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Top 10 Movies Too Many People Haven’t Seen

By Ally Sinyard · May 11, 2011

Before you read this list, I should explain who “no one” is. As a film student, I have seen a lot of films that I would never have seen outside of my classes; films from the French New Wave, Italian Neo-Realism, stuff from the corners of Postmodernism etc. And, like my fellow students, because of my interest in cinema, there are also a lot of films I have sought out that were not released in mainstream cinemas.

However, there are also students in my classes that have even more specific tastes and will have seen even more obscure films from certain genres. But then there are people that go to the cinema, say, one or twice a month that are interested in cinema but never have the time/money/energy to look at what else is out there. So for people that don’t study film and aren’t professional writers or critics, this list is for you.

But then saying that, when I showed this list to my friends, there were films on here that even they hadn’t seen or heard of either. So, really, this list is for EVERYONE. Sure, YOU might have seen every single film on this list. And for that, you can have a virtual paper hat. But for the rest of us, this list aims to give us a place to start or at least a few ideas for when we’re thinking about what to watch next.

10. Dancer in the Dark (2000)

I hadn’t seen this film until about two weeks ago. It’s one of those films that you’ll hear about from time to time but never feel compelled to watch. Well, for one thing, it was a very unique cinematic experience… really, one of those films that you should watch if you’re looking to go a bit “out there.” After all, it DOES star Björk! She plays a Czech immigrant who is trying to raise money to fund an operation for her son, only to have the money stolen by her neighbour. It’s a musical, it’s a drama, it’s a tragedy; it’s just a wonderful mishmash of genres. Described by the San Francisco Chronicle as “a movie so courageous and affecting, so committed to its own differentness,” it’s a must see for anybody looking to step outside of their comfort zone.

9. Withnail and I (1986)

When most people think British Cinema, they might think of the plum-voiced actors from films of Kings and Queens or raging cockney accents in skin-headed football hooligan films. Or Danny Boyle. Withnail and I is in an entire league of its own. It’s full of uncharacteristically dark humour and characters that you won’t find anywhere else. It’s got a huge cult following in the UK and was somewhat of a one hit wonder for its director: Bruce Robinson. This film was introduced to me in my first year of University by a couple of drunk guys in the Student pub, battling it out in a Withnail and I quote-off. But when I asked what film it was, they reacted so strongly at my ignorance, that I felt forced to search it out and watch it the next day. Of all random encounters that have ever happened in my life, this was definitely one of the most positive! You’ll find a bit more information in my older article “Top 10 British Screenwriters,” but all you need to know is this: “Right, you fucker, I’m going to do the washing up!”

8. Hard Candy (2005)

Hard Candystars Patrick Wilson and Ellen Page, playing an assumed pedophile and terrifying 14-year-old girl… respectively. It’s a modest yet gripping thriller, with a cast of five and shot on a budget of $950,000. The budget was reported to have been kept so small in order to avoid the production company from asking any questions regarding the rather edgy material. It made back just over $7million (only $1million of that was in the US) and was a hit with critics, yet never seemed to reach wider audiences. Again, there are specific scenes that would have generated a bit of hype (snip, snip), but this film is by no means a one-trick pony. It has a few shocking twists and great performances from its stars. If you’re looking for something Indie and controversial, look no further… through the gaps between your fingers.

7. Zodiac (2007)

From the director that brought you everything that is good about cinema today: Se7en, Fight Club, The Social Network and then there’s Alien 3… um… anyway… David Fincher is one of the most influential directors working today. Everybody wants a piece of him, and he hasn’t yet sold out to this 3D nonsense. His films are astounding, without a dependence on camera trickery or special effects… except for maybe a bit of CG blood. Zodiac has the 2ndhighest rating of all of his films on Rotten Tomatoes, after The Social Network, and yet there are very few people that have actually seen it. AND it stars Jake Gyllenhaal and Robert Downey Jr! How did this happen?? It’s a brilliant thriller that tells the real life story of the hunt for a serial killer, known as “Zodiac.” Ok… so it’s a bit long, on the verge of 3 hours, but every minute counts in this endless puzzle. There are no long-winded scenes of empty dialogue or atmospheric looooooong takes. In fact, for those that have always been put off by long running times, Zodiac will rid you of that fear.

6. Amélie (2001)

I’m pretty sure Amélie was the first foreign film I’d ever seen. And I absolutely fell in love with it. It’s cute and quirky with a beautiful use of primary colours within the mise-en-scène, but it’s also a very good piece of work in its own right. Set in France, it’s the story of a waitress and her relationships with those around her. It’s won countless awards and is #2 in Empire Magazine’s Top 100 Best Films of World Cinema. Because I’ve seen a plethora of foreign films at University, it always surprises me how put off people are by them. When I proposed watching the swedish “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” to a friend, they asked me about it and, as soon as I mentioned the subtitles, they looked at me in absolute horror. So, if you’ve always wanted to watch a foreign film but didn’t know where to start, trust me, you will fall in love with Amélie too.

5. Winter’s Bone (2010)

Winter’s Bonehas been about for all of 5 minutes, so I might be jumping the gun here, but even after receiving 4 Academy Award nominations this year and with the stunning Jennifer Lawrence in the leading role, audiences still weren’t pulled in by it. I suppose it was up against some serious competition that had been hyped up to the eyeballs. This is sadly an example of how the Hollywood machine can damage the chances for other, lesser-known filmmakers to get a look in. Winter’s Bone just didn’t stand a chance against the marketing and publicity of such big players, so it’s a shame that is passed people by. It’s a remarkably affecting yet modest film that deals with the themes of family, patriarchy, and gossip set in the Ozarks. It has since won countless awards and has a 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and it’s out on DVD. You lucky people! Order it! Now!

4. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)

Kiss Kiss Bang Bangis a neo-noir that doesn’t take itself too seriously. In fact, it’s probably one of the most underrated comedies of all time. We follow Robert Downey Jr. as Harry Lockhart, a petty criminal, as he narrates his way through a case of kidnapping, conspiracy, and murder. Val Kilmer co-stars as a gay private investigator and has great chemistry with Downey Jr. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang has been praised for its fantastic use of postmodern genre mash-ups and witty dialogue, penned by writer/director Shane Black. The film only earned a meager $4 million in the States, but went on to bring in over $11 million internationally. Hopefully, it will not be the last time Kilmer and Downey Jr. share screen time together. As for Black, this directorial debut paved the way for bigger directing opportunities, clearly illustrated as Jon Favreau has handed the Iron Man franchise over to Black. Nicely done, Mr. Black. Nicely done, indeed!

3. Brick (2005)

It was only by word of mouth that I came across Brick, a more serious American neo-noir written and directed by Rian Johnson and starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Shot in 20 days and on a budget of less than $500,000, it’s a hardboiled detective story set in an American high school, and the dialogue is absolutely spot-on. If you love a clever reworking of a classic genre, Brick is right up your street. As usual, Gordon-Levitt delivers a great performance. Johnson also wrote and directed The Brothers Bloom starring Rachel Weisz, Mark Ruffalo and Adrien Brody; another great film that seems to have been limited to small, Indie cinemas. He’s currently filming his third feature, Looper, so it’s not too late to check this fantastic director out! Definitely, one to watch.

2. Lars and the Real Girl (2007)

A love story with a twist. Lars and the Real Girl is about a terribly shy, young man (Ryan Gosling) who starts a loving relationship with one of those life-sized dolls… though in this instance I wouldn’t refer to it as a “sex doll.” The film is not at all sordid and avoids any crude scenes or references. It’s a very tender, sweet, and quirky film that, sadly, didn’t make its money back but still received great reviews and plenty of awards. It was also nominated for the Academy Award for Best Writing (Original Screenplay) and would be a great start for those looking to shake up the romance genre and create interesting and original characters. The comedy is unique in the way it is created, at times adding to the emotion of a scene. It is also used to great effect without mocking its characters or the delicate subject matter that surrounds them. Worth a watch and a read!

1. The Machinist (2004)

This film is perhaps better known for Christian Bale’s skeletal frame, rather than the film itself. He reportedly lost 62lbs for the role of Trevor Reznik, a machinist with chronic insomnia, by eating an apple or can of tuna a day. This amount of dedication and preparation did not go to waste; he gives a stunning performance in this suspenseful film, though he could not be accused of overpowering the rest of the piece. The Machinist is creepy and dark, yet touching and visually stunning, topped off with one of the best twists I’ve ever seen. (No spoiler here). Amazingly, it only grossed just over $8 million. You’ll love this if you loved Fight Club and Memento. So there you have it… happy viewing.


Want to watch more obscure movies? Check out our list of the best movies you’ve probably never seen.