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This is a list of the greatest movies, each described briefly, that maybe you've never seen. Movies included in the list are those that provide a semblance of originality, as well as an essence of pure, redeeming entertainment --often not found in even the highest-grossing films. | ||
| Many of these films are old favorites and the ones you remember, perhaps even years after seeing. In a way, to consider a lot of these merely "cult" favorites, serves to cheapen them as sources of entertainment that should be enjoyed by all. But on the other hand, only a hanful of people truly do, a culture of people who enjoy more than cliche and formulaic film. So to be a member of this cult is to appreciate what most mistakenly disguard in passing fashion and time.
Go and paruse, and feel free to e-mail me at [email protected] if you think a film should be added! |
Aliens |
(The ALIENS movies are a staple in the Horror genre, in directorial style and effectiveness. The ALIENS (the sequal to ALIENS) special, extended edition includes the scenes with the sentry guns, which were originally cut out due to length.)
R
Aliens website |
American History X |
(Wonderfully acted by EDWARD NORTON, who is almost a completely different person than in FIGHT CLUB, AMERICAN HISTORY X is a gripping and thought provoking story about a neonazi who eventually --and violently- turns to see things differently. Highly recommended, but graphic.)R
The First American History X Page |
American Movie |
(AMERICAN MOVIE is an independent film, documenting the efforts of Minomonee Falls, WI aspiring film-maker (MARK BORCHARDT) and his friend (MIKE SCHANK) in making a horror movie called COVEN. But in his trials and tribulations, a broader picture of our main character shows difficulties he had in his familiy and personal life. It is a different side of Midwestern life not seen, and is portrayed both dramitically and comicically as the horror film COVEN is made. The characters are colerful because they are real, and this documentary play like a scripted film. Both funny and thoughtful, AMERICAN MOVIE is a hidden jewel that can actually be found in most Blockbuster or Hollywood video stores.)
R
American Movie Homepage |
American Pop |
(From a far-gone breed of American animation by RALPH BAKSHI, AMERICAN POP is a story of how four generations of musicians experience the obstacles within each of their respective eras. The artwork is beautiful, and the animation is amongst the most natural and well timed I have ever seen on screen. When the characters in the story begine to sing and dance to the music, it is as if it was recorded instead of drawn. A movie meant for an older audience, it is a shame that the US has only started recieving work like this --but as import, because it no longer exists here.)
PG-13
Ralph Bakshi Homepage |
Army of Darkness |
(Starring BRUCE CAMPELL and directed by SAM RAIMI, ARMY OF DARKNESS is probably as popular as it has ever been --including its run on the big screen. The third part of the EVIL DEAD series, A.O.D. continues the dual humor/suspense-horror stylings that run through the series. Perhaps the greatest source of one-liners in history, A.O.D. delivers a combination of tough-in-cheek humor, horror, and action. This is high on my list of favorites, and may be one of those you watch until it wears the color out of the VHS.)
R
House of Horror: Army of Darkness page |
The Baron Munchausen |
(By my favorite director TERRY GILLIAM, a Monty Python member who is noted for his highly identifiable animation work, THE BARON MUNCHAUSEN is a film of immense proportions. Styled like Gilliam's TIME BANDITS, T.B.M. was made before the advent of CG effects --which is largely misused and poorly executed. T.B.M. runs like an 18th century dream, a fantasy told as a stroy by the famous/infamous story-teller, the Baron himself. His story become real as he tells it, and includes scenes ranging from large-scale battles, sailing on the moon, to living in fish. The characters themselves are a collection of individuals who have super-abilities that allow them to fight as the Baron's faithful servants in the most amazing ways possible. T.B.M. doesn't show up a lot, but highly recommended. My current, personal favorite.)PG
The Gilliam Files |
The Big Lebowski |
(A film by the COEN BROTHERS, innovators of some of the most original works in the theators today, THE BIG LEBOWSKI is a comedy about a man --"the Dude"- who gets caught up in a complex set of mistaken-identity errors. All the man wants to do is bowl. T.B.L. features some of the greatest characters and best quotes in all moviedom, and runs at a cool pace under brilliant writing.)
R
The Making of the Big Lebowski |
Brazil |
(Another TERRY GIILLIAM written and directed work, BRAZIL is a "1984"-like dream world. It is about a man named Sam who, after an error in mistaken identity, becomes swept-up in an abyss of bureaucracy. But as he battles the system, he deals with his situation internally, dreaming a plot that parallels his hopeless external situation. Often confusing, BRAZIL still offers dream-like imagry and story-telling not often seen in film.)
R
Terry Gilliam's Brazil |
City of Lost Children |
(Produced by RON PERLMAN, the French-made CITY OF LOST CHILDREN offers a fantasy of a dark future where a mad scientist systematically steals children to capture their dreams. Story-telling and suspense, characters develope and plots thicken as the intrigue is laid on thick as ever. Watch with english subtitles, this fantasy masterpiece will be unlike anything you have ever seen, strange and enjoyable.)
PG-13
City of lost Children site |
Curse of the Jade Scorpion |
(I had never been all that interested in Woody Allen, but I had never seen any of his stuff. CURSE OF THE JADE SCORPION was the first of his films that I have seen, and I really enjoyed it. The plot is simple enough, where a bit of hipnotism within a 1940's world of private eyes and beutiful ladies leads to a web of overlapping complications. But the real gem behind the JADE are the characters, one of which be duplicated by none but Woody himself. JADE's inclusion on the Movie List is a general shout out to all of Woody Allen's work, most of which I haven't seen yet.)
PG-13
City of lost Children site |
Dog Soldiers |
(Who says the B-movie isn't alive and well? Out of the UK, this Werewolf movie is a lot of fun. A bunch of hard-nosed soldiers get dropped in the middle of nowhere for a routine training excersise. But wait! It wasn't routine! WEREWOLVES! AHH! Little CGI, they use great puppets and costumes to deliver a much better movie than would be expected for something you've never heard of. I say this one is similar to ALIENS, but much funnier and toung-and-cheek. See it!)
R
Dog Soldiers Home |
The Explorers |
(Remember this one? It's 1985. Three kids make a spaceship out of an electric-bubble and a tilt-a-whirl cart. They go up in space and are abducted. And who says nothing good came out of the 80's? I came out of the 80's! I have fond memories of watching The EXPLORERS, over and over and over from about 20 minutes into the film, because we pushed the record button too late. And for sentimental reasons, I suggest that you see it, from the beginning.)
PG
River Pheonix Website |
Fight Club |
(FIGHT CLUB is one of those films that takes the familiar, and throttles it with adamant vivacity. That's righ... Adamant...Vivocity. A more or less an anarchist's take on things, FIGHT CLUB tells the story of a man (played by EDWARD NORTON) as he moves from a life stifled by materialism to one where priorities are whiped violently into scope. Funny, suspensful, and good story-telling.)
R
Project Meyhem |
Flash Gordon |
(Another of those movie I remember from my childhood, but haven't actually seen in about a decade. FLASH GORDON, as I remember it, was a lot of fun. Interestingly, the soundtrack was done by QUEEN. Nothing by today's standards in terms of special effects, it has its quircky styles, being based off of a very old comic book, and because of this, actually hits the "old fashioned" feel more now than it was originally supposed to!)
PG
Flash Gordon Movie Site |
Fierce Creatures |
(Driven by the chemistry of great casting, FIERCE CREATURES stars an already proven team: JOHN CLEESE, KEVIN KLINE, JAMIE LEE CURTIS, and MICHAEL PALIN. When a British Zoo, bought-up by a wealthy tycoon, is threatened, the new managers race to save it from closing. From their first attempt to save the Zoo to their last, FIERCE CREATURES delivers witty, subtle, consistent humor which eventually builds to full-out slapstick. I watched this movie five time straight on the way to Paris, and did not get sick of it. Very rewatchable (because I know), and well worth viewing. One of my favorites.)
PG-13
MOVIEWEB: Fierce Creatures |
Friday, and Next Friday |
(A feel good movie.)
Next Friday: Official Site |
The Goonies |
(Well. What do I say? GOONIES set the bar higher for adventure movies upon its release. There hasn't been a movie this good in this genre since. If you haven't seen it in a while, give it a go.)
PG
The Goonies Homepage |
Ghostbusters |
(If you ever sit down and watch it, this movie is much funnier now than when I first saw it as a kid. Back then, I watched it because of Slimer. Now I watch it because it is actually a funny movie. There is a decent DVD out there now with some special features, so if you can't remember the last time you've seen the whole thing, rent GHOST BUSTERS, because there if more to it than you remember.)
PG-13
The Ghostbusters Fan Forum |
Godfather Trilogy |
(Ah, the Mafia. Italian guys with Italian suits driving Italian sportscars parked in front of Italian restaurants saying things in Italian in an Italian way. Whoa. I haven't seen it, but I hear it's good. Sorry about how clueless I am.)
R
Godfather Trilogy website |
