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Post by CrepedCrusader on Jan 27, 2021 9:23:47 GMT
List the movies you like that got poor-to-mixed reviews, fell flat at the box office, were just quickly forgotten, or some combination of the three.
Two off the top of my head (I may add more later), both of them coincidentally Jeff Bridges movies:
* Fearless (1993)
* Arlington Road (1999)
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Post by stefancrosscoe on Jan 27, 2021 9:47:12 GMT
Another Jeff Bridges 90s film, Blown Away (1994) I remember got not the best critics, but turned out be quite a fun and explosive action-thriller, where Tommy Lee Jones really steals the show as an irish terrorist.
Of course, it is not very close to either of those Bridges titles mentioned, but I sure loved seeing Bridges and Jones up against each other.
Speaking of 90s films that, well, maybe not all bombed but certainly did not live up the hype machine of that time, I think Last Action Hero (1993) is one that surely deserves another go.
Another one, which is very fun and well written/acted, is the highly underrated crime-comedy film Diggstown (1992) with James Woods, Louis Gossett Jr. and Bruce Dern.
One False Move (1992) might not be underrated, as I believe it is one of the best crime films of the early 90s, but it do seem a little forgotten, and a shame, as Bill Paxton delivers one hell of a performance here, and should be a must see, for fans of the later crime-drama collaboration between Paxton and Billy Bob Thorton in A Simple Plan (1998).
Still within the 90s, I had recently re-watched Bill Murray in the hilarious The Man Who Knew Too Little (1997), which kind of feels at times, like a Leslie Nielsen slapstick-comedy, mixed in with David Fincher and his The Game, which also were released that same year, but Murray and Alfred Molina are truly great here, and Joanne Whalley is as stunning as always.
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Post by theravenking on Jan 27, 2021 22:39:56 GMT
Another Jeff Bridges 90s film, Blown Away (1994) I remember got not the best critics, but turned out be quite a fun and explosive action-thriller, where Tommy Lee Jones really steals the show as an irish terrorist. Of course, it is not very close to either of those Bridges titles mentioned, but I sure loved seeing Bridges and Jones up against each other. What I remember the most about this movie is Forest Whitaker's turn as an annoying, hateful douchebag. God, I despised his character so much that he ruined the entire movie for me. Weirdly I can't even recall whether he survives to the end of the film or not, but I know that I wished for him to be killed off as soon as possible.
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Post by lowtacks86 on Jan 27, 2021 22:41:53 GMT
Alien 3, very unndderated (definetly better than Ressurection)
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Post by Marv on Jan 27, 2021 22:50:35 GMT
I really liked Arlington Road when it came out...watched it several times. But i probably haven't rewatched it in 15 years.
Now i kind of want to revisit it.
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Post by TutuAnimationPrincess on Jan 27, 2021 22:57:11 GMT
As I am the animation princess, my recommendations will fall there of course:
Metropolis should be recognized as an all time masterpiece, too much hate from the anime community.
Treasure Planet was intentionally tanked by Disney, it should have been the film to bring their 2D films to a new level.
Rise of the Guardians was Dreamworks last great film to not star a dragon or panda and should have had much more success.
A Silent Voice is the best animated film of 2016, not the overrated films about a water bender, a fox, or a time travel romance.
American Pop is Ralph Bakshi's best film and should be recognized far more than some of his other lesser but more successful films.
I'm sure I could come up with more, but I'll hold myself back.
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Post by theravenking on Jan 28, 2021 0:02:46 GMT
White Sands (1992) - Despite a high profile cast (Willem Dafoe, Samuel L. Jackson, Mickey Rourke) this crime thriller flew under the radar at its release, but if you manage to suspend your disbelief, it's a fun ride.
The Lookout (2007) - Scott Frank is one of the few screenwriters who are also talented directors and this modest but clever little thriller delivers the goods. There are shades of Memento as a mentally unstable protagonist is lured into a crime plot and while it never reaches that movies genius it's still an excellent crime film. Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Jeff Daniels are great, and the heist plot has enough interesting elements to remain gripping to the end.
The Jacket (2005) - Adrien Brody has made a lot of not so great films since his Oscar win. This must be one of his better efforts though. It's an unusual time-travel thriller/romance.
Inju: The Beast in the Shadow (2008) - This erotic thriller based on a classic work of Japanese crime fiction by Edogawa Rampo follows a French professor of literature (Benoit Magimel) who is trying to unravel the mystery of a reclusive Japanese crime writer. It has some clever cinematography and great atmosphere and might be director Barbet Schroeder's most entertaining movie.
Heaven’s Prisoners (1996) - Considered a huge failure at its release, this James Lee Burke adaptation has Alec Baldwin on cracking good form (even though one could argue he's miscast) as detective Dave Robicheaux and also features a great supporting turn from the underrated Eric Roberts.
Haunted (1994) - Written directly for the screen by British horror author James Herbert, this is a rather mild haunted house tale, more a supernatural thriller than straight horror, but it's atmospheric and beautifully made and has a young Kate Beckinsale at her sexiest.
Do Not Disturb (1999) - A young, mute American girl accompanying her parents (William Hurt, Jennifer Tilly) on a busines trip to Amsterdam, witnesses a murder and is chased through the canals of the city by the bad guys led by Michael Chiklis. While hardly realistic this delivers nonstop fun with director Dick Maas (Amsterdamned) wringing enough laughs and thrills from all the unlikely events.
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Post by MCDemuth on Jan 28, 2021 0:36:57 GMT
I enjoyed the film... and I loved how it completely focused on and followed this single Platoon, every step of the way, from the beginning of invasion through their discoveries of how to successfully fight them.
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Post by spooner5020 on Jan 28, 2021 0:43:44 GMT
Super Mario Brothers. I feel like this movie works SOOOO MUCH BETTER today. People were too busy trying to compare it to the game than taking it as is. I love everything about this movie. I don’t care that it’s not like the game. The movie is so much fun and I think it’s a really good sci fi fantasy.
Fantastic 4 (2005). I don’t understand why this got so much hate. This captured the characters really well I thought. Yeah they don’t do much saving the world, but I think the characters are fun enough to watch. And it is SOOOO much better than the 2015 reboot.
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Post by MCDemuth on Jan 28, 2021 1:01:28 GMT
Alien 3, very underrated (definitely better than Resurrection) I'll partially agree with you... There are numerous other films, that I would rather watch again, before I would chose to see Alien 3 again... However, Yes, it is definitely way better than 'Resurrection'. I have no desire at all, to pull out my DVD of that film and watch it again. And I don't expect to ever do so, again.
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Post by MCDemuth on Jan 28, 2021 1:06:49 GMT
Fantastic 4 (2005). I don’t understand why this got so much hate. This captured the characters really well I thought. Yeah they don’t do much saving the world, but I think the characters are fun enough to watch. And it is SOOOO much better than the 2015 reboot. I enjoyed the film, when it came out too... But then, I was never really interested in the "Fantastic 4", before that, and So I didn't have anything to compare it to... I thought the sequel was OK too... I have yet to see the 2015 reboot... and have not had any interest in doing so, since the "Fantastic 4", for me, is the 2005 film and it's sequel.
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Post by stefancrosscoe on Jan 28, 2021 13:05:35 GMT
I got probably a bit "overwhelmed" with the ones I posted earlier, but I gotta say, I have always wondered why the Farrelly brothers follow up to Dumb and Dumber (1994), Kingpin (1996), never become more of a hit amongs the fans of their first film. I mean, it follows in a similar path/journey, with two rather clumsy and down on their luck (at least Woody) middle aged guys, who tries to set off on a more successful road to recovery, or a lot of money. Still, I often heard/read pretty nasty and vicious things about it, and for me, over the years, I believe this is the Farrelly brothers finest hour.
It is both a very funny yet well acted movie, as some scenes and lines just make me burst into laughing, whenever I think of them.
Such a these smaller moments (make sure to treasure them always!) as where Roy spills a cup of hot coffee on a little baby and then steals the toddlers milk, or Lin Shaye as the nasty and hilarious landlady, Chris Elliott as the guy at the crap table, or Bill Murray, pretty much delivers one of his best and most fun roles, ever, as the sleazy as hell, Big Ern McCracken.
Have of course not forgotten about the incredible hot and sexy Vanessa Angel (how the hell did she not make it further with similar big roles?) as she was both sexy, funny and showed a more serious side to herself later on, and I felt some of the best moments actually came when the film decided to go a bit "darker" and dramatic.
Love the little chat Vanessa and Woody have going, when he finally is brave enough to return to his hometown, where he left during a painful memory, and the music, scenery and dialogue is just, well, so good.
The soundtrack/score is another bonus, just one hit after another, and also one of the very few films, where I feel that a Director's Cut have actually improved the pace/temp along with adding some even more funny/hilarious small scenes, without hurtin the original ones.
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Post by janntosh on Jan 28, 2021 13:12:45 GMT
Predator 2
I Know What You Did Last Summer
Sphere (1998)
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Post by stefancrosscoe on Jan 28, 2021 13:16:52 GMT
Do Not Disturb (1999) - A young, mute American girl accompanying her parents (William Hurt, Jennifer Tilly) on a busines trip to Amsterdam, witnesses a murder and is chased through the canals of the city by the bad guys led by Michael Chiklis. While hardly realistic this delivers nonstop fun with director Dick Maas (Amsterdamned) wringing enough laughs and thrills from all the unlikely events. This used to be a night cable tv favorite of mine. I thought it was hilarious and yet very exciting. Loved the night time scenery and shots, of Amasterdam, as well as the ridiculous fast paced tempo and all the goofy/memorable characters, that show up, or gets killed off, along the way. Also, Michael Chiklis cracked me up, so many times. A long shot away of Vic Mackey from The Shield back then. Got the film on DVD, a couple of years ago, and it have held up very well, as a great night time movie.
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Post by stefancrosscoe on Jan 28, 2021 13:33:03 GMT
The Accidental Tourist (1988) by Lawrence Kasdan is also one, that I often are surprised not having gotten a better rating/score, specially at IMDb.
There are some fantastic performances in this great romantic comedy/drama, but I guess the dark main theme along with maybe more of an "off-beat" way of comedy/delivery, was not something many expected, when they looked at the films poster/artwork. As that seems like more of a feel-good movie, but if one expects the "usual" Tom Hanks/Meg Ryan romantic comedy, you might be in for a surprise, hopefully a pleasant one.
"SPOILER ALERT"
The score by John Williams is also a big reason to why I love it. It is such an upbeat, catchy yet in some ways sad/tragic score, and I really want a copy of it on CD, as I think it remains some of the best ones he did during the late 80s and early 90s.
All in all, a very touching, sweet and well written/acted film which I am still a bit confused ended up giving Gena Davis an Oscar, as I thought both William Hurt and Kathleen Turner were far better in their roles, still she did more than well, it was just that the cast had so many fine performances, where also the "quirky" siblings of Hurts character often would deliver some hilarious scenes and lines. And the dog, wow, somebody should have given out an award to that sweet little guy.
Remains one of my favorite films from the 80s.
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Post by stefancrosscoe on Jan 28, 2021 13:53:26 GMT
The Frighteners (1996) by Peter Jackson
"Death is no way to make a living!"
Supposedly his first attempt (I think) at doing a big budget movie, with a stallar cast of Michael J. Fox, Jeffrey Combs, Jake Busey, Chi McBride, John Astin, R.Lee Ermey and Dee Wallace just a few who shows up. Then you had Danny Elfman to do the score, I think Robert Zemeckis were among the producers, and have read somewhere, that he actually were early on, one of the first choice to the director part.
Also that this was supposed to be the third part/film in the Tales From The Crypt movie franchise, but that did not happen.
But I guess at the time, it was just another one of these films that people did not really know how to sell/promote or what they might get in return, as a viewer.
The film is both a very funny supernatural horror-comedy, yet it provides several disturbing and very dramatic scenes as well, and I think Michael J. Fox in his final movie role, delivered also one of his finest as Frank Bannister.
The CGI effects, I guess might look a bit on and off, still you could sense where the "ghouls" from Lord of the Rings, a few years later would take a lot influence from, and I think even Jackson told during the DVD special Edition, that most of the computers that were used in the making of The Frighteners, were put to full display during the making of the Lord of the Rings trilogy.
All in all, a truly underrated and very good/enjoyable horror-comedy, that I am glad I did give another go, back in the day.
"SPOILER ALERT"
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Post by mrellaguru on Jan 28, 2021 16:01:57 GMT
One of my favorites: Shattered Glass
Critics liked it, but it failed hard at the box office. Movie also shows that Hayden Christensen can act when given a decent script.
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Post by mgmarshall on Jan 28, 2021 17:27:20 GMT
Infamous had the misfortune of coming out within a year of Capote, which sucked up all the accolades and critical acclaim. They were in production concurrently, but critics at the time treated Infamous like it was an Asylum knock-buster, which was wildly unfair. For me, it is far and away the more enjoyable of the two movies and- with all due respect to Philip Seymour Hoffman, who was brilliant- I think there are numerous performances across his body of work more deserving of an Oscar than his unconvincing, ill-at-ease attempt to mimic Truman Capote. Toby Jones, on the other hand, utterly vanishes into the role. He has the voice down perfectly, he nails the posture and mannerisms, he's physically closer (Hoffman's too tall, on top of everything else); it's almost eerie how much he looks and sounds like Capote.
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Post by Prime etc. on Jan 28, 2021 18:21:55 GMT
The best scene in Arlington Road is of course when Joan Cusack pops up behind Bridges' girlfriend.
Creepy scene.
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Post by mstreepsucks on Jan 28, 2021 19:14:06 GMT
I'd say C.h.u.d. is a good one, that gets overlooked.
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