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Outside of a dog, a book is a man’s best friend. Inside of a dog, it’s too dark to read. - Groucho Marx
Obscure or little-known movies that you'd recommend?
We had a couple of movies mentioned recently, one good, one not, in the eyes of the poster. So I thought I'd revisit an old thread and ask about your recommendations for older (maybe newer) movies that are somewhat unknown but deserve a rental. When you do list the movie, be sure to say something about what makes this movie worth watching, what it's about.
And yes, if you want to start a different thread listing well known movies like "Star Wars" or "The Shootist" please feel free, but try to limit this thread to the more obscure movie that might have been overlooked. Some of my recommendations:
"Miracle Mile", maybe a bit dated but still a fascinating thriller about an impending nuclear attack on LA and how a group of ordinary people prepare, as the panic escalates.
The "Pusher" trilogy, 3 modern Danish films about a major drug dealer "Milo" and his adventures. There are 3 sequential films, very violent and dark, but very well done and fascinating. Rule #1: Don't get Milo ticked off at you! (subtitled)
"Flame & Citron" (or Flammen and Citronen), a new Danish film about a pair of cold-hearted underground assassins during the Nazi occupation. These 2 men, code name Flame and Citron, ruthlessly murder Nazi leaders and sympathizers in Copenhagen. Very violent but not really a "smash-em" type movie. suspenseful. (subtitled)
"The Lathe of Heaven" 1979, a modern SF film based on the classic novel by Ursula LeGuin. Make sure you get this version -- a later TV version sucks. This version stars Bruce Davision and Kevin Conway. Le Guin, her husband, and others worked hard to make this 79 movie an accurate depiction of her book, and there are some very chilling sequences that show you how a low budget can be overcome -- the "plague" sequence is nightmarish. It's about how things would be if someone (named George Orr) could modify reality by his dreams and the drastic consequences.
"The Ninth Gate" a modern supernatural thriller featuring Johnny Depp who's asked to search for a rare mystic book by occult collector Frank Langella. Movie is directed by Roman Polanski. Depp plays this role straight, not much theatrics, so you may like him here. He travels all over Europe and is pursued by murderers.
"Blood Simple" the first movie by the Cohen Brothers and set in Austin and surrounding area. This movie is more well known than the others listed here but it's often overlooked. This is a brilliant, personalized murder thriller with great acting and some very tense scenes.
My list for now, I might add a couple more later. And you?
And yes, if you want to start a different thread listing well known movies like "Star Wars" or "The Shootist" please feel free, but try to limit this thread to the more obscure movie that might have been overlooked. Some of my recommendations:
"Miracle Mile", maybe a bit dated but still a fascinating thriller about an impending nuclear attack on LA and how a group of ordinary people prepare, as the panic escalates.
The "Pusher" trilogy, 3 modern Danish films about a major drug dealer "Milo" and his adventures. There are 3 sequential films, very violent and dark, but very well done and fascinating. Rule #1: Don't get Milo ticked off at you! (subtitled)
"Flame & Citron" (or Flammen and Citronen), a new Danish film about a pair of cold-hearted underground assassins during the Nazi occupation. These 2 men, code name Flame and Citron, ruthlessly murder Nazi leaders and sympathizers in Copenhagen. Very violent but not really a "smash-em" type movie. suspenseful. (subtitled)
"The Lathe of Heaven" 1979, a modern SF film based on the classic novel by Ursula LeGuin. Make sure you get this version -- a later TV version sucks. This version stars Bruce Davision and Kevin Conway. Le Guin, her husband, and others worked hard to make this 79 movie an accurate depiction of her book, and there are some very chilling sequences that show you how a low budget can be overcome -- the "plague" sequence is nightmarish. It's about how things would be if someone (named George Orr) could modify reality by his dreams and the drastic consequences.
"The Ninth Gate" a modern supernatural thriller featuring Johnny Depp who's asked to search for a rare mystic book by occult collector Frank Langella. Movie is directed by Roman Polanski. Depp plays this role straight, not much theatrics, so you may like him here. He travels all over Europe and is pursued by murderers.
"Blood Simple" the first movie by the Cohen Brothers and set in Austin and surrounding area. This movie is more well known than the others listed here but it's often overlooked. This is a brilliant, personalized murder thriller with great acting and some very tense scenes.
My list for now, I might add a couple more later. And you?
Outside of a dog, a book is a man’s best friend. Inside of a dog, it’s too dark to read. - Groucho Marx
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Replies
The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo
"Rare Exports": A Christmas Tale
I will fear no evil: For I carry a .308 and not a .270
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0373469/
Formula 51.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0227984/
Faster.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1433108/
Sinners and Saints. (the absolute best gunfighting movie that I've ever seen)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1130969/
In Bruges.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0780536/
With a 1911 and a 30-06
Fandango
-Mikhail Kalashnikov
- George Orwell
An offbeat movie I would recommend is called "Brazil" (1985). It's about a society set in a retro-styled future, where a nightmarish bureaucratic government is trying to fight terrorism....kind of what we have today.
Stars: Jonathan Pryce, Kim Greist and Robert De Niro
For a full synopsis, check this link: http://www.oilempire.us/brazil.html
Feast 2: Sloppy Seconds
Feast 3: The Happy Finish
The Groove Tube
The Undertaker and His Pals
Teeth
I will fear no evil: For I carry a .308 and not a .270
Outside of a dog, a book is a man’s best friend. Inside of a dog, it’s too dark to read. - Groucho Marx
Thanks! Some of these "satire horror" movies are real treats and it's always good to find a couple of them -- I did ask for a bit of explanation but from the titles I can guess they're "spoof" horror flicks, yes?
Outside of a dog, a book is a man’s best friend. Inside of a dog, it’s too dark to read. - Groucho Marx
Have seen In Bruges and yes it's a good movie. Thanks. Nice if you told a bit about each movie, though.
Outside of a dog, a book is a man’s best friend. Inside of a dog, it’s too dark to read. - Groucho Marx
Outside of a dog, a book is a man’s best friend. Inside of a dog, it’s too dark to read. - Groucho Marx
Of all the movies where Elvis and JFK team up to defeat an evil Egyptian zombie, Bubba Ho-Tep is the best by far. Bruce Campbell, who can do no wrong, also does the best Elvis impersonation ever. The movie was made by Don Coscarelli from the old "Phantasm" fame. Great flick!
Outside of a dog, a book is a man’s best friend. Inside of a dog, it’s too dark to read. - Groucho Marx
Not for kids at all is "The Poker House" co-written and directed by actress Lori Petty and based on her life.
If you are into female samurai warriors you must see Azumi, there's Azumi 2 which hopefully is as good as the first one.
Have not seen it but the trailers of The Raid are quite promising, shot in Indonesia.
http://youtu.be/V7B__KkLCLM
I have mentioned these before, lots of subtitles, most are NOT intended for children, just a reminder...
Old Boy (Korea)
Audition (Japan)
Sword of Doom (Japan)
Battle Royale (Japan)
Liquid Sky (US)
Mon oncle d'Amérique (France)
Wages of Fear (France)
Irreversible (France-very strong content)
Malena (Italy-Monica Bellucci!!!)
Brotherhood of the Wolf (?)
Sexy Beast (England)
Knife in the Water (Poland?)
The Burglars (France)
Damaged (England)
1984 (US)
Scandal (England)
Straw Dogs (US the original one with Dustin Hoffman)
Slaughterhouse Five (US)
Fitzcaraldo (German)try to get the documentary made by the director's wife as well)
Diva (France)
Betty Blue (France)
The 4th Man (Holland)
The Draughtsman's Contract (?)
Wings of Desire (German)
Night Watch + Daywatch (Russian)
Taxi Blues (Russian)
A Window to Paris (Russian)
The Cook the Thief His Wife & Her Lover (France)
Delicatessen (France)
The City of Lost Children (France)
Amelie (France)
Very Bad Things (England)
Walkabout (Australia)
Pauline at the Beach, Claire's Knee and My Night at Maud's (French)
The Last Wave (Australian))
Rabbit Proof Fence (England)
The Proposition (Australia)
The Darjeeling Limited (US)
The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (Australian)
Galipoli (Australia)
Breaker Morant (Australia)
Paris, Texas
The Bride Wore Black, The 400 Blows, Small Change (France)
La Strada, Nights of Cabiria, Amacord..(Italy, some of Fellini's best)
Rocco and his Brothers (Italy)
Leningrad Cowboys
High and Low, Ran, Kagemucha, Rashomon...(Japan- all Kurosawa's films, must see all his work!)
Samurai I, Samurai II and Samurai III (Japan)
The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (US)
PI, Requiem for a Dream (US)
Trainspotting (England)
Shaun of the Dead (England)
The Last Supper (US)
Pan's Labyrinth (Spain)
Todo Sobre Mi Madre, Matador, Live Flesh (Spain- All by Pedro Almodovar)
Cell 211 (Spain)
Thesis (Spain)
Across the Universe (US-for die hard Beatles fans)
Amores Perros (Mexico) Watch short included in DVD "Me la Debes"
Babel (US)
21 Grams (US)
Like Water for Chocolate (Mexico)
Doña Flor and her two Hubands (Brazil)
Pixote (Brazil)
Jamon, Jamon (Spain)
The Sea Inside (Spain)
Jesus of Montreal (Canada)
Everything is Illuminated (US)
Please someone stop me!
Can't help myself, some "classics" thrown in for measure.
Scientist Robert Morgan is the sole survivor of a planet-wide plague that has turned the rest of humankind into vampires. By day, he (Morgan) stalks and kills them, by night, they arise and surround his fortress........
This movie has been redone so many times (most recently, I Am Legend, Will Smith) but the original still stands out. Simple, Elegant and Creepy all rolled together!
Leon-The Professional - (Jean Reno, Gary Oldman, Natalie Portman, Danny Aiello, 1994) - A Luc Besson film...a go-for-broke action thriller about a professional assassin whose work becomes dangerously personal. (Uncut Intern'l version)
What else can be said, this movie is one strange bird but worth watching.
The Devil's Rain - (Ernest Borgnine, Eddie Albert, Tom Skerritt, William Shatner, John Travolta, 1975)
A low budget classic about good versus evil pits Eddie Albert, Tom Skerritt and William Shatner against the Evil Corbis played by Ernest Borgnine with Anton S. Lavey as the Devil!
Done on a shoestring and it shows but still memorable and I seen bits and pieces of this movie in other horror movies as the characters in the newer horror movies watch this older horror movie. :rotflmao:
Race with the Devil - (Peter Fonda, Warren Oates, Loretta Swit, Laura Parker - 1975)
How much fun can four people legally have in a Winnebago? Find out in this 1975 classic romp through Texas as they stir-up trouble with the local satanists who just can't seem to warm-up to the local tourists.
Anyway, good MadMaxx style roadrage goes on as those pesky satanists just don't seem to know when they're not wanted. Good Stuff!
That's it for now but I have lots more recommendations in all categories.
At the end of World War II, Giovanna (Sophia Loren) , a war bride living near Milan refuses to accept that her husband, Antonio, missing on the Russian front, is dead. There's a flashback to their brief courtship near her hometown of Naples, his 12-day leave to marry her, ruses to keep from deployment, and the ultimate farewell. Some years after the war, still with no word from Antonio, Giovanna goes to Russia to find him, starting in the town near the winter battle when he disappeared,with only his photograph.
Frankenstein Unbound (1990) nice twist to the old story.
Well, the only Run Silent Run Deep isn't obscure or little-known. The one that I know of has Clark Gable and an all-star cast, is regarded one of the best submarine movies ever, and is a very famous movie.
I asked specifically about obscure or little-known movies, which neither Predator or Run Silent Run Deep fit. And by the way, Predator is newer of the two. But this assumes I'm talking about the two well-known movies, not the obscure or little-known ones you're talking about.
So tell me a bit about the little-known and obscure movies "Predator" or "Run Silent Run Deep"? I already know about the more famous ones.
Outside of a dog, a book is a man’s best friend. Inside of a dog, it’s too dark to read. - Groucho Marx
Outside of a dog, a book is a man’s best friend. Inside of a dog, it’s too dark to read. - Groucho Marx
Kentucky Fried Movie
Amazon women from the moon
Rounders (made way before texas hold'em became popular)
Ready to rumble...(makes fun of pro-wrestling)
The classic Richard Matheson book "I Am Legend" has been movie-fied several times but I don't think that the final kicker of the novel, that the vampires have essentially taken over, and the "last man" is the oddball, the strange one on display, has usually been missed.
"Leon" is a fun pic, Gary Oldman chewing scenery as he is wont to do, and of course Natalie Portman just beginning to look gorgeous. A great action movie, you're right.
Devils Rain and Race the Devil? Well, you have to see them as send-ups, almost spoofs on the horror genre, otherwise they're no fun. I do enjoy both pics now and then.
Outside of a dog, a book is a man’s best friend. Inside of a dog, it’s too dark to read. - Groucho Marx
Less farcical but equally oddball, try "True Stories", a spoof of a musical, directed and narrated by David Byrne and featuring several Talking Heads songs. I rather enjoy this movie. Off-beat for sure.
For the "scary off-beat", let me recommend David Cronenberg's "Crash", 1996, and be careful to get the right film because there are several films with this title and none of the other will make you go "eewwww!" and turn you on at the same time. Very strange movie, stars James Spader, the stunning Deborah Unger, Holly Hunter, Rosanna Arquette (all of whom have nude scenes). It's about people who are fetishized about car crashes and who undergo controlled crashes to become injured and then get off on their injuries and surgery. As I said, VERY strange and very adult movie but compelling, well done, and pretty unnerving. I like it. Sigh.
Speaking of Cronenberg (a fave director of mine), gamers especially might like his "Existenz" w. Jennifer Jason Leigh and Jude Law about 2 people trapped inside a weird virtual gaming universe.
Outside of a dog, a book is a man’s best friend. Inside of a dog, it’s too dark to read. - Groucho Marx
I'm also a huge fan of cheesy Dolph Lundgren movies. There are dozens and more still being made it seems. One of my favorite recent ones was "Command Performance". Some classic kills with musical instruments in this one!
Or to quote an old WC Fields skit, "She was might fine, with mustard"
Outside of a dog, a book is a man’s best friend. Inside of a dog, it’s too dark to read. - Groucho Marx
Dan
The book was entitled, "The Long Walk" and it was excellent.