50 incredible films you may not have seen.
Not exactly obscure, but not commonly known to the casual movie fan. A list of some of my favourite films that are not as well known or widely seen as they should be.
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- DirectorRoy RowlandStarsPeter Lind HayesMary HealyHans ConriedA young boy dreams that he is in an imaginary world where, assisted by his family's plumber, he must save other piano-playing kids like himself from the dungeons of his dictatorial piano teacher who also mind-controls his mother.Perhaps the best adaptation of a Dr. Suess work ever made, and the only live action film he was ever involved with. Psychedelic, fun and creepy in equal measure. All children should be made to watch it. Infinitely better than most formulaic kid's films today.
- DirectorWerner HerzogStarsKlaus KinskiRuy GuerraHelena RojoIn the 16th century, the ruthless and insane Don Lope de Aguirre leads a Spanish expedition in search of El Dorado.Once seen, never forgotten. More mystical than Fitzcarraldo, and my personal pick of Werner Herzog's incredible body of work. It has a disturbing and electric energy that always has me holding my breath. Arguably Klaus Kinski's best performance also.
- DirectorBenh ZeitlinStarsQuvenzhané WallisDwight HenryLevy EasterlyFaced with both her hot-tempered father's fading health and melting ice-caps that flood her ramshackle bayou community and unleash ancient aurochs, six-year-old Hushpuppy must learn the ways of courage and love.You may have heard about it's Oscar buzz in 2012, but have you seen this beautiful, touching, original and all-round wonderful little tale? Time may prove this to be a better film than almost all its competitors - it grows on you with every watch.
- DirectorRichard LinklaterStarsJack BlackShirley MacLaineMatthew McConaugheyIn small-town Texas, an affable mortician strikes up a friendship with a wealthy widow, though when she starts to become controlling, he goes to great lengths to separate himself from her grasp.Overlooked by cinema audiences, largely due to a negative backlash towards Jack Black, following a dearth of poor, unfunny films. Yet this is a little gem! Shirley MacLaine can still act, Matthew McConaughey is almost unrecognizable and JB is pitch perfect. Thank you Richard Linklater.
- DirectorSam PeckinpahStarsWarren OatesIsela VegaRobert WebberAn American barroom pianist and his prostitute girlfriend go on a trip through the Mexican underworld to collect the bounty on the head of a dead gigolo.Peckinpah is better known for The Wild Bunch and Straw dogs, but for me this lesser seen masterpiece is more coherent and truly deserving of the name "cult classic". With a mesmerising central performance by the oft ignored Warren Oates, it is brutal, tender and redemptive.
- DirectorRobert AltmanStarsGeorge SegalElliott GouldAnn PrentissWhen a casual gambler (George Segal as Bill) befriends a professional one (Elliott Gould as Charlie), he begins to mirror his life, sending both deeper into the sleazy gambling world where the stakes keep getting bigger.There were so many good films coming out of the mid 70s that light hearted affairs like this much forgotten Robert Altman buddy movie got buried in the numbers. Yet the chemistry between the co-leads of George Segal and Elliot Gould (two men who could and should have been huge stars but never really made it to the A list) is compelling.
- DirectorJon PollStarsAnton YelchinRobert Downey Jr.Hope DavisA rich kid becomes the self-appointed psychiatrist to the student body of his new high school.No one saw this in the UK. Shame. Robert Downey Jnr. and Hope Davis give fine performances, the script is way above average for a teen movie and Anton Yelchin shows a talent beyond what he has shown in minor roles in subsequent blockbusters such as Star Trek and Terminator Salvation. A ferris Beuller for the noughties.
- DirectorClaude SautetStarsDaniel AuteuilEmmanuelle BéartAndré DussollierStéphane is an emotionally distant but professionally dedicated violin restorer whose cold heart is tested when his employer's new girlfriend, a beautiful violinist, falls for him.Simply beautiful in every sense. A patient, small film in many ways, yet a portrait of deep emotions, regret and desire that only French cinema can produce. If that's your thing then this is one of the best ever - sensual and heartbreaking.
- DirectorMichael CrichtonStarsMichael DouglasRip TornGeneviève BujoldWhen a young female doctor notices an unnatural amount of comas occurring in her hospital she uncovers a horrible conspiracy.In my opinion, the absolute blueprint for a thriller - yet I am amazed how few people remember it or have seen it at all. Michael Douglas was much maligned around the turn of the century, but here is yet another reason to love him. Get a pillow and a brew and enjoy.
- DirectorFrançois TruffautStarsOskar WernerJulie ChristieCyril CusackIn an oppressive future, a fireman whose duty is to destroy all books begins to question his task.Surely due a remake any day soon. The art direction on this 60s sci-fi classic makes me very happy. No special effects as such, but sets, costumes and furniture concepts to more than rival A Clockwork Orange. The story is told masterfully, and the grumpy look on Oskar Werner's face (who reportedly hated every minute of filming) is perfect.
- DirectorAndrea ArnoldStarsKatie JarvisMichael FassbenderKierston WareingEverything changes for 15-year-old Mia when her mum brings home a new boyfriend.A moderate success in many ways, but nowhere near as much as it deserves to be. One of the best debut performances I have ever seen, and Michael Fassbender at his very best. What's not to like. Real, intimate, intelligent and constantly surprising. Everything British film-making should be.
- DirectorNeil JordanStarsNick NolteRalph FiennesNutsa KukhianidzeAn aging gambler on a losing streak attempts to rob a casino in Monte Carlo. But someone's already tipped off the cops before he even makes a move.Seriously under-rated, thanks in the main to a rich and honest performance from Nick nolte and typically solid writing / directing from Neil Jordan. Not a big hit at all, but one of the best films of its year.
- DirectorDominik MollStarsLaurent LucasSergi LópezMathilde SeignerHarry knew Michel in high school; they meet again by accident, Harry inserts himself in Michel's life... and things take a sinister turn.You know him better as the evil step-father / captain from Pan's Labyrinth, but this is the film that drew my attention to the quite brilliant Sergi Lopez. An under-stated performance of a seriously unhinged man.
- DirectorRob EpsteinJeffrey FriedmanStarsJames FrancoTodd RotondiJon PrescottAs Allen Ginsberg talks about his life and art, his most famous poem is illustrated in animation while the obscenity trial of the work is dramatized.Forget Oz, forget Spiderman, or the embarrassment of the Oscars, this is the role James Franco was born to play. Yes, it's arty and not for everyone, but I love films about authors at a typewriter (Factotum, The Rum Diary, etc.) and this is one of the best.
- DirectorBurr SteersStarsKieran CulkinSusan SarandonJeff GoldblumA young man's peculiar upbringing renders him unable to competently cope with the struggle of growing up.If you have seen it, chances are you love it. A terrific ensemble cast, a great soundtrack and a beautiful sense of angst and pathos - the absolute pick of the indie-comedies that were churned out by the dozen around this time.
- DirectorKar-Wai WongStarsTony Leung Chiu-waiMaggie CheungSiu Ping-LamTwo neighbors form a strong bond after both suspect extramarital activities of their spouses. However, they agree to keep their bond platonic so as not to commit similar wrongs.World cinema fans will be more than familiar with this absolute five star work from Wong Kar Wai - undeniably beautiful and currently sneaking in the imdb top 250 at 249. Oozing class, this very adult film smoulders throughout and always leaves me in awe. True art.
- DirectorNicolas RoegStarsGary BuseyTony CurtisTheresa RussellFour 1950s icons meet in the same hotel room and two of them discover more in common between them than they ever anticipated.The script has its issues, but the look, feel and performances of this high concept film always keeps me coming back for another look. Nicolas Roeg was something special as a film-maker, but not many remember this one.
- DirectorBilly WilderStarsJack LemmonShirley MacLaineLou JacobiWhen a policeman falls in love with a prostitute, he doesn't want her to see other men, so he creates an alter-ego who will be her only customer.Much has been said about The Apartment and Jack Lemon's chemistry with Shirley MacLaine, but Billy Wilder's lesser known comedy that brought them back together is rarely mentioned. Perfect for a Sunday afternoon.
- DirectorDenys ArcandStarsLothaire BluteauCatherine WilkeningJohanne-Marie TremblayA group of actors put on an unorthodox, but acclaimed Passion Play which incites the opposition of the Catholic Church while the actors' lives themselves begin to mirror the Passion itself.I feel like watching this film was a pivotal moment in my life somehow. Human, sensitive and resonant. The live theatre performances inspired me to become an actor. Wonderful stuff.
- DirectorCraig GillespieStarsRyan GoslingEmily MortimerPaul SchneiderA delusional young man strikes up an unconventional relationship with a doll he finds on the Internet.Ryan Gosling - what can I say? Not his biggest film, but the one that convinced me beyond doubt how good he is at the ol' acting lark. Against type, charming, touching and very funny. Why more people have not got around to seeing this baffles me.
- DirectorJohn DuiganStarsSam RockwellKathleen QuinlanMischa BartonWhen Devon, a 10-year-old girl, forges a friendship with Trent, a 21-year-old outsider who mows the neighborhood lawns, things suddenly get very complicated and private.I could watch Sam Rockwell in anything. And this sensitive and subtle little film from the mid 90s is a lot more than just anything.
- DirectorMichael CuestaStarsBrian CoxPaul DanoBruce AltmanA 15-year-old Long Island boy loses everything and everyone he knows, soon becoming involved in a relationship with a much older man.Introducing your new favourite "who is that again, he's quite good" Mr Paul Dano. Although it has to be said it is Brian Cox's film. Great script, great perfomances. One of those films you might have seen but can never name.
- DirectorLukas MoodyssonStarsOksana AkinshinaArtyom BogucharskiyPavel PonomaryovSixteen-year-old Lilja and her only friend, the young boy Volodja, live in Russia, fantasizing about a better life. One day, Lilja falls in love with Andrej, who is going to Sweden, and invites Lilja to come along and start a new life.If you haven't seen this, you should have. Powerful and disturbing. And that's all that needs to be said about it.
- DirectorKeith FultonLouis PepeStarsTerry GilliamJohnny DeppJeff BridgesTerry Gilliam's doomed attempt to get his film, The Man Who Killed Don Quixote (2018), off the ground.THE best documentary you may not have seen. Truly hard to believe something was this cursed. I love it.
- DirectorJames MarshStarsPhilippe PetitJean François HeckelJean-Louis BlondeauA look at tightrope walker Philippe Petit's daring, but illegal, high-wire routine performed between New York City's World Trade Center's twin towers in 1974, what some consider, "the artistic crime of the century".No wait, this is THE best documentary you may not have seen. Inspirational in every way.