A baker's dozen of underrated or little known films that are better than their reputation
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- DirectorFabián BielinskyStarsRicardo DarínManuel RodalDolores FonziA deluded taxidermist plans the perfect crime.The best crime thriller you've never heard of about a man who becomes accidentally involved with a complicated plot to commit a robbery and decides to go along for the ride. This was made by the same writer/director and star as the argentinian film Nine Queens (2000), and it's just as good, if not better.
- DirectorTim BurtonStarsJack NicholsonPierce BrosnanSarah Jessica ParkerEarth is invaded by Martians with unbeatable weapons and a cruel sense of humor.For my money, Tim Burton's best film along with Ed Wood. Visually inventive and darkly satiric, it runs circles around other alien invasion movies like the overblown Independence Day. A pitch perfect black comedy.
- DirectorJohn CarpenterStarsDonald PleasenceLisa BlountJameson ParkerA group of graduate students and scientists uncover an ancient canister in an abandoned church, but when they open the container, they inadvertently unleash a strange liquid and an evil force on all humanity.John Carpenter's recent output pales in comparison to his earlier hits, but this little-seen low budget film is extremely creepy and effective. I dare you not to jump in your seat at least a couple of times.
- DirectorJohn FrankenheimerStarsDon JohnsonPenelope Ann MillerWilliam ForsytheA man kills a storekeeper and a cop. LASD homicide detective Jerry Beck gets the case. His murder suspect is connected to a heavily armed white supremacy group.Don Johnson's subtle performance as an alcoholic cop in pursuit of a gang of white supremacists is the best thing in this John Frankenheimer film.
- DirectorM. Night ShyamalanStarsBruce WillisSamuel L. JacksonRobin WrightA man learns something extraordinary about himself after a devastating accident.Even with all its flaws and typically glacial pace, this is still M. Night Shyamalan's best film, or at least his most original one.
- DirectorPaul Thomas AndersonStarsPhilip Baker HallJohn C. ReillyGwyneth PaltrowProfessional gambler Sydney teaches John the tricks of the trade. John does well until he falls for cocktail waitress Clementine.Overshadowed by his subsequent efforts, P.T. Anderson's debut is a great character study and features an Oscar-worthy performance by Philip Baker All and a stellar cast that includes John C. Reilly, Samuel L. Jackson, Gwyneth Paltrow and Phillip Seymour Hoffman.
- DirectorScott SandersStarsMark Adair-RiosKhandi AlexanderErich AndersonA thief is betrayed after a well done job in Detroit. Returning to Chicago, he decides on revenge. Things escalate.Unfairly dismissed as a derivative Tarantino-wannabe, this Elmore Leonard-inspired crime pic hits all the right notes and features a great turn for Alec Baldwin as a dog-loving professional thief.
- DirectorFrank DarabontStarsThomas JaneMarcia Gay HardenLaurie HoldenA freak storm unleashes a species of bloodthirsty creatures on a small town, where a small band of citizens hole up in a supermarket and fight for their lives.Shamelessly embracing its B-movie roots, this fun monster movie is one of the best Stephen King adaptations ever made, and the ending packs quite a punch.
- DirectorPaul SchraderStarsWillem DafoeSusan SarandonDana DelanyA drug dealer reconsiders his profession when his boss plans to go straight and an old flame reappears.Another low-key character study featuring amazing performances (this time by Willem Defoe and Dana Delaney). The last in a trilogy of Paul Schrader stories about flawed men (the others being Taxi Driver and American Gigolo), and just as good as its predecessors.
- DirectorBarbet SchroederStarsJeremy IronsGlenn CloseRon SilverWealthy Sunny von Bülow lies brain-dead, husband Claus guilty of attempted murder; but he says he's innocent and hires Alan Dershowitz for his appeal.A legal thriller drama without any flashy courtroom scenes, this is a fascinating and compelling examination of a real-life high profile case with some great insights into the American legal system.
- DirectorWilliam FriedkinStarsWilliam PetersenWillem DafoeJane LeevesA fearless Secret Service agent will stop at nothing to bring down the counterfeiter who killed his partner.A crime thriller, superficially in the flashy 'Miami Vice' mold, with no real heros or characters you can root for, yet utterly compelling. A great car chase scene is the main attraction.
- DirectorBob RafelsonStarsJack NicholsonMichael CaineStephen DorffA man who has failed as a father and husband commits a heist to make money for his fledging business, but things become complicated when his wife interferes.Jack Nicholson, Michael Caine and Judy Davis star in this little-seen film which successfully transplants James M. Cain-style noir archetypes in a sunny Miami Beach setting.
- DirectorRenny HarlinStarsGeena DavisSamuel L. JacksonYvonne ZimaSamantha Caine lives in a small town with her daughter. Eight years ago she emerged, two months pregnant, from a nearby river with no memory of her past or who she is. However, she's getting closer to finding out about her past.I'll never understand why this offbeat blend of high-octane action and wittier-than-average dialogue (with another stellar performance by Samuel L. Jackson) didn't perform better at the boxoffice.