Movies are an essential part of our
lives and their auras don’t just last for the weekends they release but for
days, months and years in our minds. We rejoice good cinema and many of us even
connect ourselves with the stories and the characters. Films don’t just reach
to us by strong marketing alone; word-of-mouth is also a powerful method of
suggesting good films to the audiences. This culture of acknowledging cinematic
beauty via word-of-mouth extends far beyond the release of a film and the best
example of the same can be The Shawshank
Redemption which tanked at the box office at the time of its release but is
considered to be one of the greatest movies of all times and is undoubtedly the
most loved film by people of our generation thanks to the word-of-mouth
publicity.
Thousands of movies release every
year, some good, some bad and some average. While most good flicks get their
desired appreciation, some just dwindle away in the sands of time and are
exempted from our precious suggestions despite their excellence. This article
is written with the purpose of bringing out these brilliant movies back to the limelight
and giving them their rightful places in the valuable suggestions of cinephiles
across the globe. After all, who doesn’t like good films?
PS: This article can be considered as an extension to my previous
article which you can read here.
15. River (2015)
River is about an American doctor in
Laos who gets on a run after he accidentally murders the son of an Australian
politician while trying to prevent him from sexually assaulting a native girl.
At a perfect runtime of just 95 minutes, River is a simple, yet sublime work
with the thriller genre which also covers the socio-political fallacies present
in our system in a hideous. Overlooked probably because it wasn’t a Hollywood
production, this flick should make it to you to-watch list if you enjoy
thrillers.
Memorable Quote: -
Patrick – John you have to understand, in a situation
like this, with a foreigner, a politician’s son, the police are under enormous
pressure of finding the guilty party. It’s a miscarriage of justice, but
there’s nothing you can do.
14. Pork Pie (2017)
A remake of
the 1981 film Goodbye Pork Pie, this
flick provides you an exuberating experience of 105 minutes loaded with strange
yet quirkily crafted characters who get entangled in extraordinary
circumstances. This movie defies logic at times but you need to look beyond the
science of reasoning at times to enjoy cinema, and this comedy road movie is
exactly the kind of entertainer which you would want for a light hearted watch.
Memorable Quote: -
Jon – This is what it’s like
Suzie!
Suzie – What! What’s like?
Jon – Me! Showing up for you!
13. Joe (2013)
It’s obvious if Nicolas Cage goes
overboard or over-the-top in any of his portrayals onscreen but seeing him
perform naturally as an actor is somewhat rewarding to cinema lovers. Joe isn’t
like the usual movies of its type as it’s devoid of unnecessary embellishments
and melodrama. It focuses well on character development and makes you witness
some really fine performances along with a heartfelt premise. Once again a
special mention for Cage’s exceptional performance which is undoubtedly his best
in the recent years.
Memorable Quote: -
Willie-Russel – Hey come here, look at my
face. You see that?
Gary – I see it.
Willie-Russel – I went through a windshield
at 4 o'clock one morning and I don't give a fuck.
12. Starred Up (2013)
This is yet another character based
movie which focuses on the lives of prisoners in a certain British prison.
Starred Up is way different from most prison dramas and doesn’t even focus on
any sort of escape. It instead explores the conditions of the prisoners and the
people employed in prisons quite vividly. Apart from its sterling acting
performances and impressive direction, the flick’s best part is its realism and
its exploration of character relations with great insight. This offbeat film
shouldn’t skip your attention if you love cinema.
Memorable Quote: -
Eric – I'm just saying, say this therapy goes well
and it changes my life and I rehabilitate and then you lay it on for the next
geezer and it works for him, and the next, and everything's sweet yeah? Crime rates
starts to come down, police got less people to nick, courts got less people to
convict. Pretty soon you're out of a job.
11. ’71 (2014)
A war thriller based during the
height of The Troubles in 1971, ’71
(which is a way of representing 1971) is about an English soldier who
accidentally goes behind the enemy lines and has now become the hunt for both
the sides. What makes this thing even more interesting its exposition of the
unfair political games that is played by the parties on the lives of their
people and their soldiers which opens up slowly and shockingly. ’71 is an
exemplary example of a film with wonderful storyline whose complexities are
presented with delectable simplicity which enhances its cinematic experience
and thrill.
Memorable Quote: -
Eamon - I'm not going to lie to you, this is going to
hurt like a fucker.
10. Byzantium (2012)
With a generation obsessed with
mediocre Vampire films and series’, it’s not surprising that a marvellous vampire
flick like Byzantium is not known to many. Starring Gemma Arterton and Saoirse
Ronan in the lead roles, this film narrates the lives of two vampires who live
in constant hiding and run from an unknown entity which is revealed as the
story unfolds. Niel Jordan’s direction is top notch and his acumen ameliorates
the performances and abates the plot-flaws pretty effectively. Brutal,
horrifying yet beautiful, this movie should set a bar for future vampire films
and series’ for the better.
Memorable Quote: -
Clara: If you could have anything, what would it be?
Darvell: Your pardon.
Clara: In time. Maybe.
Darvell: Your company, then? We have time.
9. Eddie The Eagle (2016)
What’s common with most sports film?
Well there is an underdog who aims high but is underestimated by people around
him, then there is a failed sportsman who takes up the job of coaching this
underdog and bang! He/She succeeds in achieving what he/she wanted! Eddie The
Eagle exactly incorporates these exact elements and yet manages to experiment
with one of the most revered genre of cinema. Its heart-warming and charming
premise teaches you that winning is not truly winning; the real victory always
lies in outperforming yourself. If you never felt so, this flick can surely
convince you of the same.
Memorable Quote: -
Bronson – What do you need to know you don’t know
already? It’s higher than you’ve jumped before, you’re gonna go faster than
you’ve ever gone before, you’re gonna fly farther than your tiny little brain
can handle, but it’s just a jump man. Simple.
8. Seven Psychopaths (2012)
Martin McDonagh has a unique taste of
cinema and that can be evinced by all his three directorials including this
crime comedy. Seven Psychopaths is funny, intelligent and entertaining
throughout its premise which is powered by wonderful direction, smart screenplay
and terrific acting performances. What adds to its beauty is its ability of
being artistic as well as involving philosophical undertones with elements of
fun. This flick, in my honest opinions, is far more superior than McDonagh’s
previous venture and critically acclaimed In
Bruges and it’s a matter of shame that we don’t talk of this film as much
as we discuss the latter.
Memorable Quote: -
Hans – An eye for an eye leaves the whole world
blind, I believe that wholeheartedly.
Billy – No it doesn’t. there will be one guy left with
one eye. How’s the last blind guy gonna take out the ye of the last guy who’s
still got one eye? All that guy has to do is run away and hide behind a bush.
Gandhi was wrong! It’s just nobody got the balls to come right out and say it.
7. This Is Where I Leave You (2014)
Not just overlooked, but highly
underrated also, this 2014 comedy drama involving a dysfunctional family is a
delight to watch. The film puts in funny characters in serious conditions and
then interchanges the status quo time to time. The film amazes you by showing
how adults evolve with time and understand the imperfection of lives and
relationships around them. They have fun, the have fights, the express love and
they cry together! This Is Where I Leave You touches your heart with its
truthfulness and simplicity and makes you realise that being an adult doesn’t
stop you from learning and adapting to things around you and it definitely
doesn’t stop you from expressing your affection to the people you love.
Memorable Quote: -
Judd – And Thanks!
Wade – For what?
Judd - Up until just now, I thought I was the most
pathetic guy I knew.
6. We Were Soldiers (2002)
The reason why no one mentions this
awesome Vietnam war movie is primarily because it doesn’t vilify either sides
in its whole premise while most movies actually were critical of the American
soldiers. Based on Hal Moore’s autobiography, this film dramatises the events
of the Battle of la Drang to an overwhelmingly brutal extent. Strengthened by solid
characters along with a powerful correlation to General Custer’s crushing
defeat in the Battle of the Little Bighorn, We Were Soldiers cringes your heart
and breaks you down as you see soldiers dying for nothing and their families
suffering consequently. Thia is made even more convincing by its stellar acting
and directional work. This is a must watch for anyone who loves his country and
honours those who die for it!
Memorable Quote: -
Hal – I wonder what was going through Custer’s mind
when he realised he’d led his men into a slaughter.
Plumley – Sir, Custer was a pussy. You ain’t.
5. The Guard (2011)
John Michael McDonagh’s directional
debut was critically acclaimed at the time of its release and is the highest
grossing Irish movie of all times; but I have mentioned it here owing to its
apparent obscurity in the good books of most cinephiles. It is an excellent
piece of cinema-work and definitely a wonderful oeuvre in the buddy cop genre.
Lead by a wonderful chemistry of acting giants Brendan Gleeson and Don Cheadle,
it’s USP is its sarcastic tone which makes it funny even in tensed situations.
It handles important issues like racism with a light-hearted approach and ensures
a complete one and half hour entertainment without fail which makes it a must
watch.
Memorable Quote: -
Gerry – Any kids?
Wendell – Two boys. Stokey’s five years old, Huey just
turned three months old. I got a picture of him.
Gerry – I don’t want to see it.
Wendell – Excuse me!
Gerry - I don’t want to see it. Babies all look the
same. The only time a baby doesn’t look like every other baby is when it’s a
really ugly baby. So, unless you’re about to show me a photo of a really ugly
baby, I don’t want to see it.
4. Comet (2014)
Another highly overlooked and
underrated movie, this romantic comedy is a unique attempt in exploring human
complications in relationships. Its characters are bizarre and so is the film’s
premise which might make it seem complicated but the trick is to not entangle
yourself with the timeline, rather connect with the personas and their
emotions. Comet is beautiful in every aspect it has been shot and acted and is
heart-warming as well as heart-breaking at times. There are many memorable
quotes in the films which you might fall in love with. If you have ever failed
in love or relationship, Comet is the film you need to watch.
Memorable Quote: -
Dell - I feel like I'm in the wrong world ‘cause I
don't belong in a world where we don't end up together. I don't. There are
parallel universes out there where this didn't happen where I was with you, and
you were with me. And whatever universe that is that's the one where my heart
lives in.
3. If Only (2004)
If Only not just celebrates love but
also emphasises the importance of expressing it wholeheartedly while touching
upon the necessity of forgiveness and abating one’s mistakes. It strikes your
chords quite easily with its charming performances and heart-rending yet
lovable premise. This film is all about conveying your love to your loved ones
openly without shying away because you never know a time might come when
everyone would hear your claims of love except the person it was intended to
and all you will be left with will be regrets for your whole life. The film
might tear you apart and will be ringing in your mind for days, but believe me,
it’s more than worth it!
Memorable Quote: -
Samantha (in her diary) – They say there’s always
someone is a relationship who loves more. Oh God I wish it wasn’t me!
2. Enough Said (2013)
Dating in almost all movies is
completely about the youth but it does happen among middle aged people too and this
flick explores the complications and difficulties of the same. Being an adult
and being matured doesn’t necessarily shield you from external influences, both
benign and atrocious, and these have detrimental effects on your relations
which is presented quite naturally in the film. Devoid of any sort of
mawkishness that the film could have incorporated, Enough Said’s main strength
lies in its honesty and the genuineness of its characters and the realistic
situations they fall in. This is a film that can be loved and understood by
people of all generations unambiguously which makes it endearing to watch.
Memorable Quote: -
Eva - I could not believe what I was watching! No
brains, and the fake cheekbones, and the fake boobs. Do you like fake boobs?
Albert – No, No! I like real boobs.
Eva – Yeah,
I got real boobs.
Albert (awkward pause) - That's working out for us
then.
1. Till We Meet Again (2016)
It’s great to love someone and be
loved by someone but it’s also important to love yourself, and when you go
beyond the need for people in your life is the time you realise how lovely you
are as a person. Till We Meet Again is a crossover of romance, drama and
travelling, comprising of three main characters who get entwined in their
search of love, comfort, companionship and a reason to live. The movie emphases
on self-love and convincingly conveys that people don’t complete you, rather
it’s you who do it. The real roots of your happiness lie within you and not in
things and people around you. Beautiful beyond imagination, this film inspires
you to explore life as well as yourself and find a reason to rejoice your
existence in the world.
Memorable Quote: -
Erik – Hey what’s up? What is it?
Miranda – Nothing.
Erik - Nothing?
Miranda (kisses Erik) – That’s all.
Erik – What did you do that for?
Miranda – Now you don’t have to be mad at Joanna
What are your views about this list? Which movies do you believe should
have featured in here? Share your valuable comments and keep following us for
more great content.
Ankit Acharya is an engineering student from India who openly shares his
love for cinema and tea actively over Facebook (facebook.com/ankit.acharya.96),
Instagram (instagram.com/ankitacharya96), Twitter (twitter.com/ankitacharya96)
and his personal movie blog moviefreakindia.wordpress.com. He can be reached
personally at ankitacharya96@gmail.com.
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