"Little Gem" Films that Everyone Needs to See
These films each share a few common traits. Each is a quality film. Each has failed to gain much popularity. Each is a personal favorite of mine that I have watched multiple times. I am adding them in stages as I have limited time to write, but the list will grow. Many of these are true "Labors of Love" that were nurtured at great expense and brought to fruition through tremendous sacrifice by those who made it.
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- DirectorJohn CarneyStarsGlen HansardMarkéta IrglováHugh WalshA modern-day musical about a busker and an immigrant and their eventful week in Dublin, as they write, rehearse and record songs that tell their love story.A tiny David of a film that won an Academy Award for best music and was filmed on a budget that was almost non-existent. John Carney suffered a disaster just before principal photography, losing his star, his backers, and his crew. With 2 hand held cams, a lot of varied angles, an enormously talented cast, and a remarkable vision, he produced one of the most touching and poignant films that I have ever seen. The song, "Falling Slowly" has become a hit that transcends generations. It lifted Marketa Irglova and Glen Hansard to stardom. You cannot see this film and come away unaffected by it.
- DirectorJohn SaylesStarsChris CooperElizabeth PeñaStephen MendilloWhen the skeleton of his murdered predecessor is found, Sheriff Sam Deeds unearths many other long-buried secrets in his Texas border town.John Sayles' movie has a deep and resonating undercurrent that deals with family, culture, legend, and reality in a way that jars viewers to their foundation. This is not an "entertainment" flick that u can view and discard. It is one that must be savored and re-sampled as it ages. Every time you watch it, you will notice a new insight. Matthew McConaughey, Chris Cooper, Elizabeth Pena give outstanding performances. Kris Kristofferson plays a role he was born to play and Frances McDormand in a brief cameo role steals her scene. A MUST SEE MOVIE !
On a side note, while researching Sayles' film, I found a link to a High School Social Studies lesson plan, developed at George Washington University, that breaks the film down into parts for presentation and discussion about race relations, culture clash, and how history is interpreted. I hope to some day have the opportunity to use that lesson plan when I graduate from college. - DirectorDrew BarrymoreStarsElliot PageDrew BarrymoreKristen WiigIn Bodeen, Texas, an indie-rock-loving misfit finds a way of dealing with small-town misery after discovering a roller-derby league in nearby Austin.This little gem of a movie stars Ellen Page and exceeded all of my expectations. The performances were great, the story was great, the action was fun and exciting. This is another film that really is worth seeing again and again. I am not a big Drew Barrymore fan (despite the fact that 2 of her films are in my list) but she put up her own money and doubled as both director and a supporting cast member. Jimmy Fallon, Daniel Stern, Marcia Gay Harden, Rosa Sparks, Andrew Wilson, and Kirsten Wiig give great performances in this Roller Derby movie that is about much more than Roller Derby!
- DirectorTim McCanliesStarsHaley Joel OsmentMichael CaineRobert DuvallFourteen-year-old Walter Caldwell's irresponsible mother Mae sends him to live with his bachelor uncles, Hub and Garth, so that she can go on yet another husband-hunting trip.An excellent film that suffered at the box office due to a bad ending. Rent it on DVD and watch the original ending. It is marred only by Michael Caine's GODAWFUL texas accent, but his performance, as well as the performances of Haley Joel Osmont, Robert Duvall and Kyra Sedgwick make this film something special.
- DirectorMarc LawrenceStarsHugh GrantDrew BarrymoreScott PorterA washed up singer is given a couple days to compose a chart-topping hit for an aspiring teen sensation. Though he's never written a decent lyric in his life, he sparks with an offbeat younger woman with a flair for words.The witty dialogue and inspiring performances make this gem a totally entertaining film that I never tire of watching. The supporting performances of Kristen Johnston (Sally from 3rd Rock from the Sun) and Aasif Mandvi (Ghost Town, Margin Call) are hilarious. The music is SPOT-ON 80's pop. Watch it with someone you love.
- DirectorAlbert BrooksStarsAlbert BrooksMeryl StreepRip TornIn an afterlife way-station resembling a major city, the lives of the recently deceased are examined in a court-like setting.First off, this movie was destroyed at the box office in 1991. It passed through theaters so fast that most people never realized it existed. I discovered it when looking at IMDB's recommendations list. This movie is witty, thought provoking, intelligent, quirky, and FUN. Albert Brooks is at his neurotic best. Meryl Streep is casually self-assured and lovely. Rip Torn and Buck Henry are brutally hilarious. If you are looking for a fun movie that will leave you smiling and make you want to watch it again, check this one out.
- DirectorMark IllsleyStarsJeremy NorthamSteve ZahnWilliam H. Macy3 prisoners escape. 2 end up in Happy, Texas, where they're mistaken for a gay couple expected there to help with the small girls beauty pageant. As the 2 are paid $1000, they decide to stay until the heat is gone.Why this film has remained obscure is beyond me. Steven Zahn is hilarious as escaped felon Wayne Wayne, Jr. who is hiding out in a small Texas town with his partner (Jeremy Northram) pretending to be gay beauty pageant producers. As they scheme to rob the local bank during the Little Miss Fresh-Squeezed Pageant, they must contend with the girls, the banker, and the town Sheriff (William H. Macy). Ron Perlman is great in his cameo as a Texas Marshal.
- DirectorHerbert RossStarsKathleen TurnerDennis QuaidFiona ShawA spy couple on maternity leave in New Orleans, entertained by a mugger named Muerte, is called in when Novacek steals explosives.Dennis Quaid and Kathleen Turner romp through the Big Easy as a pair of super spies on vacation with their toddler. Stanley Tucci steals scenes as a low-level crook named Muerte, who makes it his mission to rob them. Fiona Shaw, Tom Arnold, Obba Babatundé and Larry Miller (whose performance is only marred by an annoyingly affected accent) round out an energetic supporting cast that will definitely have you laughing.
- DirectorNat FaxonJim RashStarsSteve CarellToni ColletteAllison JanneyShy 14-year-old Duncan goes on summer vacation with his mother, her overbearing boyfriend, and her boyfriend's daughter. Having a rough time fitting in, Duncan finds an unexpected friend in Owen, manager of the Water Wizz water park.A wonderful and engaging coming of age story with a stellar cast. Steve Carrell (playing a bad guy), and Sam Rockwell star in this film. Both are perfect. Liam James plays Duncan, the 14 year old protagonist who is forced to adapt to a prospective new step-dad (Carrell), who belittles him, a new step-sister (Zoe Levin) who abhors him, and a mom (Toni Collette) who desperately wants to rebuild a family, as he and his mom accompany them on a summer vacation. Rockwell plays Evan, the zany manager of a broken-down water park, who takes Duncan under his wing.
- DirectorTom HanksStarsTom HanksLiv TylerCharlize TheronA local Pennsylvania band scores a one-hit wonder in 1964 and rides the star-making machinery as long as they can, with lots of help from their manager.I am not sure what I find most enjoyable about this film. The fact that Tom Hanks obviously invested so much of himself into the film, the catchy music that totally captures the 1960's pop music scene, or the great performances. At any rate, they all combined to make this gem noteworthy. One of the things I find most interesting, is the enormity of talent that goes into writing believable pop songs that are original. Like This Is Spinal Tap, and Music and Lyrics, all of the songs in this film are original and perfectly suited to the genre.
- DirectorLuke GreenfieldStarsEmile HirschNicholas DownsElisha CuthbertA teenager's dreams come true when a former porn star moves in next door and they fall in love.I read somewhere that 90% of men enjoy porn and 10% are liars, while 10% of women enjoy porn and 90% are liars. This movie is not porn, but it deals with our perception of the Porn industry and even more to our perception of the people involved in the porn industry. This film is funny and thought provoking in a lot of ways. I have watched it several times, and I defy anyone to try to pigeonhole me into either the 90% or the 10% group.
- DirectorJoan Carr-WigginStarsMarcia Gay HardenLeonor WatlingJoseph KellWhen a woman tries to outwit her husband's sexy young mistress, the unexpected consequences include starring as King Lear in a very amateur production--with the mistress, an aspiring actress, playing The Fool.OMG !!!!!!!!!
I just finished watching this wonderful, touching, clever, and witty gem ! All I can say was there was NOT A SINGLE BAD PERFORMANCE in this film. The script was taut, the banter was edgy, the plot had more surprising twists than a madman in a pretzel factory, and Marcia Gay Hardin (who has never been a particular fave of mine) knocks a screaming home run. I cannot fathom how, or why the distributors buried this film on its release (14 total theaters? c'mon!) I would like to beg, plead, cajole and coerce you to watch this film.
You will NOT be disappointed!!!! - DirectorTony KayeStarsAdrien BrodyChristina HendricksMarcia Gay HardenA substitute teacher who drifts from classroom to classroom finds a connection to the students and teachers during his latest assignment.
- DirectorDestin Daniel CrettonStarsBrie LarsonFrantz TurnerJohn Gallagher Jr.A 20-something supervising staff member of a residential treatment facility navigates the troubled waters of that world alongside her co-worker and longtime boyfriend.
- DirectorJon FavreauStarsJon FavreauRobert Downey Jr.Scarlett JohanssonA head chef quits his restaurant job and buys a food truck in an effort to reclaim his creative promise, while piecing back together his estranged family.
- DirectorJohn CarneyStarsKeira KnightleyMark RuffaloAdam LevineA chance encounter between a down-and-out music business executive, and a young singer songwriter new to Manhattan, turns into a promising collaboration between the two talents.