I think of "Chinatown" - that was directed by Roman Polanski. And, as many times as I have watched that film - I cannot change the channel when it is on.
"L.A. Confidential" does the same thing to me ... can't turn the channel.
Breaker Morant is my top choice though. Superb acting, powerful true story.
"Breaker Morant" ... is that an Australian film? I forgot the actor's name but he was married to the woman who was in the film with Jeff Bridges (I think) - that Phil Collins sang the theme song for. I am pretty sure her first name was Rachel?
Is that the film?
: )
Seriously - I am going to have to check it out. Thanks.
Layer Cake and Road to Perdition - by sheer coincidence two movies with Daniel Craig.
Amazing that a movie with Tom Hanks and Paul Newman goes under the radar, but it does.
Love "Road to Perdition" ... great acting (even the little kid). And, the editing ... (I guess - it must have been the editing. Some of those scenes were intense and suspenseful).
Great film and you are right ... I can't believe that movie did not get more attention than it did.
is the most recent "Planet of the Apes" trilogy (not the Mark Wahlberg one). I thought each movie was excellent and even with new cast members in each movie they made a coherent storyline through all the films. And the ape CGI was terrific imo.
The Silent Partner obscure Canadian movie starring Elliot Gould
After Hours - Scorcesse overlooked film from early 80s
Tucker Man and his dreams - Copolla overlooked film from 80s
The Good Guys - recent movie very funny
But, I forget the name, Hackman starred in a nifty technical movie about a spooky/spy/private eye who specialised in technical surveillance pre digital age.
There is this scene where, after the surveillance trade show, drinking party in Hackman's loft/industrial/spooky shop, and the plot ensues
Forget the name. Really interesting obscure flick.
Sure, you're not confusing this with Enemy of the State with Hackman, Will Smith, Jon Voight? Sounds like what you're describing, but it wasn't obscure and it was in the late 90's.
But, I forget the name, Hackman starred in a nifty technical movie about a spooky/spy/private eye who specialised in technical surveillance pre digital age.
There is this scene where, after the surveillance trade show, drinking party in Hackman's loft/industrial/spooky shop, and the plot ensues
Forget the name. Really interesting obscure flick.
The movie you're talking about is the Conversation. It's early Coppola.
Every day quality to the private eyes, it's just a trade show in the early going, and the typical banter and shop talk, then the typical drinking if the day, showing off the nerdy equipment...as opposed to jumping right into James bond adventure.
Plus, the whole paranoid aspect and surveillance issues resonate in this digital age.
The bad title makes it sound like a Porky’s clone, and it is basically a college kid looking to get laid as the McGuffin, but it’s a road trip movie mostly. But Rob Reiner directs it, it’s one of Jon Cusack’s first movies, Daphne Zuniga is the uptight love interest, Tim Robbins has a good short part as does Anthony Edwards. Some really funny stuff in it. One of my favorite and most quoted comedies from the 80s.
But, I forget the name, Hackman starred in a nifty technical movie about a spooky/spy/private eye who specialised in technical surveillance pre digital age.
There is this scene where, after the surveillance trade show, drinking party in Hackman's loft/industrial/spooky shop, and the plot ensues
Forget the name. Really interesting obscure flick.
The Conversation. Great film, spooky ending, not sure it qualifies as "under-rated."
Gritty, action-packed story of an elite (and unconventional) squad of New York City cops, set in a city at its grimiest, most depressed, and pretty depressing, where it was often difficult to tell the cops from the crooks. Starring Roy Scheider, Victor Arnold, and Tony LoBianco, and featuring an actor named Richard Lynch. You may not recognized the name, but you'll no doubt recognize his face if you're old enough, since he played a psycho/bad guy in damn near every TV show and B-movie in the 70's and 80's. Look quick or you might miss an early role by the late, great Joe Spinell (Willie Cicci in the Godfather movies).
When lists of the best Film Noir movies are compiled, you can be sure to find classics like Double Indemnity, Laura, The Big Heat, Touch of Evil, and The Third Man (to name five) on those lists. Rarely, though will you find this gem of a flick listed, which is a real shame.
Starring Lucille Ball (yes, that Lucille Ball), Clifton Webb, Williiam Bendix, and Mark Stevens, it's the story of a private detective with a checkered past who's framed for a murder he didn't commit, and the lengths his new secretary will go to to clear his name.
Look quick for an early, uncredited role by square-jawed John Russell (Lawman, Rio Bravo) as a policeman.
some great ones mentioned, and several others I’ve never seen and have to queue up
A couple randoms to add to the pile:
F/X - Bryan Brown (probably best know for playing Tom Cruise’s bartender mentor in Cocktail) plays a movie special effects guy hired to stage a hit on a mob boss before a trial
Target - kind of a precursor to Taken, Gene Hackman plays a former CIA agent, Matt Dillon plays his son who doesn’t know about his fathers past, and they have to team up to rescue their kidnapped mother in Europe
Legend - Tom Hardy plays both of the Kray brothers, set in the 60s London underworld.
Malice - not sure if qualifies as underrated, was pretty well regarded early 90s drama with Alec Baldwin and Kim Basinger, with a good twist midway through
Don’t know if any of these would count as great, but all worthy efforts for their genre
Not really under-rated given Rotten Tomatoes 97% but Â
perhaps under-appreciated by modern audiences who seem impervious to dialogue.
The Thin Man movies... Myrna Loy is scrumptious, William Powell perfectly debonair in an off beat way, the dialogue snappy and the plot tight and fast paced.
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy (movie with Gary Oldman, still haven't seen the miniseries with Alec Guinness)
The Good Shepherd (Matt Damon)
The Descendants (George Clooney)
Outside Providence (Dildo Dunphy)
The Kink Kong one he did with Jessica Lange in the 70's was underated. Everyone thinks of the other KK ones, but that one put a modern touch to it while staying true to the story.
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy (movie with Gary Oldman, still haven't seen the miniseries with Alec Guinness)
The Good Shepherd (Matt Damon)
The Descendants (George Clooney)
Outside Providence (Dildo Dunphy)
FYI: The Tinker Tailor miniseries is free on Youtube. So is the sequel, Smiley's People.
I thought the movie was okay but 2 hours just isn't long enough for that story. A 6 hour mini-series is about the perfect length.
I was a huge fan of the miniseries and was initially not blown away by the film, but upon rewatching it, I think they did a great job. Great acting by Oldman, Strong and Firth.
Let It Ride, 1989 - Richard Dreyfus is a down on his luck cabbie with a gambling addiction who gets a tip on a sure thing, leading him to the day of his life.
Blind Date, 1987 - Bruce Willis' first movie, he goes on the blind date from hell with Kim Basinger.
Go, 1999 - A bit of a Taratinoesque movie with multiple intersecting storylines, a mixture of comedy and drama. Timothy Olyphant steals the movie in a supporting role as a menacing drug dealer.
A Midnight Clear, 1992 - Based on William Goldman's WWII novel, it's not really a war movie but a drama set during a war, about a small squad of American soldiers and their surprising encounters with Germans just before the Battle of the Bulge. Early roles for Ethan Hawke, Gary Sinise, Peter Berg.
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, 2005: Sort of a comedic modern noir story, very funny, with Robert Downey Jr and Val Kilmer.
As underrated? It was pretty well received and spawned a TV series, but is certainly overshadowed by said series. And while that's justifiable because the series was so exceptional, I wonder if people forget how good the movie was.
That scene in which Booby Myles breaks down in the car with his uncle was one of the most devastating scenes not involving death that I've ever seen. The guy who played his uncle taught a master class on saying everything that can be said merely through facial expressions there.
Let It Ride, 1989 - Richard Dreyfus is a down on his luck cabbie with a gambling addiction who gets a tip on a sure thing, leading him to the day of his life.
Blind Date, 1987 - Bruce Willis' first movie, he goes on the blind date from hell with Kim Basinger.
Go, 1999 - A bit of a Taratinoesque movie with multiple intersecting storylines, a mixture of comedy and drama. Timothy Olyphant steals the movie in a supporting role as a menacing drug dealer.
A Midnight Clear, 1992 - Based on William Goldman's WWII novel, it's not really a war movie but a drama set during a war, about a small squad of American soldiers and their surprising encounters with Germans just before the Battle of the Bulge. Early roles for Ethan Hawke, Gary Sinise, Peter Berg.
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, 2005: Sort of a comedic modern noir story, very funny, with Robert Downey Jr and Val Kilmer.
If you liked Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, check out The Nice Guys with Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling. Same writer and director.
The Silent Partner obscure Canadian movie starring Elliot Gould
After Hours - Scorcesse overlooked film from early 80s
Tucker Man and his dreams - Copolla overlooked film from 80s
The Good Guys - recent movie very funny
Do you mean "The Nice Guys"
That was a very good movie
I almost forgot another great, little known movie Â
It might have been Kevin Costner's first film? Judd Nelson is also in it.
Basically a last hurrah road trip for some guys in their EARLY twenties. 1 is going to get married, 1 is about to go in the service (Vietnam) ....
Funny (also a little melancholy at times) without being corny/obvious .... and the soundtrack is amazing.
I think of "Chinatown" - that was directed by Roman Polanski. And, as many times as I have watched that film - I cannot change the channel when it is on.
"L.A. Confidential" does the same thing to me ... can't turn the channel.
Amazing that a movie with Tom Hanks and Paul Newman goes under the radar, but it does.
"Breaker Morant" ... is that an Australian film? I forgot the actor's name but he was married to the woman who was in the film with Jeff Bridges (I think) - that Phil Collins sang the theme song for. I am pretty sure her first name was Rachel?
Is that the film?
: )
Seriously - I am going to have to check it out. Thanks.
Amazing that a movie with Tom Hanks and Paul Newman goes under the radar, but it does.
Love "Road to Perdition" ... great acting (even the little kid). And, the editing ... (I guess - it must have been the editing. Some of those scenes were intense and suspenseful).
Great film and you are right ... I can't believe that movie did not get more attention than it did.
After Hours - Scorcesse overlooked film from early 80s
Tucker Man and his dreams - Copolla overlooked film from 80s
The Good Guys - recent movie very funny
Turk-182
Kidco
My Blue Heaven
Breaker Morant is a great movie. Probably my favorite "courtroom" movie of all time.
I also can't switch off Ronin when it's on or Nobody's Fool with Paul Newman, great movie
But, I forget the name, Hackman starred in a nifty technical movie about a spooky/spy/private eye who specialised in technical surveillance pre digital age.
There is this scene where, after the surveillance trade show, drinking party in Hackman's loft/industrial/spooky shop, and the plot ensues
Forget the name. Really interesting obscure flick.
Andy Garcia
Chriatopher Walken
Steve Buscemi
Treat Williams
Chrstopher Lloyd
Gabrielle Anwar
Jack Warden
Bill Nunn
very underrated IMO.
Sure, you're not confusing this with Enemy of the State with Hackman, Will Smith, Jon Voight? Sounds like what you're describing, but it wasn't obscure and it was in the late 90's.
"The Conversation"
Imbd says:
- 'a paranoid, secretive surveillance expert has a crisis of conscience when he suspects that a couple he is spying on, will be killed'
But, I forget the name, Hackman starred in a nifty technical movie about a spooky/spy/private eye who specialised in technical surveillance pre digital age.
There is this scene where, after the surveillance trade show, drinking party in Hackman's loft/industrial/spooky shop, and the plot ensues
Forget the name. Really interesting obscure flick.
The movie you're talking about is the Conversation. It's early Coppola.
Plus, the whole paranoid aspect and surveillance issues resonate in this digital age.
Death Rides A Horse
State of Grace(1990)
Hoodlum(1997)
Marked Women(1937)
Fully agree on this one lol
But, I forget the name, Hackman starred in a nifty technical movie about a spooky/spy/private eye who specialised in technical surveillance pre digital age.
There is this scene where, after the surveillance trade show, drinking party in Hackman's loft/industrial/spooky shop, and the plot ensues
Forget the name. Really interesting obscure flick.
The Conversation. Great film, spooky ending, not sure it qualifies as "under-rated."
Once we were warriors
Starring Lucille Ball (yes, that Lucille Ball), Clifton Webb, Williiam Bendix, and Mark Stevens, it's the story of a private detective with a checkered past who's framed for a murder he didn't commit, and the lengths his new secretary will go to to clear his name.
Look quick for an early, uncredited role by square-jawed John Russell (Lawman, Rio Bravo) as a policeman.
Link - ( New Window )
A couple randoms to add to the pile:
F/X - Bryan Brown (probably best know for playing Tom Cruise’s bartender mentor in Cocktail) plays a movie special effects guy hired to stage a hit on a mob boss before a trial
Target - kind of a precursor to Taken, Gene Hackman plays a former CIA agent, Matt Dillon plays his son who doesn’t know about his fathers past, and they have to team up to rescue their kidnapped mother in Europe
Legend - Tom Hardy plays both of the Kray brothers, set in the 60s London underworld.
Malice - not sure if qualifies as underrated, was pretty well regarded early 90s drama with Alec Baldwin and Kim Basinger, with a good twist midway through
Don’t know if any of these would count as great, but all worthy efforts for their genre
The Thin Man movies... Myrna Loy is scrumptious, William Powell perfectly debonair in an off beat way, the dialogue snappy and the plot tight and fast paced.
Even the dog, Asta, is great.
Directed by W.S. Van Dyke, 1934
Classic Movie Trailer - ( New Window )
I think Rachel Ward was in Sharkeys Machine with Burt Reynolds and then Dead Man don't Wear Plaid with Steve Martin
And then Against All Odds with Jeff Bridges and James Woods. The Phil Collins song Against All Odds is from this movie
if you find a picture of Rachel Ward from that era...that's an underrated beautiful woman
Cutters Way
The Fabulous Baker Boys
The Good Shepherd (Matt Damon)
The Descendants (George Clooney)
Outside Providence (Dildo Dunphy)
Cutters Way
The Fabulous Baker Boys
The Kink Kong one he did with Jessica Lange in the 70's was underated. Everyone thinks of the other KK ones, but that one put a modern touch to it while staying true to the story.
The Good Shepherd (Matt Damon)
The Descendants (George Clooney)
Outside Providence (Dildo Dunphy)
FYI: The Tinker Tailor miniseries is free on Youtube. So is the sequel, Smiley's People.
I thought the movie was okay but 2 hours just isn't long enough for that story. A 6 hour mini-series is about the perfect length.
"You'll never get it if you don't slow down..." Keitel to the grieving Hurt.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGV_h36uZ5E
Also the John Sayles movie "The Brother from Another Planet"
Joe Morton is terrific in the lead role.
Trailer for The Brother from Another Planet - ( New Window )
Let It Ride, 1989 - Richard Dreyfus is a down on his luck cabbie with a gambling addiction who gets a tip on a sure thing, leading him to the day of his life.
Blind Date, 1987 - Bruce Willis' first movie, he goes on the blind date from hell with Kim Basinger.
Go, 1999 - A bit of a Taratinoesque movie with multiple intersecting storylines, a mixture of comedy and drama. Timothy Olyphant steals the movie in a supporting role as a menacing drug dealer.
A Midnight Clear, 1992 - Based on William Goldman's WWII novel, it's not really a war movie but a drama set during a war, about a small squad of American soldiers and their surprising encounters with Germans just before the Battle of the Bulge. Early roles for Ethan Hawke, Gary Sinise, Peter Berg.
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, 2005: Sort of a comedic modern noir story, very funny, with Robert Downey Jr and Val Kilmer.
Dildo Dunphy
I'm assuming you made that name up.
That scene in which Booby Myles breaks down in the car with his uncle was one of the most devastating scenes not involving death that I've ever seen. The guy who played his uncle taught a master class on saying everything that can be said merely through facial expressions there.
Quote:
Dildo Dunphy
I'm assuming you made that name up.
It's Shawn Hatosy's characters nickname. From his father (Alec Baldwin), as luck would have it.
Not sure if it is still underrated, but My Cousin Vinnie cracks me up every time.
On an entirely different level, Melancholia was long, slow, beautiful and fantastic!
Salton Sea
I think Rachel Ward was in Sharkeys Machine with Burt Reynolds and then Dead Man don't Wear Plaid with Steve Martin
And then Against All Odds with Jeff Bridges and James Woods. The Phil Collins song Against All Odds is from this movie
if you find a picture of Rachel Ward from that era...that's an underrated beautiful woman
First exposure was the Thornbirds, a cheesy TV mini series. But yes, what a beauty.
Let It Ride, 1989 - Richard Dreyfus is a down on his luck cabbie with a gambling addiction who gets a tip on a sure thing, leading him to the day of his life.
Blind Date, 1987 - Bruce Willis' first movie, he goes on the blind date from hell with Kim Basinger.
Go, 1999 - A bit of a Taratinoesque movie with multiple intersecting storylines, a mixture of comedy and drama. Timothy Olyphant steals the movie in a supporting role as a menacing drug dealer.
A Midnight Clear, 1992 - Based on William Goldman's WWII novel, it's not really a war movie but a drama set during a war, about a small squad of American soldiers and their surprising encounters with Germans just before the Battle of the Bulge. Early roles for Ethan Hawke, Gary Sinise, Peter Berg.
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, 2005: Sort of a comedic modern noir story, very funny, with Robert Downey Jr and Val Kilmer.
If you liked Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, check out The Nice Guys with Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling. Same writer and director.
Move Over, Darling - 1963
Doris Day, James Gardner, Don Polly Bergan, Don Knotts
Crank - 2006
Loved it as a kid, rediscovered it in recent years. Starred Bruce Dern.
After Hours - Scorcesse overlooked film from early 80s
Tucker Man and his dreams - Copolla overlooked film from 80s
The Good Guys - recent movie very funny
Do you mean "The Nice Guys"
That was a very good movie