PeEp ThIs: 100 Underappreciated Gems & Cult Classics
If you're reading this, thank you, I really appreciate it. I really dig cinema and wanted to come up with a couple lists in hopes of people checking out some movies they might have missed or forgotten.
These films already have a cult following or are destined to be future cult classics.
~A cult film, also commonly referred to as a cult classic, is a film with a cult following, obscure or unpopular with mainstream audiences, and often revolutionary or ironically enjoyed.
Cult films are defined as much by audience reaction as they are content. Sometimes, the definition is expanded to exclude films that have been released by major studios or have big budgets, try specifically to become cult films, or become accepted by mainstream audiences and critics.
This list is not in any particular order. Please leave your comments and other suggestions for cult films.
These films already have a cult following or are destined to be future cult classics.
~A cult film, also commonly referred to as a cult classic, is a film with a cult following, obscure or unpopular with mainstream audiences, and often revolutionary or ironically enjoyed.
Cult films are defined as much by audience reaction as they are content. Sometimes, the definition is expanded to exclude films that have been released by major studios or have big budgets, try specifically to become cult films, or become accepted by mainstream audiences and critics.
This list is not in any particular order. Please leave your comments and other suggestions for cult films.
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- DirectorAdam WingardStarsSharni VinsonJoe SwanbergAJ BowenWhen the Davison family comes under attack during their wedding anniversary getaway, the gang of mysterious killers soon learns that one of the victims harbors a secret talent for fighting back.An absolute classic and original thriller. In the vein of "home invasion" movies, there is nothing that is equal to this. It sets the bar and it is most definitely a high one. Once you see a couple movies like this it can get a bit redundant and easy to guess who the masked killer is. This is not that kind of movie. You won't see it coming. And that's a good thing.
- DirectorNicolas Winding RefnStarsRyan GoslingCarey MulliganBryan CranstonA mysterious Hollywood action film stuntman gets in trouble with gangsters when he tries to help his neighbor's husband rob a pawn shop while serving as his getaway driver.Someone I know compared this to "The Transporter" and action films like that. Not at all; that's like comparing a gourmet restaurant to a fast food joint. This film is beautifully shot and is masterfully acted. It is incredibly intense and has an amazing soundtrack. It transcends beyond a standard action film and becomes a dramatic experience that stays with you.
- DirectorMartin McDonaghStarsColin FarrellBrendan GleesonCiarán HindsAfter a job gone wrong, hitman Ray and his partner await orders from their ruthless boss in Bruges, Belgium, the last place in the world Ray wants to be.I've never seen a better blend of witty humor and realistically graphic violence. 'nuff said...believe the hype... it's hilarious, quotable and intense.
- DirectorGeorge ClooneyStarsSam RockwellDrew BarrymoreGeorge ClooneyAn adaptation of the cult memoir of game show impresario Chuck Barris (Sam Rockwell), in which he purports to have been a C.I.A. hitman.True story or not? That doesn't really matter when you boil it down. It is an endlessly fascinating and entertaining movie. Who knew George Clooney was such a gifted director? This movie is full of amazing performances from acclaimed actors and also some great cameos from their famous Hollywood friends.
- DirectorGuillermo del ToroStarsMira SorvinoJeremy NorthamAlexander GoodwinThree years ago, entomologist Dr. Susan Tyler genetically created an insect to kill cockroaches carrying a virulent disease. Now, the insects are out to destroy their only predator, mankind.Criminally underrated horror film by Guillermo del Toro. Great cast, interesting concept and wonderful visual look elevates this above you're standard monster (or in this case insect) movie. Make sure you watch the Director's Cut.
- DirectorJeremy SaulnierStarsMacon BlairDevin RatrayAmy HargreavesA mysterious outsider's quiet life is turned upside down when he returns to his childhood home to carry out an act of vengeance. Proving himself an amateur assassin, he winds up in a brutal fight to protect his estranged family.A unique take on the "revenge" thriller. A very nicely done slow burn of a flick. It's very gripping and pulls you into the story with a normal every day guy who's life gets turned upside down and the lengths he'll go to to avenge and protect his family. This is an interesting and realistic film that builds to an exciting climax that is well worth your time.
- DirectorPark Chan-wookStarsChoi Min-sikYoo Ji-taeKang Hye-jeongAfter being kidnapped and imprisoned for fifteen years, Oh Dae-Su is released, only to find that he must track down his captor in five days.Although I'm not thoroughly familiar with Korean movies. I can safely say this is the best one I've ever seen. The story is engrossing and the action is off the charts. This movie embraces the taboo topics that most movies would ignore or play down. Steer clear of the American re-make and check this out.
- DirectorRodrigo CortésStarsRyan ReynoldsJosé Luis García-PérezRobert PatersonPaul is a U.S. truck driver working in Iraq. After an attack by a group of Iraqis he wakes to find he is buried alive inside a coffin. With only a lighter and a cell phone it's a race against time to escape this claustrophobic death trap.Let me start by saying I'm not a huge fan of Ryan Rodney Reynolds. He typically comes off as undeservedly arrogant. Even "Deadpool", it was good but over rated and over hyped. So an hour and a half of him alone in a box certainly did not get my interest initially. All I can say is any expectations that I had were dead wrong. Rodrigo Cortes has made a movie that is literally a man in a box that you can't help but become invested in or stop watching.
- DirectorDebra GranikStarsJennifer LawrenceJohn HawkesGarret DillahuntAn unflinching Ozark Mountain girl hacks through dangerous social terrain as she hunts down her drug-dealing father while trying to keep her family intact.It had a premise that didn't sound particularly interesting but is a must-see movie. It may be a culture shock to some (which is a good thing) but this is one of the most emotionally moving films I've ever seen. An absolute must see dramatic thriller.
- DirectorStuart GordonStarsMena SuvariStephen ReaRussell HornsbyA young woman commits a hit-and-run, then finds her fate tied to her victim.This is one of the best "based on a true story" movies ever. Girl hits homeless man with car. Man becomes lodged in the windshield. Girl decides to go home instead of the emergency room. Girl leaves man "stuck" while she has sex with her boyfriend and goes to work. Watch this unbelievable story unfold in front of your eyes.
- DirectorAndrew CurrieStarsKesun LoderBilly ConnollyCarrie-Anne MossIn an Earthly world resembling the 1950s, a cloud of space radiation has shrouded the planet, resulting in the dead becoming zombies that desire live human flesh. A company called Zomcon has been able to control the zombie population. Zombies can be temporarily neutralized by being shot, but can only be permanently neutralized by their brain being destroyed. Their ultimate disposal is through cremation, or burial, the latter which requires decapitation with the head being buried separately from the body. Conversely, Zomcon has created the domestication collar, when activated and placed on a zombie makes the zombie controllable, and thus an eternally productive creature within society. Because all dead initially become zombies, the elderly are viewed negatively and suspectly. And all people, adult or child, learn to shoot to kill to protect society. Zomcon is the go to organization for all things zombie. In the town of Willard, the Robinsons - father Bill (Dylan Baker), mother Helen (Carrie-Anne Moss), and adolescent son Timmy (Kesun Loder) - are one family who don't own a zombie as a domestic, since Bill is afraid of zombies, as, when he was a child, he had to shoot his own zombie father, who tried to eat him. Bill has thus become fascinated with funerals to see zombies put away permanently. But Helen feels pressured to get a zombie when Zomcon's new head of security in Willard, the officious Jonathan Bottoms (Henry Czerny), moves into the neighborhood with his family. Never having had to deal with a zombie directly, Timmy is initially wary of their zombie. But as a lonely child who has no friends and is often bullied, Timmy eventually befriends their zombie, who he names Fido (Sir Billy Connolly), as he treats the zombie much like a faithful pet dog. Timmy protects Fido at all cost, even after Fido, due to no fault of its own, is implicated in some deaths, which creates a mini-wave of loose zombies unknown to Zomcon. But Fido may play a larger role within the family as a companion for Helen, who is largely neglected by Bill, since he sees human affection as ultimately resulting in such difficult issues as what happened between him and his own father. With Timmy and Helen treating Fido with kindness, Fido, in turn, may prove that not all zombies, even when without their domestication collar, are out to kill anyone and everyone in their path.Equal to or in my opinion better than "Shaun of the Dead" in terms of zombie comedy/horror movies. Endlessly entertaining, not overloaded with gore but thoroughly interesting and amusing.
- DirectorBrian HelgelandStarsMel GibsonGregg HenryMaria BelloPorter is shot by his wife and best friend and is left to die. When he survives he plots revenge.Director's Cut could mean any number of things...studio interference, re-shoots, poor test screenings. Most of the time that just means a couple more minutes added but sometimes there are drastic differences from the original released. This is one of those big changes. I liked this movie with it's sharp writing and nice mix of violence with dark humor. 'Like' has become 'love'. If you've never seen it and your a big film buff I'd say watch both versions to see the difference. If you've never seen it, Straight Up is hands down the way to go.
- DirectorEli RothStarsLorenza IzzoAriel LevyAaron BurnsA group of student activists travels to the Amazon to save the rain forest and soon discover that they are not alone, and that no good deed goes unpunished.I'm a huge horror fan so I've seen most of Eli Roth's movies and I'm generally not overly impressed with them. This is not only his most disturbing movie but it's full of dark humor. It's a fantastic homage to cannibal tribe movies of the past and is a great warning film for all those social justice warriors. Good gory fun plus jokes about diarrhea and masturbation.
- DirectorBruce A. EvansStarsKevin CostnerDemi MooreWilliam HurtA well-respected businessman is sometimes controlled by his murder and mayhem-loving alter ego.Strong candidate for one of the best serial killer movies ever made. Don't let Dane Cook deter you from watching. It's also an interesting take on addiction and what lengths an addict will go to and the destruction created by these behaviors.
- DirectorSteven SoderberghStarsGeorge ClooneyJennifer LopezVing RhamesA career bank robber breaks out of jail, and shares a moment of mutual attraction with a U.S. Marshal he has kidnapped.I'm partial to Elmore Leonard adaptations as he is one of my favorite authors. This is one of the best along with "Jackie Brown" and the "Justified" tv series. Great cast with a great script = great movie.
- DirectorAlexandre AjaStarsDaniel RadcliffeJuno TempleMax MinghellaIn the aftermath of his girlfriend's mysterious death, a young man awakens to find strange horns sprouting from his forehead.I know I'm in the minority but I can honestly say I've never read a Harry Potter book or watched any of the movies. I say this because those are what I associate Daniel Radcliffe with and so I can't really speak to his acting in those. But he is magnificent in this film which is a dark comedy as well as it's a supernatural thriller. Another great film from director Alexandre Aja.
- DirectorPete TravisStarsKarl UrbanOlivia ThirlbyLena HeadeyIn a violent, futuristic city where the police have the authority to act as judge, jury and executioner, a cop teams with a trainee to take down a gang that deals the reality-altering drug, SLO-MO.An absolute must see for fans of the comic books but also for fans of "intelligent action movies." I'm not very familiar with the comics that it's based on but it's very faithful from what I can tell. Sylvestor Stallone attempted an adaptation years ago which is instantly forgettable but this is one the most stylish action movies I've ever seen.
- DirectorJoel SchumacherStarsNicolas CageJoaquin PhoenixJames GandolfiniA private investigator is hired to discover if a "snuff film" is authentic or not.Nicholas Cage is very inconsistent and quirky as an actor. Joel Schumacher is extremely hit or miss when it comes to directors. So this is an experiment with the two that works very well as one of the darkest films from a major company I can think of. Fascinating story (although disowned by it's writer) that delves into the dark underbelly of society and disturbing curiosities. Great supporting cast too.
- DirectorJohn WatersStarsJohnny DeppRicki LakeAmy LocaneIn 1950s Baltimore, a bad boy with a heart of gold wins the love of a good girl, whose boyfriend sets out for revenge.This is not the first movie by John Waters that I was exposed to, that honor goes to "Serial Mom" but it's my favorite. It contains many of his signature trademarks as a director but is not as crude? Yes I guess crude works. It's a great musical for someone who doesn't like musicals and is consistently over shadowed by it's sister movie(s)/musical "Hairspray". It's also one of Johnny Depp's earliest roles and he delivers like he usually does.
- DirectorRob ReinerStarsRob ReinerMichael McKeanChristopher GuestSpinal Tap, one of England's loudest bands, is chronicled by film director Marty DiBergi on what proves to be a fateful tour.The funniest faux documentary ever. It's brilliant and endlessly quotable. And by the end you'll be questioning why anyone would ever join this band as it's drummer. Absolutely hilarious.
- DirectorOliver StoneStarsSean PennJennifer LopezNick NolteA man heading to Vegas to pay off his gambling debt before the Russian mafia kills him is forced to stop in an Arizona town where everything that can go wrong does go wrong.Great cast playing weird characters, an intrinsic plot that keeps you guessing and Oliver Stone's unique visuals all add up to one hell of a ride through Superior, Arizona. Definitely a trip worth taking.
- DirectorMichael BayStarsSean ConneryNicolas CageEd HarrisA mild-mannered chemist and an ex-con must lead the counterstrike when a rogue group of military men, led by a renegade general, threaten a nerve gas attack from Alcatraz against San Francisco.Note: this is the only proof available that Michael Bay can make a competent and enjoyable film. Everything else associated with him seems to be cinematic cancer. It's an amazing action film. Too bad he spews out live action cartoons that are easily digestible to mainstream audiences. This one is a keeper, no doubt.
- DirectorLouis LeterrierStarsJet LiBob HoskinsMorgan FreemanA man enslaved by the mob since childhood and raised into behaving like a human attack dog escapes his captors and attempts to start a new life.Are you in the mood for an art-house style martial arts movie with a killer soundtrack? This has got you covered and then some. It's beautifully shot, the performances are great all around and the action is the best of it's kind.
Side note: Also known as "Danny the Dog". - DirectorJoe CarnahanStarsRay LiottaJason PatricChi McBrideWhen the trail goes cold on a murder investigation of a policeman, an undercover narcotics officer is lured back to the force to help solve the case.An overlooked gritty realistic police drama. Phenomenal acting with stylistic violence all wrapped up in a package that daringly blurs the line of right and wrong in regards to law enforcement. An engrossing thriller that keeps your eyes glued to the screen.
- DirectorJonathan GlazerStarsRay WinstoneBen KingsleyIan McShaneBrutal gangster Don Logan recruits "retired" safecracker Gal for one last job, but it goes badly for both of them.Quite possibly the most unique gangster movie I've seen. The part of Don Logan expertly played by Ben Kingsley is easily one of the most intimidating characters ever captured on celluloid. It delivers lines of dialogue that you'll never forget not that you'd want to.