Not so fast…
With all this extra time on our hands at the moment, you’ve definitely watched the films and TV series that you had on the top of your list. You’ve probably even watched the ones that were in your maybe pile. But what about the ones that you have brushed completely? Are we at that level of iso where we need to start lowering our entertainment standards? Hell no.
But chances are, amongst those 100 films that you scanned and thought ‘nahhh’, there are most likely some gems. So let’s take a look at some films that you, for whatever reason, may have turned down for no reason – like that dorky guy or girl in a film that underneath it all is a massive babe:
The Butterfly Effect
Hear me out. Sure this movie stars Ashton Kutcher – the guy we know as a laid back stoner/sitcom stalwart – but it actually has a lot going for it. Here, we follow Evan (Kutcher) a college student who realises he can go back and right the wrongs of his childhood and change his future. It’s kinda like Donnie Darko, only with a much worse soundtrack:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8_dgqfPXFg
War Dogs
Earning a mere 61% on Rotten Tomatoes firmly plants this 2016 film in the underrated category. Honestly, I think this is Jonah Hill’s best performance – way better than Wolf Of Wall Street – and Miles Teller plays the sheet-seller turned gun-runner to a tee. Worth watching for Jonah Hill’s laugh alone.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rwh9c_E3dJk
Hot Summer Nights
In the same year that he ‘made it’ with an epic performance in Call Me By Your Name, Timothee Chalamet also had this indie coming-of-age film drop. Up until last week, I’d never even heard about it, so it was a nice treat seeing TC play the unassuming kid, considering that these days he’s considered one of the coolest actors on the planet.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5ROSS9ReUY
The Highwaymen
Watching Woody Harrelson and Michael Keaton play two over-the-hill Texas rangers cracking skulls and trying to bring America’s most infamous murdering duo to justice is my idea of a good time. There’s a perfect balance of laughable moments and action, with plenty of darkness lurking underneath as the detectives hunt the much-loved criminals around The South.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aH6vC-BBKOc
True Story
One of Jonah Hill’s first attempts at ‘serious’ acting, this one is a psychological thriller that sees a journalist (Hill) meeting up with a killer (James Franco) who was using his name as a pseudonym. 45% on Rotten Tomatoes is pretty fucking harsh IMHO.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_NiP_bqlns
Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil And Vile
I don’t know about you but I was a little torn when I first saw this trailer. On one hand it’s the story of America’s most charismatic killer, Ted Bundy. On the other hand, he’s being played by Hollywood’s most uncharismatic bro, Zac Efron. After watching though, I did have a whole new appreciation for Efron and maybe you will too:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2Ozn_ox_4A
Jersey Boys
Directed by Clint Eastwood, this film follows the true(ish) story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons in that classic rock and roll drama format – only they’re an Italian-American barbershop quartet. There’s more face to camera narration per minute than any other film on Netflix, and overall, it’s a pretty fun ride:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tL2iILHUsG0
Operation Finale
This drama, which is based on a true story, follows the Israeli operation that brought about Nazi mastermind Adolf Eichmann’s capture. It’s pretty bloody tense as the team follow and track Eichmann, eventually coming face to face with the man who orchestrated millions of Jewish deaths.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGBNA7l9K8E
The Prestige
This one may have gone under the radar when it was re-released on Netflix, but all you have to do is look at the key ingredients: directed by Christopher Nolan, starring Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman, Michael Caine, Scarlett Johansson and David Bowie. I suppose the only thing potentially stopping you from getting into this is the magic side of things… but trust us, it’s not lame magic.
