these could be hollywood releases that for whatever reason tanked at the box office - though not for want of quality - or they are more likely to be independent and/or foreign releases that received a limited release and a limited run and never developed a wide reputation.

i'll start:
runaway train (1985). starred jon voight, eric roberts, and rebecca demornay. two escaped cons hijack train with train worker aboard. very gritty, wonderful atmosphere, excellent performances.

karakter (character) 1997 - plot from imdb:

The police detain Jacob, a young lawyer, following a death. He tells his story in flashbacks. His parents are stubborn: his mother, whose name he takes, is mute with him and rejects offers of marriage from his father, Dreverhaven, a stern and imposing bailiff. Dreverhaven, for his part, will not acknowledge Jacob in public, save for legal ploys to keep Jacob impoverished. Jacob, first a debt-ridden office boy, rises through intelligence, hard work, and single-mindedness to become a lawyer. His success is tempered by his mother's silence, his misjudgment of a young woman's feelings, and his father's cold, fierce aggression. Is his father merely building Jacob's character?

For some reason this popped into my head ... one of my favorite films is a Dutch film called "Antonia's Line." It's the story of a woman named Antonia and her daughters, their daughters, and the various people who come to live at her farm or in her little village.

Granted it's a foreign film, but at the time I don't remember it getting any sort of attention at all. Maybe it's just because I wasn't aware of anything.

"Nabbie's Love" ... a little known Okinawan film is a gem and "The Secret of Roan Inish" is a wonderful film.

The Cable Guy!!!!!!!!!

I just loved that movie!! I must have seen it hundreds of times! It was a flop but I just think it's a shame since it is really funny and original!

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Originally posted by KT:
For some reason this popped into my head ... one of my favorite films is a Dutch film called "Antonia's Line." It's the story of a woman named Antonia and her daughters, their daughters, and the various people who come to live at her farm or in her little village.

Granted it's a foreign film, but at the time I don't remember it getting any sort of attention at all. Maybe it's just because I wasn't aware of anything.

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KT, that's a good choice. It's so enjoyable because it's so original. You might find it interesting that it won the Oscar for best foreign-language film of 1995.

I'm trying to be original in my choices but I keep thinking about ones which I've plugged elsewhere. I don't believe that I've overhyped the French-Canadian film "Jesus of Montreal", which I find hilarious and deeply-moving.

Otherwise, I can go with some old standbys: "Allegro non Troppo", a spoof/satire of "Fantasia"; "Richard Pryor Live in Concert" (just the first one with that exact title); and "My Father's Glory", a beautifully-realized reminiscence of Marcel Pagnol's family's life and vacation in rural France near the turn of the 20th century (it's the next best thing to taking your own vacation to Provence!)

This message has been edited. Last edited by: mark f,

Actually, now that you say that, I remember it winning the Oscar and I remember being very happy about that, because I felt like it hadn't gotten much recognition at the time.

A movie that's out right now (in limited release, I believe) that I hope will pick up more press at it goes into wider release is "The Corporation." It's one of the most depressing, but also best things I've seen all year. I wasn't sure I would like it, having just been through a Business Associations class and being less than enchanted with it, but it presents the information in a very palatable way. Although I should probably give a warning that is pretty anti-conservative and Michael Moore appears in it, given the inflammatory reactions Moore tends to provoke.

No Man's Land (2001)

Ciki and Nino, a Bosnian and a Serb, are soldiers stranded in No Man's Land -- a trench between enemy lines during the Bosnian war. They have no one to trust, no way to escape without getting shot, and a fellow soldier is lying on the trench floor with a spring-loaded bomb set to explode beneath him if he moves. The absurdity of their situation would be comical if it didn't have such dire consequences. (United Artists / MGM)

(That's the description here on Metacritic.)

No, it's not buried treasure or anything, but still, not enough people have seen this movie. It's hilarious.


Way Of The Gun

Written and directed by the guy who wrote the script for The Usual Suspects, this movie has been seen by absolutely nobody. You'd think people would at least acknowledge its existence, but instead, it has disappeared into thin air. No, it's not as good as The Usual Suspects, but it's still pretty damn cool. The movie may seem to drag at times, but I still think it's great, and not nearly enough people have seen it. It's on Metacritic as well, so at least take a look at it.


Shaolin Soccer

This movie is so funny! It got a very limited release in the U.S. so not many people (in the U.S.) had a chance to see it. But damn! The concept is golden! Kung-Fu x Soccer (or any other sport for that matter) = Laughing until your lungs burst and you die.


Equilibrium

Under appreciated. It isn't nearly the best film you'll see, but the action is amazing and very original.


K-Dog

Dirty Pretty Things is a damn good film. I dont know how little seen it was, but I thought it was under appreciated. It was just such an original concept. It was really cool!!

Shaolin Soccer is great, but make sure you get the international version and not the butchered U.S. one. The Blind Swordsman:Zatoichi is out in theatres right now, and is excellent, but not a lot of people seem to be checking it out.

Eccentro,

You're right about Dirty Pretty Things, a damn good picture. Even with a few important things to say about modern life as experienced in this here First World by those from elsewhere. Critically acclaimed but maybe too dark and uncomfortable for the average mall/cineplex audience sandwiched in between your average Ben and Cameron summer drinks. Great serious filmmaking with great visual flair and wonderful soundtrack.

2 more under the radar:

Shohei Imamura's Warm Water Under a Red Bridge. Compares favorably to Bill Forsyth's Local Hero, or John Sayles' Secret of Roan Inish. Immense charm. Fine example of magical realism. You will find the sex delightful and funny (and there's lot of it), or as Roger Ebert suggests, may be too disgusting to the great unwashed. Great film from a master (he's 80).

Raoul Ruiz's Time Regained. As you would expect from Proust, long. But consider that this is from one book of 12, count your blessings. And no, no sex.

I loved "Dirty Pretty Things" too...as a matter of fact, I thought it was the best film released in America in 2003. But I'm not sure this film is appropriate to this message board...it made a lot of Best 10 lists, and was even nominated for one of the Best Screenplay Awards at the Oscars.

Anyway, I'll recommend two:

1. My Name Is Joe - Released in America in 1999, and according to IMDB, didn't even gross half a million dollars in the States. IMHO, it was the best film of 1999. It did receive more attention in the UK and was nominated for some awards across the pond, and Peter Mullan won the Best Actor award at Cannes in 1998. Thick Scottish accents made the American prints have subtitles on them, otherwise you wouldn't have understood anything that was going on! Briefly, it's the story of a working class, recovering alcoholic in Scotland who tries to walk the straight and narrow path, but is led into grey areas by friends who aren't as strong as him. Also meets a shy nurse and develops a relationship with her. Absolutely superb. Like I said, I thought it was the best picture in America in 1999.

2. Hide In Plain Sight - 1980 - James Caan in a role so much different than anything else he's ever played. Based on a true story, a down-on-his luck, doting father has his children taken to a different part of the US where he can't find him. Why? Because his wife remarried someone who was put into the Witness Protection Program. It's hard to keep a dry eye at the end. Some critical acclaim, but now awards, and just a really warm, wonderful picture.

I would have also added Boondock Saints, but that movie has spread like AIDS in a community of gay heroin addicts.

K-Dog

The Stoned Age - If you saw "Dazed & Confused" and liked it, this is a film in that tradition but extremely funny. I rented it and watched it four times in 3 days.

Show Me Love - Great little film from Sweden which apparently out-drew "Titanic" that summer.

Lost & Delirious - Another goodie...

K-Dog,

I like that: "AIDS in a community of gay heroin addicts." From now on, whenever I'm inclined to say, "in a New York minute" I will quote you. Is this original with you? (I just hope the communities of gays and herion addicts are open-minded and not thin skinned.)

2 more great under-appreciated films:

Land and Freedom/Ken Loach w/Ian Hart as young Brit going off to fight the fascists in Spain. Great heart and an unabashed idealism that is true to its time and temper. Even works even if you're not any sorta Marxist or leftie. Better than For Whom the Bell Tolls.

The Yakuza/Sydney Pollack w/Robert Mitchum from Paul Schrader's screenplay. An American martial arts pic that holds its own, from 1975!!! - and Mitchum's best performance in this idiom since classic Out of the Past. Also features the great Ken Takakura. If there is a God, one day you will be able to to see this widescreen on DVD. In the meantime, you just gotta pray.*

*The Conformist too, Dear God...

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Originally posted by asc85:
1. My Name Is Joe - Released in America in 1999, and according to IMDB, didn't even gross half a million dollars in the States. IMHO, it was the best film of 1999. It did receive more attention in the UK and was nominated for some awards across the pond, and Peter Mullan won the Best Actor award at Cannes in 1998. Thick Scottish accents made the American prints have subtitles on them, otherwise you wouldn't have understood anything that was going on!

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asc85,

I haven't seen "My Name is Joe", but I have seen several others by director Ken Loach, including "Bread and Roses", "Land and Freedom", "Ladybird Ladybird","Raining Stones", "Hidden Agenda", "Family Life" and "Riff-Raff". That last one also has subtitles for the English-speaking cast, but it was pretty funny even if you didn't read them. I'd recommend a peek for all those titles (if you're into working-class stories), except for "Family Life" aka "Wednesday's Child." Incidentally, I never saw Loach's early film "Poor Cow", but anyone who's watched "The Limey" saw some clips from it when they showed the young Terence Stamp.

mark,

I'm impressed. You have done due diligence - even if you say they are only "working class stories".

Here I thought that your love of Spielberg was reflective of some deeper character flaw, one perhaps beyond redemption, and here I was proved wrong.

God of course is all forgiving, and prayer and humility are all that is required.

You grew up in Lynnwood? Was the St Francis Medical Center there at the time?

quote:

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Originally posted by wong828:
mark,

I'm impressed. You have done due diligence - even if you say they are only "working class stories".

Here I thought that your love of Spielberg was reflective of some deeper character flaw, one perhaps beyond redemption, and here I was proved wrong.

God of course is all forgiving, and prayer and humility are all that is required.

You grew up in Lynwood? Was the St Francis Medical Center there at the time?

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I appreciate any kind words you wish to pass on, but I've been wondering the same about you, mon wong. St. Francis predates me, but when I was born (at a different establishment), it was called "hospital." My best friend, who's eight months older, was born at St. Francis.

I call them "working-class stories" because I know my audience and want to be as straight with them as possible. I certainly don't consider it an insult; in fact, I believe Loach would agree with me.

I have done much prayer in my time, and I don't pray to Spielberg. I just happen to believe that too many pre-conceived ideas about "the way things are" only blocks you from all that life has to offer, rather than vice-versa. I'm also very happy to hear you use the word "humility" because I believe that is a first.

Anyway, in all sincerity, wong, I love you (dispassionately, for your and Resnais' sakes); you're unique at these forums, and we appreciate it. Now, how about letting your hair down over at General Music Discussions- Introductions and sharing some more with us about the REAL WONG.

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Way Of The Gun

Written and directed by the guy who wrote the script for The Usual Suspects, this movie has been seen by absolutely nobody.

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I've seen it. I liked it a lot, mostly for the Benicio factor though. And all the shoot outs.

That's all I remember though, Benicio and some kick-ass shootouts.

quote:

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written by wong828
I like that: "AIDS in a community of gay heroin addicts." From now on, whenever I'm inclined to say, "in a New York minute" I will quote you. Is this original with you? (I just hope the communities of gays and herion addicts are open-minded and not thin skinned.)

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Yeah, it's original. I'm glad you like it. And I'm also glad you aren't a gay heroin addict.

Another movie I just remembered: Out of Sight

This movie is great. Yes it has J-Lo in it, but I assure you, there are no gigantic snakes, abusive husbands, or scary looking dudes with pierced nipples. Clooney, and Rhames also star in this crime/comedy/romance flick directed by Soderberg (I think). If you haven't seen it, go check it out.

Oh and one more movie that doesn't get enough credit is Intolerable Cruelty. A lot of people say it was on par with Lady Killers, which it far surpasses. I thought Intolerable Cruelty was excellent.

K-Dog

Out of Sight is one smart movie, from an Elmore Leonard novel. Soderberg has a habit of making fairly smart movies.

The character became an ABC series (now on cable) called Karen Sisco. I think Soderberg produces.

J-Lo was involved with giant snakes? What was she doin' with 'em?

You're right, me too.