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Take a look at these 10 great movies you may not have heard of.
Moon (2009)
Sam Rockwell and a robot Kevin Spacey (that uses emoticons) make a great team in this beautifully shot thriller set on the Moon. Sam's character (also Sam) is mining Helium 3 on the Moon when a mishap occurs and he encounters his doppleganger.
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twuScTcDP_Q
The Fountain (2006)
Many people are familiar with Darren Aronofsky films such as Black Swan and The Wrestler. However, I feel fewer are familiar with The Fountain, which is my personal favorite film. 3 timelines that seem both paradoxically independent yet related to one another reflect different aspects of a husband's love and his coming to terms with his wife's mortality.
This movie is a thinker and should be saved for when the viewer can really watch it. Along with excellent cinematography and strong symbolism, this movie used microscopic views of chemical reactions for some of its special effects work in an effort to never be dated as the film spans 1000 years.
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAuxryJ6pv8
My Blueberry Nights (2007)
Written and directed by Kar Wai Wong, typically known for his beautiful and emotional foreign films, My Blueberry Nights follows the journey of a young woman on a road trip hoping to resolve her feelings after a recent breakup. Elizabeth (played by songstress Norah Jones) sets out on a journey across America, leaving behind a life of memories, a dream and a soulful new friend -- a café owner (Jude Law) -- all while in search of something to mend her broken heart. Waitressing her way through the country, Elizabeth befriends others whose yearnings are greater than hers, including a troubled cop (David Strathairn) and his estranged wife (Rachel Weisz) and a down-on-her luck gambler (Natalie Portman) with a score to settle. Through these individuals, Elizabeth witnesses the true depths of loneliness and emptiness, and begins to understand that her own journey is part of a greater exploration within herself.
This movie is quite beautiful visually and emotionally, and meanders about almost like a slow song on film.
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgD94qi39JU
Enemy (2013)
A man seeks out his exact look-alike after spotting him in a movie.
I copy pasted the plot from IMDB because I dare not say more without risking ruining any of it. This movie is a more intense thriller with a very surprising ending. Originally I felt confused and I needed to look up an explanation of the film (posted below) which after I watched it, made me see how brilliant it was. Highly recommended.
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJuaAWrgoUY
Recommended post-viewing explanation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9AWkqRwd1I
Rudderless (2014)
A grieving father in a downward spiral stumbles across a box of his recently deceased son's demo tapes and lyrics. Shocked by the discovery of this unknown talent, he forms a band in the hope of finding some catharsis.
This movie is the directoral debut of William H. Macy and is not only a great movie with a heartwrenching twist, but is also filled with a lot of wonderful music.
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGBVnURPuOg
The Big Year (2011)
Two bird enthusiasts try to defeat the cocky, cutthroat world record holder in a year-long bird-spotting competition. This movie is a feel good adventure and is a great flick to pick you up when you're down.
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zTt6PEODBM
Disclaimer - this movie isn't nearly as slapstick as the trailer makes it out to be, I'd definitely encourage you to check it out
Redbelt (2008)
A fateful event leads to a job in the film business for top mixed-martial arts instructor Mike Terry. Though he refuses to participate in prize bouts, circumstances conspire to force him to consider entering such a competition.
This film is more of an homage to a warrior spirit. This means you should know that it is not wall to wall combat like a Jackie Chan film, but really more of a drama with sprinkles of martial arts. If you go into it with that expectation and are able to suspend disbelief, you will walk away feeling satisfied.
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyH8XrHPbS4
Felon (2008)
A family man (Stephen Dorff) convicted of killing an intruder must cope with life afterward in the violent penal system. Val Kilmer delivers a great supporting performance as a veteran con.
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sr0zDhqfOVo
Bad Words (2013)
With a pacing closer to an indie film, Bad Words is Jason Bateman's directoral debut (first movie). A spelling bee loser sets out to exact revenge by finding a loophole and attempting to win as an adult. Jason's character Guy plays an anti-hero pissing off parents and children alike, but you can't help but root for him anyway.
Trailer (NSFW): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXoZCAVTzEQ
Igor (2008)
Animated fable about a cliché hunchbacked evil scientist's assistant who aspires to become a scientist himself, much to the displeasure of the rest of the evil science community.
Along with two sidekicks (a suicidal rabbit that cannot be killed and a brain in a gumball machine), this offbeat Pixar-style animation is pretty fun.
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2jS4tOMMmg
