Movies that hit you like a Sledgehammer(Fuck the Radar)

[Rasix]

The Killing Fields

I think it's the last time I actually cried watching a movie. Powerful movie.  It's hard to put into words, but you'll be changed after watching this.

Empire of the Sun

Yah, it's a Spielburg, although not one I expect everyone to have seen.  Real emotional trip with some really hard to take sceens.

[Kenrick]

Okay so this crowd isn't into musicals?  :)  Here are some very good documentaries:

American Movie

That movie was pain.  Pure pain.  If I am remembering correctly...this movie involved a long, overdone scene involving an old man in a bathtub.  They cut away from it, something else happens...and they once again cut back to the old man in the bathtub.

At that point I died inside, and have been dead ever since.

Yes, that entire movie is pure pain.  But hilarious at the same time.  I had to watch this documentary in film school, and as a young aspiring filmmaker it was purely gutwrenching to watch a guy whose dream it is to make movies... who thinks he is brilliant... produce utter garbage that his brain sees as fine art.  You'll laugh, but you'll also feel terrible pity for him.

[stray]

Wait a second.

Is this a thread about movies that hit you with a sledgehammer, or movies that you didn't think would hit you with a sledgehammer, but did? Because quite a few of the films being mentioned so far are largely considered to be not "under the radar".

[NiX]

After thwarting the IRA as Jack Ryan in Patriot Games, Ford takes on a very un-Ryan-like role as NYPD Sergeant Tom O'Meara, and agrees to put up an Irish immigrant as a favor for a friend. The immigrant, played by Pitt, is actually a member of the IRA who has come to NYC to try and acquire stinger missles and smuggle them back to Ireland.

I didn't remember I had seen this movie up until you posted that. Was a really good flick. Pitt did well in his role and so did Ford. Now I must watch it again. Damnit.

[Shockeye]

Wait a second.

Is this a thread about movies that hit you with a sledgehammer, or movies that you didn't think would hit you with a sledgehammer, but did? Because quite a few of the films being mentioned so far are largely considered to be not "under the radar".

It should be little-seen movies that made an impact on you. But, as with everything here, it became something else.

[Dark Vengeance]

Granted, the Holocaust is a subject that makes being impactful quite easy but Amen was quite good. It's the story of an SS officer during WW2 who tries to inform the Pope about the concentration camps, with the help of a young Jesuit priest.

Although not a Holocaust movie, Max was nothing short of extraordinary, IMO. Noah Taylor's performance (as probably the most human portrayal of Hitler ever put onto celluloid) absolutely must be seen to be believed.

This topic is going to be the bane of my getting any work done today, because different movies keep popping into my head.

Bring the noise.
Cheers............

[Kenrick]

Wait a second.

Is this a thread about movies that hit you with a sledgehammer, or movies that you didn't think would hit you with a sledgehammer, but did? Because quite a few of the films being mentioned so far are largely considered to be not "under the radar".

I feel like i have dutifully stayed on-topic in respect to the obscurity of motion pictures mentioned.

Cohen and Gilliam films, and ones with Brad Pitt however, are a little less obscure.

[Dark Vengeance]

I feel like i have dutifully stayed on-topic in respect to the obscurity of motion pictures mentioned.

Cohen and Gilliam films, and ones with Brad Pitt however, are a little less obscure.

If that's case, retitle the thread "let's discuss movies that only art fags have seen".

Under the radar != Let's have a dick-measuring contest about the obscurity of the films we can reference

Bring the noise.
Cheers.............

[stray]

If that's case, retitle the thread "let's discuss movies that only art fags have seen".

Under the radar != Let's have a dick-measuring contest about the obscurity of the films we can reference

Bring the noise.
Cheers.............

Nah, I wasn't talking about obscurity. I was talking about movies that we walk into not wanting to see it, only to come out surprised.

Like the first post mentioned: Changing Lanes. Far from obscure, but ahoythematey found that he didn't hate Affleck in it. Or mine: Shattered Glass convinced me that Christiansen is actually a good actor. Same goes for you in mentioning Mark Wahlberg.

[Fargull]

The Killing Fields

Brought me in mind of The Year of Living Dangerously; another movie I remember being an awakening of the world outside my world.

[ahoythematey]

Personally, I was thinking about the kind of movie that had totally escaped my individual attention when saying "under-the-radar", but why not leave things open to interpretation?  Forums are all about dick-waving anyways.

The anime flick Wings of Honneamise is another that really took me by surprise, because I knew nothing about it, started watching the movie expecting something marginally okay, and ended up with an experience that I could swear was masterminded by Ron Howard.

[Zetleft]

Empire of the Sun

Yah, it's a Spielburg, although not one I expect everyone to have seen.  Real emotional trip with some really hard to take sceens.

Oh yeah great flick.  It's got Malkovich and Joey Pants, great cast.  Plus its got Batman when he was a kid.

[Rodent]

Empire of the Sun

Yah, it's a Spielburg, although not one I expect everyone to have seen.  Real emotional trip with some really hard to take sceens.

It was a damn good movie, and Bale was a pretty damn good child(teen) actor. Which I suppose should make me bring up Equilibrium, I expected pure crap but was treated to one of the better action sci-fi movies in the last couple of years.

I also agree Wings of Honneamise was damn fine, though my expectations were high when I watched it.

[Evil Elvis]

Alot of people didn't catch Princess Mononoke when it was released in the US.

Disregard the title, and any hangups you have about it being anime.   It's a really good movie.

[MrHat]

Empire of the Sun

Yah, it's a Spielburg, although not one I expect everyone to have seen.  Real emotional trip with some really hard to take sceens.

It was a damn good movie, and Bale was a pretty damn good child(teen) actor. Which I suppose should make me bring up Equilibrium, I expected pure crap but was treated to one of the better action sci-fi movies in the last couple of years.

/second that, I still watch Empire of the Sun everytime it comes on HBO.  As for Equilibrium, it looked like complete shit, but turned out to be very entertaining, not a sledgehammer, but worth a watch.

One that my girlfriend really wanted to watch, so we rented, was Thirteen.
The concept of the movie was so strange to me (I'm an arab male), that I  was actually really disturbed by the movie, and wanted to get up and do something else, but it had me caught.  A very strong movie.

This is a great thread, already added 7 movies to netflix!  Got to get through the season of The Wire first though.

[Murgos]

Jacob's Ladder

I didn't expect anything from it at all, and it really hit me pretty hard when I figured it out.

I also want to add Swimming to Cambodia

Not emotionally super impacting but considering the movies presentation it is amazingly engrossing.

This movie is totally amazing, one long, mind-blowing story that is by turns riotously funny and utterly chilling. It will restore your faith in the power of a single human being to transport the audience to a whole new place, time, and mind using just WORDS.

[Abagadro]

I have a hard time watching Spalding now because of his recent untimely and sad demise. I was a big fan and saw him live multiple times.

[Murgos]

I would like to point out that Swimming to Cambodia is about the making of The Killing Fields.  If you plan to pick up The Killing Fields because of this thread I highly recommend that you follow it with Swimming.

[Nazrat]

Hoop Dreams is a great documentary.  If you have any interest in sports or life in the inner city, you will never forget this movie.  It is a stunning depiction of the hope and the pain associated with athletics and escaping the ghetto.

[Hanzii]

Hearts of Darkness Eleanor Coppolas documentary footage of the shooting of Apocalypse Now. great insight into fucked up people making movie history.

Maximum Overdrive. I know King is a sucky director, but, goshdarnit, I still think it's a fun modern day matinee flick. "We made you!" Cheasy buy lovely... and the soundtrack literally rocks.

Starman. It's sappy as hell, but I ike sappy movies that only Americans can make. Jeff Bridges is terrific and should have had the Oscar he was nominated for.

[Shannow]

The Boxer.

Daniel Day Lewis and Emily Watson. It started on cable one night and I just couldnt stop watching. Bloody excellent.

[Rodent]

Alot of people didn't catch Princess Mononoke when it was released in the US.

Disregard the title, and any hangups you have about it being anime.   It's a really good movie.

Well that pretty much goes for all Studio Ghibli movies. Spirited Away, Laputa: Castle in the sky, Porco Rosso etc. are all generally the best anime you're going to find.

[Llava]

I don't know how obscure it is, but since it's subtitled I'll assume "somewhat obscure."  In any case, I hadn't heard about it.

City of God

I don't really know what to say about this movie.  Someone told me I had to watch it and lent it to me.  I finally got around to watching it, expecting something pretty decent.  What felt like a little while later, the movie was done and I felt like I'd seen something important.  I didn't feel like I had any new answers to the Questions Of Life, but it did seem that I hadn't wasted a few hours.

[schild]

I'd like to go on the record saying that some of you are calling movies that garnered some Oscar notariety 'under-the-radar.' Just sayin' is all.

[Ardent]

Very well, here's a true under-the-radar: Waking The Dead. I expected little more than a weepy chick flick, but this film really hit me hard. It's not just a "love story", it's a story about love itself, and yes there is a difference. The main characters (Billy Crudup and Jennifer Connelly, both excellent) have a connection that I only wish I will be able to experience before I croak.

Connelly's character in this movie can be my pretend girlfriend any day. Crudup is the most underrated actor of his generation, and someday I hope he is given a role that gives him the attention he deserves.

[schild]

Very well, here's a true under-the-radar: Waking The Dead.

Everyone knows about waking the dead because there are like 3 oppurtunities to see Connelly titties in it. That said, I bought it not knowing about the nude scenes. It had just been released and I was still buying near every release that didn't look like utter shite each week.

Here's under the radar: The Bird People in China. Takashi Miike, the director, is arguably one of the most talented directors alive today. Other works include Ichi, The Killer and numerous mafia stories (there's a 3 movie box set available at Best Buy for something like $52.99 and it includes Ley Lines, which is a work of art if you ask me).

Edit: At least Crudup is underrated. Clive Owen is misused in every movie he's done since he stopped doing British Indie stuff. He's being raped by Hollywood.

[HaemishM]

Well, I just finished watching the flick and suddenly realized that my life had been slightly more empty before viewing the movie.  Not only did I greatly enjoy it, but I found myself inexplicably moved more by Ben Affleck's character and performance than even the mighty Sam-L.  So much was I affected, that I am willing to forgive him for all his missteps( a great many, mind you) simply based on the fact that this movie exists.

I actually felt the same way about Affleck's performance in this one. He isn't a great actor, but when he finds a part in his comfort range, he does well with it.

[sidereal]

Amistad.
Waiting for Guffman, but that was a Sledgehammer of Funny.  And Parker Posey is hot.

[Ardent]

Amistad.

Under the radar? Not so much.

If you want to see a truly heart-wrenching Djimon Honsou performance, see In America (yes, equally not-under-the-radar, but a much better film, and it has the bonus of not having Anthony Hopkins in it).

Waiting for Guffman

"I HATE YOU, AND I HATE YOUR ASS FACE!"

I love this movie.

[schild]

Djimon Honsou is also awesome in "Dirty Pretty Things" with Audrey Tatou (of Amelie fame).

[ahoythematey]

As long as we are talking about "pre-Tim Burton" Crudup, I think Jesus's Son is a pretty good flick, although it didn't particularly sledgehammer me.  You know a movie is going to have some good bits when it's main character's name is Fuck-Head.

[Abagadro]

If you can catch Nick Bloomfields flick about the serial-killer chick Theron played in Monster, it is pretty interesting (can't remember the name right now). Bat shit insane on parade.

[Ardent]

Djimon Honsou is also awesome in "Dirty Pretty Things" with Audrey Tatou (of Amelie fame).

You're getting your confusingly named African actors mixed up. Chiwetel Ejiofor was the lead in Dirty Pretty Things, and yes, he was excellent in that film. Another under the radar winner.

If you can catch Nick Bloomfields flick about the serial-killer chick Theron played in Monster, it is pretty interesting (can't remember the name right now). Bat shit insane on parade.

Broomfield made two movies. "Aileen Wornous: The Selling of a Serial Killer" in the early 90s, was not really about serial killing but about the weasels that pour out of the woodwork to exploit her.

His update, made about 10 years later and after Wornous was executed, is "Aileen: Life and Death of a Serial Killer". Be sure to watch them in that order.

Once you see them, then you realize they should have given Charlize Theron 2 or 3 Oscars for her performance in Monster, she fucking nailed it.

[schild]

Ah right, Djimon was great in Gladiator as well. Goddamn strange vowel-stricken names. You should see what I do to traditional Indian names. It's absolutely amazing.

[schild]

Darkman just hit me like a brick.

The last mask Liam Neeson puts on is freaking Bruce Campbell. I hadn't seen that movie in like 8 years.

Wow, that was entirely uninteresting.

/me presses submit.