Underated Movies that are Amazing

[demoman_chaos]

Here is one no one has ever heard of, "Ring of Steel." It is a 90's movie (you can tell by the main character's mullet) about a fencer accidentally killing an opponent and then joining an underground sword fighting competition. So many cliches that anyone who has been trapped by TV Tropes (someone provides link, you read, then open up 6 new tabs about other things, then 6 more one each, and so on until 3 hours have passed) will enjoy pointing them out.
The fight scenes are quite good, being realistic and still fanciful. The real highlight is the best friend/comic relief character, Brian. His shenanigans make the movie go from decent to awesomeness.

 

[CACTUAR LOL]

Empire Records

The Cube

 

[Illesdan]

I don't know about 'underrated'; how about 'underappreciated' instead?

U-571.

Sure, the scripters re-write history to make a compelling story, but hey, historians had been doing that for centuries before this movie hit the theaters. Seriously though, a well-paced movie with a talented cast of actors.

Fun With Dick and Jane.

This movie came out just shortly before the economic shit hit the fan, so some of it will probably ring just a little too close to home for some. I personally believe this is one of Jim Carrey's better movies, and the ending makes it all worthwhile.

Johnny English.

Not 'Reborn', since the bastards in my hometown aren't playing it and it'll be out of theaters before I can afford to travel 80 miles to watch it. The first Johnny English takes great delight in stealing everything James Bond that isn't bolted down just to put it on a pedestal and make fun of it. I admit to having high hopes for 'Reborn' since I still watch the first movie to this day. I guess they figured since eight years has passed since the first movie and the release of the newest, they couldn't justifiably call it a 'sequel' anymore.

 

[klipton]

Pulgasari.
Great north korean film, is like godzilla, but communnist.

 

[thequixoticman]

The question is, do you mean movies that weren't seen in their day, or movies that aren't seen now? Because if it's just movies that younger people haven't seen...

Lawrence of Arabia - I know most of you probably have heard of it, but I don't think there are a lot of people these days clamoring to see a three hour movie about battles in the middle east during World War 1. That said, it's one of the most beautifully shot movies ever made. It is a piece of art.

Amarcord - Great Fillini film that explores his childhood in Fascist swinging Italy. In my opinion, a better film than the similarly themed 8 1/2.

Sneakers - Great hacker/heist film from the early 90's. One of those movies that always just makes me feel warm inside, and I'm a cold hearted bastard.

Chinatown - Classic Noir at its best. Amazing movie.

Lonely are the Brave - Great modern western (modern to the 60's) - Kirk Douglas is a cowboy who can't fit into the modern world.

Wings of Desire - German film from the 80's, very arty, very cerebral, explores life in West Berlin through the eyes of angels. Uses color as metaphor.

As to movies that are coming out now that people haven't seen...

The Edge of Heaven - Modern film from Germany about the Turkish community, three stories happening to connected people at the same time, all about the fact that they never intersect, but they always come within a hair of it.

Anything by Pedro Almodovar - I started with "Talk To Her", but you can really go anywhere. Other greats from him, "All About My Mother," "Volver," "Tie Me Up, Tie Me Down!" "Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown."

Assisted Living - Really small movie from a few years back, explores aging in a nursing home from the perspective of a janitor working there and his budding relationship with an alzheimer's patient.

Six String Samurai - Ridiculously fun movie about a post-apocolyptic world where the soviet union won the cold war. Las Vegas (now called "Lost Vegas") is the last bastion of capitalism where Elvis is king. Elvis has just died and Buddy Holly is making his way through the desert with his six-string and his Katanna to claim the throne, all the while on the run from Death and his acid rock band.

 

[Illesdan]

Empire Records

The Cube

Props for bringing up Empire Records. Would it scare you to know that I know nearly every line of dialogue of that movie by heart?

The Cube is a good movie, long as you don't bother watching the last fifteen minutes of it. I'm sure they could have written a better ending than that.

 

[King of Asgaard]

Atlantis: The Lost Empire
I have no idea why it's disliked as much as it is.
It's the only Disney film I look back on fondly.
Not to mention, the animation might just be the best Western animation in existence.

 

[York_Beckett]

Equilibrium: The greatest Gun-Fu movie ever made.

Storm: Incredibly intriguing, very unique psychological horror-drama-fantasy-crime-mystery-science fiction-thriller-comedy. One of the most unpredictable films I've seen in a while.

1941: HOLLYWOOOOD!!

High Road to China: Tries to be like Indiana Jones. Succeeds.

The Postman: Brilliant take on the post-apocalyptic genre. (The final fight scene was disappointing though.)

Chrysalis: First time watching it: fell asleep three times. Second time: Oddly compelling french cyberpunk. I liked it!

Stone of Destiny: I don't know whether or not it followed the true story well, but it was great fun.

The Horseman: One of the greatest revenge-thrillers I've ever seen. Never holds back on the violence, but has some genuine emotion and a great protagonist.

 

[70R4N]

Moon

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1182345/

Not so much underrated as it is unknown. Really great movie and the soundtrack by Clint Mansell is amazing.

 

[sinboy666]

For some reason, I've heard a lot of people hating on the Shadow from 94. I've been a huge Shadow fan all my life and I loved the movie. It's a great adaptation of the original mythos from the radio show and pulp comics.
Plus Alec Baldwin is AWESOME as the Shadow, he has the PREFECT laugh for the character and really pulls off the alternate identity of Lamont Carson too.

 

[Daveman]

Last Action Hero. That film was poorly rated, But so full of WIN

In a similar vein, Commando. It's so disgustingly poor it's definitely worth a watch. Genuinely entertaining, and if you drink every time something stupid or cliche happens take a drink.

Yea, that was pretty bad. But it was so awesome, and some of the lines where funny ( You know i said I'd kill you last? I lied!)

That and of course...

 

[darkcalling]

I know Joel Schumacher is never suppose to be mentioned for his crimes against the Batman series, but his movie "Falling Down" is seriously a masterpiece that really underrated, after watching I forgave him of all his sins again the Dark Knight.

I completely forgot that was him. I agree. That movie is awesome!

 

[Altorin]

I'm fairly sure Waking Life is the best movie no one has heard of.

 

[taciturnCandid]

Jesus Christ Vampire Hunter

Sure it is a B movie, but I still find it hilarious.

 

[relevantcore]

Kiki's Motherfucking Delivery Service. *****.

 

[Aj Byrne]

I'm trying to think of one that hasn't been named yet
...
I got nothing

 

[chowderface]

I don't know if it's "underrated" so much as "more or less totally unknown", but Nocturna comes to mind. It's a Spanish/French animated movie about a little boy who can only fall asleep by starlight, so when the stars start to go out he goes on a quest to save them. The animation is gorgeous, and it was animated for an English-speaking market, so you don't even need to find a subtitled version (it's sort of an inverse Pan's Labyrinth).

Mystery Men

Hellz yeah, boi.