# 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:** 6
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2022, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-little-known-movie-that-deserves-more-recognition/969922/101 "2022-08-19T17:04:21Z")
Another big thumbs up for _Something the Lord Made_. Mos Def was outstanding. Several good ones in this thread. I’ll add: _Cockneys vs Zombies._ ZomRomCom just a slight step below _Shaun of the Dead_. Michelle Ryan was on _Doctor Who_ for a spell. _The Naked Prey._ Cornel Wilde is chased across the African landscape. Probably problematic in this day and age but well done for its time. ---
**Author:** ![Cardigan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardigan/32/187_2.png) [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2022, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-little-known-movie-that-deserves-more-recognition/969922/102 "2022-08-19T17:12:32Z")
_The Quiet Earth_ was a sci fi film produced in New Zealand in 1985 about a man called Zac Hobson who awakes one morning to discover that it appears he’s the only human left on earth. Bruno Lawrence gave a credible performance portraying the various psychological and emotional stages Zac undergoes as the realization sinks in that he’s alone on the planet, and ultimately how he begins to adapt. ---
**Author:** ![veryfrank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/87869e/32.png) [@veryfrank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/veryfrank)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2022, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-little-known-movie-that-deserves-more-recognition/969922/103 "2022-08-19T17:23:51Z")
Son of Rambow. Saw it at TIFF in 2008 and it was instantly a new favorite. It’s about a kid raised in a reclusive religious community in England in the early 80s who somehow winds up making a fan film recreation of First Blood. It’s beautiful. It’s by Hammer & Tongs, the directing team that went on to do the Hitch-Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy movie. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/CsAChn35HSo/maxresdefault.jpg "Son Of Rambow | Official Trailer") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsAChn35HSo) ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2022, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-little-known-movie-that-deserves-more-recognition/969922/104 "2022-08-19T17:27:46Z")
Double feature: _[Delicatessen](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0101700)_ -and- _[The City of Lost Children](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112682)_ ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2022, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-little-known-movie-that-deserves-more-recognition/969922/105 "2022-08-19T17:33:02Z")
“Little known” only because it’s a Chinese film, but **The Road Home** was directed by Zhang Yimou, who IMO has never produced a bad movie, and stars Zhang Ziyi of **Crouching Tiger** fame. A slow-moving drama with a simple plot about a son returning his late father’s remains to his village, and the story of his parent’s meeting and courtship (that’s not really a spoiler; it’s a film more about a journey than a destination, so to speak). ---
**Author:** ![Spiff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiff/32/9852_2.png) [@Spiff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiff)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2022, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-little-known-movie-that-deserves-more-recognition/969922/106 "2022-08-19T17:34:06Z")
[Schlock](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0067716/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0) ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2022, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-little-known-movie-that-deserves-more-recognition/969922/107 "2022-08-19T17:36:19Z")
**The Last of Sheila** – don’t know how well-known this is. Certainly several people on this Board know about it, and I’ve brought it up before. It’s my all-time favorite mystery, with a beautifully twisted plot. It’s also the illegitimate half-brother of **Sleuth**. Both feature a sadistic game=-loving games player who invites people over for intense mind games with possibly lethal consequences. Both are supposed to be based on Stephen Sondheim’s games-filled apartment and the labyrinthine games he and actor Anthony Perkins came up with for the amusement of friends. Sondheim and Perkins wrote the screenplay. The film stars James Coburn (as the games master), Dyan Cannon, Richard Benjamin, James Mason, Raquel Welch, Joan Hackett, and Ian McShane. There are mysteries within mysteries, and I seriously doubt that you’ll get the final solution. ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2022, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-little-known-movie-that-deserves-more-recognition/969922/108 "2022-08-19T17:42:05Z")
The Favor, The Watch And The Very Big Fish- Bob Hoskins plays a photographer who makes his living shooting Biblical scenes. Jeff Goldblum plays the man hired to be Christ- and who becomes convinced he is in fact Jesus. ---
**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, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-little-known-movie-that-deserves-more-recognition/969922/109 "2022-08-19T17:58:59Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Big Night See post 50. 😉 (and, you failed to mention Marc Anthony. Small part, but he’s good!) ---
**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, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-little-known-movie-that-deserves-more-recognition/969922/110 "2022-08-19T18:00:20Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > “Little known” only because it’s a Chinese film, but **The Road Home** was directed by Zhang Yimou _Ju Duo_ is my favorite Zhang Yimou film. Saw it in the theater when it was released circa 1990. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2022, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-little-known-movie-that-deserves-more-recognition/969922/111 "2022-08-19T18:05:48Z")
I think **To Live** would be mine. ---
**Author:** ![john\_b\_2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a9a28c/32.png) [@john\_b\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/john_b_2)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2022, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-little-known-movie-that-deserves-more-recognition/969922/112 "2022-08-19T18:36:01Z")
It has its charms. Kay Kyser’s music and comedy are not for everyone, however there’s lots to enjoy in this horror-comedy, and the production values are off the charts. Definitely something to “see”, literally. ---
**Author:** ![john\_b\_2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a9a28c/32.png) [@john\_b\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/john_b_2)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2022, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-little-known-movie-that-deserves-more-recognition/969922/113 "2022-08-19T18:41:39Z")
The Last Of Sheila is excellent fun, and agreat mystery story, too. It doesn’t take itself too seriously, yet it’s not a wholly jokey film, either. Lots of tense, dark moments along the way, and an all-star cast for those who like good, gifted players; also plenty of eye candy on board. I love this “little” movie. In its way it’s as good as Sleuth. There’s a lot more action in it; and it’s not so “talky”. People move around a lot, and it’s beautiful to look at. ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2022, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-little-known-movie-that-deserves-more-recognition/969922/114 "2022-08-19T18:45:10Z")
Before I read what’s already posted: **The Grey Fox** **Kenny** **Strangers In Good Company** **Baghdad Cafe** ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2022, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-little-known-movie-that-deserves-more-recognition/969922/115 "2022-08-19T18:50:14Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > My suggestion? _[Big Trouble](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Trouble_(2002_film))_, a 2002 black comedy based on a Dave Barry novel. It was scheduled for release in late September 2001 but certain real-life events made that timing, if not impossible, then at least a really bad idea. I read the book before seeing the film, and, on first viewing, found the movie not quite as hilarious. I’ve seen it several times since, however, and as memories of the book fade, I find the movie more and more hilarious. I even like Johnny Knoxville in it. ---
**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, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-little-known-movie-that-deserves-more-recognition/969922/116 "2022-08-19T18:53:31Z")
I never read the book but really like the dry humor of the movie. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2022, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-little-known-movie-that-deserves-more-recognition/969922/117 "2022-08-19T18:58:18Z")
**October Sky** Based on the autobiographical “Rocket Boys” by ex-NASA engineer Homer Hickam, It’s a wonderful story of some young boys growing up in a coal mining town where they’re expected to gradute high school and go to work in the mines, but they have ambitions to become something more. They decide to design and build their own rockets and try to earn scholarships to college, with pretty much everyone except their teacher opposed to the idea. Stars Jake Gyllenhaal, Chris Cooper, Laura Dern. It’s touching and sincere. > **[October Sky](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/october_sky)** > > John Hickam (Chris Cooper) is a West Virginia coal miner who loves his job and expects his sons, Jim (Scott Miles) and Homer (Jake Gyllenhaal), to follow in his footsteps. But Jim gets a football scholarship, and Homer becomes interested in rocket... ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2022, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-little-known-movie-that-deserves-more-recognition/969922/118 "2022-08-19T18:58:36Z")
Now that I’ve read the rest of the thread: **Lone Star** (one of my Top 5 all time favorites) and **Midnight Run** would’ve made my list except I wouldn’t call either of them “little-known.” Picky, picky, picky. _Great_ films though. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2022, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-little-known-movie-that-deserves-more-recognition/969922/119 "2022-08-19T19:10:54Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > [“Lone Star”](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lone_Star_(1996_film)) should definitely have greater recognisition in my opinion, Also [“Primer”](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primer_(film)) , a low budget time-travel movie that is proper hard sci-fi that doesn’t spoon-feed the viewer. I love both of these! Also, thumbs up for _Thnderheart_, too. I love when Val Kilmer finds out what Washi means. > [@GuanoLad](#): > > _The Kid Detective_. I liked this one a lot, too. Starts out cutesy, draws you in, and sucker punches you at the end. > [@Lightnin](#): > > **The Man from Earth**. A university professor throws himself a going-away party, and his secret past is revealed to his friends. I’d forgotten about this one. Good one to add. A friend recommended it to me, but I’ve never seen it mentioned before. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2022, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-little-known-movie-that-deserves-more-recognition/969922/120 "2022-08-19T19:18:00Z")
> [@Sam\_Stone](#): > > **October Sky** > > Based on the autobiographical “Rocket Boys” by ex-NASA engineer Homer Hickam Note also that “October Sky” is an anagram of “Rocket Boys” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-little-known-movie-that-deserves-more-recognition/969922.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/name-a-little-known-movie-that-deserves-more-recognition/969922.md?page=7)