# Underrated Movie Recommendation Thread **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 4, 2013, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/underrated-movie-recommendation-thread/646056 "2013-01-04T14:24:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2013, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/underrated-movie-recommendation-thread/646056/41 "2013-01-05T03:48:09Z")
> [@chinchalinchin](#): > > **Primer**!!! > > It’s the best time travel movie out there and it looks like the creators literally shot the movie in their basement. I’d be surprised if the movie cost over twenty thousand dollars. It’s incredibly low budget, but the amount of thought that went into the screenplay is amazing. You need friggin’ flow charts and journals just to decode what _really_ happened. Which may or may not be a turn off for some viewers, but myself, I love those kind of movies where you can watch them ten or eleven times and still have it be fresh. Oh yeah. Brilliant. Small, intimate mess-with-your-head time travel short story if a movie. After Dark, My Sweet - grimy movie with grimy people doing grimy things. Great acting except for Rachel Ward, who is sexy/sad at being a failed Rachel Ward. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2013, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/underrated-movie-recommendation-thread/646056/42 "2013-01-05T03:55:46Z")
_ **Hotel Splendide** _ – very strange British thing, because movies ought to be strange. Like, almost anything by **Jarmusch** (especially _Dead Man_ and _Ghost Dog: Way of the Samauri_). ---
**Author:** ![Two\_Many\_Cats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8dc957/32.png) [@Two\_Many\_Cats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2013, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/underrated-movie-recommendation-thread/646056/43 "2013-01-05T05:01:10Z")
My choice is _The Atomic Cafe_. It’s a compilation of terrifying public service movies and newsreels from the early days of the atomic bomb and the Cold War. Watch and marvel that we were that stupid back then. Maybe this won’t be considered obscure because of the famous “Bert the Turtle” cartoon that everybody knows about. But really, watch the rest of the movie. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2013, 10:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/underrated-movie-recommendation-thread/646056/44 "2013-01-05T10:52:19Z")
I’ll second _Stardust_, _Frailty_, and _Triangle_. I also enjoyed _Idiocracy_. ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2013, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/underrated-movie-recommendation-thread/646056/45 "2013-01-05T12:27:11Z")
[quote=“Boyo\_Jim, post:39, topic:646056”] _Let’s Kill Uncle_ – a young (12 years old) heir realizes his uncle is trying to kill him for his fortune, and decides to kill uncle first. Thanks for mentioning this, wish I could see it again. When I was young I read the book by Rohan O’Grady (who’s written some other good ones!) - one day I was dropped off with the other kids at a Saturday matinee and realized the movie du jour was based on the book! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2013, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/underrated-movie-recommendation-thread/646056/46 "2013-01-05T14:30:03Z")
> [@LawMonkey](#): > > _ **Delicatessen** _ > _ **City of Lost Children** _ > [@Tangent](#): > > **Kung Fu Hustle** > [@RikWriter](#): > > Gattaca I second all of these. Great movies. > [@chargerrich](#): > > [Dark City](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_City_%281998_film%29) - This great movie stars Rufus Sewell, Kiefer Sutherland, John Hurt and Jennifer Connolly and is also the film debut of the lovely [Melissa George](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0313534/). Dark City combines a unique film noir style with science fiction. The story is unique and the acting is above average. Definitely on my underrated list. And I’ll third or fourth this one, with my standard caveat: TURN THE VOLUME OFF FOR THE FIRST FIVE MINUTES! The movie opens with a guy looking at the camera and giving away the entire plot of the movie, in what’s almost certainly a studio’s cowardly attempt not to alienate a mass market. The movie would be much, much better if it’s a mystery, not a mystery with the solution given at the beginning. WHen you see a single bare light bulb swinging on a wire, turn the volume back up. As for my suggestion: [The Fall](http://www.avclub.com/articles/the-fall,2961/) (edit: linking to the AV Club review; it’s a good one). It’s a very strange fantasy with a frame story similar to The Princess Bride frame story, except the kid and adult are in a WW1-era hospital, and they’re both deeply disturbed, and the child actor doesn’t actually realize she’s acting, and the whole thing is beautiful. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2013, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/underrated-movie-recommendation-thread/646056/47 "2013-01-05T15:54:51Z")
[quote=“salinqmind, post:45, topic:646056”] > [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > _Let’s Kill Uncle_ – a young (12 years old) heir realizes his uncle is trying to kill him for his fortune, and decides to kill uncle first. > > Thanks for mentioning this, wish I could see it again. When I was young I read the book by Rohan O’Grady (who’s written some other good ones!) - one day I was dropped off with the other kids at a Saturday matinee and realized the movie du jour was based on the book! 🙂 You are in luck! You can watch _Let’s Kill Uncle_ for free online. It’s on Youtube. And if anyone is interested, _Passport to Pimlico_ is available through [hulu.com](http://hulu.com) ---
**Author:** ![jharvey963](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/54ee81/32.png) [@jharvey963](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jharvey963)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2013, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/underrated-movie-recommendation-thread/646056/48 "2013-01-05T17:43:36Z")
> [@AuntiePam](#): > > It’s been mentioned here before, but it’s worth repeating – [Lars and the Real Girl](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0805564/), an unexpectedly sweet and funny movie about a shy man whose girlfriend is an inflatable. I suspect some folks might pass on it, thinking it’s pervy. It’s not. I second this, and have a slight correction. I found Lars and the Real Girl to be incredibly charming and sweet – and FUNNY! It says a lot about the best of small-town America. And for the minor correction, it’s not an inflatable, its a “Real Doll”. I won’t link it, but it’s the first link when you google “real doll”. J. ---
**Author:** ![jharvey963](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/54ee81/32.png) [@jharvey963](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jharvey963)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2013, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/underrated-movie-recommendation-thread/646056/49 "2013-01-05T17:48:46Z")
No one has mentioned My Dinner with Andre yet? Or how about Babette’s Feast? J. ---
**Author:** ![Reno\_Nevada](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Reno\_Nevada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reno_Nevada)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2013, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/underrated-movie-recommendation-thread/646056/50 "2013-01-05T19:23:29Z")
I want to nominate _Zack and Miri Make a Porno_. Surprisingly sweet and touching, even though it is, as the title suggests, about two long-term platonic friends making a pornographic movie. It even manages to be funny and sexy, as well. ---
**Author:** ![LawMonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@LawMonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LawMonkey)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2013, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/underrated-movie-recommendation-thread/646056/51 "2013-01-05T19:40:14Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > As for my suggestion: [The Fall](http://www.avclub.com/articles/the-fall,2961/) (edit: linking to the AV Club review; it’s a good one). It’s a very strange fantasy with a frame story similar to The Princess Bride frame story, except the kid and adult are in a WW1-era hospital, and they’re both deeply disturbed, and the child actor doesn’t actually realize she’s acting, and the whole thing is beautiful. Seconded. This movie doesn’t even need a plot (though it has one). It’s just one stunningly beautiful image after another. > [@Tangent](#): > > Kung Fu Hustle - hilarious martial arts movie that’s like Looney Toons meets Kung Fu. _ **Shaolin Soccer** _ by the same director and with, IIRC, the same star, is more of the same if you liked Kung Fu Hustle. ---
**Author:** ![Tixenfleaz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9a140/32.png) [@Tixenfleaz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tixenfleaz)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2013, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/underrated-movie-recommendation-thread/646056/52 "2013-01-05T21:13:19Z")
If you’re into horror, then _ **Stakeland** _ is definitely worth your time. It’s an atmospheric, post-apocalypse vampire move. Much, much better than I expected it to be. It’s at 75% on Rotten Tomatoes, so I’m glad that I wasn’t the only one to think so. ---
**Author:** ![tellyworth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/977dab/32.png) [@tellyworth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tellyworth)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2013, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/underrated-movie-recommendation-thread/646056/53 "2013-01-05T21:27:38Z")
Not so much underrated, but I’d suggest _Tremors_. An excellent homage to 50’s sci-fi horror films, and a funny film in its own right. ---
**Author:** ![LawMonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@LawMonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LawMonkey)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2013, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/underrated-movie-recommendation-thread/646056/54 "2013-01-05T21:37:33Z")
> [@LawMonkey](#): > > On the other hand, cult classics like _ **Delicatessen** _ should get a nod. I have to share a little bit of Delicatessen… probably the most famous scene. 🙂 [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJU4IwC3LjQ](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJU4IwC3LjQ) ---
**Author:** ![Two\_Many\_Cats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8dc957/32.png) [@Two\_Many\_Cats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2013, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/underrated-movie-recommendation-thread/646056/55 "2013-01-05T23:27:30Z")
I thought of another one, but it’s from the seventies. It’s a Jan Michael Vincent picture called _Buster and Billie_. It’s set in rural Georgia in the late '50’s, or early 60’s, and it’s a love story between a popular high school boy and an outcast girl. Extremely moving, but raw and shocking as well. I saw it as a double feature, having gone to see the other movie. I don’t remember the movie I went to see, but I remember _Buster and Billie_, these many years later. My dad, who lived in rural Georgia at the time portrayed, saw it with me, told me the movie was extremely accurate in setting and atmosphere. Oh, and Robert Englund played Jan Michael’s geeky best friend. This was way before Freddie Kruger of course. Fun. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2013, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/underrated-movie-recommendation-thread/646056/56 "2013-01-06T00:00:40Z")
> [@simster](#): > > **Tucker and Dale vs _Evil_** > > [Tucker and Dale vs Evil (2010) - IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1465522/) Excellent suggestion. The basic premise is that two yokels Tucker and Dale are minding their own business in the woods when a bunch of horror movie teen stereotypes come to the erroneous conclusion that Tucker and Dale are serial killers and commence to accidentally kill themselves in increasingly hilarious ways. I think the highlight for me was when the kid dove head first into the wood chipper I still remember almost falling on the floor with laughter when I saw that. That movie is so full of greatness. My contribution is _Dan in Real Life_. Steve Carrell does the ‘‘angsty widowed Dad’’ thing really well. It was such a sensitive and sweet movie. One of the few romance movies I’ve ever liked. Also, for you reflective types, I really liked the South Korean film [Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter… and Spring](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spring,_Summer,_Fall,_Winter..._and_Spring). It’s not like other movies; It doesn’t build to a climax and it isn’t designed to titillate. It’s just this movie about a Buddhist monk’s life and is beautiful in its simplicity. Hard to describe. ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2013, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/underrated-movie-recommendation-thread/646056/57 "2013-01-06T01:26:10Z")
> [@olivesmarch4th](#): > > Excellent suggestion. The basic premise is that two yokels Tucker and Dale are minding their own business in the woods when a bunch of horror movie teen stereotypes come to the erroneous conclusion that Tucker and Dale are serial killers and commence to accidentally kill themselves in increasingly hilarious ways. “You need to turn the safety off” ---
**Author:** ![Bumbershoot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bumbershoot/32/3428_2.png) [@Bumbershoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbershoot)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2013, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/underrated-movie-recommendation-thread/646056/58 "2013-01-06T01:41:44Z")
Well, I’ve added a lot of movies to my Netflix Instant Watch queue now. Here’s my recommendation: [Ravenous](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0129332/) It’s a horror/western/black comedy about cannibalism, with some Native American spiritualism thrown in. ---
**Author:** ![TonySinclair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/49beb7/32.png) [@TonySinclair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TonySinclair)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2013, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/underrated-movie-recommendation-thread/646056/59 "2013-01-06T02:22:42Z")
[Thursday](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0124901/). If I’m reading the IMDB page right, this movie grossed around $3,000 in the US, and around $11,000 worldwide. Yet it had semi-famous actors — Thomas Jane, Aaron Eckhart, and Mickey Roarke — and IMO it was very entertaining. It’s about a former drug dealer who has started a new life, but his past catches up with him on one disastrous day. It’s more comedic than gritty, but the comedy is understated. ---
**Author:** ![Tangent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tangent/32/3098_2.png) [@Tangent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tangent)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2013, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/underrated-movie-recommendation-thread/646056/60 "2013-01-06T02:39:46Z")
^Yes, good movie! There is a very memorable scene with supermodel Paulina Porizkova. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/underrated-movie-recommendation-thread/646056.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/underrated-movie-recommendation-thread/646056.md?page=4)