If you can find it, and enjoyed "Pi" or "Psycho" or "Rosemary's Baby," rent it. You won't forget it.

[Daradon]

For disturbing, 'Requiem for a Dream' gets my vote.

A great movie I'm sure not many (if any) have heard about here is called 'Samsara.' A Buddhist monk in training has to decide between his current path, and the thoughts of love (and the urges of sex). Samsara is the Buddhist term for 'the physical world'. (Loosely translated, it's really more of a philosophy than an actual word.)

[Maritime Q-Scout]

hmmmm, I'm not the best at movies, didn't start watching them until relatively late in life (ie: late teens)

but some of my favs:

Maximum Overdrive
if you like AC/DC and cheese, this movie is for you. If you like a plot that makes sense, good acting, and a decent story... keep looking. Opening scenes are hilarious that set up the movie, the ending is the best I think I've ever seen, a friend of mine called it a "ugh let's rap this up and get some lunch ending". Kinda thrown together, but I litterally did fall out of my chair laughing the first time I heard it. When re-watching this movie with my father he remaked "I hope you didn't pay for this movie ... well I hope you didn't pay much"

The War Room
A documentary about George Stephanopolous (sp) and James Carville, during Clinton's first election victory against George Walker Bush. It's interesting to see the political machine in action, the adversity that Clinton was faced with, as well as how his campaign team delt with his past, and having to stop a Republican juggernaut.

Casablanca
maybe not obscure, but an oldie that I'm willing to bet not alot of my generation has watched. It definately deserves the title of "classic" I think it's the greatest movie ever made, the themes behind it, the writing, the acting. For a movie that almost didn't get made, as well as had several different writing teams (you can tell when you re-watch the movie how the humour and feel of the movie shifts throughout, however that's part of what makes it great). Also caused the classic remake Barb Wire.

Barb Wire
Basically it's Casablanca but in the future, where the second US Civil War is going on. The rebels are coming, and getting closer and closer to the city (I forget what one) that Barb Wire (Rick) lives in, and operates a biker/dance bar. How can any movie with Pamela Anderson's "tallent" shown off, as well as a setting where Canada is a paradice (trueism) and Canadian money is valued as the world standard, not the worthless greenback be bad? Oh maybe the lame use of retinas as letters of passage, and hiding them in a place where the local police couldn't find them but a 3 yr old toddler could. Sadly (thankfully) I don't remember if she stays or goes... something tells me it's the opposite of what Rick did in Casablanca

The Maltese Falcon
Film Noir is so much better than film today. Film noir can't come out and say that guy x is having an affair with girl y, so they just dance around the fact... they tell you it's happening without coming right out and saying it. Today not only do they tell you that guy x is having an affair with girl y, but they demonstrate as well (which has its advantages but doesn't make for a great mind movie, see Species). Again if you like Bogey, this movie is for you.

Species
Saw this in high school... again if you're looking for a story, good plot, good acting, etc... this movie is not for you. If you're looking for a movie with some decent special effects (finger growing back, alien arms coming out of the girl's back) and lots of "tallent" shall we say (I'm sure you're all aware what I'm talking about when I say "tallent" and "ability" ... "T and A") with a wee bit of "ability". I haven't seen the sequels.

Men With Brooms
Canadian, Curling, Paul Gross, Leslie Neilson, The Tragically Hip... need I saw more? A clever movie that uses curling as what propels the plot forward, has special guest appearance by the Hip, and they sensationalize curling with WWE Wrestling with pyro, and entrance music when you go into the rink. It's a witty, clever movie, what you'd expect a Cdn sitcom to be like, only in a 2 hour interval. This I strongly reccomend if you like comedy.

Mystic River
Not obscure, but I loved this movie. Thought it was well written, well directed, and well acted (Tim Robin's won an Oscar for it). A tragedy brings 3 working class childhood friends from a middleclass Boston neighbourhood together, after another tragedy when they were kids tore them apart.



There's a few idea next time you're in Blockbuster, or whatever local video store you frequent (and frequent the local stores, they have just as good of a selection, often times cheaper, and you can find more obscure/older stuff)

Oh one last one

A Claymation Christmas
Ok, it was a CBS Christmas Special, and isn't really a movie, but the music is good, the Claymation is cute, the hosts are funny (well kids funny). It has a great version of "We Three Kings" as well as the California Rasins singing "Rudolph the Red Noses Reindeer". A Chirstmas Classic... if I do say so myself.

[Morozee]

Spartan, featuring Val Kilmer. Kilmer once again shows his incredible versatility as an actor.

[JiriHrdina]

First, I agree with you about 25th hour - far and away Spike Lee's best film. The last 15 minutes are brilliant.

Some suggestions:

Fog of War - documentary featuring a 2 hour conversation with Robert Macnamara. Sounds boring right? Well its completely gripping from start to finish.

Startup.com - a documentary about the rise and fall of a .com business.

OK - enough documentaries, other films:

The Navigator - A Timetravel Odyssey - Film from Australian director Vincent Ward. A little hard to explain but involves a group of people from the time of the Black Plague travelling through time to modern day Australia on a question. Visually stunning and a truly unique tale.

Backbeat - the story of the 5th Beatle. Not sure if its "under-rated" or not but I know a lot of people haven't seen it.

The Iron Giant - the best animated movie ever from director Brad Bird (of The Incredibles) as entertaining and funny for adults as it is for young ones.

Gattaca - Extremely under-rated sci-fi

Grand Canyon - great cast (Steve Martin, Kevin Klein, Danny Glover) and a really neat story. One of my very faves.

The Limey - Steve Sorderberg's best film. Doesn't follow a linear story telling model but it doesn't matter. Really great movie.

In America - Released last year. Story of an Irish family moving to NYC. Very moving.

Of Mice and Men - with Gary Sinise and John Malkovich.

The Professional - Another one that may not really be under-rated. But if you haven't seen it. Do.

The Red Violin - A Canadian flick traces the story of a must sought after violin. Staring Samuel L Jackson

Sweet Hereafter - A tad depressing but one of the most powerful movies I've ever seen. Also Canadian.

Searching for Bobby Fischer - a great movie...about...um...chess. Not dull at all despite the topic.

61* - Great baseball movie about Mickey Mantel and Roger Maris and their chase for the home-run record.

Suicide Kings - Christopher Walken. Need I say more?

Three Color Series (Blue, White, Red)- Koslwaski (sp?)'s masterpiece.

Waking Ned Devine - If you like cute funny little movies about weird Irish people...this is the movie for you.

Strange Days - Under-rated action/sci fi movie that bombed at the box office for some reason.

[Coelah]

If I had to choose one that people should see, my vote goes to Clerks. The movie that started the Jay and Silent Bob phenomena. Plus, how can you not like a movie with a hockey game on a roof?

I got the 3 disc anniversary edition for Christmas and it's packed full of extra goodies. Well worth a rental.

[Mike F]

Originally posted by MoroZee@Jan 8 2005, 08:09 AM
Spartan, featuring Val Kilmer. Kilmer once again shows his incredible versatility as an actor.

Ugh, I despised Spartan, despite being a big Kilmer fan. The film is so full of pretentious dialogue it almost explodes. And the ending requires someone to be in exactly the right place, at the right time with no logical explanation for how or why they are there.

A better choice of Val Kilmer movies, IMO, would be The Salton Sea.

[Looger]

i assume you're looking for recent movies that are diamonds in the rough, here are a few recent releases that are of the straight-to-video variety but are better than many theatrical releases:

"Below"
sub movie with a ghost story that doesn't rely on gore. plus actual suspense, something missing from some recent submarine movies. olivia williams and bruce greenwood.

"Consequence"
your standard pulpy suspense thriller aboot a guy that fakes his own death and tries to come back to life as his long-lost brother. armand assante and rick shroeder in a slickly done movie. predictable but miles ahead of manufactured crap like "bad boys 2"

"The Operative"
brian bosworth in a bank robbery impersonating a texan oil millionaire. better than it sounds!

"Boondock Saints"
unbelievably good for how few people have seen it. i had thought the word was out but i keep meeting people that haven't seen it.

those are some action and suspense type movies that have stuck out of the crowd for me, there seems to me to be an emerging underclass of decent low-budget movies in the last 5 years or so. say a 1-in-10 decency rate.

there's plenty of low-budget junk out there of course, like "megalodon", "dragonstorm", "pool hall junkies" and "deep shock" being four of the recent bad ones i've rented.

[Table 5]

Ramones: End of the Century: As a fan of the band, this was easily the most fun I had at a movie all year. Even if youre not their biggest fan, this piece provides energy, humor and sadness all packed into a poignant documentary.

Firemans Ball - Milos Forman's first classic about a ball in 60's Czechoslovakia. Works best if you had some experience with communism (preferably if you lived it), but its hillarious none the less.

Amadeus - Not underated at all, but i highly recommend it for those who have never seen it, or it's been a long time. Another Forman.

Birth - Yes, its THAT Nicole Kidman movie where she bathes with the kid. Get over that (and you should, because its not a big deal) and you have yourself a really eeryily beautiful movie to look at, and an amzing soundtrack as well. I definitely recommend it. Don't think its on DVD yet though....might still catch it at your local art-movie theatre.

Fubar - Anyone who has ever known a headbanger will love this. A local classic.

Some Like it Hot - Great old-school comedy classic. Don't bother to rent it though, CBC has it on all the time late at night.

Last Night - A Don McKellar movie about the last day on earth, and what various people of Toronto do in their last hours.

[Calgary Flames]

Originally posted by MoroZee@Jan 8 2005, 10:09 AM
Spartan, featuring Val Kilmer. Kilmer once again shows his incredible versatility as an actor.

Spartan??? Are you kidding me? Horrible film...

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally posted by SuperNilson@Jan 8 2005, 11:24 PM

Spartan??? Are you kidding me? Horrible film...

Horrible, really? I enjoyed Spartan.. certainly nothing amazing, but a good movie.

Jiri's suggestion of StartUp.com is a good one. Its amazing how tight and best friends these two guys are.. until their company starts failing. It is an amazing rise and fail of a dotcom industry.

• About Schmidt
• Almost Famous
• American Beauty
• American History X
• American Splendor
• As Good as it Gets
• Capturing the Friedmans
• Ed Wood
• The Great Escape
• The Insider
• Memento
• Rear Window
• Saved!
• Snatch
• This is Spinal Tap
• Waiting for Guffman
• Best in Show
• A Mighty Wind
• Adaptation
• Apt Pupil
• Awakenings
• Big
• Big Fish
• Brain Donors
• Bubba Ho-Tep
• Casino
• Clerks
• Closer
• Dog Day Afternoon
• Fargo
• Goodfella's
• The Goonies
• Grosse Pointe Blank
• Grumpy Old Men
• Grumpier Old Men
• Out to Sea
• Identity
• The Italian Job
• LA Confidential
• The Last Castle
• Mad Max 2 :The Road Runner
• Magnolia
• Minority Report
• Narc
• Monster
• The Negotiator
• Rain Man
• Requiem for a Dream
• Sid and Nancy
• A Simlpe Plan
• Swingers
• Made
• Thirteen
• What's Eating Gilbert Grape

[Eddie Bronze]

I'm not much of a movie guy myself, but I did watch one with my sister and her husband over Christmas that I liked.

Collateral which features Tom Cruise ('Vincent' the contract killer), Jamie Foxx ('Max' the taxi-cab driver) and Jada Pinkett-Smith ('Annie' the key witness).

COLLATERAL home page

Nothing earth-shattering, just a good movie with decent story line and lots of action.
Best line came when Jamie Foxx rolls the cab on purpose and Cruise says, "Well now that was stupid" and Foxx responds, "Forgot to put your seatbelt on?"

[Patek23]

Scarface, not alot of people have seen it. I guess it's considered cult because it wasn't really popular until years after its release.

[Displaced Flames fan]

I would start any thread on this topic with Clay Pigeons. Stars Joaquin Phoenix, Jeaneane Garrafalo, Scott Wilson and Vince Vaughn. One of my all time favorite movies. A GREAT dark comedy.

Some others that fit the MO of the thread, some of which have been mentioned already.....

"The Sweet Hereafter"...jaw droppingly moving.

"Snow Falling on Cedars"...great period piece that is one of the most aesthetically pleasing films I have ever seen. Great score as well.

"Jeremiah Johnson" One of Redford's best roles IMO.

Any Sergio Leone movie...my favorites are "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly" and "Once Upon a Time in the West". LOVE them!

"Thunderheart" My favorite Kilmer movie, factually based.

"Kalifornia" Early Brad Pitt film. The one after which I decided that Pitt was much more than the sex symbold the media wants him to be. Great actor IMO.

Those are my under the radar recommendations.

[calf]

Office Space

[Maritime Q-Scout]

Originally posted by calf@Jan 9 2005, 07:21 PM
Office Space

well I didn't realize we were supposed to state the obvious

I would have posted that, but I didn't have time, had to fill out a new cover letter for my TPS report.

[Flame On]

With Nail and I (superb Brit drug comedy)
Grosse Point Blank
Brother (Asian gangster film)
Man Bites Dog (violent mockmentary from Belgium, did I say violent?)
Evil Dead Series (last one is the least good though but still enjoyable.)

will think of more.

[VANFLAMESFAN]

Croupier-British flick starring Clive Owen, .....great story, acting and everything. Owen plays a you guessed it a Croupier(casino dealer) and the story revolved around him and without goin into details, he gets into trouble with the wrong people.



But if you are looking to rent something that I would reccomend to anybody on this earth. Get into the Sopranos, easily the best show on TV. You watch one disc of 3 episodes, you aint gonna stop until you are all caught up and there is never a bad time to start.

[kermitology]

Donnie Darko

The Big Lebowski - "nice Marmot."

I watched Traffic last night.. that was pretty damn good

[Displaced Flames fan]

Originally posted by Flame On@Jan 9 2005, 11:37 PM

Grosse Point Blank
.

Great call. All that is brilliant about John Cusack wrapped up into one very funny movie. And a great little role for Dan Aykroyd who has suddenly become the man who plays great little roles.

"Bing, bang, boom popcorn!"

And nice call by Kermitology on "The Big Lebowski". One of the few movies I own on DVD.