15 Movie Hidden Gems You May Not Have Seen

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.

The Bearded Trio - The Site For Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, John Williams and a whole lot more.

THE BEARDED TRIO ON FACEBOOK
THE BEARDED TRIO ON TWITTER
THE BEARDED TRIO ON GOOGLE+
THE BEARDED TRIO ON PINTEREST

CLICK HERE FOR FACTS ON STEVEN SPIELBERG
CLICK HERE FOR FACTS ON GEORGE LUCAS
CLICK HERE FOR FACTS ON JOHN WILLIAMS