Recommend one obscure film.

[NewMaxFranklin]

Is there a certain movie you really like, that not many people have probably seen (or heard of?) Well post it and tell us what you like about it. If we all post only one movie, it shouldn't be too hard to try and see em.'

The obscure movie I'd recommend would be:

Police Story (A.K.A. Jackie Chan's Police Force.)
Jackie made this film in the 80's. It's got a lot of great action and stunt sequences and will give you a good idea of what Jackie's Hong Kong films are like (if you're not a fan.) You may notice that a lot of the action sequences are ~ahem~ "borrowed," in later American movies.

Now, post your obscure film pick! ;)

[nightwing_38116]

Originally posted by NMaxFranklin
Is there a certain movie you really like, that not many people have probably seen (or heard of?) Well post it and tell us what you like about it. If we all post only one movie, it shouldn't be too hard to try and see em.'

The obscure movie I'd recommend would be:

Police Story (A.K.A. Jackie Chan's Police Force.)
Jackie made this film in the 80's. It's got a lot of great action and stunt sequences and will give you a good idea of what Jackie's Hong Kong films are like (if you're not a fan.) You may notice that a lot of the action sequences are ~ahem~ "borrowed," in later American movies.

Now, post your obscure film pick! ;)

Tetsuo: The Iron Man (it has NOTHING to do with Akira)

Seven Samurai (not really obscure, one of the greatest movies EVER made)

[Calhoun07]

My recommendation would have to go to the Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai, which has a cult following, but is probably obscure enough to be mentioned here. It is a great adventure/sci fi flick from the 80's. Buckaroo Banzai was supposed to become a great new franchise, with more movies planned and comic books and a series of novels planned, and probably toys and other tie ins. Sadly, it never transpired. But the movie remains as great today as it was then, and it's sad that people didn't catch on to it in the theater. What gets me is that the studios kill off any potential "franchise" so early these days. The movie can have a life on video, and on TV, but that doesn't count.

If you are already a Buckaroo Banzai fan, cool. You also might have heard that they are prepping a great DVD release of this movie to be coming out soon!

[Maxie Zeus]

"The Naked Spur" (1953), a western with James Stewart and Robert Ryan. Stewart plays a bounty hunter who catches and tries to transport an outlaw (Ryan) back to civilization -- and it proves that Stewart has a very personal motive in seeing this outlaw brought to justice. Small scale, very intense psychological western from Anthony Mann. And its theme should resonate with any Batman fan.

(And I'll second calhoun07's "Buckaroo Banzai" recommendation.)

[The Mad Hatter]

Third that Buckaroo Banzai.

Mine would have to be Dark City. It's a great little reality bender that came out before the Matrix, but it sank like a stone at the box office. It must have been too weird for people. But I dig it... think Matrix Noir.

[JustWhelmed]

The movie i recomment is called 'Dead Alive' I first saw this movie on the foreign film channel. I believe it was made in Australia. Okay..the story line wasn't great, nor the acting. But, it was a very gruesome movie and very comical. (I don't think it was supposed to be funny though) I don't think I've ever seen a movie with so much fake blood. You should definately see this movie, but don't go and rent it or buy it. The rented versiona nd version for buying have the best scene cut out.

[NewMaxFranklin]

Originally posted by nightwing_38116


Tetsuo: The Iron Man (it has NOTHING to do with Akira)

Seven Samurai (not really obscure, one of the greatest movies EVER made)

Hey, I said one dude, one! What's your problem! Just kidding. ;)

Hatter - Good call on Dark City. I've watched that DVD about ten times. :)

Well, since nightwing-38116 posted two movies...

If you guys have already seen, or just have no desire to see, Police Story, check out The Thin Man. It's is a detective movie from the 30's. The dialogue is witty and pleasant and the characters are fun. This light tone makes a nice counterpoint in this murder/mystery.

[oranthal]

sevan samurai is definitely a classic as nigthwing pointed out.

jackie chan's police story is not exactly obscure, not for me or my family or friends.

i would recommend blade runner; it is probably most known for its 'noir' qualities.

[NewMaxFranklin]

Originally posted by oranthal
sevan samurai is definitely a classic as nigthwing pointed out.

jackie chan's police story is not exactly obscure, not for me or my family or friends.

i would recommend blade runner; it is probably most known for its 'noir' qualities.

Police Story's not obscure, but Bladerunner is! Please. Bladerunner stars Harrison Ford and got an American theatrical release. Police Story isn't even on DVD! ~breaths deeply, counts to ten~ Ok. :)

[Maxie Zeus]

Originally posted by NMaxFranklin
The Thin Man. It's is a detective movie from the 30's. The dialogue is witty and pleasant and the characters are fun. This light tone makes a nice counterpoint in this murder/mystery.

Seconded Buckaroo and will second this one.

"Is your husband working on a case?"
"Yes. A case of scotch."

[Clayface]

Pi. Bizarre movie.

[joker]

requium of a dream, very messed up, verry good.

[DR. BELCH]

I watch many movies of varying genres. If I had to pick a single obscure and unusual one, I'd say...1998's Happiness. It's on DVD, although I saw it on TV a while back. It concerns a trio of middle-class sisters in Jersey--one a writer seeking the authenticity of depavity to enliven her work, one who has incessant dating woes, and one whose seemingly idyllic marriage to a psychiatrist hides a very nasty secret. Adding to their troubles is the disintegration of their parents' four-decade marriage after their father becomes disenchanted and bored, the aforementioned secret coming to light, and a very frank father-and-son sex talk. And the ending...well, I thought it was nasty when a dog licked one's face after drinking out of the toilet--OMG and WTF! Happiness is a dark comedy that will make you laugh, think, and want to be ill, often all at once.

[Leaping Larry Jojo]

Medium Cool. Not a lot of people talk about this film anymore because it is so entrenched in the events it takes place in. Nonetheless, it's fascinating and a bit chilling. I also dig the soundtrack, even though there are like, one or two songs only. 60s film.

Breathless--Technically very well-known (but not among mainstream viewers). Prototype for Pulp Fiction. Lots of dialogue about nonsense; consciously cool and hip. Fascinating choppy narrative structure. Groovy urban soundtrack. I believe this is a 1959 film, or early 60s.

[Eraserhead]

EL TOPO

Think of DESPERADO mixed with THE LAST TEMPTATION OF CHRIST mixed with DELIVERANCE mixed with 2001:A SPACE ODYSSEY mixed with SCHINDLER'S LIST mixed with MAD MAX mixed with FREAKS....You get the idea....Well, maybe you dont.

A quite mindblower of a film I may add, but VERY hard to find.

[don Jaime]

El Topo looks a lot like a spaghetti western. A spaghetti western that was the scene of a plane crash. Interesting movie, but not for the weak of stomach.

How about an obscure animated film? If you get the International Channel, there's an outside chance you can still dredge up Granny and Her Ghosts. Chinese flick about a little boy whose parents leave him for the summer with his Taoist exorcist grandma. He accidentally frees a demon who possesses the cat and starts eating ghosts. An old lady dies, a baby snake becomes into roadkill, we meet their ghosts, as well as that of a whale, and the "hungry ghosts" who have no descendents to feed them and are the corpsiest things animated this side of Fantasia's "Night on Bare Mountain." It's a kid's film. You have to see it if you get the chance. I wish I'd taped; shoot, I'd pay for a bootleg.

[NewMaxFranklin]

Originally posted by Maxie Zeus


Seconded Buckaroo and will second this one.

"Is your husband working on a case?"
"Yes. A case of scotch."

Sorry, I haven't seen Buckaroo, so I can't say yay or nay.

Nora "I heard you got shot five times in the tabloids.
Nick "Nonsense. He never came near my tabloids."

[oranthal]

when i mentioned blade runner, i meant that it is a cult favorite. it is not exactly well known.


Originally posted by NMaxFranklin


Police Story's not obscure, but Bladerunner is! Please. Bladerunner stars Harrison Ford and got an American theatrical release. Police Story isn't even on DVD! ~breaths deeply, counts to ten~ Ok. :)

[Calhoun07]

Hey Dr Belch, Happiness is one of the first DVDS I ever got! GREAT MOVIE! I also enjoyed Crumb, Welcome to the Dollhouse, and Chuck and Buck, all movies that are somewhat disturbing and great at the same time.

[Nightflower]

I think Airplanes is obscure. That movie is hilarious!

Oh, and if anyone's in Ottawa, come see Jesus Christ, Vampire Hunter.

[Calhoun07]

Do you mean Airplane!, the one with Leslie Nielson?

[Maxie Zeus]

Originally posted by Nightflower
I think Airplanes is obscure. That movie is hilarious!

I must be getting old, if the new generation thinks of "Airplane!" as obscure. And if so, what does that make "The Kentucky Fried Movie," an earlier effort by the same team?

[DR. BELCH]

Really, can any movie that's on DVD be considered "obscure"? Even if they seldom show it on TV (and Airplane gets trotted out by a Turner network or two every so often), if you can still rent it, there's hope. I can even get G.L.O.W. videos at www.amazon.com , and I haven''t seen that on TV in twelve years. Happiness, and just about all the other movies everyone's mentioned, can easily be hunted up online.
A truly hard-to-find video/DVD would be the 1930 classic Soup to Nuts (I referenced it over at the Warner Bros. Club forum). It doesn't even seem to be on DVD. :( AMC will run it infrequently, but other than that, it seems to be a lost gem.

I saw Kentucky Fried Movie, which to me is right up there with Amazon Women on the Moon for riotous, pointless, filthy, fast-paced sketch comedy. The bits with the phallically-named ninja warriors and "Catholic High School Girls In Trouble" were my favorite. "The popcorn you are eating has been p***ed in."

[Nightflower]

All right, so not obscure... :P
Jesus Christ, Vampire Hunter !

[Maxie Zeus]

Originally posted by DR. BELCH

I saw Kentucky Fried Movie, which to me is right up there with Amazon Women on the Moon for riotous, pointless, filthy, fast-paced sketch comedy.

And clearly the world needs more movies produced by Samuel L. Bronkowitz, featuring nubile young actresses in award-winning rolls. :D