Do you have a movie or more than one that you consider a "hidden treasure," one you came across off the beaten path and love but nobody you know has ever seen or heard of?
Here are some of mine:
"Mountains of the Moon" (1986). Director, Bob Rafelson. Yes, the "Five Easy Pieces" Bob Rafelson. Starring Patrick Bergin in his first leading film role. The story is basically about the first two westerners to identify the source of the Nile, so at first you think, "Adventure flick." But it's really about the politics that tear the two explorers apart when they return to England, so you think, "Intrigue flick." But it's REALLY about the relationship between the two explorers and, in a way, the wife of Bergin's character, so you think, "Sex flick." But there's even a suicide, or maybe not a suicide, so you think, "Indie flick." Anyway, the acting is great. It was all filmed on location in Africa. The characters of the Africans are fully explored. The cinematography is to die for. Patrick Bergin is a hunk on wheels. It's got some humor and some great sword and gun fights. It's on DVD though it may not be at your local Blockbuster. But I highly recommend it. The only reason I didn't put it on my list of favorite movies is I knew my list would be long and it would get lost.
"One False Move" (mid-90s). Stars Bill Paxton at his absolute cutest and Billy Bob Thornton before he was the Billy Bob. A mean, violent, cops chasing down killers flick, but there's great human stuff underneath. Was at the top of many critics Ten Best Lists the year it came out.
"Down By Law" (mid-80s). Directed by the man with THE greatest hair for a director, Jim Jarmusch. Stars Tom Waits and Roberto Benigni. Yep, that Roberto Benigni. He didn't speak English at all at the time of the film and it just makes him better in this story of the swampy US south.
"Dead Man" (2002, I think). Another Jarmusch great. If you've seen Jarmusch's films, you know they don't gallop along. But the slow pace is greatly rewarded. Plus this one stars Johnny Depp and has him in almost every scene. Also a small role for Iggy Pop. Plus it has one of the greatest lines ever in film. So are you going to pass up Johnny Depp, Iggy Pop, that great line, AND Robert Mitchum? If you can tell me the great line, I'll try to think of a prize or honorary title.
Finally, my usually word in for Jarmusch's "Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai." It stars Forrest Whitaker and every guy who has ever played a mob guy in any movie since 1960. The music is by RZA. I think it's brilliant and usually watch it about once a month.
Would love to hear other movie hidden treasures.
Rgirl
Here are some of mine:
"Mountains of the Moon" (1986). Director, Bob Rafelson. Yes, the "Five Easy Pieces" Bob Rafelson. Starring Patrick Bergin in his first leading film role. The story is basically about the first two westerners to identify the source of the Nile, so at first you think, "Adventure flick." But it's really about the politics that tear the two explorers apart when they return to England, so you think, "Intrigue flick." But it's REALLY about the relationship between the two explorers and, in a way, the wife of Bergin's character, so you think, "Sex flick." But there's even a suicide, or maybe not a suicide, so you think, "Indie flick." Anyway, the acting is great. It was all filmed on location in Africa. The characters of the Africans are fully explored. The cinematography is to die for. Patrick Bergin is a hunk on wheels. It's got some humor and some great sword and gun fights. It's on DVD though it may not be at your local Blockbuster. But I highly recommend it. The only reason I didn't put it on my list of favorite movies is I knew my list would be long and it would get lost.
"One False Move" (mid-90s). Stars Bill Paxton at his absolute cutest and Billy Bob Thornton before he was the Billy Bob. A mean, violent, cops chasing down killers flick, but there's great human stuff underneath. Was at the top of many critics Ten Best Lists the year it came out.
"Down By Law" (mid-80s). Directed by the man with THE greatest hair for a director, Jim Jarmusch. Stars Tom Waits and Roberto Benigni. Yep, that Roberto Benigni. He didn't speak English at all at the time of the film and it just makes him better in this story of the swampy US south.
"Dead Man" (2002, I think). Another Jarmusch great. If you've seen Jarmusch's films, you know they don't gallop along. But the slow pace is greatly rewarded. Plus this one stars Johnny Depp and has him in almost every scene. Also a small role for Iggy Pop. Plus it has one of the greatest lines ever in film. So are you going to pass up Johnny Depp, Iggy Pop, that great line, AND Robert Mitchum? If you can tell me the great line, I'll try to think of a prize or honorary title.
Finally, my usually word in for Jarmusch's "Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai." It stars Forrest Whitaker and every guy who has ever played a mob guy in any movie since 1960. The music is by RZA. I think it's brilliant and usually watch it about once a month.
Would love to hear other movie hidden treasures.
Rgirl
