Broadway Legend Joined: 6/30/05
I would say Palindromes, but I have had to accept that it is a bizarre art film that will not appeal to everyone so I'm going to have to go with SIN CITY.
Sure it has a huge cult following, but I don't think it really got the notices that it deserved with many people writing it off as just a lame-brained comic book adaptation. Yet it's really an exploration of style and its impact upon the 20th century and how to further it into the new millenium. Ebert called it "a piece of conceptual art". Amen, brother.
I was under the impression that Sin City was actually very popular with critics and audiences?
While it's not the most underrated movie of the year, I was able to see Stay the last day it was in theaters and trust me, I went in there erasing my bias with my love of Naomi and Ewan. But it was really, really good and all its reviwers wrote it off as an awful film, and it didn't even make top 15 in the box office. ::shrugs::
There have been a lot of underrated films this year actually...
I'm not sure if you'd consider Capote underrated....I know it got great reviews but so few people know about it..or is it just the area that I live in?
I hated Palindromes. I usually like his work, but I thought this was a pretentious mess.
I'd go with Jarhead. Good reviews, but I think it should be bigger than it is. A truly amazing film. I hope it isn't passed over at awards time.
Oh Jarhead! I still have to see that...gosh there's too much to see!!
MURDERBALL was the best reviewed movie of the summer and virtually no one saw it.
I did! Loved it, cried. Fabulous movie.
poppy, is there a movie you have not seen?!?
Many, RobbO, many. Believe it or not.
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/20/04
A stupid comedy that got bad reviews and flopped, but I really enjoyed: BE COOL.
Everything is Illuminated.
I thought Everything Was Illuminated was the biggest dissapointment at the movies in years. Based on such an incredible book, I dont know how this half-baked film came to be...
Although Elijah Wood was his reliable, wonderful self.
Murderball is one of the year's best, and best-reviewed films.
For me, it's House of Wax, one of the most unfairly hated movies I've seen in years. While the script is admittedly weak, the direction and production design is so strong, it elevated it into a different level altogether. In my eyes, at least. I gave it ***1/2 stars because it was fun, suspenseful, gory, and just an absolute blast to watch. Also, Elisha Cuthbert made a likable scream queen. If this is the best slasher film that Hollywood can produce, I'm okay with that.
Updated On: 11/22/05 at 05:52 PM
"I thought Everything Was Illuminated was the biggest dissapointment at the movies in years. Based on such an incredible book, I dont know how this half-baked film came to be...
Although Elijah Wood was his reliable, wonderful self. "
I disagreed with the negative critical response to Everything Is Illuminated. I thought is was a charming little film, and I very much enjoyed it. That's why I think it's the most underrated movie of the year thus far.
I loved EVERYTHING IS ILLUMINATED. The two friends I took to see it were in tears by the end; one in particular, whose great-grandparents died in the Holocaust, was moved beyond words. I thought all three main actors in the movie were wonderful and shared a lot of chemistry.
I haven't read the book, but I think a movie should be judged on the merits as a film, not how it compares to its source material.
JUNEBUG. More underappreciated than underrated. I can't wait for the video. And if Amy doesn't get a supporting actress nod from some of the critics groups, I'm starting a campaign.
SHOPGIRL. To some, perhaps many, overrated. But to me, under-- I think it's a rare treasure. A simple story, told with some of the elegance and grace notes of BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S. A romantic genre we no longer have. Despite its R rating (ridiculous), it's one of the sweetest films in a long time.
In addition to House of Wax, these are other movies that, I believe, deserved better ratings on Rotten Tomatoes and MetaCritic...
The Exorcism of Emily Rose
November
The Weather Man
High Tension
The Upside of Anger
Little Manhattan
Dark Water
Rent
Jarhead
The Devil's Rejects
Lords of Dogtown
Happy Endings
The Skeleton Key
Heights
Junebug got great reviews. Do you guys mean 'underrated' or 'underseen'? Is that even a word?
I think it can go either way, 86.
You're right about "unseen". I said "underappreciated," and by that I guess I meant (way) underattended.
I didn't get to see the film with Julianne Moore (a favorite) as the mom who supported her family winning contests. Anyone see it? It looked very winning and unique. And it disappeared almost instantly, alas.
Auggie- same problem for me! I was thrilled that this movie was coming out but didn't have time to see it it's opening weekend and then the next thing I know, it's no where!
Auggie-
The movie that you're thinking of is The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio. I admired the movie very much, and Moore's performance is Oscar quality. Come to think of it, I don't think I'll use the phrase 'Oscar quality' anymore, seeing as how most of their choices piss me off.
RENT?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!
OMG!!!
No one has said RENT yet. It was like WAY underrated!!!?!11?!!
Most underrated? Howl's Moving Castle. It's a charming animated film by Miyazaki (who did the Oscar-winning Spirited Away).
paradox, I was searching for a worst movie of the year thread today to talk about you know what.
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