Halfway through our list already, and we've gotten some great feedback from you guys about the choices so far. The third part of our fea...
Halfway through our list already, and we've gotten some great feedback from you guys about the choices so far. The third part of our feature is here with yet more hidden cinematic gems and a few selections that may surprise you. Check back tomorrow for part 4!
21 - American Splendor
Synopsis: An original mix of fiction and reality illuminates the mundane life of comic book hero / ordinary joe Harvey Pekar.
Why you need to see it: As miserable as Pekar himself, this is a strangely compelling watch with a fantastic performance from Paul Giamatti. Despite the fact that life keeps throwing obstacles at him, its his dogged perseverance that endears him to the viewer, and Giamatti slips so comfortably into the role, it's hard to imagine anyone else being able to pull off a performance like it.
22 - In The Mouth Of Madness
Synopsis: An insurance investigator hired to look into the disappearance of famous author Sutter Cane discovers Cane’s latest novel holds a dark and terrible secret.
Why you need to see it: One of the very few attempts to adapt author H.P. Lovecraft’s unique brand of cosmic, psychological horror for the big screen, director John Carpenter puts together a mesmerising and mind bending horror movie that will stay with you for days.
23 - Confessions of a Superhero
Synopsis: A documentary that follows a group of aspiring actors, all from different backgrounds, who make their living dressed up as super heroes outside Mann’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.
Why you need to see it: A fascinating insight into the lengths people go to achieve their dreams, the subject’s lives are laid out for us in minute detail, painting a picture of each person that is both tragic and triumphant.
24 - Brotherhood of the Wolf
Synopsis: A French re-telling of the Hound of the Baskervilles story, set in the 18th century, it sees a noble-man and his native american travelling companion on the trail of a mysterious beast that is responsible for the deaths of scores of local villagers.
Why you need to see it: If it sounds a bit sombre and drab on paper, then throw whatever ideas you have about the movie straight out the window. The story is great and interspersed with the mystery unfolding, there are some stunning martial arts action set-pieces thanks largely to the casting of Mark Dacascos in one of his best roles.
25 - Four Rooms
Synopsis: Four interlocking tales that take place in a fading hotel on New Year's Eve.
Why you need to see it: Besides the fact that Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez each directed one of the four tales, Tim Roth absolutely knocks this out of the park. Worth a watch for Roth alone.
26 - Dead Man’s Shoes
Synopsis: A disgruntled soldier returns to his home town to exact revenge on a group of thugs that tortured his mentally disabled younger brother.
Why you need to see it: Before he hit it big with his This Is England series, director Shane Meadows spent his time crafting explosive British dramas like this. Dead Man’s Shoes slowly builds tension before unleashing it in the form of a career-best performance from Paddy Considine as the bodies start to stack up and the sleepy country community is shattered in the name of revenge.
27 - They Live
Synopsis: A burly drifter happens upon a pair of sunglasses that lead him to discover a sinister race of aliens that have infiltrated the planet.
Why you need to see it: Did you not just read the above? As well as being laced with cutting satire the movie is about aliens, a plot to take over the world and a drifter who just wants to kick ass and chew bubblegum. Did we mention the drifter is played by former wrestler Rowdy Roddy Piper? Yes, this movie is exactly as batshit crazy as you are now imagining.
28 - The Apartment
Synopsis: Insurance worker C.C. Baxter lends his Upper West Side apartment to company bosses to use for extramarital affairs. When his manager begins using Baxter's apartment in exchange for promoting him, Baxter is disappointed to learn that Sheldrake's mistress is the girl at work whom Baxter is interested in himself. Soon Baxter must decide between the girl he loves and the advancement of his career.
Why you need to see it: As close to a perfect comedy script as exists. Written and directed by genius Billy Wilder, it’s a great hook and a very funny plot that makes it a classic. Add to that the brilliance of Jack Lemmon’s hilarious and very moving performance in the film and the snappy chemistry between him and MacLaine and you have a film that has remained as entertaining and enthralling today as it was on it's release in 1960.
29 - The Assassination of Jesse James by The Coward Robert Ford
Synopsis:Robert Ford, who's idolized Jesse James since childhood, tries hard to join the reforming gang of the Missouri outlaw, but gradually becomes resentful of the bandit leader.
Why you need to see it: Andrew Dominik's chronicle of the final few months of Jesse James life is a complex, intelligent and graceful tale. The film revels in the finer details of the famous outlaws latter days, before his inevitable betrayal and Roger Deakins searingly beautiful cinematography makes it all the more essential viewing for anyone looking for a fresh take on the Western genre.
30 - Zatoichi
Synopsis:A blind swordsman journeys the rural countryside of Japan in search of adventure, and when he arrives in a town controlled by warring gangs, he ends up coming to the aid of a farming family that offer him shelter.
Why you need to see it: A masterful central performance from writer, director and star Takeshi Kitano make Zatoichi a must-see for fans of Asian cinema, particularly samurai movies. The script is full of moments of brilliance and includes everything from ensemble musical numbers to blood-soaked battles in torrential rain. A genuine crowd pleaser of a film.
