Movies You May Have Missed
A list of (an ever changing number of) good movies you may have never even heard of, listed in no particular order.
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- DirectorMarianna PalkaStarsMarianna PalkaJason RitterEric EdelsteinA look at the relationship between a lonely introverted girl and a young video store clerk vying for her attention.An independent romantic comedy that paints a realistic, yet touching and hopeful picture of the relationship of two dysfunctional people. Mariana Palka wrote, produced, directed and starred in the film alongside a very charismatic Jason Ritter. And no, there is nobody in the film named 'Dick'.
- DirectorKelly ReichardtStarsMichelle WilliamsLucyDavid KoppellOver the summer, a series of unfortunate happenings triggers a financial crisis for a young woman and she soon finds her life falling apart.A raw, real and heartbreaking film held together by strong performances and an a strong atmosphere.
- DirectorAndrea ArnoldStarsKatie JarvisMichael FassbenderKierston WareingEverything changes for 15-year-old Mia when her mum brings home a new boyfriend.British director Andrea Arnold and newcomer actress Katie Jarvis bring a gritty, realistic, emotionally earnest tale of loneliness, sexual tension, despair and a dream of escape. Arnold chooses to shoot the film in 1.33:1 to intensify the emotional, psychological and at times physical claustrophobia of Mia's world. One of the only examples of deliberate use of the aspect ratio to effectively accentuate the film's feel in contemporary film. Strong performances and a solid script complete the well-put-together package.
- DirectorJ BlakesonStarsGemma ArtertonEddie MarsanMartin CompstonA rich man's daughter is held captive in an abandoned apartment by two former convicts who abducted her and hold her ransom in exchange for her father's money.While it's not the most complex and artistic film ever made, it does manage to bring strong performances, highly effective editing, and a smarter-than-expected script that delivers tension and twists. A very strong directorial debut from J. Blakeson.
- DirectorJay DiPietroStarsJason RitterJess WeixlerJesse L. Martin'Peter and Vandy' is a love story told out of order. Set in Manhattan, the story shifts back and forth in time, juxtaposing Peter and Vandy's romantic beginnings with the twisted, manipulative, regular couple they become. The film explores the question most couples ask themselves... 'How the hell did we get this way?'Romantic comedies are something I stopped watching in my mid teens when I realized that the humor usually drops off at the halfway point and every single one of them follows the same formula. The ones Hollywood was producing at the time were bloated messes with no sense of soul or flair. Peter and Vandy is basically a poor man's (500) Days of Summer. A love story told out of order, that arguably uses the device much more cleverly than the before-mentioned flick. A lot of it is rather raw, the film jumps from a happy couple to a miserable duo at unexpected times. The characters are charming enough, and it unfolds in a way that isn't completely paint-by-numbers.
- DirectorRian JohnsonStarsJoseph Gordon-LevittLukas HaasEmilie de RavinA teenage loner pushes his way into the underworld of a high school crime ring to investigate the disappearance of his ex-girlfriend.Joseph Gordon-Levitt stars in this hard-boiled detective film that happens to revolve around high school students. The film is quite interesting, especially the unique dialogue style and the way in which it's shot. A career-maker for Rian Johnson, who is now working on what looks like a summer tentpole scifi flick starring Bruce Willis and Joseph Gordon-Levitt.
- DirectorDavid ZellnerStarsDavid ZellnerNathan ZellnerCaroline O'ConnorA recently divorced man tries to find the one aspect of his marriage that still matters to him: his missing cat, Goliath.Goliath is about a recently divorced man, who's only friend in the world; a cat named Goliath; goes missing. The story unfolds in a slightly comedic nature, but the despair and loneliness is really palpable. It features a five-minute shot of reading and signing divorce papers. No dialogue, no fancy camera move. Just a raw, real, awkward and uncomfortable moment, told with the most sincerity. It was also shot on some form of digital video, so don't expect any of the beautiful intricacies and texture of a nice film transfer.
- DirectorAndrew DominikStarsBrad PittCasey AffleckSam ShepardRobert Ford, who has idolized Jesse James since childhood, tries hard to join the resurgent gang of the Missouri outlaw, but gradually becomes resentful of the bandit leader.Probably one of my top films of 2007, though I don't think I saw it until 2009. A lot of people find it "slow-moving" or "boring", but you have to 'read in between the lines'. Yes, it features long scenes with no dialogue...but provides wonderfully crafted performances, some real notable music (by Nick Cave and Warren Ellis), and some just beautiful cinematography. The film is an interesting look at celebrity, jealousy, and....old timey hats.
- DirectorJohn Cameron MitchellStarsNicole KidmanAaron EckhartDianne WiestLife for a happy couple is turned upside down after their young son dies in an accident.Based on a play oddly enough from the writer of Robots, Inkheart, and Rise of the Guardians, this is not kids' stuff. The film examines a grieving couple trying to move on with their lives in the aftermath of their son's death. The script is top-notch and full of subtlety and genuine beats that run the emotional gamut from seething rage to morose empathy. The film's real find is actor Miles Teller, who manages to convey the perfect emotion, often times with virtually no dialogue.
- DirectorChristopher MorrisStarsWill AdamsdaleRiz AhmedAdeel AkhtarFour incompetent British terrorists set out to train for and commit an act of terror.A daring and hilarious satirization of bumbling Islamic terrorists. A somewhat obscure British film, yet one of the best comedies of 2010. The humor is often broad, but effective nonetheless.
- DirectorLars von TrierStarsWillem DafoeCharlotte GainsbourgStorm Acheche SahlstrømA grieving couple retreat to their cabin in the woods, hoping to repair their broken hearts and troubled marriage, but nature takes its course and things go from bad to worse.Definitely not for the faint of heart, this one. It's dark, intensely disturbing, uncompromisingly graphic, scary, and beautiful. It's fairly slow-moving, but with great performances. The kind of effective psychological horror film that bathes you in dread that will linger for hours or possibly days.
- DirectorEthan CoenJoel CoenStarsMichael StuhlbargRichard KindSari LennickLarry Gopnik, a Midwestern physics teacher, watches his life unravel over multiple sudden incidents. Though seeking meaning and answers amidst his turmoils, he seems to keep sinking.The Coen Brothers do it again. With no star power and a plot that isn't 'dynamic' enough to make for a flashy trailer (although the trailer is quite flashy nonetheless), this film kind of got dumped at the Box Office, and never really reached audiences in the numbers it should have. But it's a quirky, funny black comedy/drama with a great performance from character actor Michael Stuhlbarg and an effective supporting cast.
- DirectorHal HabermanJeremy PassmoreStarsMichael RapaportPaul BlackthorneJosh PeckA lonely comic book fan, Les Franken, has a reaction to medication and becomes convinced he's a superhero.Michael Rappaport stars in this offbeat Comedy/Drama Indie flick that puts a new and interesting spin on the concept of super heroes. It's fairly tragic and depressing at times, but it's brutally honest and uplifting in its message.
- DirectorDuncan JonesStarsSam RockwellKevin SpaceyDominique McElligottAstronaut Sam Bell has a quintessentially personal encounter toward the end of his three-year stint on the Moon, where he, working alongside his computer, GERTY, sends back to Earth parcels of a resource that has helped diminish our planet's power problems.This low-budget Indie stars Sam Rockwell, and the voice of Kevin Spacey and that's pretty much it. As the title suggests, it takes place on the moon, where astronaut Sam Bell is the sole overseer of an automated mining complex. The plot is relatively simple, but all the pieces just fit. The script, the great performance from Sam Rockwell, the music, etc. It's inspired by films such as 2001: A Space Odyssey, Outland, Silent Running. I won't go into detail about thematic concepts and the plot, but suffice it to say it's primarily a character drama. Fairly low-key, but nonetheless enthralling. A must-see and at times very touching little flick.
- DirectorArmando IannucciStarsTom HollanderPeter CapaldiJames GandolfiniA political satire about a group of skeptical American and British operatives attempting to prevent a war between two countries.Based on a British television show (The Thick of It, also recommended), In the Loop is a political satire/comedy that really stands out from the crowd. Peter Capaldi plays the legendary Malcolm Tucker, a rage-prone spin doctor with a penchant for colorful language (and how he puts it: violent sexual imagery). The dialogue and performances are great, not just from Capaldi, but from the entire ensemble cast including Anna Chlumski and James Gandofini. It's a unique and hilarious look at the dysfunctional characters inside world politics.
- DirectorSebastian GutierrezStarsCarla GuginoAdrianne PalickiConnie BrittonA serpentine day in the life of ten seemingly desperate women: a porn star, a flight attendant, a psychiatrist, a masseuse, a bartender, a pair of call girls, an actress, a masseuse. All of them with one crucial thing in common. Trouble.Don't let the ad campaign fool you. This isn't the kind of softcore porn they'd put on Cinemax late at night in the 1990s. In fact, there isn't even any nudity in it. It's a quirky, funny character dramady that utilizes an almost Tarantino-esque (as myuch as I hate to use that overused term) dialogue style. The first in a trilogy, its sequel is also worth the attention. At the time of writing this, the final film in the series has not been released.
- DirectorPerry LangStarsDolph LundgrenCharlotte LewisBD WongA former Special Ops soldier leads a group of mercenaries to an island in the South China Sea: their mission is obtain the rights to the unusual treasure that the island beholds.Another film that seems to have been dumped on video rather than rolled out in theaters. The plot revolves around a group of mercenaries colliding with ethics on a simple island about to be exploited by rich Americans. As the poster art suggests, this ain't high art. It's an action film, but it has an interesting script and a damned good supporting cast. Superior to The Expendables for my money.
- DirectorMark L. LesterStarsDolph LundgrenBrandon LeeCary-Hiroyuki TagawaTwo L.A. cops with opposing views on what is the best way to uphold the law have to work together to bring down the Yakuza, while trying to protect a beautiful woman.Dolph Lundgren and a very sarcastic pre-Crow Brandon Lee headline this buddy cop movie that doesn't get the attention it deserves. A fun, comedic action romp.
- DirectorTony ScottStarsBruce WillisDamon WayansChelsea FieldA private detective's protected female witness is murdered, prompting him and the victim's boyfriend to investigate the crime that leads to a corrupt politician and a crooked football team owner.One of Shane Black's better scripts, with numerous quotable lines and an underrated movie villain.
- DirectorRenny HarlinStarsGeena DavisSamuel L. JacksonYvonne ZimaSamantha Caine lives in a small town with her daughter. Eight years ago she emerged, two months pregnant, from a nearby river with no memory of her past or who she is. However, she's getting closer to finding out about her past.Another Shane Black-scripted action flick with a great sense of comedy. One of Samuel L. Jackson's breakout roles, and one of his most memorable. Gina Davis gives a great dichotomous performance and Brian Cox steals scenes in a supporting roll.
- DirectorJoel SchumacherStarsMichael DouglasRobert DuvallBarbara HersheyAn ordinary man frustrated with the various flaws he sees in society begins to psychotically and violently lash out against them.A classic social commentary film, and proof that Joel Schumacer can make a good movie when he puts forth the effort.
- DirectorTomas AlfredsonStarsKåre HedebrantLina LeanderssonPer RagnarOskar, an overlooked and bullied boy, finds love and revenge through Eli, a beautiful but peculiar girl.Forget the Hollywood remake, the Swedish original is a coming-of-age drama with horror elements, strong performances and a deliberate atmosphere and pace. Horror for the non-horror fan.
- DirectorJaume BalagueróPaco PlazaStarsManuela VelascoFerran TerrazaJorge-Yamam SerranoA television reporter and cameraman follow emergency workers into a dark apartment building and are quickly locked inside with something terrifying.Once again, forget the Hollywood remake. Really, seriously this time do not see that monstrosity. This Spanish original uses the 'found footage' device to craft a truly scary horror experience.
- DirectorJohn WooStarsTony Leung Chiu-waiJacky CheungWaise LeeWhen three close friends escape from Hong Kong to war-time Saigon to start a criminal's life, they all go through a harrowing experience which totally shatters their lives and their friendship forever.A spiritual prequel to A Better Tomorrow, and perhaps intentionally so when Tsui Hark made A Better Tomorrow III without John Woo. John Woo directs the action film that should have garnered the same amount of attention as A Better Tomorrow I and II, The Killer and Hard Boiled; yet never seems to get the love it deserves. Give it a watch.
- DirectorLiliana CavaniStarsJohn MalkovichDougray ScottLena HeadeyA dying family man in need of money is persuaded to assassinate a European crime boss.Buried to the point of premiering in the U.S. on IFC, before IFC had any clout. John Malkovich plays an older, wiser Tom Ripley in this sequel to The Talented Mr. Ripley. Malkovich's ruthless, chilling and fascinating portrayal is what makes the movie worth watching.
- DirectorMichael MannStarsJames CaanTuesday WeldWillie NelsonAn ace safe cracker wants to do one last big heist for the mob before going straight.Michael Mann's feature film directorial debut, and one of his best films. The script and performances are good, especially from James Caan in a role he personally considers to be one of the best of his career.Tragically, in the U.S. this is only available on VHS and a non-anamorphic, crappy DVD. Probably part of the reason you don't hear it mentioned too often.
- DirectorMichael MannStarsScott GlennIan McKellenAlberta WatsonNazis are forced to turn to a Jewish historian for help in battling the ancient demon they have inadvertently freed from its prison.Ian McKellen, Scott Glenn and Gabriel Byrne headline the cast of this supernatural thriller that is a departure from Mann's usual crime sagas. While it's certainly not his best film; and does have its share of flaws; it's an interesting flick that should entertain fans of 1980s horror. Too bad it's not on DVD or BD in the U.S., but as of this writing it is available on Netflix instant streaming.
- DirectorKasi LemmonsStarsSamuel L. JacksonColm FeoreAnn MagnusonA cave-dwelling man sets out to track down the killer of a homeless boy, and bring him to justice.One of Samuel L. Jackson's best performances as the schizophrenic musician Romulus Ledbetter as he tries to solve a murder that may or may not involve a conspiracy.
- DirectorChristopher McQuarrieStarsRyan PhillippeBenicio Del ToroJuliette LewisTwo criminal drifters without sympathy get more than they bargained for after kidnapping and holding for ransom the surrogate mother carrying a baby for a powerful, shady man.A generally overlooked crime thriller with quite a good script, a talented cast, and an effective score. The movie has a somewhat unique and deliberate flavor, with characters communicating volumes with a simple facial expression or body gesture. The opening scene alone is worth the price of admission.
- DirectorTodd LouisoStarsPhilip Seymour HoffmanAnnie MorganKathy BatesA depressed widower spends his time huffing gasoline fumes, buying toy planes and acting reckless in public while avoiding reading his wife's suicide note.This is the movie that instantly made me a Phillip Seymour fan. A sad, desperate, and funny performance at the center of a film about grief and loss.
- DirectorTakeshi KitanoStarsTakeshi KitanoClaude MakiOmar EppsA Japanese gangster is exiled to Los Angeles where his brother lives with a small but respectable multi-racial gang, who he inspires to expand their influence."I'm Miker Jordan."
- DirectorSteve WangStarsMark DacascosKadeem HardisonJohn Pyper-FergusonA prototype enhanced human, on the run from Chinese-hired hit men, hooks up with a dread-locked bystander, and the two of them elude their pursuers narrowly each time.Funny, exciting and somehow direct-to-video. Mark Dacascos is in top form, showing off his martial arts skills alongside Kadeem Hardison and Britney Murphy. The martial arts fights give a lot of the Hollywood productions a run for their money. Action fans owe it to themselves to check it out.
- DirectorWolfgang PetersenStarsDennis QuaidLouis Gossett Jr.Brion JamesDuring a long space war, the lives of two wounded enemies become dependent on their ability to forgive and to trust.A scifi drama with heavy allegorical elements regarding racism and xenophobia and strong performances from the two leads. "Earthman, your Mickey Mouse is one big stupid dope!"
- DirectorTerry ZwigoffStarsSteve BuscemiThora BirchScarlett JohanssonTwo eccentric best friends graduate high school and respond to a man's romance-seeking newspaper ad as a gag, only to find their lives becoming increasingly complicated.
- DirectorSteve BuscemiStarsSienna MillerSteve BuscemiMichael BuscemiAfter falling out with his editor, a fading political journalist is forced to interview America's most popular soap actress.Taking place primarily in a single location, this American remake from actor/director Steve Buscemi is an enthralling psychological chess match between two characters. Buscemi is mostly known for his acting, but films like this, Trees Lounge, Lonesome Jim and Animal Factory prove he is also quite the talented director.
- DirectorSteven SoderberghStarsTerence StampPeter FondaLesley Ann WarrenAn extremely volatile and dangerous Englishman goes to Los Angeles to find the man he considers responsible for his daughter's death.One of Soderbergh's lesser known films, The Limey is a funny and stylish revenge drama with nontraditional editing and a dreamlike quality.
- DirectorTom DiCilloStarsSteve BuscemiCatherine KeenerDermot MulroneyThis ultimate tribute to all independent filmmakers takes place during one day on the set of a non-budget movie.Anyone who has ever tried to make a film, no matter how small, will probably find this film to be spot-on. Every problem, from mysterious sounds ruining the audio to difficult actors plagues the frustrated director of a small indie film. A great look inside the biz, with a really strong supporting cast and numerous hilarious moments.
- DirectorJordan MelamedStarsJoseph Gordon-LevittMichael BacallZooey DeschanelAfter attacking another player with a bat during baseball at school, Lyle's sent to the psych ward. He meets other teenagers with problems. Will group therapy help?One of the most raw, powerful films I have seen. The emotion is palpable, and the performance are spot-on. This is one of the key roles that differentiated Joseph Gordon-Levitt from a sitcom actor to a legitimate thespian.
- DirectorJoe CarnahanStarsRay LiottaJason PatricChi McBrideWhen the trail goes cold on a murder investigation of a policeman, an undercover narcotics officer is lured back to the force to help solve the case.
- DirectorJames CameronOvidio G. AssonitisMiller DrakeStarsTricia O'NeilSteve MarachukLance HenriksenA scuba diving instructor, her biochemist boyfriend, and her police chief ex-husband try to link a series of bizarre deaths to a mutant strain of piranha fish whose lair is a sunken freighter ship off a Caribbean island resort.The camp is cranked up in this horror sequel that delivers on the unintentional laughs. What I consider to be evidence that even when he is fired, James Cameron can still deliver an entertaining flick.
- DirectorRussell MulcahyStarsDenzel WashingtonJohn LithgowIce-TA District Attorney is terrorized by the criminal he put away years ago when he was a cop.John Lithgow in one of his most memorable villainous turns.
- DirectorRoger AvaryStarsJames Van Der BeekIan SomerhalderShannyn SossamonThe incredibly spoiled and overprivileged students of Camden College are a backdrop for an unusual love triangle between a drug dealer, a virgin and a bisexual classmate.
- DirectorDaniel MinahanStarsBrooke SmithMarylouise BurkeMark WoodburyA TV program selects people at random to kill one another for fame and their freedom.This satire of reality TV asks "How far will they go?", and the results are hilarious. Was also made before reality TV in the U.S. got really ridiculous, so it seems at times even prophetic. Instead of a traditional film, it unfolds as a marathon of several episodes back-to-back of the reality TV show in question.
- DirectorPeter O'FallonStarsChristopher WalkenDenis LearySean Patrick FlaneryA group of youngsters kidnap a respected Mafia figure.A really strong cast (headlined by Christopher Walken at the top of his game) and a funny script make this indie flick worth watching.
- DirectorGeorge HuangStarsKevin SpaceyFrank WhaleyMichelle ForbesA young, naive Hollywood studio assistant finally turns the tables on his incredibly abusive producer boss.One of Spacey's most memorable roles, and a script that pulls out a few surprises.
- DirectorHark TsuiStarsNicholas TseWu BaiCandy LoA streetwise young man becomes a bodyguard to score quick cash. He befriends a disillusioned mercenary determined to begin life anew. They find themselves working together to foil an assassination attempt, but their partnership can't last.Tsui Hark's kinetic, quirky action flick maintains a brisk pace, and delivers on the thrills.
- DirectorJulie TaymorStarsAnthony HopkinsJessica LangeOsheen JonesTitus returns victorious from war, only to plant the seeds of future turmoil for himself and his family.One of Shakespeare's more twisted works gets a visually-impressive adaptation from Julie Taymor, hot off the Broadway production of The Lion King.
- DirectorScott SandersStarsMichael Jai WhiteArsenio HallTommy DavidsonBlack Dynamite is the greatest African-American action star of the 1970s. When his only brother is killed by The Man, it's up to him to find justice.Part spoof, part homage, this is a hilarious love letter to 1970s blaxploitation films. An excellent companion piece to Grindhouse and its recent ilk. The subtle and intentional flubs such as microphones in frame, looking into the lens for a split second and flubbing lines just show how much love went into the making of this film.
- DirectorJohn GulagerStarsNavi RawatKrista AllenBalthazar GettyPatrons locked inside a bar are forced to fight monsters.Project Greenlight was a reality show about newcomer film-makers competing to get the greenlight to make their movie. This was the result of one of the seasons. The movie is noteworthy for how it plays with horror conventions, turning things on their head, remaining unpredictable, and never taking itself too seriously. The plot itself isn't anything special, but it's the execution that makes this one stand out from the pack.
- DirectorGavin HoodStarsPresley ChweneyagaeMothusi MaganoIsrael Matseke-ZuluSix days in the violent life of a young Johannesburg gang leader.An emotional, visually dynamic film with a fascinating performance from Presley Chweneyagae highlight this South African drama about a criminal wrestling with morality. Garnered a fair amount of acclaim, but I haven't heard much about it personally, other than discovering it on DVD a few years ago.
- StarsWilliam HurtAlec NewmanGiancarlo GianniniA three-part miniseries on politics, betrayal, lust, greed and the coming of a Messiah. Based on Frank Herbert's classic science fiction novel.Lynch's 1980s film is good on its own merit, but it's a pretty lousy adaptation. This TV miniseries runs 4.5 hours, giving a lot of breathing room to do the book justice. Fans are split on whether it's a passable adaptation or not, but I personally dig it.
- StarsAlec NewmanDaniela AmaviaJames McAvoyThe twins of Paul "Muad'dib" Atreides become embroiled in the political landscape of Arrakis ("Dune") and the rest of the universe.This sequel adapts the first two sequels to Dune into another 4.5 hour epic. This time, Brian Tyler composes the score, which is a real highlight. Too bad they didn't do a third miniseries, so much story left to tell.
- DirectorJim JarmuschStarsForest WhitakerHenry SilvaJohn TormeyAn African-American Mafia hit man who models himself after the samurai of old finds himself targeted for death by the mob.Probably one of Jarmusch's more 'accessible' films, it certainly has a style all its own. Offbeat and quirky fun.
- DirectorAlexandre AjaStarsCécile de FranceMaïwennPhilippe NahonBest friends Marie and Alexia decide to spend a quiet weekend at Alexia's parents' secluded farmhouse. But on the night of their arrival, the girls' idyllic getaway turns into an endless night of horror.Horror director Alexandre Aja's captivating slasher flick manages to produce real tension, and pull off a few twists. I won't spoil them, but will say that the twist makes sense if you use logic.
- DirectorMark RomanekStarsRobin WilliamsConnie NielsenMichael VartanA mentally unstable photo developer targets an upper middle-class family after his obsession with them becomes more sick and disturbing than any of them could imagine.One of Robin Williams' finest, and most acclaimed roles. Seems like a title that had a decent amount of buzz, but in the near decade since it's been released, has probably gone mostly forgotten.
- DirectorDavid MametStarsChiwetel EjioforTim AllenEmily MortimerA fateful event leads to a job in the film business for top mixed-martial arts instructor Mike Terry. Though he refuses to participate in prize bouts, circumstances conspire to force him to consider entering such a competition.As my friend said "It's like The Karate Kid with grownups". Maybe not 100% apt, but I don't know what else to say. It's Mamet, it's tight, it's good.
- DirectorCarter SmithStarsShawn AshmoreJena MaloneJonathan TuckerA leisurely Mexican holiday takes a turn for the worse when a group of friends and a fellow tourist embark on a remote archaeological dig in the jungle, where something evil lives among the ruins.A surprise for me, an American horror film that was actually OK. The body horror elements work well, and the cast is strong.
- DirectorJames GunnStarsNathan FillionElizabeth BanksMichael RookerA small town is taken over by an alien plague, turning residents into zombies and all forms of mutant monsters.This horror/comedy from James Gunn owes a lot to Night of the Creeps, but still manages to be its own film. It's quite funny, and quite gross. Cap'n Tightpants is in it, so what else do you want?
- DirectorSteven SoderberghStarsGeorge ClooneyNatascha McElhoneUlrich TukurA troubled psychologist is sent to investigate the crew of an isolated research station orbiting a bizarre planet.Not your typical scifi flick, Solaris is slow and at times almost impressionistic, but that's the charm. It's different, and it works.
- DirectorEli CraigStarsTyler LabineAlan TudykKatrina BowdenAffable hillbillies Tucker and Dale are on vacation at their dilapidated mountain cabin when they are mistaken for murderers by a group of preppy college students.A hilarious 'splatstick' film that uses a fresh concept (to me, at least) and shows the talents of under-rated TV actors Tyler Labine and Alan Tudyk. Also a great first feature film by a new-comer director who's career I am now watching.
- DirectorSpencer SusserStarsJoseph Gordon-LevittDevin BrochuNatalie PortmanA young boy has lost his mother and is losing touch with his father and the world around him. Then he meets Hesher who manages to make his life even more chaotic.Perhaps a master-stroke in casting. The character of Hesher is thoroughly unlikeable on the page, but with Joseph Gordon-Levitt's charm and charisma, it actually works. The movie manages to be dreary, hilarious and touching, and Rainn Wilson's depression beard is epic.
- DirectorTommy Lee JonesStarsSamuel L. JacksonTommy Lee JonesThrough a chance encounter, two men of opposing ideologies deliberate spiritual, philosophical, and profound matters in a New York City apartment.Cormac McCarthy, I think I love you. Also, Samuel L. Jackson: Do more of this kind of stuff! I was starting to loose faith in the man as a legitimate actor. This film proved he's still got it; when he puts forth the effort. Tommy Lee Jones is great as well, with a particularly brilliant turn at the end.
- DirectorJohn Michael McDonaghStarsBrendan GleesonDon CheadleMark StrongAn unorthodox Irish policeman with a confrontational personality is partnered with an uptight F.B.I. agent to investigate an international drug-smuggling ring.Brendan Gleeson is great, and the supporting cast is quite good in this genuinely funny and decidedly Irish buddy cop comedy. Cheadle is good as well, but is over-shadowed by the main star.
- DirectorJalmari HelanderStarsJorma TommilaOnni TommilaPeeter JakobiIn the depths of the Korvatunturi mountains, 486 meters deep, lies the closest ever guarded secret of Christmas. The time has come to dig it up. This Christmas everyone will believe in Santa Claus.
- DirectorCraig R. BaxleyStarsDolph LundgrenBrian BenbenBetsy BrantleyA Renegade Cop is forced to work with an FBI Agent in order to bring down a group of Drug Dealers with sinister plans.It's cheese, but it's delicious cheese. And it's Dolph!
- DirectorMark HerrierAlan OrmsbyStarsJill SchoelenTom VillardDee WallaceA master of disguise deranged killer begins killing off the college students who are organizing a horror-movie marathon in an abandoned theater.
- DirectorSteve McQueenStarsMichael FassbenderCarey MulliganJames Badge DaleA sex addict's carefully cultivated private life falls apart after his sister arrives for an indefinite stay.
- DirectorAdam GreenJoe LynchBear McCrearyStarsAdam RifkinSarah MutchRay WiseIt's the closing night at the last drive-in theatre in America, and manager, Cecil Kaufman's planned to show 4 movies; films so rare, they've never been exhibited publicly on American soil, until tonight.
- DirectorJeff NicholsStarsMichael ShannonJessica ChastainShea WhighamPlagued by a series of apocalyptic visions, a young husband and father questions whether to shelter his family from a coming storm, or from himself.
- DirectorSean DurkinStarsElizabeth OlsenSarah PaulsonJohn HawkesHaunted by painful memories and increasing paranoia, a damaged woman struggles to re-assimilate with her family after fleeing an abusive cult.
- DirectorGeorge P. CosmatosStarsPeter WellerRichard CrennaAmanda PaysPerched on the hull of a wrecked Soviet freighter, a team of deep-sea miners led by head oceanographer Steven Beck comes face to face with a mutant creature that's the product of a failed genetic experiment.
- DirectorJames WestbyStarsKatie O'GradyJohn KeyserStorm LargeA scathing black comedy of embarrassment, RID OF ME charts the emotional breakdown and rebirth of a woman ripe for self-discovery.Weird, but unique look at adult cliques, and the alienation of finding yourself suddenly alone.
- DirectorZach ClarkStarsAnna Margaret HollymanKim ParkNathan WilliamsAfter an unexpected tragedy, Suzanne struggles to put her life back together during a sad, strange Christmastime in suburban Virginia.Filled with hilariously awkward moments, comical juxtaposition and a superbly nuanced performance from the lead.