The late, great comedian Rodney Dangerfield always use to speak about getting “no respect.”A well-known monologue that made the bug-eyed comedian and actor a household name. Despite the fact that Dangerfield actually was a highly respected entertainer when he passed at the plump age of 82, I imagine many people can empathize with his ramblings at some point or another. It seems with all the hustle and bustle that happens in the world, we fail to appreciate the most wondrous thing within it…our individuality.
So today, I’ve decided to take that theme and apply it to cinema. I present to you, my pick of 10 films of the past 20 years, that I feel get “no respect,” or not enough respect for what they individually bring to the wild and wonderful world of cinema. For whatever reasons, these movies just didn’t make the impact that they should have at the box office, and have been left to dwell the levels of cult fandom or Wal-Mart clearance sale bins. Either way, I as a filmmaker auteur myself, respect what these films did individually and on their own merit. So here are my picks, for 10 great films of the past 20 years…THAT GET NO RESPECT!
10. Equilibrium
2002 (Directed by Kurt Wimmer; Starring: Christian Bale and Sean Bean)
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 36%
Synopsis: In a future society, citizens are prevented from expressing emotions and are controlled by militaristic police with the enforced use of a dehumanizing drug.
How a movie starring Batman, 006 from Goldeneye, and introduces a totally new fighting style known as “Gun Kata”, gets a 36% from Rotten Tomatoes, and a 33% from Metacritic, makes absolutely no sense to me. Especially when you consider absolute garbage films like Spiderman 3 got a 63%, despite casting Eric Foreman as Venom, and making that character look like a leading contender for Tool Academy 3, rather than a legitimate threat to Spiderman. A lot of critics gave Equilibrium “no respect”, because they were too busy panning it as a Matrix rip-off, thus committing one of the greatest disservices…OF ALL TIME! In addition to being a delicious action film, starring the ever delicious Christian Bale, it pretty much proves the point that anything Keanu Reeves does someone else can do it better. I’m just saying…
Yes, it really is that kick ass. Most real-life peope (read as: anyone who is not a pretentious film critic prick), will absolutely adore Equilibrium. Christian Bale fans, action film fans, Matrix and Matrix Reloaded fans, sci-fi fans, and Taye Digg fans (I know you’re out there, hiding in denial), owe it to themselves to see this movie. Notice how I didn’t say Matrix Revolutions fans. That’s because there is no such thing as Matrix Revolution fans, and if there are, they’re probably too busy thinking how great a film Spiderman 3 was *gag*.
9. Dark City
1998 (Directed by Alex Proyas; Starring: Rufus Sewell, Keifer Sutherland, and Jeniffer Connelly)
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 77%
Synopsis: Alex Proyas directs this futuristic thriller about a man waking up to find he is wanted for brutal murders he doesn’t remember. Haunted by mysterious beings who stop time and alter reality, he seeks to unravel the riddle of his identity.
Early works of Alex Proyas, has to be some of the most underrated stuff out there. Another one of his gems just barely missed out on this list, 1994’s The Crow. While I feel “The Crow” is at least remembered by most people lucky enough to make it out of the 90s, Dark City somehow got completely lost in the world of cinema. Despite being an overall stronger film than “The Crow”, with an awesome plot.
Of course, much like Equilibrium and other dark cyberpunk films coming out of the late 90’s and early naughts, Dark City had the pleasure of being considered another movie trying to ride “The Matrix” gravy train. Despite coming out A FULL YEAR IN ADVANCE!!!! Interestingly, both films were filmed on the same sets and same studio. Ultimately, Dark City kind of ended up being the thinking man’s Matrix. Personally, and while I do love the OG Matrix, I give the edge to the neo-noir style of Proyas and the vision he brings with Dark City. Plus, Jennifer Connelly is hotter than Carrie-Ann Moss.
8. Gattaca
1997 (Directed by Andrew M. Niccol; Starring: Ethan Hawke, Uma Thurman, and Jude Law)
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 82%
Synopsis: An engrossing sci-fi thriller about an all-too-human man who dares to defy a system obsessed with genetic perfection.
Just to illustrate the fact that Gattaca gets no respect, I recently found out there is a DVD bundle out there which throws Gattaca together with The Fifth Element. W T F ? Not saying that I didn’t enjoy The Fifth Element (it’s impossible to not enjoy a film with Gary Oldman), these movies are nothing alike, and really shows that the industry never took much time to appreciate the subtle ingenuity that forged Gattaca’s fantastic plotline.
Wow…what a crap trailer. You know why… NO RESPECT. Most folks who have seen Gattaca, can generally appreciate what a wonderful film it is, with fantastic performances from everyone involved. Personally, I love it when sci-fi flicks can weave a believable story line into action, which is exactly what Gattaca excels at. The film is highly divergent from many of the sci-fi romps that saturated the 1990s, by creating a thought provoking scenario that may actually come to fruition. If you haven’t seen Gattaca in awhile, you may find it better than when you first saw it. If you haven’t seen it at all, then you’re truly missing out. Great cast, great story, great flick!
7. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
2005 (Directed by Shane Black; Starring: Robert Downey Jr. and Val Kilmer)
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 83%
Synopsis: A petty thief (Downey) posing as an actor is brought to Los Angeles for an unlikely audition and finds himself in the middle of a murder investigation along with his high school dream girl (Monaghan) and a detective (Kilmer) who’s been training him for his upcoming role.
Myself, and the other 7 people in the world who’ve seen this flick, absolutely adore it. The casting and performances in this film are downright perfect. There really needs to be more Kilmer/Downey flicks in the future, because these two are absolutely hilarious (Hear that Guy Ritchie, with your inevitable Sherlock Holmes sequel!?). Downey, who was just beginning to fire up his incredible Hollywood resurgence, is his usual witty self. While Kilmer turns in one of those, “Why doesn’t this guy get more work?”, kind of performances.
Michelle Monaghan, while obviously easy on the eyes, is also serviceable here as the female lead. Personally, I feel this film should be the poster child of neo-noir style black comedy, largely because it does so many things right in creating a great film experience. A little personal note on the Power Trio Studios side of things. KKBB’s storyline was a slight inspiration for Love Tap. Which will come out one of these decades….
6. Children of Men
2006 (Directed by Alfonso Cuaron; Starring: Clive Owen, Julianne Moore, and Michael Caine)
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 92%
Synopsis: Children of Men envisages a world one generation from now that has fallen into anarchy on the heels of an infertility defect in the population. The world’s youngest citizen has just died at 18, and humankind is facing the likelihood of its own extinction. Set against the backdrop of London torn apart by violence and nationalistic sects, the film follows disillusioned bureaucrat Theo (Owen) as he becomes an unlikely champion of Earth’s survival.
Children of Men is actually my favorite movie on this entire list, and one of my general all time faves. But I don’t feel it’s as underrated as the following top 5. I can honestly say, that no film has ever made me as jealous of its story line like Children of Men does. The plot is genius. Even more genius than the plot, is the following execution that takes the ideal to reality. The cinematography in the movie is absolutely unreal, with countless articles done on how a whole new camera system was invented just to capture some of the breathtaking long shots the film utilizes.
(Click link, couldn’t direct embed this one)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NikEQy1XxDE&feature=PlayList&p=618C8979999BD423&index=0&playnext=1
Despite the high score “Children of Men” received on sites such as Rotten Tomatoes, a lot of the individual reviews deliver rather backhanded praises to the film. Seemingly only giving it praise out of dissatisfaction of other films that came out in 2006. This definitely gives the film no respect. Children of Men not only stands tall as the best of the best from ‘06, but should be considered as one of the greatest ever. Powerhouse performances all-around, incredibly moving sequences, and a story that urges its watchers to think. Don’t go into Children of Men expecting an action bonanza (although it does have its fair share), do expect to go in and witness every aspect of great cinema skills, done to perfection. Phenomenal film.
5. The Machinist
2004 (Directed by Brad Anderson; Starring; Christian Bale, and Jennifer Jason Leigh)
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 75%
Synopsis: Trevor Reznik has not slept for a year. His every waking minute has become an unremitting nightmare of confusion, paranoia, guilt, anxiety and terror - each of which is part of an escalating series of clues that will lead to the source of his mysterious affliction.
Another film that gets the “Bale Brilliance Effect.” “The Machinist” delivers the goods, in a kind of dark and ominous way that Alfred Hitchcock would get an erection at. Sadly, the reception it got from critics is absolutely ridiculous. With more attention paid to Bale’s ghastly figure, which many claimed to be a gimmick, than the total package that delivers a very haunting film to audiences.
Watching “The Machinist” definitely gives a vibe similar to Christoper Nolan’s seminal masterpiece “Memento.” While “The Machinist” definitely doesn’t one-up the Nolaninator, it does do a fantastic job in capturing audiences within a “What the hell is going on here?” type of story line. I was definitely hooked from scene one of this film, and was firmly engrossed for the whole ride. Bale’s health sacrifice in dropping a bajillion pounds, to resemble a live-action version of Nightmare Before Christmas, does more than gimmicky services. It gives fantastic realism to the story. This man hasn’t slept for a year, and it sure as hell looks like it. Another great film, another great Bale performance.
Speaking of great Bale performances…
4. American Psycho
2000 (Directed by Mary Harron; Starring: Christian Bale, Willem Dafoe, and Reese Witherspoon)
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 66%
Synopsis: Based on the novel by Bret Easton Ellis and featuring the sounds of Huey Lewis and other classic early 80s gems, this satire set in 1980s Manhattan follows the dual life of Patrick Bateman (Bale), zealously materialistic and misogynisitc Wall Street executive by day, murdering sociopath by night.
Not 1. Not 2. But 3! 3 Christian Bale movies. Why? BECAUSE CHRISTIAN BALE GETS NO RESPECT! Clearly he is the new Rodney Dangerfield. Seriously. How such a phenomenal actor can get dissed from every critic, down to a clearly incompetent cinematographer is beyond me. Don’t worry though Christian, we here at PTS love you. Walter, Danny, and I are currently penning a biopic on you titled, “The Great American Travesty: A Story of No Respect.” Look for it in a mall kiosk near you.
I honestly imagine, that this movie is a real-life depiction of what a day in the life of Christian Bale is like. Sheer awesome. This happened to be my introductory film to Christian Bale way back in the day, long before he donned the bat-suit. I had the pleasure of coming in on this movie, right as he chased a hapless blonde victim through his apartment complex, completely nude with a chainsaw. I was a fan ever since! American Psycho is one of those rare films that manages to be repulsive and hilarious all at the same time. Definitely not one to be viewed by the squeamish, or those unsettled by aggressive eroticism. I don’t get what the deal with the mediocre review average is for this film, probably because Jared Leto’s eyeliner wearing ass is in the film. Oh well…American Psycho is an American classic!
3. Road to Perdition
2002 (Directed by Sam Mendes; Starring: Tom Hanks, Paul Newman, Jude Law, and Daniel Craig)
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 82%
Synopsis: A portrayal of two families whose fates are determined by the complex and often combative relationships between fathers and their sons.
I’ve always respected, and liked Tom Hanks. Forrest Gump was probably the first movie I saw as a child that moved me emotionally. But Road to Perdition, was something else. Another movie that ranks amongst my favorites of all time, Hanks shows a side that we rarely see from one of Hollywood’s most bankable actors. The performances, as you can see from the trailer, are nothing short of incredible. Jude Law is a great Villain, Paul Newman is THE MAN as always, and we even get to see a pre-popular Daniel Craig.
Road to Perdiddle was well liked by critics and the public when it came out in 2002. But for some reason, it really hasn’t stood the test of time like other Tom Hanks films, and I think that’s a real shame. This is easily my favorite Hanks film behind Gump, and really shows the full brevity of his acting capabilities. I highly recommend anyone giving this one a watch. It’s not overly violent, but really shows how strong the bond between father and son can be. Powerful stuff, and does the whole mafia, hitman thing in a refreshing light.
2. Unbreakable
2000 (Directed by M. Night Shymalan; Starring: Bruce Willis, Samuel L. Jackson) 68%
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 68%
Synopsis: David Dunn (Willlis) is the sole survivor of a devastating train wreck. Elijah Price (Jackson), a mysterious stranger, offers a bizarre explanation as to why David escaped without a single scratch, an explanation that threatens to change David’s family and life forever.
This movie is better than The Sixth Sense. I know people absolutely love to rank The Sixth Sense so high, largely because it had one of the best twist endings in the history of…”What…wait…you mean he? Huh? AW HELL NAW!” But as an overall film, I found Unbreakable to be the most engrossing film the Shyman (or Shama lama ding dong as Quentin Tarantino puts it) has put out in his rather sketchy filmography.
Okay, I lied, I’m jealous of this film’s plot too. Unbreakable is perhaps the best superhero movie, not directly involving superheroes. I love the whole, what if Superman was real, but he doesn’t even know he’s Superman kind of angle. When you think about it, Unbreakable is the best Superman movie since Richard Donner’s Superman II. Which really isn’t saying much, since I’d rather call “Pootie Tang” an official Superman Movie then anything that’s come out since Donner’s efforts. For me, this is both Willis and Jackson at some of their best performances since Pulp Fiction. I tried to get a general ideal of what the critics were panning the film for in order for it to get its less than impressive rating, instead, I walked away with quotes like these:
The dialogue has more pauses than a High School production of Samuel Beckett. And while that works up to a point, you find yourself wanting to grab the characters and shake them out of their introspective stupors.
- Joe Lozito
…a labored, shallow exercise in cheap thrills that is more interested in playing with the audience’s mind than uncovering a decent, thought-provoking narrative.
- David Keyes
Unbreakable is at once flagrantly absurd and stubbornly mournful.
- Dennis Lim
M. Night Shyamalan attempts a more ambitious scheme with his latest effort, but, in a shocking misjudgement, he includes a lugubrious plot explication that leads to heavy-lidded eyes and unintentional laughs.
- Rod Armstrong
The crescent moon shines where talent once lay bare, for the steel suns to gaze at underage girls with eagle’s eye, as a phonetic justice harkens back to days of yesteryear when speech was unaffected by Beelzebub’s stutter. In this, I thou’ see’eth the weakness in Unbreakable.
- D. Davis
So…while all the critics were busy playing with their pocket Thesaurus’ and making poetic junk with absolutely no point, they completely missed one hell of a great cinema ride. NO RESPECT I SAY!
And the most disrespected film of all time…
1. Eyes Wide Shut
1999 (Directed by Stanley Kubrick; Starring: Tom Cruise, and Nicole Kidman)
Rotten Tomatoes: 78%
Synopsis: A doctor (Cruise) becomes obsessed with having a sexual experience after his wife, Alice (Kidman), confesses to having fantasies about a random servicemen she briefly encountered over a year ago.
WHY AM I, THE ONLY PERSON IN THE WORLD WHO LIKES THIS MOVIE!? Okay, that may be overstating things a bit, since I have managed to find a few souls in college who understand the sheer brilliance of Kubrick’s final masterpiece. But seriously…what the F? No other movie in Kubrick’s legendary filmography has divided cinephiles like Eyes Wide Shut has. While there will always be constant debate as to which Kubrick film ranks amongst his best, folks are quick to point EWS as the worst. And it’s a shame. Things of course have not gotten better over time, with all the public animosity thrown at Tom Cruise over the years.
Eyes Wide Shut is the smartest porn film ever made. Undeniably. You don’t believe me? Read this excerpt from Rob Ager’s (a film analysis guy) take on EWS:
The experience of watching EWS is designed to act as a metaphorical mirror for audiences to sit and reflect upon their own reality. Tom Cruises character spends much of the film seeking out sexual gratification, only to find repeated disappointment, during which he makes a terrifying discovery about the social hierarchy that he lives in. This is the exact same journey that audiences had in viewing the film.
They went into EWS expecting to feast their eyes on raunchy sex scenes, only to find repeated disappointment, during which they made a terrifying discovery about the social hierarchy they live in. So the widely believed idea that EWS was badly marketed is false. The marketing drew attention on the promise of sexual fantasy, but what we got was Kubrick ingeniously using the cinema screen as a symbolic mirror to show us a reflection of how perverted and decadent we have become.
And that says it all folks. Stanley Kubrick and EWS > Normal Humans»»»»»>20 yr. old SPAM»»»»»»»»»»»»»»>Spiderman 3.
And that brings to a close my picks for 10 films of the past 20 years that get nada respect! Got some other flicks you feel are underrated, and want to shoot out some recommendations? Scoot on over to our PTS message forums and let us know what you think!
