Movies that You Probably Have Not Seen, but Should

By Taylor Brim on May 26, 2012

Upon walking into my bedroom, you would certainly observe three items right away; the first would be hideous cacophony of color on my bedroom walls, an arrangement of blazing orange, blue, and yellow my 14-year-old self thought to be rad. Secondly, the cardboard cut-out of Taylor Lautner in the corner, which you will assume initially is real and jump at the sight, as most do. (One time, my friend turned to me after 15 minutes and asked puzzled, “Who is the guy sulking in the corner and why is he staring at me?”).  And lastly, my glorious wall of movie posters that I have built up over the past 5 years, proudly displaying my favorite films. Some of the posters are instantaneous to recognize, including the “The Notebook” that somehow makes every female friend of mine proclaim their love for the sexy Ryan Gosling. However, there are many posters that a majority have never heard of and sadly, those are my favorite movies! Which has brought me to the purpose of this article: to promote amazing films, for some reason, no one has ever seen or heard of.

1. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

If you could erase someone out of your life forever, would you? A thought-provoking question with endless answers provides the plot: a couple erases their memory of their late significant other entirely so they may escape post-break up heartache. Despite its overall success, many of my friends have yet to hear of this movie. Perhaps it being released in 2004, when animations and comedy preoccupied most of our adolescent film-viewing, has something to do with this. The cast is loaded with stars, including Jim Carrey, Kate Winslet, Kirsten Dunst, Elijah Wood, and Mark Ruffalo, that break their typical type-cast characters and still shine. The theme of love relates to everyone while maintaining a sense of reality, unlike those terrible Nicholas Sparks’ films (which we all know, does not exist in real society). If you are one of those people who live and die by what the critics say: “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” won the Acadamy Award for Best Original Screenplay and nominated for Best Actress. Or, you could just go see for yourself what makes this movie so great.
Why You Will Like This Film: Jim Carrey will make you laugh, despite his serious role, as you explore themes of love and heartache that really make you think. Also, Winslet’s character is so weird (with her orange/green/blue hair and potato figurines) you cannot help but love her.

2. Donnie Darko

An independent film about a demonic rabbit, high school, time travel, and schizophrenia. What more do you need? This creepy, thought-provoking, film is so twisted and different, you cannot help but be attracted to it. A teenager, after escaping near death, is haunted by visions of a 6ft rabbit telling him to commit crimes before the end of the world. Sounds really weird, I know. But the plot deals with more sub-themes than just doomsday, including dysfunctional families, the pains of growing up in high school, and discovering a bigger purpose for your life. Believe it or not, this film has been highly praised by critics, too. This 2001 film is also casted with familiar names: Jake Gyllenhaal, Drew Barrymore, and Patrick Swayze. Also, the song during the credits, “Mad World”, is spectacular on a different, darker level.
Why You Will Like This Film: Jake Gyllenhaal nails the demented teenager role perfectly, as he struggles to figure out life (a theme most young adults can relate to). Also, the ending leaves you saying, “What the *beep* just happened!?”. You might need to re-watch a couple times before you figure it out.

3. Winter’s Bones

The most recent of the three films, this movie was released in 2010 and received amazing reviews from critics. Limited to a select number of theaters since it is independent, I was lucky enough to have “Winter’s Bone” shown in my hometown since it was filmed 10 minutes from my house. The plot is raw and harsh, dealing with issues that are common in the Ozarks, partly why I am so attracted to this film. An Ozark-native girl, who is played by Jennifer Lawrence (for you “Hunger Game” fanatics), fights for her family while exploring the dark secrets of her father’s business, meth. There’s no gimmicks with this film; it is simply real acting, a raw storyline, and a harsh reality of life for a lot of people in the woods of the midwest. If you are a Jennifer Lawrence fan, she portrays this heroine much better than Katniss Everdeen. However, if you would like to get a taste of a life you are unfamiliar with, “Winter’s Bone” is a fitting film.
Why You Will Like This Film: Jennifer Lawrence and meth-addicted family. You might need a box of tissues.

 

There you have it. Three movie posters that proudly adorn my wall that no longer should be questioned with, “Uh, what is that?” I understand that these films may not appeal to your love of Tom Cruise action or Tyler Perry humor, yet it does not hurt to step outside the lines and try something new. After watching these movies, maybe I can invite you over and you meet the cardboard version of Taylor Lautner, as we sit in my room and discuss the wall of posters like we’re the experts ourselves.

 

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