Note: Any industry friends I have can just skip on reading this, you’ve seen every movie imaginable; for the rest of you, enjoy-
So, most of you probably have lives, no time to waste by watching movies all day due to things like your careers, traveling, or positive contributions to society. Well, you’re in luck that someone like me is here to show you some hidden gems that you may have overlooked while you were busy having positive bank accounts, working out, or being fully responsible adults. There are way too many movies to recommend that are unknown, so I tried to narrow down 15 movies that you may or may not have heard of that will suit any taste, be it indie or mainstream. Also, look at some of the trailers to these movies, it will give you some insight as to what you are getting into….Enjoy!
15) ROGER DODGER- Jesse Eisenberg made this movie at about the age of 13, a nice indie flick about a kid learning to pick up girls from his creepy Uncle. It has some pretty impressive dialogue if you like banter, even though it goes a little stray in the last act.
14) MAN BITES DOG- Be warned, this movie is brutal. It’s a french faux-cumentary about a film crew following around a serial killer/rapist. It’ll make you wince, but not as bad as shit like Gummo. Perfect movie for Christmas…
13) PONTYPOOL- A zombie movie where the disease is spread by speaking instead of bites or infection. An isolation film about people talking in a radio station while a plague spreads from person to person after you hear someone infected speak to you…I would be so fucked. (Available on Netflix Instant)
12) CITY OF GOD- One of the most amazing films I have ever seen. Nuff said.
11) NEVER SLEEP AGAIN- A 4, count em’ 4 hour long documentary about the making of all the “Nightmare on Elm St” films. It covers everything from the shooting issues on the first movie, to the homosexually themed sequel, all the way up to New Nightmare. I loved every minute of it. Kind of a long wait to get on Netflix, but worth it.
10) THE WEATHER MAN- This is one of the funniest movies I have ever seen. Such a dark comedy, and completely ignored by audiences, this was Nic Cage’s last great role before he started slumming it to pay back taxes. Amazing.
9) BEHIND THE MASK: THE RISE OF LESLIE VERNON- For anyone who loves horror, get this immediately. A very good mocku-mentary following an 80′s style slasher and how and why he kills teenage victims. Kind of like if a film crew followed around Jason, from Friday the 13th and you got to see his workout regimen, diet, influences, and behind the scenes details of why he kills and that equals Behind the Mask. Pretty fucking original. (Available on Netflix Instant)
8.) PRIMER- Imagine Inception times ten and that will be your confusion level on Primer. A movie about 2 software engineers who manage to make a time machine and how they make investments, settle old scores and confuse the fuck out of the audience. It was only made for $5,000 by a guy who quit his job at Microsoft to make a movie that would “describe the only way to successfully time travel.” It’s insane, and really well done for it’s budget.
7) HARD CANDY- Ellen Page’s first movie about being a 13 year old girl, meeting an older internet predator online and then…kidnapping him and torturing him. It’s like if “To Catch a Predator” was reversed. Pretty intense movie. Get it. Now.
6) DEAR ZACHARY- A documentary made by the best friend of a Dentist who was killed by his ex girlfriend. She ended up being pregnant and going through a custody battle with his parents. The saddest movie I have ever seen, if you don’t cry you aren’t human. Watch this movie as soon as you can, it’s on instant netflix.
5) BRINGING OUT THE DEAD- My favorite Scorsese movie behind The Departed and Goodfellas. Nobody saw this film about Nic Cage and John Goodman being EMT’s during the night-shift, absolutely hilarious and crazy, I have no idea why people haven’t seen this.
4) SHATTERED GLASS - Order this movie as fast as you can. True story about Stephen Glass, a writer for the New Republic who made up 90% of all the stories he wrote for a national digest that boasted how it was the ‘inflight magazine of Air Force One.” The movie shows how he got caught in his lies and goes as far to make up fake people, companies, business cards and events to try and get out of it. You can find all the documents and old articles online and he even does an interview on 60 minutes explaining why he did it. The ultimate movie about a liar and how desperate he tries not to get caught. This is a movie anyone would like…
3) IGBY GOES DOWN- Though it borrows a little too much from Catcher in the Rye this movie is amazing. Kiernan Culkin, Ryan Philipe and Jeff Goldblum are all hilarious in this. Get it as soon as you can, very funny and I’m surprised more people don’t talk about it.
2) KISS KISS BANG BANG- You’ve more than likely at least heard of this film, but if you haven’t seen it do yourself a favor and get it now. KKBB fizzled when it came out and actually has gained some momentum since it was released. This should have been the film to reignite Robert Downey Jr. instead of Iron Man. Best dialogue I have heard in a movie besides Social Network. I have probably seen it 30+ times and it never gets old, if you have never seen it go get it right now.
1) BATTLE ROYALE 42 kids are put on an island and have 3 days to kill each other until only 1 stands. This came out in 2000 and the US has been trying to make a remake but it probably won’t happen because of “Hunger Games.” I’m fine with that. I am positive most of you have seen this, but in the off chance you haven’t this should be first priority. One of my favorite movies of all time.
