OT: underrated movies

Submitted by WindyCityBlue on March 9th, 2020 at 12:32 PM

With a small lull in college basketball for the next few days, I thought I’d post something OT. 
 

So, I watched the movie Predestination last night and thought it was a fantastic movie. Way underrated! 
 

I also would put Sunshine in this category as well.  This a Danny Boyle film with a lot of stars, but didn’t do much at the box office. 
 

So what say you MgoPosters? What’s an underrated movie you recommend. 

blueinbeantown

March 9th, 2020 at 12:53 PM ^

My wife and I stumbled into this one on demand, Chef.  Favreau and Leguizamo were awesome.  Anytime you can watch Sofia Vergara, hey!!  Amazing story and supporting cast.  Great "feel good" movie. 

BeatOSU52

March 9th, 2020 at 12:55 PM ^

House of Wax

Waiting for Guffman

The Paper Brigade 

The Famous Jet Jackson movie

Sugar

The Little Rascals

Friday the 13th part VI: Jason Lives

Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers 

evenyoubrutus

March 9th, 2020 at 12:55 PM ^

Bowfinger- hilarious movie with a great cast that makes a really interesting statement about Hollywood and the film industry.

Contact- written by Carl Sagan, I believe it's one of the deepest philosophical movies of all time, particularly as it relates to how religion and science coexist, and the limitations of both in understanding the universe. 

evenyoubrutus

March 9th, 2020 at 1:45 PM ^

The story is about a scientist who believes in only using empirical evidence. She approaches everything the way a typical scientist would. She even says "I believe if I can see it and I can touch it then it's real" at one point to Matthew McConaughey's character, who is a minister. She represents the scientific community and he represents the religious community in western society today. In the end, she goes on this fantastic voyage to meet these supposed aliens and when she returns, she has no empirical evidence with her. It appears that she wasn't gone at all, that the pod simply fell through the machine and came out the other end, despite her having this 18 hour long experience. 

So she gives her testimony to congress, As her personal experience is all she has (sounds like religion, doesn't it?). James Woods accuses her of having a "self reinforcing delusion" (also accused of religious people). Her character arc concludes with her realizing that neither science nor religion has all the answers, that you can't ever be sure of anything.

That's my mini analysis. I could probably write a 20,000 word dissertation on that movie.

Special Agent Utah

March 9th, 2020 at 12:56 PM ^

Flash Gordon. 

In an era where almost every sci-film/tv show was attempting to be a clone of Star Wars, this movie wasn’t afraid to do something radically different with its style and tone.

The Art Deco visuals were impressive and fun to look at. The acting was high quality with people like Topol, Max von Sydow, Timothy Dalton and Brian Blessed (Even Sam J. Jones was decent for what his role was). And, of course, the soundtrack by Queen kicked ass.

Sure it was silly in parts, but that’s what it was trying to be in order to keep it light and fun. It wasn’t corny because it was just so damn bad like some parts in the Star Wars prequels. 

I’ll take it anyway over almost any of the post original triology SW films. 

Don

March 9th, 2020 at 12:56 PM ^

Chronicles of Riddick

One of the most underrated SF films ever made, in my top 10 of best SF films in history. Great cast, imaginative and creative depiction of bad guys, many memorable scenes.

Another one, although it may not be underrated to many: "The Professional" with Jean Reno, a very young Natalie Portman, and Gary Oldman.

Also with Gary Oldman: "Romeo is Bleeding"

RGard

March 9th, 2020 at 1:29 PM ^

I like all of the Riddick (Ridick for those of us confused by Michigan QB last names) movies. 

If you keep in mind Riddick (last movie) was only supposed to be a Sci-Fi version of a Dungeons and Dragons adventure you'll enjoy it more with lower expectations.

Don

March 9th, 2020 at 1:38 PM ^

I was initially tempted to mention "Pitch Black," but I don't think it's really underrated—it's a highly regarded film, at least for SF fans. I don't know why "Chronicles" doesn't get the same sort of approval.

I was pretty disappointed in "Riddick" but I wasn't expecting much.

trustBlue

March 9th, 2020 at 4:26 PM ^

The Professional is an all-time classic. Not sure it even qualifies as underrated, although its probably not as well known as it should be. 

I'll add Memento - Christopher Nolan's first film, and Pi - Darren Aronofky's first film to this list.

 

 

ijohnb

March 9th, 2020 at 1:03 PM ^

The Hangover 2.  That shit was funny.  Don't know why critics loved the first one but hated the other ones.  

throckman

March 9th, 2020 at 1:59 PM ^

As a professor, Buck Russell's critique of educators helps form how I interact with my students.

"I don't think I want to know a six-year-old who isn't a dreamer, or a sillyheart. And I sure don't want to know one who takes their student career seriously. I don't have a college degree. I don't even have a job. But I know a good kid when I see one. Because they're ALL good kids, until dried-out, brain-dead skags like you drag them down and convince them they're no good."

Uncle Buck is filled with so many memorable scenes and quotes: the enormous pancake, Pooter the Clown, Bug Spray, etc.

Blue_Zoo

March 9th, 2020 at 2:51 PM ^

Completely agree with this. That's one of my favorite parts of that movie. Probably because that vice principal is exactly like my third grade teacher. Wart on the chin and all. I once saw her take another little girl by the shoulders and shake her. As a quiet, shy little girl, that terrified me. I would like to go back in time and tell that teacher this exact thing. 

Special Agent Utah

March 9th, 2020 at 1:10 PM ^

I believe that “Batman Begins” was a superior film to “The Dark Knight” and nothing will ever convince me otherwise. 

Special Agent Utah

March 9th, 2020 at 1:31 PM ^

TDK was a great film, but it was pretty predictable. The Joker was going to keep doing his little choice scenarios, to show how he could get people to break societal norms, until somebody stopped him. And he was going to get burned by underestimating the good in people along the way.

It didn’t have that kind of dramatic turning point like BB did when Ra’s Al Guhl turned up at Bruce’s party and everything was revealed.

I thought Two Face was more interesting and could have had a great climatic moment, but they killed him off with such little fanfare that it was a real letdown.

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