Friday, 13 March 2009

#24 My Most-Under Rated Films

First of all as you have noticed I haven’t been keeping up with my blog in two weeks. This is mainly down to lack of inspiration as well as having to keep up with collage work and short film projects. However I will be back on track with reviews , my thoughts and some movie news.

I thought I would give you guys a sneak peek at what I will be writing about over the next few weeks; Review for Watchman (2009), Review for Bronson (2009), Review for Brazil (1985), Review for red Riding Trilogy (TV, 2009), Comparisons on the Watchman Endings, Comparison for Watchman Film vs. Graphic Novel. That’s to name a few just of the top of my head.

This is my list of films that where not given the credit they deserve (some more then others). Some of the most hyped up films these days I feel are over rated films but have become pop culture. Fist thing you probably going to notice is that there are seven films listed. Yes, seven is an odd number and it should be five but after searching I found more films to add.

7. Ghost Dog: Way of the Samurai (1999)

Dir: Jim Jarmusch
Cast: Forest Whitaker, and a bunch of nobodies

Why is it on the list?
I think it is under-rated because have you ever heard of it? The majority wont of but its is fantastic. A nice mix of urban black culture and Japanese samurais against Italian gangsters and with RZA doing the soundtrack what more would you want?

I give it 7 dead pigeons out of ten.


6. Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas (1998)


Dir: Terry Gilliam
Cast: Johnny Depp, Benicio Del Toro, Toby Maguire

Why is it on the list?
Ok, so people who know me know that’s I talk about this film a lot, so it doesn’t count to them. But seriously it is sometimes mentioned in ‘the greatest movie lists’ however I don’t think people remember that it is one of the greatest book adaptations, one of Gilliam’s best and one of Depp’s best films all in one. From the book that’s spawned Gonzo journalism.

I give it nine cigarette purifiers out of ten.


5. Léon (1994)

Dir: Luc Besson
Cast: Jean Reno, Natalie Portman, Gary Oldman

Why is it on the list?
My favourite Reno, Portman and possible Oldman film, and that’s saying a lot. For a long time it was my favourite film before Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction of course. But I still rate it pretty high. A great mix of melodrama and slight action at the start becomes corrupt cops vs. French assassin by the end.

I give it eight Gary Oldman outbursts out of ten.


4. Garden State (2004)


Dir: Zack Braff
Cast: Zack Braff, Ian Holm, Natalie Portman

Why is it on the list?
When watching the TV show Scrubs, I ask myself why does he doesn’t he write and direct more films? Garden State is a amazing indie film, with some great camera techniques and funny mise en scene. A somewhat questionable cast like Portman which I thought made it loose touch a little as it tried to be an indie flick.

I give it seven naff shirts out of ten.


3. Big Trouble In Little China (1986)


Dir: John Carpenter
Casr: Kurt Russell, James Hong, Kim Cattrell

After watching this I instantly fell in love with it. Kurt Russell plays a truck who fights a evil Chinese super villain. Just the for a log line is enough. It cheesy, its ridicules, it’s full of kung fu. Enough said.

I give it nine Kurt Russell knife throws out of ten.


2. From Dusk Till Dawn (1996)

Dir: Robert Rodriguez
Cast: George Clooney, Quentin Tarantino, Harvey Keitel

First of all, Robert Rodriguez directing a script written by Quentin Tarantino ands stars George Clooney and Harvey Keitel. That to me is a great mix. From Dusk till dawn is full of Vampires, Mexicans, Americans, great deaths, funny quotes and Vampire prostitutes.

I give it nine holy water balloons out of ten.


1. Ed Wood (1994)

Dir: Tim Burton
Cast: Johnny Depp, Martin Landau, Sara Jessica Parker

Why is it on the list?
I had never heard of this film until I read Burton’s biography. Again this being one of Depp’s best films and Burton’s, it’s a film about the worst director of all time Edward D. Wood, a cross dresser who only would take one take despite if an actor would knock into a wall or get stuck in a grave. After some terrible movie releases turned to pornography. Shot in black and white to make it look like his original films. The cast look so much like who they are playing its scary. He was the king of B-movies and this film shows his highs and lows.

I give it eight B-Movies out of ten.


Oliver Hunt

2 comments:

  1. haha I love this list '9 cigarette purifiers out of ten', classic. Mind you, I was surprised at Leon on the list, was that really under-rated? (Mind you I might be biased since I grew up watching that film...)

    ReplyDelete