Genuinely good movies that have went under the radar?

The Ninth Configuration.

A real cult classic from William Peter Blatty, in the wake of the success of The Exorcist. It's definitely a love it or hate it kind of movie (the tone swings wildly from farce to harrowing drama), but everybody should see it at least once, as it features some of the best cult actors from the time, plus Blatty's witty and quotable dialogue.

Being a big fan of The Exorcist, I tried desperately to get a copy of this until Channel 4 came to the rescue with a late night Friday screening in the late 90's-early 00's, which of course I set the video for I've seen it many times since and it really adds something new with each viewing, it's a shame Blatty didn't direct more. The bar-room fight scene is a masterclass in tension and release- Stacy Keach has never been more badass

Picked up the Bluray of it last year, which had many interviews highlighting how crazy the production was, as it was made in Communist era Hungary with a fair few wildmen in the cast who got into trouble, such as Joe Spinell, Jason Miller, Richard Lynch and Neville Brand. Also an excellent story about how Nicol Williamson was fired the day before shooting began after running amok in a hotel in Budapest!

It got name-checked quite a bit around the time Shutter Island was released, but the similarities were superficial at best, as that lacked a lot of the Ninth's deeper themes. The movie was nominated for some Golden Globes (the screenplay won), but a lot of distribution problems let it slide into obscurity.

While other movies about the aftermath of war like Coming Home and The Deer Hunter got a lot more plaudits and exposure, The Ninth holds up as a great hidden treasure of a movie. I still enjoy the bemused/confused look I get when I bring it up in conversation


Hardcore and Blue Collar
2 excellent drama's from Paul Schrader, with brilliant performances from George C Scott and Richard Pryor. The late 70's-early 80's was truly a great time for gritty, underrated movies.

Sorcerer
What I'm sure William Friedkin thought would be his next huge success bombed as it went up against Star Wars, but still remains a superior and taut thriller. It has gladly got some recognition recently as it exited rights limbo, getting a proper release and seeing it in the IFI was a cinema highlight of the last year.
"That" bridge scene is still one of the greatest action scenes ever filmed imho. Roy Scheider was a big enough star at the time having just come off Jaws, but I do wonder how good original choice Steve Mcqueen would have been in that role.

Swimming with Sharks
A biting (and probably pretty accurate) satire on what it takes to make it up the Hollywood ladder, supposedly based on the director's time working as a PA for a nameless Film Exec. Kevin Spacey is in top class b'stard form as he makes his new ambitious assistant's life a living hell (played by the underrated Frank Whaley).

Frailty

Movie from early 00’s with Matthew Mccaunaghy and Bill Paxton

Sad Professor wrote: »

That was actually directed by William Friedkin, though Mann accused him of ripping off Miami Vice and even sued him over it I believe.

my bad
i always thought it was a mann film

Defo a rip off then, but a lot better than Miami Vice :cool:

Dr_Colossus wrote: »

Thanks, just finished watching this and is was excellent, very funny also.

Nice one. Such a great movie.
The casting was 100% on the money. Loved the two leads.
Apparently Hollywood are making a version with Bryan Cranston and Kevin Hart.

Glad to see they didnt go for obvious choices..:rolleyes::rolleyes:

Art McCarrick wrote: »

Don't think I've seen these mentioned yet, 2 Australian ones.

The Snowtown Murders - Based on a true story.

Lake Mungo - A mystery, thriller and ghost story all wrapped up in a documentary style format.

First one that came into my head when i saw the thread title.
What a film.

Another one I just thought of is The Next Three Days starring Russell Crowe. Its great!

A guys wife is wrongly convicted of murder and given a life sentence. So he tries to break her out.

GreeBo wrote: »

Equilibrium is a great film that never seemed to go anywhere.

Equilibrium is a terrible movie, but it has some good action sequences.