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ragingfluff 
"Currently lost in Canada"
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 Posted - 07/11/2007 : 17:06:19
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I'm reluctant to start this thread considering the shitstorm on the "Worst Films Ever" thread I began. But I am interested in films that are panned by critics and/or ignored by audiences at the time of their release, only to gain in reputation over time. I think "The Cable Guy" is a good example. The critics for the most part, hated it, and audiences, expecting a goofy Jim Carrey comedy, were turned off by it. Over the years, however, it has slowly built up a cult rep. as a dark satire on TV-obsessed culture and a black comedy about "friendship". For the record, just so we're clear, I still don't like the film very much, but that's not really the point of this thread. I'm not simply interested here in movies that you personally love that everyone else hates (not that there's anything wrong with that). I really would just be curious about films you think were overlooked for one reason or another that you think deserve a second chance, or that you think have gained a cult or cultish status (deservedly or not). Clear enough?
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MisterBadIdea
"PLZ GET MILK, KTHXBYE"
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Posted - 07/11/2007 : 17:27:57
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Final Destination 3.
Dear Jesus, probably one of the best horror movies of the new millennium. Throw out that Grudge shit. |
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damalc 
"last watched: Sausage Party"
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Posted - 07/11/2007 : 19:29:57
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i don't know why but i was bored to death with "Braveheart" on first viewing.
i saw parts of it again several times -- seems like it's on US TV network TNT every weekend. i have no idea what clicked but on the sixth or seventh viewing, i was hooked.
i love "Equilibrium" and i know for many of you, nothing i can say will convince you to give it a second chance.
- Luhrmann's "Romeo + Juliet"
- "Gattaca" -- not rated badly but it seems to have been overlooked. i rarely hear anybody talk about it.
- "Ghost Dog" -- another one i think a lot of people missed.
- "Sexy Beast" -- Ben Kingsley plays the anti-Ghandi.
i bet some of those that i think are overlooked are well known to fwiffers. |
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Sean
"Necrosphenisciform anthropophagist."
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Posted - 07/11/2007 : 23:40:41
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Diva
I loved this in the mid-80's, wanted to see it again last year, couldn't find it for rent, so had to buy new from Amazon USA. It's more than tripled in value since then, the cheapest 2nd-hand one for sale is US$70. I suppose that qualifies it for cult status. It generally got a lukewarm reception in France when it was released.
Also, Black Moon
So few have voted for this at IMDb, and I only recently added it to fwfr. Clearly it's been missed. The comments on the IMDb board suggest few 'got it', and the score reflects that. If David Lynch made this today, everyone would be watching it and dissecting it like it was the new Mulholland Drive. |
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Downtown 
"Welcome back, Billy Buck"
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Posted - 07/12/2007 : 00:38:20
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| Spies Like Us is one of the most under-appreciated comedies and political satires of the 80s. |
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Sean
"Necrosphenisciform anthropophagist."
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Posted - 07/12/2007 : 02:10:42
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| Pleasantville (1998) is one that I think a lot of people have missed. Everyone who sees it seems to like it, but many people I mention it to have never heard of it. It has a unique premise (I think?) and should be on everyone's compulsory-viewing list. |
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ChocolateLady 
"500 Chocolate Delights"
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Posted - 07/12/2007 : 07:30:55
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While it wasn't an underrated film, I really didn't want to see Aviator because I was being pretty prejudiced against DiCaprio and the few clips I had seen of Winslett's portrayal of my beloved Hepburn were horrifying. However, I did see it and, well... aside from the fact that I was spot on about Cate's rotten version of the lovely Katharine (and that the whole relationship was totally a incorrect), the rest of movie was actually pretty good, and Leo redeemed himself in my eyes.
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GHcool
"Forever a curious character."
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Posted - 07/12/2007 : 07:39:23
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| I've said many times on this forum and elsewhere that as far as I'm concerned, What Dreams May Come is among the best films of the 1990s. It may not be a perfect film and the ending is rather weak, but the acting, direction, visual effects, production design, editing, cinematography, and sound design are all amazingly beautiful and produced with attention to detail. Few movies achieve the technical and artistic heights this one does. So yeah, if it makes you feel superior to the material, go ahead and cringe at the sappy parts and the hoaky ending, but if you're in the mood for a beautifully produced film, What Dreams May Come would be at the top of my recommendations list. |
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BaftaBaby 
"Always entranced by cinema."
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Posted - 07/12/2007 : 08:04:48
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quote:
Originally posted by ChocolateLady
While it wasn't an underrated film, I really didn't want to see Aviator because I was being pretty prejudiced against DiCaprio and the few clips I had seen of Winslett's portrayal of my beloved Hepburn were horrifying. However, I did see it and, well... aside from the fact that I was spot on about Cate's rotten version of the lovely Katharine (and that the whole relationship was totally a incorrect), the rest of movie was actually pretty good, and Leo redeemed himself in my eyes.
Ms  Pedant speaking: uhm ... I think you mean Blanchett instead of Winslett.
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ChocolateLady
"500 Chocolate Delights"
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Posted - 07/12/2007 : 09:17:45
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quote:
Originally posted by BaftaBabe
quote:
Originally posted by ChocolateLady
While it wasn't an underrated film, I really didn't want to see Aviator because I was being pretty prejudiced against DiCaprio and the few clips I had seen of Winslett's portrayal of my beloved Hepburn were horrifying. However, I did see it and, well... aside from the fact that I was spot on about Cate's rotten version of the lovely Katharine (and that the whole relationship was totally a incorrect), the rest of movie was actually pretty good, and Leo redeemed himself in my eyes.
Ms Pedant speaking: uhm ... I think you mean Blanchett instead of Winslett.
Ooops, you are right. It is Cate Blanchett and Kate Winslett. I always get those two mixed up, and right now, am not terribly pleased with either of them.
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Beanmimo
"August review site"
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Posted - 07/12/2007 : 11:00:21
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Millions
and
The Cooler |
Edited by - Beanmimo on 07/12/2007 11:01:50 |
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Ali
"Those aren't pillows."
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Posted - 07/12/2007 : 11:33:40
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Some of the films mentioned were neither panned by critics nor ignored by audiences. I'm just saying.
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demonic
"Cinemaniac"
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Posted - 07/12/2007 : 13:05:19
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Here's a selection of films that have lodged in my consciousness that practically nobody has seen:
"The Music of Chance" is based on a similiarly gripping and unusual book about gambling, fate and penance by Paul Auster. All the cast are superb - James Spader and Mandy Patinkin are the protagonists, Joel Grey, Charles Durning and Emmet R Walsh the antagonists.
Similarly unheard of French swashbuckler "Le Bossu" is wonderful - it stretches credulity at times as is the way with a historical epic action adventure but Daniel Auteuil, as brilliant as always, Vincent Perez and Marie Gillain lead a strong cast with betrayal, revenge, loyalty, love and an unstoppable and fatal fencing move.
I'd recommend both Atom Eyogan's "Exotica" and "The Sweet Hereafter" as very strong films with first rate acting, both deserving of more mainstream praise. The former is set in a strip club run by seedy owner Elias Koteas, where a punter (Bruce Greenwood) is obsessed with one of the dancers (Mia Kershner). The reasons for his obsession slowly unravel. The latter concerns the attempts of a city lawyer (Ian Holm) to cash in on the grief of a small town when a bus load of children perish in an accident, as other long term tradegies that exist rise to the surface.
The adaptation of Nabokov's "The Luzhin Defence" stars John Turturro in one of his very best performances as a tortured chess genius who finds an unlikely love with a society lady (Emily Watson) only for their happiness and his success to be impeded on all sides. It's a great story and brilliantly done.
More people now need to see "The Devil's Backbone", very much the companion piece to Del Toro's "Pan Labyrinth", but a far better film. It has a tighter story concerning ghosts, greed and revenge in a desert orphanage during the Spanish civil war. There is some great imagery and some gripping moments and is ultimately a more satisfying work than the Oscar-laden follow-up.
I rather like "Casablanca" too. That got panned by the critics. |
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BaftaBaby
"Always entranced by cinema."
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Posted - 07/12/2007 : 13:31:29
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Not exactly ignored by the critics, just never given the publicity it deserves:
Fresh stars Samuel L. Jackson as a world-weary chess pro tutoring 12-year-old 'fresh meat' Sean Nelson, whose minor forays into drug dealing are outweighed by his natural chess prowess. It really is a little masterpiece.
Nelson's worked since, but I thought he'd rocket ... also director Boaz Yakim, but 'twas not to be.
Seek this one out - chess fan or not, the film's wonderful! 
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ragingfluff
"Currently lost in Canada"
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Posted - 07/12/2007 : 15:15:52
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quote:
"The Music of Chance" is based on a similiarly gripping and unusual book about gambling, fate and penance by Paul Auster. All the cast are superb - James Spader and Mandy Patinkin are the protagonists, Joel Grey, Charles Durning and Emmet R Walsh the antagonists.
God, that was a good film. Great book, too. I'd also recommend "Smoke", also from Paul Auster (and Wayne Wang).
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Whippersnapper. 
"A fourword thinking guy."
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Underrated Films? Give Them a Second Chance?
