Most Underrated Movie

In honor of the 'Most Overrated Movie' thread a few posts below, I've wondered what movies people think are excellent but are like unknowns to the general public. Here are my votes:

Harrison Bergeron - Showtime adaptation of the Kurt Vonnegut short story. Really kickass satire. The plot's predictable, but hell, we know Titanic sank and we still watched that.

The Langoliers - Nother TV movie, adaptation of one of Stephen King's thoughtprovoking stories (i.e., not horror like Christine). One of the more well known TV movies, but still...it's a TV movie.

12:01 - Arguably my most favorite movie of all time. No one's heard of it though. TV movie from about 7 years ago. I've always described it as a 'serious Groundhog Day' although (after having seen Groundhog Day) the description isn't wholy accurate. Best day of my life happened when I special ordered the VHS from Suncoast (couple years ago) and the teller actually knew what the movie was. New Line, if you're reading these, PLEASE give this DVD treatment! My VHS isn't going to last much longer!

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Shop Smart. Shop S-Mart. Ya Got That?!

[Filmmaker]

STRANGE DAYS (James Cameron's and Kathryn Bigelow's audio/video blast is nothing short of phenomenal. One of the most extraordinary opening sequences in the history of cinema introduces us to a maelstrom of a film, with incredible photography, editing, performances, and script. The film is an exhausting emotional powerhouse that combines all the things we've come to love from the works of James Cameron (the curse of technology, humanity's suicidal tendencies) into a vivid, complex tapestry. Perhaps the most underappreciated film of them all!

THX-1138 (a mind-bending mix of David Lynch and George Orwell, it is to George Lucas what FANTASIA was to Walt Disney--a shockingly adult departure from the type of films the director is usually known for, made with a degree of intelligence and sophistication that he isn't usually allowed to display in his works)

STAR TREK III: THE SEARCH FOR SPOCK (this film is always lumped in with the so-called poor odd-numbered TREK movies. Though its fire is always stolen by the action-drenched II, VI, and FIRST CONTACT, or the comedic turn of IV, THE SEARCH FOR SPOCK is actually the most powerful human drama presented out of all nine films. Admiral Kirk (and the rest of the ENTERPRISE crew) gives up his ship and his career, and must endure the death of his son, in a desperate gamble to save the most important thing of all--the life of his friend. It is a powerful, moving film about sacrifice, and in being so, has continued to be my very favorite TREK film. Unfortunately, I guess it doesn't offer enough bang or laughs to register as a big hit to general audiences...)

TWIN PEAKS: FIRE WALK WITH ME (There seem to be two types of TWIN PEAKS fans--those who were charmed by its quirky characters and funny, off-beat dialogue, and those who were intrigued and terrified by its supernatural overtones, and dark mystery. I am one of the latter, so this movie feeds right into what I love about this cancelled-before-its-time show. The movie is a tour-de-force of surreal horror, a shocking, painful exposure of the "cancer" that we always knew was lurking below the pastoral town of Twin Peaks, but were only treated to glimpses of on the TV show.)

LOST HIGHWAY (Another Lynch film, this one the most obtuse of all--like 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY, it is a film to be experienced, rather than logically understood. It is to films what impressionistic paintings are to art. Lurid, shocking, confusing, abstract, and horrifying as hell, it is one of Lynch's finest moments--but take an Excedrin before you watch!)

William Peter Blatty's THE EXORCIST III (Eschewing the visceral thrills of the original, this film presents a refreshingly intellectual script about the nature of good vs. evil. It's thrills and chills are primarily of a more intellectual variety, making this a truly unique type of film. It didn't offer enough spinning heads and pea soup puke to register as a big hit with general audiences (who, ironically, probably would have dismissed it as copying the first film if it had), but the film is almost novelistic in its weight, and should be given another look.

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[This message has been edited by Filmmaker (edited 01-31-2000).]

Ravenous is, by far, the most underrated movie of all time.

Event Horizon definately doesn't get the kind of attention that it should either.

James

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Evil will always prevail because good is dumb- Dark Helmet

The Lost World - I can watch this one 20 times for every one time I watch the original Jurassic Park. You were expecting more wonder? More uplifting Williams music? More plot? "Hell no!" says Speilberg and delivers (with Jaws, of course) the most exciting/terrifying film of his career. The action picks up about 20 minutes in and doesn't really relent until just about the credits.

With Psycho, this must be the best/most beautifully shot scare film (with Steve's Oscar-winning cinematographer on Schindler and Ryan behind the camera) - I honestly can't think of any others that come close. The music by Williams forgoes awe and wonder for primal fear, exlemplified (I can't spell) by the incredible percussive work during the action sequences. Need I mention that the effects are well ahead of it's predecessor?

The film has it's flaws, of course. Sam Neill is missed as Dr. Grant, the ending is a bit silly (but still more exciting than Godzilla), and the "gymnast scene" is one of the stupidest I've ever seen. Balancing these out is the middle hour and fifteen minutes on the island which is as exciting as the similar scenes in the original King Kong (but with better effects)and in particular, the double T-Rex trailer attack and the Raptors attacking Malcolm, his daughter, and Sarah (I rank this as one of the best action scenes ever, save for the "gymnast scene"). Also suprising is the sense of humor. In between all the scares there are more laughs in this movie than the first one and 1941 (his "alleged" comedy) combined. Also worth mentioning is Pete Postlehwaite's performance as the great white hunter. His performance may be the best of both films.

I liked Crichton's book for The Lost World more than I did Jurassic Park. I liked the film adaption of The Lost World much more than the book (from which it differs immensely). Suffice to say, this is one of my favorite action films and, in my opinion, deserves absolutely none of the bashing it has received from both critics and the general public. If you want wonder, watch the first one. If you want action and excitement, you can't go wrong with this film.

So there.

Also, anytime the greatest comedy ever, The Naked Gun, doesn't get the highest possible rating from someone, I feel that it is being underrated.

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The Dude abides, man.

Filmaker, I agree with you on Exorcist III, Brad Dourif gave the best performance of his career - I get chills every time I see the scene where George C. Scott interviews the Gemini Killer in the mental ward.

[This message has been edited by Jim Rankin (edited 02-02-2000).]

I'll chime in on this one.

One of my all-time favorite films, of which I've worn out two VHS copies, is REAL MEN with John Ritter & Jim Belushi.

It's got everything! It's a sci-fi-buddy-action-suspense-spy-family-comedy film with a healthy dose of not taking itself too seriously.

This one's been out on LD for some time, but I fear I'll have a long wait until I see it on good ol' DVD. But that's one that I'll pre-order immediately; coupon or no!


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[manigrasso]

I think people on this forum would give it more credit than many other people, but I'll never forget the summer everyone flocked to see Independence Day like it was a reunion of the Beatles, but nobody saw The Frighteners. It had horror and supernatural elements, black comedy, slapstick, action, adventure, and John Astin...what more could you ask for. Peter Jackson also made the cult hits Dead Alive & Heavenly Creatures, two other must-see movies, as well as a faux documentary whose name escapes me, but is supposed to be really funny, kind of like if Spinal Tap focused on an old-time vaudevillian. I think Jackson is (still) slated to helm the live-action Tolkien "Ring" trilogy, and I can't wait...

[micahp]

Personally, I always thought the Frightners was awesome and that ID4 rhymed with booty. but that's just me.

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Resident Me,
Micah P.
Digital Dreams
Home of the Spider Monkey.

I must say I agree with Filmmaker about Star Trek III. While it's not my favorite movie of the series, I must say I like it alot because it has so much dramtic impact and resonance and I'm often perturbed at how much it is deemed a weak entry on the level of all other odd-numbered ST films. The film also makes a great bridging chapter between II and IV. Of course, to add my own underrated film to the list would be another odd-numbered Star Trek film, The Motion Picture. While I admit it's overlong, and often dull and lacks much of the charm of the original series, it is one of the most visually spectacular films I've ever seen and it has an excellent Jerry Goldsmith score and does have some great touches of warmth, the scene where Kirk's pod docks with the Enterprise for example. The audience and Kirk seeing the new Enterprise for the first time was an amazing sequence.

I'd have to say the most under-rated movie I've seen is Freeway, starring Reese Witherspoon and Keefer Sutherland. No fancy special effects or huge-ass budget in this film, just great acting and an awesome script. If you haven't seen this movie yet, rent it this weekend at your local video store.

[grunter]

I agree with Film-maker about "Star Trek III:The Search for Spock" - mostly for the black & white opening montage of scenes from Spock's death. If it's late enough and I've emptied a few pints o' luke-warm Guinness, this montage never fails to reduce me to a blubbering, Star Trek lovin' fool. If only all of the Trek incarnations to come thereafter were as affecting and emotionally resonant as that opening sequence. I can't wait to see this film on DVD.

[Filmmaker]

grunter, I appreciate the support, but all of the footage you mention was lifted from STAR TREK II: THE WRATH OF KHAN. All Part III does is make it begin as black and white and, as it gradually returns to color, slowly zoom in on the image. Very effective, but not wholly attributable to Part III.