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Know any great but little-known movies? (Original Post) red dog 1 Thursday OP
"Local Hero"... wcmagumba Thursday #1
I love that one greatauntoftriplets Thursday #7
First title to pop into my head. FalloutShelter 15 hrs ago #52
The gods must be crazy. Woodwizard Thursday #2
THAT one, I did see. some_of_us_are_sane Thursday #4
Those look GREAT! some_of_us_are_sane Thursday #3
Prospect is my sleeper rec crud Thursday #5
Thanks. Never saw it some_of_us_are_sane Thursday #10
Cradle Will Rock SleeplessinSoCal Thursday #6
Hearts and Souls LogDog75 Thursday #8
The Secret of Roan Inish. greatauntoftriplets Thursday #9
YES! Bayard Yesterday #36
A brilliant and haunting John Sayles movie nuxvomica 7 hrs ago #65
Black Robe bluedigger Thursday #11
This was an excellent film JoseBalow Thursday #16
Excellent film! markodochartaigh Yesterday #37
Indeed! ZZenith 23 hrs ago #43
Melody (1971) Wiz Imp Thursday #12
This one? BootinUp Thursday #13
Peanut Butter Falcon Coolgoober Thursday #14
love that movie Skittles Thursday #15
Andrei Rublev (1966) JoseBalow Thursday #17
Nothing But a Man 68er Thursday #18
Welcome to DU! red dog 1 55 min ago #68
Or this one? BootinUp Thursday #19
"Happy Accidents" skypilot Thursday #20
I don't know if it's great, but My Favorite Year chowmama Thursday #21
that is definitely a little jewel of a comedy. I loved it nt yellowdogintexas Yesterday #26
Go tell the Spartans question everything Thursday #22
agreed, I had it lower in the thread -- JT45242 15 hrs ago #54
One of my FAVORITES.... from 1949 some_of_us_are_sane Thursday #23
I'll second that one. Jeebo Yesterday #33
"The Conversation" with Gene Hackman directed by Francis Ford Coppola mucifer Thursday #24
that is a great and very tense movie nt yellowdogintexas Yesterday #28
LA SORCIRE (1956) -- THE BLONDE WITCH Marina Vlady's Dark Spell French Film Noir question everything Yesterday #25
The Magie of Belle Isle yellowdogintexas Yesterday #27
Beautiful movie. niyad Yesterday #41
A Man Called Ove (original Swedish version, NOT the American A Man Called Otto) chia Yesterday #29
I love the Swedish version so much! HeartsCanHope 22 hrs ago #47
Yes, Lassgrd was perfect, and unforgettable. chia 15 hrs ago #59
I'm not sure this one is exactly little known - Starman... 3catwoman3 Yesterday #30
Bottle Shock... Enter stage left Yesterday #31
One of my favourites. niyad Yesterday #40
Hammett. boonecreek Yesterday #32
The Wall Jeebo Yesterday #34
Until the End of the World. fierywoman Yesterday #35
Two with Johnny Depp Bayard Yesterday #38
Another one from Johnny Depp: "Cry Baby". When John Waters went mainstream. Wiz Imp 16 hrs ago #49
"A Woman Rebels" and "Grace Quigley", both with Katharine Hepburn. niyad Yesterday #39
The Lobster 2015 jgo 23 hrs ago #42
Big Night deserved way more accolades than it got. ZZenith 23 hrs ago #44
A Room with a View. CTyankee 23 hrs ago #45
"The World's Fastest Indian" starring Anthony Hopkins... GReedDiamond 22 hrs ago #46
'La Pacte des Loups' OldBaldy1701E 16 hrs ago #48
Lonely are the Brave VGNonly 15 hrs ago #50
The Adventures of Baron Munchausen; The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Ferrets are Cool 15 hrs ago #51
Two classic foreign films: Das Boot and Au Revoir Les Enfants JT45242 15 hrs ago #53
I loved Jo Jo Rabbit genxlib 15 hrs ago #55
"Meantime" film by Mike Leigh. Onthefly 15 hrs ago #56
"The Commitments" bringing soul music to Dublin Ritabert 15 hrs ago #57
"Romeo is Bleeding" w/Gary Oldman & Lena Olin. CrispyQ 15 hrs ago #58
I LOVE this movie. skypilot 3 hrs ago #66
7 Up. Documentary crew visits people every seven years and document their lives. Midnight Writer 14 hrs ago #60
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest Emile 13 hrs ago #61
Little Known? red dog 1 45 min ago #69
Aronofsky's Pi markodochartaigh 12 hrs ago #62
Dave Made a Maze (2017) nuxvomica 11 hrs ago #63
The other night I came across a movie called 25th Hour milestogo 10 hrs ago #64
Closely Watched Trains (1966) JoseBalow 2 hrs ago #67

some_of_us_are_sane

(2,979 posts)
10. Thanks. Never saw it
Thu Feb 19, 2026, 08:47 PM
Thursday

but found it on Tubi. Will be watching, Pedro Pascal is a terrific actor.

LogDog75

(1,198 posts)
8. Hearts and Souls
Thu Feb 19, 2026, 08:39 PM
Thursday

The night Thomas Reilly was born, his parents were in an accident with a bus. The passengers on the bus were killed and as ghosts they were tied to Thomas from the day he was born. As a baby and a child, he could see and hear the ghosts and the ghosts loved him. But the also got him in trouble and Social Services was called to talk to his parents. The ghosts decide to "vanish," much to the displeasure of young Thomas, but they're still with him. About 25 years later, the bus driver returns to take them away. He tells them they were supposed to have worked out their personal problems. Now, the ghosts decide to reappear to Thomas to get him to help them resolve the problems in their lives. Thomas is shocked by their reappearance but reluctantly agrees to help them causing him to get into a number of embarrassing and comic situations all the while trying to resolve his own relationship problem with his girlfriend.



This is a cute and funny move starring Robert Downey Jr., Charles Grodin, Alfre Woodard, Kyra Sedgwick, Tom Sizemore, and Elisabeth Shue. The boy playing young Thomas Reilly is really adorable especially when he's in his school's boy's room singing Walk Like a Man with the ghosts.

Wiz Imp

(9,511 posts)
12. Melody (1971)
Thu Feb 19, 2026, 08:51 PM
Thursday

A British film about 12 year old kids who want to get married. Written by Alan Parker and Starring Jack Wild and Mark Lester who previously starred together in Oliver! and features music by the Bee Gees and a great closing scene using Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young's "Teach Your Children". Just a charming little film told from the viewpoint of the children.

68er

(3 posts)
18. Nothing But a Man
Thu Feb 19, 2026, 09:18 PM
Thursday


Why weren't Ivan Dixon and Abbey Lincoln nominated for Oscars for this early Civil Rights-era gem? (Well, okay, the question kind of answers itself, alas.)

Some great recs all through this thread, too.

skypilot

(9,116 posts)
20. "Happy Accidents"
Thu Feb 19, 2026, 09:24 PM
Thursday

It stars Marisa Tomei and Vincent D'Onofrio. Marisa stars as Ruby Weaver, a woman with a history of relationships with troubled men who she feels compelled to "fix". She meets a guy named Sam who seems sweet and quite normal until he tells her...
I'm not going to give away what it is that he tells her or how things play out afterwards. I will however stress that if you should come across this movie streaming somewhere and decide to watch it (or if you simply look it up) DO NOT read the synopsis. Every synopsis I've seen of this movie reveals what it is that Sam tells Ruby about himself. I was lucky enough to have read only one review of the movie before I saw it and that reviewer did not spoil things. It's a lot more fun that way. I highly recommend this movie.

chowmama

(1,054 posts)
21. I don't know if it's great, but My Favorite Year
Thu Feb 19, 2026, 09:36 PM
Thursday

I've always thought it was a little jewel of a comedy. Well written and pretty accurate, according to those who actually worked on My Show of Shows. Peter O'Toole is funny and tragic as an aging Errol Flynn type. All the writer characters had equivalents in real life.

JT45242

(3,959 posts)
54. agreed, I had it lower in the thread --
Fri Feb 20, 2026, 09:53 AM
15 hrs ago

Three dimensional characters rather than the caricatures that Platoon made of the soldiers.

some_of_us_are_sane

(2,979 posts)
23. One of my FAVORITES.... from 1949
Thu Feb 19, 2026, 10:04 PM
Thursday

Jeanne Crain & Ethel Barrymore in Elia Kazan's "Pinky" (1949)

The whole film is right on YouTube

Jeebo

(2,557 posts)
33. I'll second that one.
Fri Feb 20, 2026, 01:08 AM
Yesterday

Excellent recommendation. Pinky is a great movie. Came out my birth year.

— Ron

mucifer

(25,623 posts)
24. "The Conversation" with Gene Hackman directed by Francis Ford Coppola
Thu Feb 19, 2026, 10:55 PM
Thursday
?si=ERQrmZuV8SHRqfHj

Cindy Williams, Terrie Garr and Harrison Ford are also in it.

yellowdogintexas

(23,637 posts)
27. The Magie of Belle Isle
Fri Feb 20, 2026, 12:39 AM
Yesterday
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1839654/

We just sort of tripped over it a couple of days ago; then we saw "Morgan Freeman" and it was a done deal.

This is a very sweet movie and Freeman is his usual wonderful self.

Feast of the Seven Fishes https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7846056/
A slice of life story that follows a large Italian family on Christmas Eve as they prepare for the traditional Feast of the Seven Fishes, reminisce about the past, and seek love in the future. This is a Christmas movie but you don't care if it isn't Christmas when you watch it.

chia

(2,779 posts)
29. A Man Called Ove (original Swedish version, NOT the American A Man Called Otto)
Fri Feb 20, 2026, 12:42 AM
Yesterday

NB there are several unsuccessful suicide attempts central to the plot main character.

&themeRefresh=1

HeartsCanHope

(1,590 posts)
47. I love the Swedish version so much!
Fri Feb 20, 2026, 03:35 AM
22 hrs ago

Tom Hanks is a favorite actor, but the Swedish version is like the book by Fredrik Backman of the same name, (really good!)

and I just loved Rolf Lassgård, the actor who played Ove. Truly a gem! Highly recommend both Backman's book AND the Swedish film.

chia

(2,779 posts)
59. Yes, Lassgrd was perfect, and unforgettable.
Fri Feb 20, 2026, 10:33 AM
15 hrs ago

I haven't read the book but I will someday when my "to read" stack is smaller.

3catwoman3

(29,065 posts)
30. I'm not sure this one is exactly little known - Starman...
Fri Feb 20, 2026, 12:43 AM
Yesterday

…with Jeff Bridges and Karen Allen. One of my favorite movies.

Enter stage left

(4,446 posts)
31. Bottle Shock...
Fri Feb 20, 2026, 12:53 AM
Yesterday

A movie about how a California winery beat all of the French wineries in 1976 in France during a blind tasting test. Chateau Montelena beat all of the other wines to be named the best Chardonnay in the test.

It's based on a true story, but is very entertaining with Alan Rickman, Bill Pullman and Chris Pine as stars. But you will also fall in love with the supporting cast.

Chateau Montelena is in Calistoga, part of Napa Valley.

The French were shocked at just how good the American wines were.

If you have ever enjoyed a good wine you will enjoy this movie.

boonecreek

(1,462 posts)
32. Hammett.
Fri Feb 20, 2026, 01:08 AM
Yesterday

Fictional story of author Dashiell Hammett. Co-starred Peter Boyle, Marilu Henner
and in a nice touch Elisha Cook Jr. from the Maltese Falcon.

Jeebo

(2,557 posts)
34. The Wall
Fri Feb 20, 2026, 01:13 AM
Yesterday

The Wall is one of the best science fiction movies ever made, IMHO. Also one of the best foreign language movies I've ever seen. And I don't know anybody who's ever seen it, or even heard of it. I think you can watch it for free on YouTube.

— Ron

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1745686/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_10_tt_7_nm_1_in_0_q_The%2520Wall

Bayard

(29,136 posts)
38. Two with Johnny Depp
Fri Feb 20, 2026, 01:24 AM
Yesterday

"Benny & Joon," and, "What's eating Gilbert Grape." Gilbert has the best performance I have ever seen out of Leonardo DeCaprio.

ZZenith

(4,463 posts)
44. Big Night deserved way more accolades than it got.
Fri Feb 20, 2026, 02:12 AM
23 hrs ago

It’s about food, and a lot more.

“SINK YOUR TEETH INTO THE ASS OF LIFE!!!”

?si=PudiUQ8QuHcnBNHe

CTyankee

(67,984 posts)
45. A Room with a View.
Fri Feb 20, 2026, 02:18 AM
23 hrs ago

This is a beautiful movie with a musical score that includes "O Mio Babbio Caro" which is a lovely aria.

GReedDiamond

(5,536 posts)
46. "The World's Fastest Indian" starring Anthony Hopkins...
Fri Feb 20, 2026, 02:43 AM
22 hrs ago

...the true story about an old guy from New Zealand who sets a world land speed record at Bonneville with his vintage Indian motorcycle.

Full movie, for free on YouTube:

VGNonly

(8,447 posts)
50. Lonely are the Brave
Fri Feb 20, 2026, 09:40 AM
15 hrs ago

Story by Edward Abbey, screenplay by Dalton Trumbo, starring Kirk Douglas.

JT45242

(3,959 posts)
53. Two classic foreign films: Das Boot and Au Revoir Les Enfants
Fri Feb 20, 2026, 09:51 AM
15 hrs ago

I'll add an obscure Vietnam war movie : Go Tell the Spartans

A couple of forgotten comedies : A mighty Wind or Top Secret (the airplane groups spoof of spy movies)

genxlib

(6,110 posts)
55. I loved Jo Jo Rabbit
Fri Feb 20, 2026, 10:17 AM
15 hrs ago

I think it is one of the funniest yet poignant movies I have ever seen

On paper it sounds like a really bad idea. A naive boy in WW2 Germany idealizes Hitler and daydreams Adolf as an invisible friend. Meanwhile, his mother is in the resistance and harbors a young jewish girl.

Both funny and heartbreaking it walks an incredible tight rope on such a sensitive subject.

Really great film. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2584384/

Onthefly

(1,222 posts)
56. "Meantime" film by Mike Leigh.
Fri Feb 20, 2026, 10:24 AM
15 hrs ago

From Criterion.com https://www.criterion.com/films/28805-meantime

A slow-burning depiction of economic degradation in Thatcher’s England, Mike Leigh’s Meantime is the culmination of the writer-director’s pioneering work in television. Unemployment is rampant in London’s working-class East End, where a middle-aged couple and their two sons languish in a claustrophobic public-housing flat. As the brothers (Phil Daniels and Tim Roth) grow increasingly disaffected, Leigh punctuates the grinding boredom of their daily existence with tense encounters, including with a priggish aunt (Marion Bailey) who has managed to become middle-class and a blithering skinhead on the verge of psychosis (a scene-stealing Gary Oldman, in his first major role). Informed by Leigh’s now trademark improvisational process and propelled by the lurching rhythms of its Beckett-like dialogue, Meantime is an unrelenting, often blisteringly funny look at life on the dole.
FILM INFO

United Kingdom
1984
107 minutes

CrispyQ

(40,857 posts)
58. "Romeo is Bleeding" w/Gary Oldman & Lena Olin.
Fri Feb 20, 2026, 10:29 AM
15 hrs ago

Oldman is one of my favorite actors, but Lena Olin makes the movie!! "He loves those toes."

Midnight Writer

(25,233 posts)
60. 7 Up. Documentary crew visits people every seven years and document their lives.
Fri Feb 20, 2026, 11:00 AM
14 hrs ago

They started following their subjects when they were seven years old. They are now 70.

This series of films fascinates me. You can plainly see the seven-year-old's personality peeking through the eyes of the sixty-three year-old.

nuxvomica

(13,994 posts)
63. Dave Made a Maze (2017)
Fri Feb 20, 2026, 02:23 PM
11 hrs ago
After a weekend away, Annie comes home to discover her boyfriend, Dave, has spent the time constructing a maze of corrugated cardboard in the middle of their apartment. It looks about the size of a camping tent but somehow Dave is stuck inside it. He pleads for help and warns that "it's bigger than it looks from the outside." So begins a funny, absurd and sometimes dark adventure as Annie leads a fellowship of Dave's slacker friends into his incomprehensible creation: a ramshackle labyrinth of corrugated cardboard, full of booby traps, transformative portals, grand caverns, flying origami birds and, of course, a minotaur. The maze itself is alive, and growing and Dave realizes the only way to escape it is to complete it.

The film is quirky and silly most of the time, but there are scenes where the filmmakers' high degree of set craftsmanship and unwavering commitment to a crazy story are astonishing. It will remind you of every makeshift fort you built as a kid and manages to evoke those fleeting moments of childhood when you actually believed you had to jump from the couch to the coffee table because for a split second the floor really, really, really was made of lava. It's a fun ride, mining laughs from unexpected places and perfectly-timed, deadpan social commentary. Half-way through, Dave delivers an impromptu speech, a Millenials' lament that concisely indicts the barrenness of 21st-century existence. Fundamentally, "Dave Made A Maze" is a thought-provoking rumination on the creative spirit and how it can overwhelm us, and that perhaps we should just let it sometimes.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/11439886


Trailer:



Full movie:



milestogo

(22,877 posts)
64. The other night I came across a movie called 25th Hour
Fri Feb 20, 2026, 02:57 PM
10 hrs ago

which was made in 2002 by Spike Lee. Stars Philip Seymour Hoffman, Ed Norton, and Rosario Dawson.



Its a rough watch and runs a little long but its a great film.

JoseBalow

(9,392 posts)
67. Closely Watched Trains (1966)
Fri Feb 20, 2026, 11:22 PM
2 hrs ago

This great but little-known gem won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film...

(4:13)
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