Xixax Film Forum

Film Discussion => News and Theory => Topic started by: Robyn on January 20, 2019, 02:37:59 PM

Title: Underrated movies
Post by: Robyn on January 20, 2019, 02:37:59 PM
The IMDB ratings for these films are surprisingly low imo:
Spring Breakers (5.3)
Cosmopolis (5.0)
Haywire (5.8)
Blackhat (5.4)

The first two lured in the wrong audience by staring Robert Pattinson/disney stars/whatnot, which could explain their ratings, but has still a low average rating on other less mainstream sites (Letterboxd, RYM, etc). I don't think that I have actually met or talked to anyone who didn't love Spring Breakers though, so I wonder where all this hate is coming from. Haywire and Blackhat also has a ridiculous low average considering they are entertaining action films that should appeal to an mainstream audience.

What are your favorite underrated films?
Title: Re: Underatted movies
Post by: Jeremy Blackman on January 20, 2019, 03:00:15 PM
Most of the movies I think are underrated tend to be divisive or not everyone's cup of tea. So I can't get too mad. Still, I don't understand why Dogville isn't widely considered one of the best films ever made. It's basically just pitch-perfect, staggering brilliance from beginning to end, and it has so much to say.

My pick for 2018 would be Bad Times At The El Royale.
Title: Re: Underatted movies
Post by: Robyn on January 20, 2019, 03:37:52 PM
Quote from: Jeremy Blackman on January 20, 2019, 03:00:15 PM
Most of the movies I think are underrated tend to be divisive or not everyone's cup of tea. So I can't get too mad. Still, I don't understand why Dogville isn't widely considered one of the best films ever made. It's basically just pitch-perfect, staggering brilliance from beginning to end, and it has so much to say.

I have convinced a lot of people to watch Dogville with me (including all of my ex-girlfriends lol), and they have all loved it. It's not my favorite Trier film, but it's the one I would recommend to basically anyone. Trier even joked that he put it on a stage because he realized that it was too accessible  - that's just him being stupid, but I do believe that it would have found a wider audience if it was made differently.
Title: Re: Underatted movies
Post by: polkablues on January 22, 2019, 04:54:00 PM
It's got a pretty solid IMDb score, but I've never met another person in real life who's seen Keith Gordon's Waking the Dead, and none of the online reaction I've seen suggests that other people reacted to it the way I did.
Title: Re: Underrated movies
Post by: Something Spanish on January 24, 2019, 10:01:44 AM
we've never met in real life, but here's proof that I've seen this little Keith Gordon gem: https://web.archive.org/web/20000818025115/http://movienavigator.homepage.com:80/wakingdead.htm

WTD was either the first or second press junket I attended, and is particularly memorable because I used the miniature alarm clock, customized with the film's title printed on the inside, given to me by the publicist all through junior & senior year of high school. even read the book, which was given handed out to us as well. remember seeing it again on cable a few years late, haunting little love story.
Title: Re: Underrated movies
Post by: polkablues on January 24, 2019, 04:53:55 PM
That is genuinely heartening to me.

It's definitely a far from perfect film -- in particular the subplots with Billy Crudup's character's siblings feel like vestigial appendages from the book that could have been lopped off -- but Crudup and Connelly are wildly good in it, and the whole thing feels so sincere, so wonderfully observed. It's the sort of movie that will rip your heart out and leave you better for it.
Title: Re: Underrated movies
Post by: Jeremy Blackman on January 26, 2019, 01:51:55 AM
Quote from: Jeremy Blackman on January 20, 2019, 03:00:15 PMMy pick for 2018 would be Bad Times At The El Royale.

I have a better answer for 2018:

WIDOWS
Title: Re: Underrated movies
Post by: polkablues on January 26, 2019, 10:44:30 AM
For sure. People sleep on a McQueen film at their own peril.
Title: Re: Underrated movies
Post by: wilberfan on January 26, 2019, 05:51:36 PM
Oh, good.  Widows is next up for me on the Watch List.


My choice for most underrated (or at least Most Underseen) would be LEAVE NO TRACE.
Title: Re: Underrated movies
Post by: Something Spanish on January 26, 2019, 06:50:44 PM
Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot or Sisters Brothers for me.
Title: Re: Underrated movies
Post by: Robyn on January 27, 2019, 02:08:57 PM
Speed Racer.

Saw it for the first time today. Should at least be considered a cult classic in 20 years...