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10 Good Movies that Fell Under the Radar
Nick Rupert
For a variety of reasons, sometimes great movies get overshadowed by competition, while others are marketed improperly, or in some cases, not marketed at all. My aim is to dredge up some fine films which, for whatever reason, slipped between the cracks.
The list I have compiled includes drama, comedy, science fiction, and action films, so hopefully there will be something for almost everyone. Best of all, the next time you go to the video store, you don’t have to stand around biting your nails for thirty minutes. Just grab one of these.
1. “Dark City,” directed by Alex Proyas, who also directed “I, Robot” and “The Crow.” This mind-blower hit theaters in 1998, but apparently, Proyas was the only person to buy a ticket. Don’t blame the cast. This film packs some serious starpower, including William Hurt, Kiefer Sutherland, and the heavenly Jennifer Connelly.
“Dark City” triumphs as a nebulous, eerie sci-fi thriller. If you liked “The Matrix,” be sure to watch this one. But do keep in mind that “Dark City” came first.
Classic line: “You heard of a place called Shell Beach?”
2. “Rob Roy,” directed by Michael Caton-Jones. This 1995 swash-buckler takes place in 18th century Scotland, where commoner Rob Roy, played by the superb Liam Neeson, is pitted against tyrant Archibald Cunningham, played by the equally-superb Tim Roth.
“Rob Roy” boasts an excellent cast and an engaging story told on an epic scale. The ending includes one of the greatest sword fight scenes ever filmed. Unfortunately, “Braveheart” came out the same year, and the rest is history.
Classic line: “Mr. Cunningham and I have matters outstanding.”
3. “The Edge,” by Lee Tamahori, director of “Mullholland Falls,” and “Along Came a Spider.” This 1997 action/thriller pits Sir Anthony Hopkins and Alec Baldwin against each other, the Alaskan wilderness, and one angry, blood-thirsty grizzly bear. Hopkins and Baldwin are equally outstanding in this nailbiter.
Classic line: “So . . . how are you planning to kill me?”
4. “Gattaca,” by Andrew Niccol, who also directed . . . well, never mind that. A 1997 release, “Gattaca” portrays a futuristic world of genetically-segregated caste systems as envisioned by Aldous Huxley in his novel “Brave New World.” Niccol’s all-star cast includes Ethan Hawke, Jude Law and Uma Thurman.
The “horrifying future” angle has frequently proved to be pay dirt for movie makers. This one never made much dirt, but don’t let that dissuade you.
Classic line: “There’s no gene for fate.”
5. “Garden State” hails from 2004, and marks the emergence of the young and r e l a t i v e l y u n k n o w n actor/director Zach Braff. Braff strikes gold with this quirky romantic/dramatic comedy, which centers around the return of Braff ’s estranged character to his hometown in New Jersey.
Natalie Portman is really the only known actor in “Garden State,” and she somehow nails the part of Sam, Braff ’s oddball love interest in the film. While “Garden State” does qualify as a romantic comedy, this is not “Meet the Parents.” Braff mostly favors the somewhat darker variety of humor.
Classic line: “You gotta hear this one song. It’ll change your life, I swear.”
6. “The Royal Tenenbaums,” from director Wes Anderson, maker of “Rushmore” and “The Life Aquatic.” This 2001 release stars Gene Hackman, Bill Murray, Ben Stiller, Anjelica Huston, Gwyneth Paltrow and Owen Wilson. The plot involves the return of patriarch Royal Tenenbaum, played by Hackman, to his affluent and accomplished household, and the resulting conundrum he creates.
“Tenenbaums” is dramatic comedy, not slapstick. The humor is brilliant, yet very dry and refined. Subtlety is what makes this film great. Elitists will say you will either “get” the humor, or you will not. I say you will either appreciate the humor or you will not.
Classic line: “Anybody interested in grabbing a couple of burgers and hittin’ the cemetery?”
7. “Glengarry Glen Ross,” a 1992 film directed by James Foley. The cast is really what makes this film work. Foley somehow recruited Al Pacino, Jack Lemmon, Ed Harris, Alec Baldwin, and Kevin Spacey. The story centers around a vicious, demoralized real estate sales team headed by Spacey’s character.
Though essentially plotless, the film’s greatness is undeniable. Something magical happens when Al Pacino, Ed Harris, and Jack Lemmon all start railing at each other and dropping Fbombs. There is no shortage of truly classic (and very profane) dialogue in this film, especially from Baldwin.
Classic line: “Always be closing. Always be closing.”
8. “Adaptation,” by Spike Jonze, esteemed director of “Being John Malkovich,” and an arsenal of music videos. “Adaptation” emerged in 2002, starring Nicolas Cage, Meryl Streep, and Chris Cooper. The screenplay is written by Charlie Kaufman, who also penned “Being John Malkovich.”
Like “Malkovich,” this film is tricky to pin down. The plot centers mostly upon Kaufman himself, played by Cage, as he desperately struggles to draft a screen adaptation of a novel. From there, things get hazy. Suffice to say that Jonze and Kaufman manage to portray their characters as being flawed and beautiful at the same time. Truly unique.
Classic line: “Today is the first day of the rest of my life.”
9. “Donnie Darko,” Richard Kelly’s 2001 cult classic, deserves its place on the list, however depressing it may be. Jake and Maggie Gyllenhaal are the only name actors in this picture. “Donnie Darko” explores the morose world of highschooler Donnie Darko as he comes to terms with some disturbing truths about his universe.
Donnie Darko is a wellknown choice in some circles, but is far from “main stream.” Because of its depth and psychological appeal, “Donnie Darko” is a film which invites the viewer to stew over the ending a few times. However, those who insist on happy, uplifting flicks should leave this one on the shelf.
Classic line: “28 days... six hours... 42 minutes... 12 seconds. That... is when the world... will end.”
10. “A Simple Plan” came out in 1998. Director Sam Raimi had already developed a cult following with his “Darkman” and “Evil Dead” movies, but had yet to go mainstream with “Spiderman.”
Starring Bill Paxton, Billy Bob Thornton, and Bridget Fonda, “A Simple Plan” takes place in bleak, rural Minnesota. The plot involves a few characters stumbling upon over $4 million dollars worth of cash in a derelict aircraft, and their corresponding plan to distribute the funds in a democratic fashion. Predictably, tension mounts, and things get somewhat complicated. If you liked “Fargo,” check this one out.
Classic line: “Do you ever feel evil?”
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