When it comes to the things I really love - music, movies, and literature - I often find myself in a bit of a pickle. To a layman, I probably seem like an expert. But to the truly initiated, I’m more of an intermediate player at best. Yes, I read, write, and teach fiction, but there’s still so much for me to learn about literature. Yes, I’m a lifelong musician, but I could be significantly better if I practiced more (and the older I get, the less I care about music theory). Yes, I’m an avid lover of film, but it’s not like I’ve seen everything by Truffaut, Kurosawa, or Hitchcock.
So although I was tempted to write a post about “hidden gem” movies or “overlooked classics” or whatever, I realized that would be a tad boastful, especially to you hardcore movie nerds out there. I’m not an expert, after all. Maybe you’ve heard of some or all the movies posted below. Maybe they’re new to you. Either way, the best way to describe them would be almost obscure. These are ten mostly forgotten films.
Although there’s an emphasis on newer releases, these picks stretch all the way back to the early 1940s. If you’re familiar with any of them, or have already seen some of them, then pat yourself on the back - you might just be an intermediate player like me. But if not? Great! If any of the movies below sound interesting, track them down and give them a watch! Regardless, I hope you read and enjoy…
16 Blocks (2006): As far as action movies go, especially ones starring Bruce Willis, it’s easy to stick with classics like Die Hard and leave it at that. But I was pleasantly surprised by 16 Blocks, especially since it’s directed by the great Richard Donner, who brought us Superman and the Lethal Weapon series. Bruce Willis plays Jack Mosley, who is the perfect embodiment of the drunk detective archetype. Here, he must escort a witness (expertly played by Mos Def) sixteen blocks through New York City so he can testify against a batch of corrupt cops. At times, the action is bombastic and explosive - at other times, it’s taut and minimal. Either way you slice it, this is a rock-solid thriller that you probably forgot about. Give it a shot!
The Clovehitch Killer (2018): While I love a good horror romp, something with a larger-than-life villain and buckets of blood, I nonetheless have a soft spot for the quiet films, too. The Clovehitch Killer is definitely the latter. It’s unassuming to the point of invisibility; you won't even notice as the killer himself creeps into your home and places a knife to your neck. This is the kind of movie that probes the depths of human evil, examining the duality of American life and how violence can hide in even the most tranquil places. Bolstered by a razor-sharp script and two career-defining performances (newcomer Charlie Plummer and a surprisingly sinister Dylan McDermott), this flick is overlooked, underrated gold.
Fiend Without A Face (1958): Dude? Dude. In the pantheon of wacky B-movies from the 1950s, few are as gloriously unhinged as Fiend Without A Face. It’s imaginative, it’s creepy, it’s silly, and it’s awesome. Can I just quote Wikipedia’s plot description and we’ll leave it at that? Okay, brace yourselves, because here it is: “A scientist on an air base in Canada experiments with the materialisation of thought waves through atomic energy, which ultimately take the form of malevolent invisible killer brains, which then materialize as flying brains with attached spinal columns and eyestalks, strangling people with their spinal cords.” I mean…come on. Does it get any better than that?
The Insider (1999): Of all the movies on this list, The Insider is probably the most mainstream. It was directed by the infamous Michael Mann, responsible for Heat, Ali, and Collateral (not to mention Miami Vice). It boasts an all-star cast: Al Pacino, Russell Crowe, Christopher Plummer, and Michael Gambon. It garnered rave reviews at the time, and was nominated for seven Academy Awards, including Best Actor and Best Picture. So why is it here, alongside all the other discarded toys? Well, because I never hear anyone talk about it. And trust me, it’s well worth remembering. With peerless execution and a riveting script - one which was based on true events - The Insider is a perfect historical docudrama.
No Sudden Move (2021): This stylish noir crime thriller, helmed by master director Steven Soderbergh, is a real gem. The cast alone is enough to make your head spin, with particularly excellent performances from Don Cheadle, Benicio Del Toro, David Harbour, and Matt Damon. It’s set in 1950s Detroit, which lends a beautiful yet grizzled texture to the whole thing. If you love a crime drama, one with flashy dialogue and great costumes, then check this one out immediately.
Pig (2021): This movie really surprised me - in all the right ways. It’s a gorgeously shot character study, with Nicolas Cage turning in a beautifully understated lead performance as a reclusive culinary genius. The narrative seems simple, especially at first: his prized pig is kidnapped (pignapped?), and he embarks on a quest to get it back. But there’s a strong undercurrent of emotional depth rushing beneath. If you give this one a shot, I know you won’t be disappointed.
The Sacrament (2013): Not many filmmakers understand horror the way Ti West does. His films truly are nightmares, and with each one he explores new terrain in the genre. With The Sacrament, he uses the “found footage” subgenre to deliver what is essentially a fictionalized retelling of the Jonestown Massacre. It is...wow, it's brutal. Every scene is saturated with a deepening sense of foreboding, one that you won’t shake for days. But the movie's best attribute is veteran character actor Gene Jones as "Father," the messianic figure running (ruining?) the community. Oh yeah - and the name of this hellish community is Eden Parish. It doesn't get better than that, does it?
Sullivan’s Travels (1941): What a charming, funny, well-made movie this is. Released right as America entered WWII, this black-and-white screwball comedy epitomizes old school Hollywood filmmaking. Veronica Lake is a real scene-stealer, her beauty and dry wit on full display from beginning to end, and Joel McCrea is our titular lead. However, the real draw for this movie is funny dialogue and a snappy pace. Written and directed by Preston Sturges, he allegedly penned the script as a counterweight to the “preaching” he loathed in comedy movies, saying that they “seemed to have abandoned the fun in favor of the message.” And as far as themes go, I quite like that one.
To Be or Not To Be (1942): Speaking of old school comedies, To Be or Not To Be was released mere weeks after Sullivan’s Travels, and is honestly just as good (if not better). It’s a black comedy set against the backdrop of WWII, specifically the Nazi advance across central Europe. It not only satirizes Nazism and fascism, but also actors and Hollywood. This is a “the-less-I-say-the-better” type of film, so I’ll keep it vague from here on out. But if you like your funny with a side of thematic weight (something the minds behind Sullivan’s Travels might find irksome), then I say give this one a go!
Willow Creek (2014): Yeah, this is a horror movie about Bigfoot. So what? You may shake your head and cluck your tongue, but until you actually see this movie, you have no idea. Is it a good film? Absolutely. Is the acting believable? You betcha. Is the plot effective? Uh-huh. Is it scary? Oh, words can't quite do it justice. This is the very epitome of cinematic tension, and you'll be covering your eyes and holding your breath until those final screams and the bitter end. I'll put it to you like this: what Psycho did to showers, Willow Creek does to camping. Honestly, this is one of my all-time favorite horror movies, and I cannot recommend it highly enough. If you can get your hands on this thing, it’s well worth a watch.
Great picks!
More people should know about Clovehitch!