# Name a little-known movie that deserves more recognition **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** movies\ **Created:** [August 18, 2022, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-little-known-movie-that-deserves-more-recognition/969922 "2022-08-18T23:52:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2022, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-little-known-movie-that-deserves-more-recognition/969922/81 "2022-08-19T15:42:24Z")
> [@Bonum\_Legatum](#): > > Not to my taste, but one of my coworkers HIGHLY recommends “_Escanaba in da Moonlight_” (2001) with Jeff Daniels. I think I’ve seen it a dozen times. Love it. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2022, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-little-known-movie-that-deserves-more-recognition/969922/82 "2022-08-19T15:43:14Z")
> [@JKellyMap](#): > > Love that one. > [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > Here we go again, JKelly - I am very fond of all 3 (Especially SP). So, do either of you agree with my analysis or find it a load of hooey? > [@Didi44](#): > > Cho Jung Jae said that he made _Duresori_ to gain attention and funding to make _Spirits’ Homecoming_ about comfort women during the Japanese occupation of Korea. > … > The remembrance of the comfort women is especially important today because the number of women who suffered that fate is quickly diminishing due to age. Speaking of comfort women, [_Sandakan No. 8_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandakan_No._8) is a Japanese film about the story of a young girl who’s sold into indentured servitude that becomes being a sex slave in Borneo from the 1920s up through WWII. Yes, the vast majority of comfort women were Korean but this movie, and the two books it was based on, forced the Japanese to examine the subject of [_karayuki-san_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karayuki-san), a topic they’d prefer to ignore. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2022, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-little-known-movie-that-deserves-more-recognition/969922/83 "2022-08-19T15:45:33Z")
_[Sorcerer](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sorcerer_(film))_ (1977) – vastly overshadowed at release by [a certain space opera.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Wars_(film)) ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2022, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-little-known-movie-that-deserves-more-recognition/969922/84 "2022-08-19T15:47:47Z")
> [@DesertDog](#): > > So, do either of you agree with my analysis or find it a load of hooey? About crItics misconstruing the ending (of _The Spanish Prisoner_)? I’ll have to rewatch it and get back to you! I will indeed do this. I recall something under the pedestrian bridge near the Bethesda Fountain in New York’s Central Park. ---
**Author:** ![zimaane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a3d4f5/32.png) [@zimaane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zimaane)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2022, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-little-known-movie-that-deserves-more-recognition/969922/85 "2022-08-19T15:49:49Z")
Homicide - written and directed by playwright David Mamet, a 1991 crime thriller about a New York detective investigating the murder of an elderly shopkeeper that may or may not be related to anti-Semitism. Not a lot of action, but plenty of great acting and dialogue. L.A. Story - a lowkey romantic comedy starring Steve Martin and Sarah Jessica Parker, and a satire of life in southern California. ---
**Author:** ![2\_More\_Bits](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/2_more_bits/32/4148_2.png) [@2\_More\_Bits](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2_More_Bits)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2022, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-little-known-movie-that-deserves-more-recognition/969922/86 "2022-08-19T15:52:32Z")
[Whoops! Ignore] ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2022, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-little-known-movie-that-deserves-more-recognition/969922/87 "2022-08-19T15:53:02Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > _[The Biggest Little Farm](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8969332)_ > Incredibly enjoyable documentary about a couple who reclaims a run-down farm for their dog. Great flick! And [there’s a sequel!](https://disneyplusoriginals.disney.com/movie/the-biggest-little-farm-the-return) ---
**Author:** ![griffin1977](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2022, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-little-known-movie-that-deserves-more-recognition/969922/88 "2022-08-19T15:59:37Z")
Oh there is also Jabberwocky: > **[Jabberwocky (1977) - IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0076221/)** > > Jabberwocky: Directed by Terry Gilliam. With Michael Palin, Harry H. Corbett, John Le Mesurier, Warren Mitchell. A young peasant with no interest in adventure or fortune is mistaken for the kingdom's only hope when a horrible monster threatens the... While not up to Holy Grail standards (its a Terry Gilliam movie, not a Monty Python movie, though it is probably the most “python-y” of his movies) its well worth a watch. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2022, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-little-known-movie-that-deserves-more-recognition/969922/89 "2022-08-19T16:02:46Z")
Great movie concept, It’s easily escaped notice because it’s a B&W film. The version likely to be seen occasionally on broadcast television will be a terrible washed out video copy. Everyone has seen a movie like this, inventor develops new technology that puts the world on edge. Is it a death ray, nuclear bomb, killer disease? Not this time, this is a much subtler approach to the theme. Classic movie fans definitely should check this out. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2022, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-little-known-movie-that-deserves-more-recognition/969922/90 "2022-08-19T16:07:59Z")
I saw that film (The Man in the White Suit) a couple of years ago when I was trying to see as many Ealing Studios comedies as possible. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2022, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-little-known-movie-that-deserves-more-recognition/969922/91 "2022-08-19T16:10:26Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > **Trollhunter** was outstanding. Appreciated that it was “found footage” but without the “Blair Witch”-y camerawork. Very effective use of simple special effects. Agreed. The best of the genre. A second film was announced but years have gone by without an update. I might not have watched the movie, it’s subtitled and I wasn’t paying much attention, then part way into the film they started speaking English, it was the common language used by Polish and Norwegian characters, and over quickly, but I started paying attention at that point. This is a highly entertaining and well made film, everybody should see this. Stick it out at the beginning, it starts slow but it’s a continuing crescendo of imagination up to the very end. ---
**Author:** ![xizor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xizor/32/102_2.png) [@xizor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xizor)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2022, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-little-known-movie-that-deserves-more-recognition/969922/92 "2022-08-19T16:10:42Z")
I consider Hachi to be little known because it went straight to video. It is based on a [real dog](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hachik%C5%8D) and will make any dog person ball their eyes out. I have a picture of me next to [Hachiko’s statue in Japan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Statue_of_Hachik%C5%8D) > **[Hachi: A Dog's Tale (2009) - IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1028532/)** > > Hachi: A Dog's Tale: Directed by Lasse Hallström. With Richard Gere, Joan Allen, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, Sarah Roemer. A college professor bonds with an abandoned dog he takes into his home. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2022, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-little-known-movie-that-deserves-more-recognition/969922/93 "2022-08-19T16:23:28Z")
**Big Night** , a dramady about two immigrant brothers from Calabria who open a restaurant. Stanley Tucci, Minnie Driver, Ian Holm, Isabella Rossallini, Tony Shaloub. It’s worth watching just for Shaloub’s histrionics as the chef. ---
**Author:** ![Galactus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/galactus/32/3581_2.png) [@Galactus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Galactus)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2022, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-little-known-movie-that-deserves-more-recognition/969922/94 "2022-08-19T16:30:10Z")
> [@DocCathode](#): > > Night Breed- marketed as a slasher film it’s actually a fairy tale for adults. A broken misfit finds belonging and becomes a hero. It’s my favorite movie. I really liked this back in the day, I wonder if it holds up. ---
**Author:** ![Skunkdog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c2a13f/32.png) [@Skunkdog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skunkdog)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2022, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-little-known-movie-that-deserves-more-recognition/969922/95 "2022-08-19T16:33:10Z")
Just a few I wanted to add: Enemy at the Gates - Only 54% on the tomatometer, but I think it was terrific. The stellar cast includes Jude Law, Rachel Weiss, Ron Perlman, Bob Hoskins, and Ed Harris. Based on the book of the same name, the movie focuses on about 3 pages in the 800+ page book about the Battle of Stalingrad, particularly Vasilli Zaitzev (Law), a Russian sniper with an incredible kill record and ends with a cat and mouse between him ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2022, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-little-known-movie-that-deserves-more-recognition/969922/96 "2022-08-19T16:45:57Z")
**The Devil At Your Heels** : a documentary about a stuntman’s plans to jump a rocket car across the St. Lawrence river. “Colourful” doesn’t even start to describe his personality! Lots of twists and turns. > **[The Devil at Your Heels](https://www.nfb.ca/film/devil_at_your_heels/)** > > This feature-length documentary introduces viewers to Ken Carter, a Montreal-born stunt driver who made a living by risking his life. The film shines a light on the intense … ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2022, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-little-known-movie-that-deserves-more-recognition/969922/97 "2022-08-19T16:47:27Z")
> [@Skunkdog](#): > > Enemy at the Gates The [IMDB trivia page](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0215750/trivia/?ref_=tt_trv_trv) for _Enemy_ is fascinating (and lengthy). ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2022, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-little-known-movie-that-deserves-more-recognition/969922/98 "2022-08-19T16:52:04Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > I’ve been recommending **A Midnight Clear** here for many years That reminds me to recommend: _Midnight Run_. Robert DeNiro is a down on his luck bounty Hunter trying to bring in white collar accounting criminal Charles Groden. It’s absolutely hilarious, with brilliant acting and casting in every single scene. ---
**Author:** ![Skunkdog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c2a13f/32.png) [@Skunkdog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skunkdog)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2022, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-little-known-movie-that-deserves-more-recognition/969922/99 "2022-08-19T16:53:22Z")
Made for TV movie - Something the Lord Made (HBO film) starring Alan Rickman, Mos Def, Kyra Sedgwick, Gabrielle Union, and Mary Stuart Masterson. About the first open-heart surgery to treat “blue babies”, it touches on racism and redemption with terrific performances throughout. Maria Full of Grace - A young girl from Colombia is pregnant and desperate. She is convinced into becoming a drug mule which turned very scary once she arrives in the US. With no one to turn to, she depends on the kindness of strangers. The Proposition - Starring Guy Pearce, Ray Winstone, Emily Watson, John Hurt, and Danny Huston. A late 1800’s Western set in Australia, the story follows a man who is given the option to save his younger brother from the gallows if he goes into the Outback and kills his older, more vicious brother. It’s a bleak film written by musician Nick Cave and well worth the time. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2022, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-little-known-movie-that-deserves-more-recognition/969922/100 "2022-08-19T16:58:15Z")
I saw _Something the Lord Made_ on HBO when it was first aired and yes, it’s very good. Note that it’s a true story (and based on [this print article from Washingtonian magazine](https://www.washingtonian.com/2020/06/19/the-remarkable-story-of-vivien-thomas-the-black-man-who-helped-invent-heart-surgery/)). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-little-known-movie-that-deserves-more-recognition/969922.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-little-known-movie-that-deserves-more-recognition/969922.md?page=6)