The Top 10 Most Underrated Films

[Stewie]

The top 10 most overrated film list give me an idea of what would be my top 10 most underrated films. This is all my opinion so they'll be some you'll disagree with. However I hope you can see some of them as amazing as I do.

10-Goldfinger : Yes It's a James Bond film. However it's arguably the best Bond film. It put the franchise on the map and Connery steals the show. It may be a little dated but it's one of the best action films ever in my opinion.

9-Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels: The forgotten English crime drama. Plenty of cursing and violence for all however it's brilliantly filmed and acted. And Jason Statham actually goes out of his character role of having to be an unrealistic hero/antihero who's ridiculously impossible to kill. And he does a damn good job at it.

8-Stand By Me: It's the story of a boyhood journey. A coming of age story if you will. It's River Phoneix's best film in my opinon. It's some times mentioned as a great film. However it also often forgotten.

7-Leaving Las Vegas: Nicholas Cage won an oscar for his role as an alcoholic drinking himself to death while having a "realationship" with a down on her luck prostitute. However it's somehow left off IMDB.com top 250 films of all time. (as useless as it is) However I believe it's often forgotten in talks of the best films ever.

6-The Maltese Falcon: Only the true movie buffs will remember this one . It's the oldest film on the list as it was released in 1941. It's age is probably the cause of it not be brought up enough. However it's one of Bogart's best performances as a private eye who witnesses non stop ruthless criminal behavior in the hunt for the mysterious Maltese Falcon statue. It's holds up very well for it's age in my opinion. Made in the film-noir style they definitely don't make it like this anymore. A timeless classic.

5-Blow: Johnny Depp plays George Jung a man knee deep in coke (no not coca cola) in the 1970's. Awesome film and one of Depp's best.

4-American Psycho: Christian Bale's role as a psychopath is simply amazing. You almost forget he's acting and fall under it's spell. Oh the great acting abound in this film.

3-Carlito's Way: A Puerto Rican ex con is released from prison and struggles to stay away from his violent criminal past. Al Pacino's acting is great as usual. And Sean Penn my feelings against him aside (he's an ass) is a great actor.

2-The Thin Red Line: The Forgotten 1998 WWII flick that was cursed in coming at a time when WWII movies where coming out like hot cakes. It was nominated for 7 Oscars. But it didn't get a single one. It's often forgotten in the discussion of great war movies.

1-Quiz Show: The True story of the fixed 1950's game show Twenty One. Many great great actors deliver here. Among them are John Turturro, Rob Morrow and Ralph Fiennes.

[Stewie]

Any thoughts on the list?

[dady5000]

You seem to like drug and alcohol induced films, oh and psychopaths.

[Fausttt]

Stand by me - Most people don't seem to know that this is a Stephen King movie.

[topperharley]

I enjoyed Leaving Las Vegas. And your list reminds me I need to rent Lock, Stock, as well as a number of others that I remember wanting to check out at some point, but never got around to. Stand By Me I thought was meh, but those types of movies don't really appeal to me, and I found all of the kids annoying.

[sweet-t310]

It's hard for me to call a film "underrated", but if you mean "films more people should have seen", then I submit this list:

1)The Way of the Gun - Written/Directed by Christopher McQuarrie (Usual Suspects) and had some of the best dialogue that I have ever heard in film.

2)The Fog of War - Best documentary I have ever seen, really sheds light on WWII, Vietnam, and the US during the 60's and 70's from the view of Robert McNamara

3)Following - Christopher Nolan's first big film, not well seen in the US, but if you get the chance, it's brilliant.

4)The Mouse That Roared - Peter Sellers at his best, and a hilariously brilliant idea for the plot made this a very pleasant surprise.

5)25th Hour - Pretentious? Maybe a little. But considering it was Spike Lee's first post-9/11 film, it had amazingly powerful moments and a great performance by Ed Norton (him talking to himself in the bathroom is probably one of my favorite scenes of all time)

6)The Warriors - Mainly lost in the younger generation, but all-around just a bad-ass flick.

7)Saboteur - Earlier, sometimes overlooked Hitchcock film, but still greatly captivating and had a message that still holds true today.

8)The Great Dictator - Charlie Chaplin + Hitler/Nazi parody + overwhelming message of peace = amazing film...not ashamed to admit final speech gave me major goosebumps

9)El Mariachi - Catapulted Robert Rodriguez...any fan of Desperado and Once Upon a Time in Mexico must see (if for some reason they haven't already)

10)Zodiac - Yes, it's fairly new, and yes, lot of people saw it...but this was such an overwhelming ensemble performance and direction from Fincher, that I was very angry that it wasn't as big as it should have been.

11)Buffalo Soldiers - Got fairly blasted by critics, and a lot of people who have seen it hate it, but the subtle dialogue resonated with me, and I vastly enjoyed this film.

12)This Film is Not Yet Rated - AMAZING documentary about the MPAA and how corrupt and religiously based it is. Many thanks to Kirby Dick for making the movie that needed to be made!

So there's 12 off the top of my head. I'd strongly suggest checking these out on IMDB yourself to see if it is something you would be interested in watching. I strongly recommend all 12!

[bood-boy]

in no particular order....

1. Event Horizon - my favorite movie ever. horrifying.

2. Frailty - bill paxton, stars, writes, directs. amazing.

3. Ravenous - good cannibal vs bad cannibal with superhero-like qualities.. one of my favorites.

4. A Simple Plan - paxton n billy bob, awesome characters.

5. Money Train - classic snipes n harrelson!

6. Bill & Teds Bogus Journey - amazing on all fronts. its the total package.

7. 12 Monkeys - best time travel movie.

8. Memento - you dont hear enough about this one, and its genius.

9. Beowolf (2007) - was very surprised and i thought it was awesome.

10. The Time Machine (2002) - no one likes it but i think its great.

[killer_roach]

Stewie: Other than Carlito's Way (which I thought was middling at best) and Lock, Stock... (which is pretty hard to be underrated when it's that universally critically acclaimed), good list.

Bood: We're going to have to agree to disagree on Beowulf. I personally found it atrocious, bordering on campy at times (I like campy stuff, but only if it's intentionally campy).

A list of my own, in no particular order:

1. Brazil
2. Memento
3. At Play In The Fields Of The Lord
4. Magnolia
5. Tekkon Kinkreet
6. Shock Treatment
7. Rat Race
8. Requiem For A Dream
9. Amelie
10. 12 Monkeys

[Bullseye]

I love seeing people's lists, but I have to know what your criteria for underrated are.

10. Goldfinger - I thought would be overrated, as it's probably the most infamous of the Bond movies...even folks who've never seen this movie know about Ms.PussyGalore.

9. Lock, Stock, Etc- loved it the first time around, but it doesn't hold up as time goes by- still, worth checking out

8. Stand by Me - again, I thought this was quite a popular movie and couldn't imagine this being underrated-- more of a Classic

7. Leaving Las Vegas - depressing, but good...definitely underrated!

6. Maltese Falcon - only underrated because 60 plus years have gone by...as a child I remember this being quite the overrated movie that folks compared everything to --more of a "Classic"

5. Blow- never seen, so I'll have to take your word

4. American Psycho - see above

3. Carlito's Way - great flick; Penn is much of an actor in my book (but he is quite the ass); and definitely this one flew under the radar

2. Thin Red Line - I felt it was underwhelming and over-hyped but it also was released too close to Saving Private Ryan

1. Quiz Show - probably dead on with this one.

Anyways, just some thoughts on your list. I'll have to compile a list of my own.

[bood-boy]

Bood: We're going to have to agree to disagree on Beowulf. I personally found it atrocious, bordering on campy at times (I like campy stuff, but only if it's intentionally campy).

i was expecting it to be a total pile but i was pleasantly surprised.

ill disagree on magnolia..... i wont even go there, put it that way. William H. Macy's character in that is indescribable.

EDIT: if u cant tell from ym list.... guy pearce is my favorite actor muahaha

[topperharley]

I agree with Memento as well. What a mind **** but in the best way possible, and very well done. Excellent casting as well. Gattaca was a fairly decent movie despite getting panned by the critics and the box office. And I enjoyed Domino for what it was, a "check your mind at the door" action/adventure movie.

[killer_roach]

Yeah, would definitely have to agree on Gattaca... was pleasantly surprised by that one.

[sweet-t310]

I don't think you can call Memento "underrated"....it's one of my favorite movies, but when a movie is #27 on IMDB after 213,000 votes, it's pretty hard to put an "underrated" label on it.

[Stewie]

You seem to like drug and alcohol induced films, oh and psychopaths.

Well I am a mental health worker at a psychiatric hospital :D

[Poop Shovel]

Isn't there already a thread about this??

I would add Napolean Dynamite and A Clockwork Orange.

[culturedog]

I agree with Memento as well. What a mind **** but in the best way possible, and very well done. Excellent casting as well. Gattaca was a fairly decent movie despite getting panned by the critics and the box office. And I enjoyed Domino for what it was, a "check your mind at the door" action/adventure movie.

Another vote for Gattaca. It's an incredibly moving film and one of the very best sci-fi movies.

I'd throw down a list of my own, but it's tough to judge what's underrated - are we talking underrated by critics, or in the eyes of the public? Something like Fight Club should count, since it was generally panned by all upon release - but now it's considered a classic of sorts.

I can think of one though - the other night I caught the 1994 version of The Shadow for the billionth time. Everybody hates that movie, so it's officially underrated. But I freakin' love that thing, and can watch it over and over again.

[bood-boy]

i forgot to mention The Island.... i really liked that movie. and it got eaten alive by critics.

and i consider memento underrated cause no one heard of it until it was already out on DVD... i dont remember that movie getting any hype... it was all word of mouth and due to the fact its such an incredible movie that it because inevitably popular. jsut like the Big Lewbowski... and the Usual Suspects. underpromoted, but eventually became highly appreciated.

[Stewie]

Isn't there already a thread about this??

No your thinking of the Top 10 most overrated movies thread


i forgot to mention The Island.... i really liked that movie. and it got eaten alive by critics.

and i consider memento underrated cause no one heard of it until it was already out on DVD... i dont remember that movie getting any hype... it was all word of mouth and due to the fact its such an incredible movie that it because inevitably popular. jsut like the Big Lewbowski... and the Usual Suspects. underpromoted, but eventually became highly appreciated.

I agree those are some good underrated movies

[BYC]

There's no way Goldfinger is on that list. It's usually top 3 among Bond films. If anything, it might be overrated.

If you're gonna pick an underrated Bond film, it's probably Thunderball. It was the 4th, and one of the best. But people always say Goldfinger (most popular), From Russia with Love (probably the best), Casino Royale (best of the new ones), or Goldeneye (best Bosnan, though good, not great movie overall)

[Stewie]

There's no way Goldfinger is on that list. It's usually top 3 among Bond films. If anything, it might be overrated.

If you're gonna pick an underrated Bond film, it's probably Thunderball. It was the 4th, and one of the best. But people always say Goldfinger (most popular), From Russia with Love (probably the best), Casino Royale (best of the new ones), or Goldeneye (best Bosnan, though good, not great movie overall)

I guess that's one way of looking at it. I was thinking in terms of most underrated movie by itself not most underrated Bond film. I guess you could argue a case for Thunderball or even The Man With The Golden Gun (which I think is a great film in it's own right)

[sweet-t310]

and i consider memento underrated cause no one heard of it until it was already out on DVD... i dont remember that movie getting any hype... it was all word of mouth and due to the fact its such an incredible movie that it because inevitably popular. jsut like the Big Lewbowski... and the Usual Suspects. underpromoted, but eventually became highly appreciated.

See, this is why we need to define what "underrated" means. Just because people didn't see it in the theater, doesn't mean people didn't see it and didn't give it major acclaim. I wouldn't consider any of the above films "underrated" because they all appear on top 100 lists on a regular basis. If you're talking "underrated" means, not publicized a lot, then yes, Memento falls under that category, but if you're talking about underrated being based on number of people who have seen and appreciate, then no.

Dictionary:
underrate
Verb
[-rating, -rated] to not be aware or take account of the full abilities or potential of

By that definition, then Memento, Lock Stock, Usual Suspects, Lebowski all aren't "underrated".

[opens for rebuttal/backlash]

[bood-boy]

See, this is why we need to define what "underrated" means. Just because people didn't see it in the theater, doesn't mean people didn't see it and didn't give it major acclaim. I wouldn't consider any of the above films "underrated" because they all appear on top 100 lists on a regular basis. If you're talking "underrated" means, not publicized a lot, then yes, Memento falls under that category, but if you're talking about underrated being based on number of people who have seen and appreciate, then no.

Dictionary:
underrate
Verb
[-rating, -rated] to not be aware or take account of the full abilities or potential of

By that definition, then Memento, Lock Stock, Usual Suspects, Lebowski all aren't "underrated".

[opens for rebuttal/backlash]


I dont think that lewbowski n the usual suspects are underrated whatsoever... but ill put em in the same category for not being appreciated till much later after its been released. usual suspects is one of the highest regarded movies of the 90's i think. i dunno anyone whos seen it and didnt think it was awesome. and lewbowski is just... lewbowski.

[sweet-t310]

I dont think that lewbowski n the usual suspects are underrated whatsoever... but ill put em in the same category for not being appreciated till much later after its been released. usual suspects is one of the highest regarded movies of the 90's i think. i dunno anyone whos seen it and didnt think it was awesome. and lewbowski is just... lewbowski.

Ok, I got confused when you compared those to Memento..didn't read into it as much as I should have!

And after seeing the dictionary term, I'm willing to take Zodiac, The Warriors, and possibly 25th Hour off my list. But the rest I feel are solid.

[bood-boy]

Ok, I got confused when you compared those to Memento..didn't read into it as much as I should have!

And after seeing the dictionary term, I'm willing to take Zodiac, The Warriors, and possibly 25th Hour off my list. But the rest I feel are solid.

they made a video game around the Warriors though! like 20 years after its release.

[sweet-t310]

they made a video game around the Warriors though! like 20 years after its release.

You don't want to get me started on the awesomeness of the Warriors....I've been a Baseball Fury on more than one occasion for Halloween...and a few times when it wasn't Halloween...

[culturedog]

See, this is why we need to define what "underrated" means. Just because people didn't see it in the theater, doesn't mean people didn't see it and didn't give it major acclaim. I wouldn't consider any of the above films "underrated" because they all appear on top 100 lists on a regular basis. If you're talking "underrated" means, not publicized a lot, then yes, Memento falls under that category, but if you're talking about underrated being based on number of people who have seen and appreciate, then no.

Dictionary:
underrate
Verb
[-rating, -rated] to not be aware or take account of the full abilities or potential of

By that definition, then Memento, Lock Stock, Usual Suspects, Lebowski all aren't "underrated".

[opens for rebuttal/backlash]

Yeah, while Memento was a small release that had a slow, word-of-mouth reliant roll-out it was still hotly buzzed by critics and did great per-screen numbers. Hell, the small indie theater in Hartford that was running it for a weekend ended up extending it throughout the summer because it was so popular.

So it was released to a fawning critical reception, and despite its limited release managed to pack in audiences (who all loved it). Upon release on DVD, the rest of the world had a chance to discover it, and they all loved it.

Can't see it as being underrated at all! I think I'm going to have to stick with the notion that an underrated film has to be something that was panned or ignored by critics and the general public, yet still has some sort of merit. This kind of toes the line of the 'cult classic', but works better than defining underrated by a lack of immediate market saturation.

[bood-boy]

underrated and under-appreciated go hand in hand.

while it may have done well in the theaters it did get put into, the fact that it got put into so few theaters makes it an under-appreciated movie, despite what eventually happened. while total piles get promoted to high heaven and put into 95% of the theaters, this one didnt get the initial respect it did deserve.

[killer_roach]

Except Memento really kinda was panned by the general public as a whole... even for movies of its type, the numbers for it weren't that spectacular.

I'd say "underrated" and "cult classic" are different, mainly due to the fact that "cult classic" tends to equate a niche audience (although, in all fairness, I did place the very cult-classic-y "Shock Treatment" in my list). "Underrated" is a term I'd equate with "not as popular as it probably should be".

[sweet-t310]

See I just don't like the "bad numbers in the theaters" argument. Even if it had a poor showing in the theaters, if millions of people saw it on video, dvd, tv, whatever, it still reached an audience. That's the main thing. Memento only made $25 million over its life span in theaters, but it's hard to find someone today who hasn't seen it and appreciates it, That's like saying "Crash" or "Slumdog Millionaire" is underrated because they weren't a big hit in the theaters, when you'll be hard pressed to find anyone to call them "underrated".

[Lolicat]

10-Goldfinger :

9-Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels:

6-The Maltese Falcon:

5-Blow:

4-American Psycho:

3-Carlito's Way:

I don't understand how these picks are underrated, they're generally lauded as brilliant films by most people that see them. Certainly The Maltese Falcon doesn't belong on the list, whether or not it's retained its mainstream popularity. When someone tells me something is over or underrated, I generally assume it means from a critical opinion, rather than whether or not many people watch it nowadays. Either way, Lock, Stock... is not forgotten, because it's on TV every two days. When England does something well, they like to remind people of it, and it's thought of as a high point in English cinema.

[topperharley]

The Island.... i really liked that movie. and it got eaten alive by critics.

Any movie with Scarlett Johannson gets a thumbs up in my book. And it wasn't a great movie, but it wasn't as bad as the critics made it seem.

Speaking of underrated movies and movies with Scarlett Johannson, I would put The Man Who Wasn't There on the list. Even among Coen brothers fans, it doesn't seem to get much mention, and I thought it was terrific.

[culturedog]

I'd say "underrated" and "cult classic" are different, mainly due to the fact that "cult classic" tends to equate a niche audience (although, in all fairness, I did place the very cult-classic-y "Shock Treatment" in my list). "Underrated" is a term I'd equate with "not as popular as it probably should be".

Exactly! Sometimes cult classics are popular among their fans because of some sort of quirkiness or the notion that they're so bad they're good. Underrated seems to imply that the film had a shot at mainstream appreciation but missed the boat somehow.

So while a cult classic can also be an underrated film, not every underrated film is a cult classic.

Nice reference to Shock Treatment! They were showing that on one of my HD channels alot last year, and I had forgotten just how bonkers that film is!

[Lolicat]

Any movie with Scarlett Johannson gets a thumbs up in my book. And it wasn't a great movie, but it wasn't as bad as the critics made it seem.

Speaking of underrated movies and movies with Scarlett Johannson, I would put The Man Who Wasn't There on the list. Even among Coen brothers fans, it doesn't seem to get much mention, and I thought it was terrific.

I didn't think that The Island was anything but groundbreaking, and it was hyped as if it was going to be an intelligent science fiction film, which is why it got chewed up. It's not a bad chase film, but I was disappointed when I saw it. I don't think Johannson is that great an actress, but she's good in Ghost World alongside Thora Birch, I've yet to see The Man Who Wasn't There.

[topperharley]

I don't think Johannson is that great an actress

My comment wasn't necessarily in reference to her acting skills... ;)

[sweet-t310]

My comment wasn't necessarily in reference to her acting skills... ;)

Ahhh...I get it....





You like her dialogue. That's fair.

[Lolicat]

My comment wasn't necessarily in reference to her acting skills... ;)

Yea, I pretty much assumed so, but I really couldn't sit through an entire crappy film to gape at her.:eek:

[topperharley]

Yea, I pretty much assumed so, but I really couldn't sit through an entire crappy film to gape at her.:eek:

That's why man invented DVDs and remotes with mute and fast forward buttons. :)

[sweet-t310]

That's why man invented DVDs and remotes with mute and fast forward buttons. :)

and the internets (http://www.bergproperties.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/scarlett-johansson-i1.jpg)

[Lolicat]

So, anyway! Underrated films!

Burnt by the Sun is a crushing drama based on Stalin's purges, and was sort of overlooked. Very much worth a look in.
Mouth to Mouth didn't fare too well with the critics or the public, but I think it's a great film. Not only for Ellen Page's acting, but the direction and script-writing is involving.

[Stewie]

Some others movies I considered

Man On The Moon
Munich
Men Of Honor (Cuba Gooding's last great film)

[bierfaht]

i forgot to mention The Island.... i really liked that movie. and it got eaten alive by critics.



i loved the 1st half of the island. ewan macgregor is a great actor and the plot was very interesting... however... the 2nd half just reaked
'traditional chase movie"

i still liked it though.


speaking of criminally underrated.(and MacGregor).. Danny Boyle's first "big" movie, Shallow Grave, with a young and chunky Ewan is probably one of the best creepy black comedies that you will see, and has a great twist at the end...

[culturedog]

speaking of criminally underrated.(and MacGregor).. Danny Boyle's first "big" movie, Shallow Grave, with a young and chunky Ewan is probably one of the best creepy black comedies that you will see, and has a great twist at the end...

Shallow Grave is an awesome flick! It really did a great job straddling that line between dark comedy and truly disturbing thriller.

[sweet-t310]

How about "Living in Oblivion"? Saw this when my college had an agreement with movielink.com and we got 10 free downloads, so I picked the most obscure movies that had people I liked at the time starring in them. Once I watched this one, I was like "Whoa....making a movie sucks...but is awesome!!"

[Lolicat]

How about "Living in Oblivion"? Saw this when my college had an agreement with movielink.com and we got 10 free downloads, so I picked the most obscure movies that had people I liked at the time starring in them. Once I watched this one, I was like "Whoa....making a movie sucks...but is awesome!!"

It sounds good, I'm gonna make a point of seeing it. I enjoy Buscemi's acting, but he so rarely appears in really good films.

[sweet-t310]

It sounds good, I'm gonna make a point of seeing it. I enjoy Buscemi's acting, but he so rarely appears in really good films.

It's great...if you like independent movies, you'll appreciate this. It's all about Buscemi trying to make a movie, and going through the "star-ego", set designers f'ing things up, sound guys sucking, etc....and all the perils of what goes into making a movie. Good stuff.

[Lolicat]

Sounds likesomething a bunch of students at my uni tried to do last year, but just did badly.

[sweet-t310]

Sounds likesomething a bunch of students at my uni tried to do last year, but just did badly.

Haha, probably....I SOOO wished I would have got copies of all the movies I "starred" in for my friends in Theater and T-Com in college so I could re-watch them sometime.

[killer_roach]

Man On The Moon... yes. Definitely earning props from me for referencing that one, Stewie.

[GreenGrassAndy]

Well, for me... I guess underrated would be a movie that succeeds almost in spite of itself. A movie that entertains regardless of it's limitations.

Suburbia (aka rebel streets)--probably my favorite movie at the moment. Despite a mediocre job with the direction and production, the cast which is made up of mostly real life punks is brilliant and amusing. Future bassist Flea makes his film debut in this movie as "Razzle," as well. A great idea and likeable characters with some seriously funny one liners that work you through a deep and, in the end, dark world that is now lost to history.

Hackers -- funny one-liners. Horrible acting, but who cares? Angelina Jolie looks hot in this movie. Campy plot and dialogue, but some really funny dialogue as well because of this. For some reason despite all of the negatives this one ends up in my dvd player more than I am willing to admit.

Dead Alive -- Gory, my god is it gory! If you are into gore, and you haven't seen this, do yourself a favor. There is a scene where a giant mob of zombies is liquified with a lawnmower! I'd write it down as the goriest movie I have ever seen and possibly the most bloody film ever made!

[Lolicat]

IRL hackers screwed up the website for that Hackers film, that always get s a chuckle from me.