By Popular Demand: Are There Any Films You Love Whose Unpopularity Or Relative Obscurity You Cannot Fathom?
I'm quite surprised by the overwhelming response to a post of mine that I thought rather quotidian. I seem to have struck a nerve.
When I asked, "Are There Any Highly Regarded Films Whose Popularity You Cannot Fathom?", I deliberately refrained from phrasing the question in the usual way, i.e., "Which films are the most overrated?" because I wanted to avoid hearing folks repeat something they read once in a film guide or in a movie critic's retrospective. I wanted to hear about the films that the rest of the world seems to love, but that the commenter just doesn't "get", that doesn't "grab" him, that bores him, that leaves him cold. As some have noted, this can reveal something interesting about the dissenter.
There have been requests to open a thread on the most underrated films. But, again, allow me to pose the question in a slightly different way: Which are some films that you have discovered and treasure, and yet have not found a large audience or great acclaim? We're less interested in hearing about how, contrary to the critics' opinions, you found Porky's 3 hysterical, and more interested in hearing about the real gems that got lost in the shuffle of the marketplace but that touched you deeply or entertained you immensely--and why.
For me, a good example is Local Hero. It is a comedy--with broad humor at times--and yet I consider its message profound and bittersweet. (Mild spoiler ahead.) The final scene, in which Peter Riegert's character MacIntyre returns to his apartment in Houston, removes beach shells from his pockets, and calls the (empty) telephone booth in Furness, Scotland, is heartbreaking to me. It never fails to elicit moisture in the ocular region.
I believe the reason is that, the first time I saw the movie (during its theatrical release), I was undergoing a wrenching time at the end of college and the cusp of employment. I was on a trajectory toward a job in the oil business, like MacIntyre's, and I was deeply ambivalent about it. And what college student doesn't dream of forgoing a "traditional" career and instead living in a picturesque seaside town as an innkeeper, or a fisherman, or a minister, or a marine biologist who may or may not be a mermaid?
- Comment (247)
- · Quote
- · UnfollowFollow (13)
Comments:
Oct '11
Re: By Popular Demand: Are There Any Films You Love Whose Unpopularity Or Relative Obscurity You Cannot Fathom?
Here is one that I don't think many have seen but one I definitely enjoyed. The Assignment, with Aidan Quinn, Donald Sutherland and Ben Kingsley about Carlos the Jackal and a joint Israeli-US operation to take him out. Decent action flick.
Re: By Popular Demand: Are There Any Films You Love Whose Unpopularity Or Relative Obscurity You Cannot Fathom?
My grandfather used to say that if you get your feet wet in the river, you might as well go ahead and jump in, so here's my next submission from Young Frankenstein:
Edited on December 30, 2011 at 3:21amMar '11
Re: By Popular Demand: Are There Any Films You Love Whose Unpopularity Or Relative Obscurity You Cannot Fathom?
The Interview. A simple Australian movie. A crime has been committed, and Hugo Weaving (Mr Smith from The Matrix) is the suspect. He is being interviewed by a police detective and his partner. The movie takes you on a ride: oh he did it, no he didn't, yes he did; leaning this way and that for an hour and half. Absolutely fascinating. I give it 10/10.
To Die For: Nicole Kidman showing some of her range (see also Dogville, Birth and The Human Stain) in a sleazy crime comedy, accompanied by the young Joaquin Phoenix and the young Casey Affleck.
Allegro Non Troppo: a gentle Italian parody of Fantasia, see if you're not crying by the end of Sibelius' Valse Triste. BTW, IMHO Fantasia/2000 is significantly better than the original.
The Australian claymation movie Mary and Max is lovely, and although my family think I'm nuts, I insist that Big Fish is a wonderful piece.
Finally, I, Robot is way better than is generally credited. The theme of all the stories was made central to this movie, and there is no better car crash than appears here.
Edited on December 30, 2011 at 3:25amApr '11
Re: By Popular Demand: Are There Any Films You Love Whose Unpopularity Or Relative Obscurity You Cannot Fathom?
Peter Christofferson
Comfort and Joy has to be my pick for this list. It may be the closest thing I've ever seen to my ideal of a perfect movie. Sadly, I've never shown it to anyone else who "got it". I now refuse to watch it unless I'm entirely alone and can't possibly be interrupted. · Dec 29 at 6:05pm
Well, that makes a few of us. Over the years, I've been able to "convert" a few to "Comfort and Joy," however, I think I concur, "being alone without possibility of interruption" is really the recommended way to watch it. I wish it would come out on DVD; it's the only reason we still have a VHS player here!
Mar '11
Re: By Popular Demand: Are There Any Films You Love Whose Unpopularity Or Relative Obscurity You Cannot Fathom?
I thought I'd finished, but then I remembered The Fall. What must be amongst the most beautiful movies ever made, it wasn't even available in Australia. I had to buy my copy from overseas.
Jun '10
Re: By Popular Demand: Are There Any Films You Love Whose Unpopularity Or Relative Obscurity You Cannot Fathom?
How about "Cold Comfort Farm" ? Very, very funny film.
Jul '10
Re: By Popular Demand: Are There Any Films You Love Whose Unpopularity Or Relative Obscurity You Cannot Fathom?
Well, Dave, it looks like You, Me, and Frozen Chosen should start a post about the shows We enjoy.
Hey, Bud... Let's party.
Re: By Popular Demand: Are There Any Films You Love Whose Unpopularity Or Relative Obscurity You Cannot Fathom?
Jimmy Carter: Well, Dave, it looks like You, Me, and Frozen Chosen should start a post about the shows We enjoy.
Hey, Bud... Let's party. · Dec 29 at 6:36pm
Methinks you're right.
Re: By Popular Demand: Are There Any Films You Love Whose Unpopularity Or Relative Obscurity You Cannot Fathom?
Dave Carter
Jimmy Carter: Well, Dave, it looks like You, Me, and Frozen Chosen should start a post about the shows We enjoy.
Hey, Bud... Let's party. · Dec 29 at 6:36pm
Methinks you're right. · Dec 29 at 6:38pm
Count me in. "Cannonball Run" and "Young Frankenstein" are both favs of mine--when I first saw "Young Frankenstein," back when I was in high school, I laughed so hard I cried.
Apr '11
Re: By Popular Demand: Are There Any Films You Love Whose Unpopularity Or Relative Obscurity You Cannot Fathom?
Yes, Larry, "Cold Comfort Farm" is another good one!
For Dave Carter: thanks for the "Young Frankenstein" clip. Mel Brooks has been a delight over the years too. As quirkily quotable as Monty Python.
Jun '11
Re: By Popular Demand: Are There Any Films You Love Whose Unpopularity Or Relative Obscurity You Cannot Fathom?
Unbreakable: While the trademark Shymalan twist was better than most, it was Bruce Willis's transformation into reluctant superhero that I found both credible and moving. IMO it's M. Night's best.
Hope and Glory: Haven't watched it in a while, but it evokes the English WWII homefront in a way I've not seen before or since.
What's left to say about Young Frankenstein? When heard Peter Boyle died I thought of "Puttin' on the Ritz" and when I heard Gene Hackman died I thought of the hermit scene...and laughed my (CoC violation) off. Mel Brooks's most consistenly side-splitting film.
May '10
Re: By Popular Demand: Are There Any Films You Love Whose Unpopularity Or Relative Obscurity You Cannot Fathom?
I would concur on the earlier posted 'Glory', 'Fifth Element', 'Time Bandits', and 'Better Off Dead'. One that I have always liked, but no one else has ever heard of in the light-heart 'spy' comedy 'Hopscotch', starring Walter Matthau, Glenda Jackson, Ned Beatty, and a young Sam Waterston. "A CIA agent tired of his incompetent colleagues retires and dares them to stop him from publishing an embarrassing book of memoirs."
I am also partial to Clint Eastwood in 'Heartbreak Ridge'
May '10
Re: By Popular Demand: Are There Any Films You Love Whose Unpopularity Or Relative Obscurity You Cannot Fathom?
Ditto on Local Hero, Win Win, Lost City and Big Fish. Also, I recommend The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill But Came Down A Mountain.
Jan '11
Re: By Popular Demand: Are There Any Films You Love Whose Unpopularity Or Relative Obscurity You Cannot Fathom?
Hobson's Choice
Magnificent film. Google it.
Bet you can't watch it only once.
Re: By Popular Demand: Are There Any Films You Love Whose Unpopularity Or Relative Obscurity You Cannot Fathom?
Peter Robinson
Dave Carter
Jimmy Carter: Well, Dave, it looks like You, Me, and Frozen Chosen should start a post about the shows We enjoy.
Hey, Bud... Let's party. · Dec 29 at 6:36pm
Methinks you're right. · Dec 29 at 6:38pm
Count me in. "Cannonball Run" and "Young Frankenstein" are both favs of mine--when I first saw "Young Frankenstein," back when I was in high school, I laughed so hard I cried. · Dec 29 at 6:46pm
I saw an interview with Mel Brooks on the making of Young Frankenstein. The accent that Marty Feldman used when he said, "You take the blonde, I'll take the one in the turban," was completely spontaneous and cracked up the entire crew. Evidently, the toughest thing about filming it was that cast and crew alike wouldn't stop laughing.
Nov '10
Re: By Popular Demand: Are There Any Films You Love Whose Unpopularity Or Relative Obscurity You Cannot Fathom?
A resounding yes to "Serenity, "Enchanted April," "Cold Comfort Farm," and "Better Off Dead"! Which reminds me: Does anyone else remember "After Hours"? Now THAT was one sick, sick, *funny* movie.
Among my very favorite films is "The Secret of Roan Inish," and almost no one I know has ever even heard of it.
Apr '11
Re: By Popular Demand: Are There Any Films You Love Whose Unpopularity Or Relative Obscurity You Cannot Fathom?
Hi Layla,
I wanted to comment on "The Secret Of Roan Inish" but was unsure that anyone would know of it. Just another wonder of Ricochet! It was once in my top 10 list. Since I've aged a bit since I made that list, it's now on my top 20.
"Babette's Feast" is also on my list.
Layla: A resounding yes to "Serenity, "Enchanted April," "Cold Comfort Farm," and "Better Off Dead"! Which reminds me: Does anyone else remember "After Hours"? Now THAT was one sick, sick, *funny* movie.
Among my very favorite films is "The Secret of Roan Inish," and almost no one I know has ever even heard of it. · Dec 29 at 7:26pm
Nov '10
Re: By Popular Demand: Are There Any Films You Love Whose Unpopularity Or Relative Obscurity You Cannot Fathom?
BriarRose, I loved Englishman! Colm Meaney! Oy, I need to dig that one up again...
Nov '10
Re: By Popular Demand: Are There Any Films You Love Whose Unpopularity Or Relative Obscurity You Cannot Fathom?
A fellow fan! I sure would like to see your Top 20 list sometime, Susan... :)
Susan in Seattle: Hi Layla,
I wanted to comment on "The Secret Of Roan Inish" but was unsure that anyone would know of it. Just another wonder of Ricochet! It was once on my top 10 list. Since I've aged a bit since I made that list, it's now on my top 20.
Layla: A resounding yes to "Serenity, "Enchanted April," "Cold Comfort Farm," and "Better Off Dead"! Which reminds me: Does anyone else remember "After Hours"? Now THAT was one sick, sick, *funny* movie.
Among my very favorite films is "The Secret of Roan Inish," and almost no one I know has ever even heard of it. · Dec 29 at 7:26pm
Dec 29 at 7:33pm
Dec '11
Re: By Popular Demand: Are There Any Films You Love Whose Unpopularity Or Relative Obscurity You Cannot Fathom?
But an even funnier book!