10 Lesser Known Recent Movie Gems

The following films are clear examples that the future of movies is still as bright and as promising as ever.  Despite hundreds of years of movie-making that have preceded them, the movies below are still surprising, engaging, and unpredictable.  Many of the them have young, talented directors at the helm with unique, innovative visions.  Check em out.  They won't disappoint.

All of these films are available on Blu-Ray / DVD (or soon will be).  Many are already available on Netflix and other streaming sites or On Demand.

*Presented in no particular order.



#1 = A Most Violent Year 

This film is from the same family tree as cinematic classics like The Godfather and Goodfellas.  In addition to smart, capable direction from J.C. Chandor, Oscar Isaac and Jessica Chastain just blow it out of the park as the two leads.  The dynamic between the two is powerful and entirely engaging.  The film plays like a time bomb just waiting to explode, until the final gun goes off in the third act.  Don't go in expecting an action thriller as the title might suggest.  But if you go along for the ride, A Most Violent Year is a rewarding, intelligent film that might be one of the finest ones Hollywood has released in recent memory.



#2 = The Guest

If you liked Drive, then The Guest is right up your alley.  Like Drive, the film plays like a drive-in 80's era thriller with a modern twist.  It's effortlessly cool.  Featuring a killer soundtrack and sleek cinematography (the end scene at the haunted house... awesome), The Guest subverts its classic premise with style and ingenuity.



#3 = It Follows

A truly creepy premise (which I won't spoil here) sets the backdrop for this entirely unique cinematic experience.  Another recent gem with a unique and suitably unsettling soundtrack which nicely adds to the already high tension and striking visuals.  It Follows represents a new take on the classic "teens having sex in horror movies" schtick.  This one is unforgettable, wild, and has several nice scares.

#4 = Ex Machina

An engrossing exploration behind a tried and true science fiction staple - man vs. machine.  The film raises questions about the nature of creation, ingenuity, madness, and innovation all wrapped up in a stylized presentation (and one heck of an ending).  Beautifully shot and fully engaging, Ex Machina is a modern science fiction classic that should not be missed.

#5 = Short Term 12

An "indie drama" about teens with a slew of behavioral issues that's both touching and heartbreaking, often at the same time.  It fully immerses you into the world in which the characters reside, which proves stressful one minute but totally worth it and rewarding the next.  The film wears its heart on its sleeve, much like its characters.  This is a movie with heart and soul that hits a nerve and leaves an impression.

#6 = The Babadook

The film cleverly conveys its messages about grief, family, and sanity under the guise of an Australian horror film.  This is what the horror genre is all about - taking everyday fears and horrors and creating a parable to allow its characters (and the audience) to confront and conquer them.  The Babadook is filled with creepy, atmospheric tension and imagery without relying on cheap thrills or scare tactics to achieve its effect.



#7 = The Skeleton Twins

Bill Hader and Krist Wiig use their comedic backgrounds to pull you into this "dramedy", which actually leans closer to the dramatic side of the scale.  That's not to say The Skeleton Twins isn't funny, because it is.  But the film also deals with serious issues at its core.  It deftly walks the line between drama and comedy often with sudden shifts in tone.  The film smartly uses staging to deconstruct and nuance its two main characters, exploring their complex interrelationships and personalities.   With several familiar faces in supporting roles to boot, The Skeleton Twins is a memorable piece of filmmaking that fully fleshes out its characters and engages the viewer throughout its duration.



#8 = Robot and Frank

This is a funny little sci-fi indie comedy about a retired criminal and his newfound friendship with a robot.  What more is there to say?  The film is a smart, touching, poignant, surprising portrait of aging that's definitely worth checking out.



#9 = Kumiko The Treasure Hunter 

This film is inspired by a real life urban legend which may or may not have been a real story.  It goes something like this: a woman from Tokyo finds a VHS copy of the movie Fargo and becomes obsessed with finding the money buried by Steve Buscemi's character; her journey takes her across oceans from Japan to Minnesota in search of her fortune.  The film is great.  It's beautifully shot and visually spectacular.  Rinko Kikuchi shines in the lead role, and we see the world through her eyes.  Even if you haven't seen Fargo, you can appreciate this quirky independent gem.  It takes several tonal turns that are unexpected and surprising, much like Kumiko herself.



#10 = Nightcrawler

 Jake Gyllenhaal does an outstanding job in the title role (which has nothing to do with X-Men).  The film is essentially a character study, in the same vein as Taxi Driver, that explores the dark psyche of its lead.  Gyllenhaal's character is born out of the information age, searching out for the dirtiest, juiciest pulp stories that rise to the surface after the clock strikes midnight.  His wide-eyed character never seems to sleep or get tired and is always scanning for information.  It's a fascinating film that's often tough to stomach but hard to resist.



BONUS: #11 = Jurassic World  

You may have heard of this recent indie film that didn't go on to break any major box office records at all.  But if you haven't... this is a fantastic popcorn sequel to one of the greatest Hollywood movies of all time.  Of course, it doesn't surpass the original.  But it does offer two hours worth of beautiful cinematography, smart use of visual effects, and awesome set pieces.  The film is fun from beginning to end and is riddled with subtle (and not so subtle) nods to the original Jurassic Park from 1993.  Jurassic World features a number of clever scenes that are inspired by old school visual storytelling and fueled by over 20 years worth of nostalgia.  It's awesome to see the original park come to life, and then, of course, get destroyed by the final act.  Chris Pratt pulls off the daunting task of filling the title role and continues his run as one of Hollywood's new action/comedy talents.  This one should be seen on the big screen, and it's returning to IMAX theaters next week.  Go see it again!



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