List compiled by Eddie on 27/09/2013
With thousands upon thousands of movies released each year it’s no wonder that sometimes a movie of great quality slips through the viewer’s schedule.
It’s undoubtable that this list is a mere opinion but I believe that these below films are worthy of more attention or deserve to be seen by more film lovers that may have inadvertently missed the film originally or choose to bypass it due to a particular nasty critic or lacklustre word of mouth.
It is also true that many of you great readers out there may love some of these films so I must say that underrated may also include the banner of under seen which could be wording for almost all of the below titles.
I hope that you can find a new favourite in this list of underrated and unique films. Happy reading!
Plot summaries from IMDB – Reviews by Eddie
10. The New World (2005)
IMDB Rating: 6.7, Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 61%
Directed by: Terrence Malick (Badlands)
Starring: Colin Farrell, Christian Bale, Q’orianka Kilcher, Christopher Plummer
The story of the English exploration of Virginia, and of the changing world and loves of Pocahontas.
One of the most beautiful and evocative films ever shot (would you expect any less of Malik?) The New World tells the story of Pocahontas in a way never before told before or since. The New World showcases that images tell a thousand words and is deserving of more recognition for its brave way of storytelling and fantastic central performances.
9. And When Did You Last See Your Father? (2007)
IMDB Rating: 6.8, Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 72%
Directed by: Anand Tucker (Shopgirl)
Starring: Colin Firth, Jim Broadbent, Juliet Stevenson
The story of a son’s conflicting memories of his dying father.
One of the most confronting and drenched in realism movies about the bond between father and son ever made Father is a movie that has the ability to make you laugh one minute and shed tears the next. Colin Firth and Jim Broadbent both give award worthy performances and make Father a memorable and life affirming tale.
8. A Bronx Tale (1993)
IMDB Rating: 7.7, Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 96%
Directed by: Robert De Niro (The Good Shepard)
Starring: Robert De Niro, Chazz Palminteri, Joe Pesci
A father becomes worried when a local gangster befriends his son in the Bronx in the 1960s.
Lost in the deep well that is De Niro gangster/mobster films A Bronx Tale marked the first time Travis Bickle himself went behind the camera. A Bronx Tale is a film that stands up today thanks to its believable story, the construction of the film (you can almost smell the pasta of Little Italy) and the realistic performances of the cast. A Bronx Tale is a coming of age story that can be enjoyed by everybody with a love for quality film.
7. Burning Man (2011)
IMDB Rating: 6.3, Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 74%
Directed by: Jonathan Teplitzky (The Railway Man)
Starring: Matthew Goode, Rachel Griffiths, Bojana Novakovic
An English chef with a chic restaurant on Bondi Beach trying to put his life and his relationship with his son back on track while surrounded by women.
It seems at the upcoming Oscars Australian director Teplitzky may find sweet success with his adaptation of The Railway Man. This would be just rewards for a man that crafted this unique and confronting tale of morality and love which features a career peak turn from Matthew Goode. May be hard to find a copy but don’t let that stop you from witnessing this powerful journey.
6. The Assassination of Richard Nixon (2004)
IMDB Rating: 7, Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 68%
Directed by: Niels Mueller
Starring: Sean Penn, Naomi Watts, Don Cheadle
Based on real life events, Assassination is set in 1974 and centres on a businessman who decides to take extreme measures to achieve his American dream.
A vehicle for the intense acting presence that is Sean Penn, Assassination was an overlooked and misunderstood examination of a meltdown that can stand beside the best of the best. Told in an unconventional yet realistic fashion Assassination deserves a shot. Produced by both Leonardo De Caprio and Alfonso Cauron.
5. Changeling (2008)
IMDB Rating: 7.8, Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 62%
Directed by: Clint Eastwood (Mystic River)
Starring: Angelina Jolie, Amy Ryan, John Malkovich
A grief-stricken mother takes on the LAPD to her own detriment when it stubbornly tries to pass off an obvious impostor as her missing child, while also refusing to give up hope that she will find him one day.
Clint Eastwood has been involved in more classics than you can poke a Magnum at but his 2008 Angelina Jolie starrer the Changeling remains one of his most fully formed and somehow unfathomably overlooked movie. Both intriguing and heartfelt the Changeling has since hit a cord with viewers after critics dismissed it upon release and if you have not yet given it a chance it is well worth your time to do so.
4. The Last Samurai (2003)
IMDB Rating: 7.7, Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 65%
Directed by: Edward Zwick (Legends of the Fall)
Starring: Tom Cruise, Ken Watanabe, Billy Connolly
An American military advisor embraces the Samurai culture he was hired to destroy after he is captured in battle.
Oft forgotten and lost in amongst Cruises extensive list of films The Last Samurai stands up today as a wonderfully crafted and poignant epic that delivered emotional payoffs and action kicks in equal measure. Director Zwick’s career highpoint was quickly pushed aside after release but is a showcase for the undeservedly derided talent of Tom Cruise as an actor and a powerful example of war and warriors.
3. Southland Tales (2006)
IMDB Rating: 5.4, Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 37%
Directed by: Richard Kelly (Donnie Darko)
Starring: Justin Timberlake, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Sean William Scott
An ensemble piece set in the futuristic landscape of Los Angeles on July 4, 2008, as it stands on the brink of social, economic and environmental disaster.
Advanced hype was all around and expectations were high for Kelly’s follow up to his cult hit Donnie Darko. Premiering at Cannes in a 3 hour plus format Southland was devoured by critics and eventually released in a heavily edited format. Southland has more ideas and imagination than many films combined and as it stands it a frightfully funny and evocative Sci-Fi experience like no other.
2. Warrior (2011)
IMDB Rating: 8.2 (Top 250 place # 153), Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 83%
Directed By: Gavin O’Connor (Pride and Glory)
Starring: Tom Hardy, Joel Edgerton, Nick Nolte
The youngest son of an alcoholic former boxer returns home, where he’s trained by his father for competition in a mixed martial arts tournament – a path that puts the fighter on a collision corner with his older brother.
It may seem odd of me to include a film so highly rated by the general film going public but one must remember that upon release Warrior was a box office bomb and a film many critics perhaps felt worried to heap praise on due to its affinity with MMA boxing. When you strip back Warrior however what you have is a touching film about family, regret and hope. Featuring some truly memorable performances by all involved and in particular Nolte and Hardy, Warrior will hopefully continue to be a film discovered and loved for years to come.
1. Sunshine (2007)
IMDB Rating: 7.2, Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 75%
Directed by: Danny Boyle (Millions)
Starring: Cillian Murphy, Rose Byrne, Chris Evans
A team of astronauts are sent to re-ignite the dying sun 50 years into the future.
Jordan and I were lucky enough to catch this visually stunning and psychologically twisting Sci-Fi upon its opening day cinema screening, a thing sadly that was not done by many more film fans. Boyle’s opus was a true glory on the big screen yet holds up so well years on due to its deep and delving script. Any fan of Sci-Fi or classic films in general should track Sunshine down and bask its radiant glory.
Honorable mentions –
Friday Night Lights, Narc, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, Session 9, Barneys Version, The Old Man Who Read Love Stories, The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill, Bus 174, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, Animal Kingdom, The Chumscrubber and Friday Night Lights.
How does this list compare to films you feel are under seen/underrated? Let us know in the comments below!
Jordan and Eddie (The Movie Guys) 
Yesssss!!! to “The New World”!!! My second favorite film of last decade. My pick for Malick’s finest! ML
All this New World talk is making me want to watch it – it has been a few years! Hail Malik.
Eddie
I love the Warrior, Hardy is good in that. I have the DVD for Sunshine but I haven’t watched it yet, looking forward to it.
Sunshine is almost a Blu Ray must it looks fantastic, report back to us once you’ve caught it we hope your a convert.
Eddie
Sorry but I gotta disagree with you guys on the new world.
Greatly overrated which makes it even worse when u see it in an underrated list.
Complete tripe and a waste of time.
If telling a beautiful story in a beautiful way is tripe – then I love tripe! Give me lots and lots of freshly cooked tripe.
The movie was a box office failure, critics were lukewarm and superhero/minion loving audience’s don’t have the patience to appreciate a different movie making exercise so it’s in no way “overrated”.
Eddie
I agree with eddie on all points. People rarely drift apart from mainstream cinema, a great example is the box office failure of The Shawshank Redemption, The Wrestler, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and more.
Cinema is like music, you need to experiment and develop your taste.
Very good points Ashhar. Thanks for your thoughts.
Eddie
Oh man! Sunshine is one of my favourite films! It seems like we’re always talking about it on my site. Terrific list! Only seen Warrior and A Bronx Tale, other than Sunshine. Looks like I’ve got some watching to do!
That warms my film loving heart when I hear of love for Sunshine!
I hope you can catch some of the others mate would love to hear your thoughts. Nice to know someone else has seen A Bronx Tale it seems to have been missed by quite a few people.
Eddie
Great list Eddie! I actually saw Sunshine the day it opened too and own the Blu-ray, an overlooked treat for sure.
The Changeling is another good selection, I’d say it’s one of Angelina Jolie’s finest moments and a directorial highlight for Mr. Eastwood.
A Bronx Tale is one I’ll definitely have to check out…a DeNiro film I haven’t seen (and I’ve seen many, including the odd but strangely entertaining ‘Hi, Mom!’!)!!!
Mate you will love a Bronx Tale a real gem of a film with some rfantasticf performances. Please let us knowi you catch it.
Long live Sunshine!
Eddie
Not a fan of The New World personally, but pleased to see Sunshine getting it’s dues. Re: honourable mentions, still need to watch Narc, but anyone who hasn’t seen Barney’s version definitely should!
That’s great mate I would say that I almost know of no one personally that has seen Barneys Version which is a great shame. Narc is well worth tracking down.
Eddie
I agree with the last Samurai, that is an Awesome film that also pays tribute to the epics produced by Akira Kurosawa.
Such an epic yet beautiful film, has some truly memorable images.
Eddie
It is Tom Cruises best role to date.
wow i am so guilty of missing nearly all of these. I’m going to start getting these films over the weekend. Thanks alot!
Great to hear Vito! That’s that these lists are about hopefully some inspiration to check out some missed movies.
Eddie
I avoided changeling for ages since it starred lackluster angelina, it was o.k. but I wouldn’t recommend it over other films so no I don’t think it’s underrated.I liked sunshine and didn’t know that it was underrated, I just assumed everyone had seen it. The new world was o.k nothing special- not underrated, Still haven’t seen the tcruise flick mainly because i avoid him and hate cliched films set in asia.
Southland tales is ok but requires patience alot of it.
Interesting thoughts mate. Cheers for stopping by, in regards to Sunshine I know of countless film fans that have never bothered to check it out.
Eddie
Sunshine was a great movie not sure I agree with all your choices as underrated as I see them as great movies that just came and went.
There great movies that a lot of people passed up on and do not get talked of as often as other more popular titles.
Eddie
I think a lot of these movies had a bad advertising campaign surrounding their release. Does that make the movies bad? No not at all! I think they just get swept under the rug for the next trending blockbuster.
A lot of these films got far less glowing reputations, a pretty quite legacy and get forgotten in favour of other more talked films. I am not saying people think there bad merely that for what they are – underrated.
Eddie
Yes – I wholeheartedly agree with several of these …. A Bronx Tale never got much coverage, nor did The Changeling – both excellent and seriously underrated. I agree with “When did you last see your father” too. Now that I know our views are somewhat aligned on this, I’ll seek out some of the others listed here. Thanks for the pointers!
Awesome Ruby. That’s great to know. I am stoked you feel that way about 3 of the films 🙂
Eddie
I’ve seen 1 and 2 and love them. Also suggest the Australian film ‘Ten Below’
I have not heard of that one mate -will have to check it out.
Eddie
Very thought provoking list, carefully chosen. I’m never sure where to stand on Malick because I loved his first three movies but his others not so much. Interesting there are no comedies on your list. Dramatic films are more likely to be passed over I guess. I still have no idea why it took so long for ‘The King of Comedy’ to gain acclaim though, mind.
So true about King Alex. It’s great that it stands the test of time so well though.
Eddie
Sunshine is an excellent call. Yeah, it pretty much turns into a slasher at the end, but I still found it hugely compelling and an extremely rewarding film.
So glad you agree with that call Harb. It does change in the final leg but somehow works.
Eddie
So glad Changeling’s on here! Thought that film was outstanding and so overlooked
I remember reading the reviews for it and then finally watching it, I was completely blown away by it and the true life story.
Eddie
Sunshine & Changeling for sure, Assassination of Richard Nixon bored me to tears…
I like my little slow burners Keith, I really dug Penn’s performance in that I think it was his best in many a moon in front of the camera actually.
Eddie
I haven’t watched all of them, but love the ones I’ve seen. I was blown away by Sunshine, love Changeling and the Assassination… Must catch ‘New World’ Terrence Malick is a favourite but missed that one.
You will not be let down by The New World a truely fantastic work of art.
Eddie
Totally agree with you regarding The Assassination of R.N., great movie. Southland Tales I have to see, thanks for the tip..!
Cheers mate, sadly so few have seen AORN but it’s a ripper movie. Southland is well worth chasing down.
Eddie
Pingback: 10 Overrated Films – Eddie’s Take | Jordan and Eddie (The Movie Guys)·
Pingback: Top 10 Films – Robert De Niro | Jordan and Eddie (The Movie Guys)·
Pingback: Film Review – Ex_Machina (2015) | Jordan and Eddie (The Movie Guys)·
Pingback: Top 10 Films – Tom Cruise | Jordan and Eddie (The Movie Guys)·
Pingback: The Revenant – 5 Reasons Why You Should Be Excited | Jordan and Eddie (The Movie Guys)·
Pingback: Classic Review – And When Did You Last See Your Father? (2007) | Jordan and Eddie (The Movie Guys)·
Pingback: 5 Must-See Sports Movies: Eddie’s Take | Jordan and Eddie (The Movie Guys)·
Pingback: Film Review – Pawn Sacrifice (2014) | Jordan and Eddie (The Movie Guys)·
Pingback: Top 10 Films – Clint Eastwood | Jordan and Eddie (The Movie Guys)·
Pingback: Classic Review – Sunshine (2007) | Jordan and Eddie (The Movie Guys)·
Pingback: Top 10 Films – Christian Bale | Jordan and Eddie (The Movie Guys)·
Pingback: Film Review – Song to Song (2017) | Jordan and Eddie (The Movie Guys)·
Pingback: Classic Review – The New World (2005) | Jordan and Eddie (The Movie Guys)·
Pingback: Classic Review – Warrior (2011) | Jordan and Eddie (The Movie Guys)·
I do agree on half at least. “Sunshine” is probably the best Boyle. I like “The New World” too, I think it’s a better Malick than “The Red Line”. I wrote a lot of good on “Changeling”, very much eastwoodian, and “Southland Tales” is some of the weirdest futurist project ever made but so connected with our asynchronic world.
Perfect selection.
I am still quite sad Sunshine never really found an audience on the big screen. It was a real joy watching that in the cinema.
E
I saw it at the cinéma too and it was huge.