1

I TOTALLY agree about 28 Days Later, American Beauty, and Elf.

2

Joe -

I applaud your mention of Serenity, but I did think there was a huge overrated element to the movie. I'll try to be vague, but there was an explanation given for the creation of an evil that boiled down to a government conspiracy. This theme is so absolutely tired and small minded. In the TV series, it was hinted that this evil was caused by the despair of looking out onto the utter void at the end of the universe. This rings so much more philosophically true - it draws on more universal themes. It's a pity to see such profundity lose out to contemporary cynicism.

But, having said that, Firefly does indeed rock.

3

As far as French films are concerned, I thought "Love Me if you Dare" and "Cache" were both better than "Brotherhood of the Wolf."

I must concur with your choice of "Run Lola Run" and "Serenity."

"Hero" is considerably better than "House of Flying Daggers."

I must strongly disagree with you John Hughes assessment. Martin and Candy are comic perfection in "Planes, Trains and Autos."

I followed your advice the last time you recommended "Near Dark." I have to say it's one of the worst movies I've ever seen, and I've seen some awful movies.

4

Thanks for the list. I will have to rent some of the movies I haven't seen.

For a film from Japan, I would recommend Ikiru over Realm of the Senses. I haven't seen Senses since it first came out, but I recall it being quite disturbing, to say the least. I'm a bit surprised by your recommendation. I'd be interested to hear your take on that choice.

5

Was pleased to see The Thin Red Line on your list. One of my absolute favorites. I can't think of a better war film that explores the psychological aspects of war.

6

#34 I'd add "Kung Fu Hustle" to your list of worthwhile martial arts films, though I couldn't say whether it's been underrated by the critics.

#5 "Mosquito Coast" over "Witness" for Harrison Ford flicks? C'mon.

7

Suggested addition:

Movies that play off the 'brain in a jar' question:

The Matrix / Dark City

8

Ponette was absolutely a sweet, darling movie. Good call. I'm surprised "Pan's Labyinth" isn't here anywhere.

9

It's good to see that "Raising Arizona" lives on.

"Boy, you got a panty on yo head"

Actually, for #101 - now that we're in "The Really Early Primary" we find ourselves in - I like to see your take on "Movie Starring Fred Thompson"

10

Um - I mean #51 on the list (making the movies #101 and #102) - sorry.

11

Movie about stock manipulation:

Wall Street / The Hudsucker Proxy

12

Star Wars Episode IV wasn't actually a sequal. That was the first movie in the series.

13

I am a bit wary of your qualifications. Although I have never seen Metropolitan, I have trouble accepting that it is better than Raging Bull. For some movies, style is substance. Placing Tony Scott on par with Stanley Kubrick with Crimson Tide/Dr. Strangelove is highly questionable. I don't think the two dealt with the same medium. DS is one of the sharpest, funnest movies ever made. You totally lost me at 25 and 25. Suglarland Espress over Badlands? Serenity over 2001? Come on. Some of these are debatable (Run, Lola, Run over Aquirre), and some are given. You almost redeem yourself by mentioning Raising Arizona, but the harm has already been done.

14

Baz Luhrmann movie: Moulin Rouge/Strictly Ballroom

15

I remember Mosquito Coast as being really boring, though it might be because I was about 12 when I saw it.

I agree that Serenity is highly underrated.

Someone mentioned Matrix already, but for the "what is reality" question Matrix is overrated while Existenz was truly mindbending.

16

Star Wars Episode IV wasn't actually a sequal. That was the first movie in the series.

Probably safe to assume that Joe meant Episode I, the fourth movie in the series. I remember watching the movie and if it had been anything but a Star Wars sequel, I would have walked out an hour into the movie. The only reason I saw Episode II was because I couldn't believe it could be as bad as Episode I, but I was wrong.

17

I must protest. Josie and the Pussycats underrated (not to mention that it was based on a cartoon unlike the Brady Bunch movie)? We must have seen different movies.

18

Great post, Joe! Makes me want to see many of the movies you deem under-rated.

And I totally agree with you about "Raising Arizona." It's just as funny to me every time I see it.

19

I disagree about Spirited Away. It's Akira that's the most over-rated film from Japan if we're going to talk about anime.

Also, House of Flying Daggers isn't under-rated.

Hellboy is under-rated? I think the movie reflects the flaws of the comic book, which is why in that case it's a faithful adaptation.

Brotherhood of the Wolf is a big French live-action two hour Scooby Doo episode. Is that really under-rated?

20

"Ruthless People" is an underrated comedy. Like "Raising Arizona" it concerns unexpected consequences.

"Raging Bull" is almost perfect. But it is about a certain time and place. So many won't understand it or care.

21

Fun list, but I have a quibble. It seems to me that many of your "underrated" films were not, in fact, underrated. I recall that Election got a lot of critical acclaim when it came out, as did Heathers. And everyone I've ever read agrees that "It Happened One Night" is a great movie. And when "Like Water For Chocolate" first came out everyone everywhere said it was the greatest thing since sliced bread so much that it naseated me and made me not want to see the movie for 9 years.

Oh, I guess you tell us that the underrateds in your list are great cinema that are better than some movie in their category that got lots of critical acclaim. But if that underrated movie also got lots of critical acclaim, then it's not really underrated. Is it?

And, as far as I know, no one gives the movie A Chorus Line any critical acclaim at all, so it can't really be overrated.

But, that's a quibble. It's a Fun list and food for thought. I'd put Fright Night in the vampire movie category.

22

I would argue that Aliens is a far better sequel than either of the two movies you mention. Star Wars IV: A New Hope is not a sequel. If you meant Episode 1, then it frankly was not that well acclaimed when it came out or even now. While X2 does a great job building upon the complexities of the X-Men universe launched in X1, it is not without its flaws.

23

How the hell was "28 Days Later" underrated? Everyone was going on about as it was God's gift to horror movies, when in reality it's little more than tedious road movie with a few pseudo-zombies chucked in. And don't even get me started on the ridiculous product placement in that film.

"Oh my god, we're surrounded by rage-infected muta...hey, anyone fancy some MALTESERS?".