10 underrated movies
The Fountain (2006)
Beautifully written and shot, The Fountain deals with the difficulty of accepting the inevitability of death. The story intersperses 3 stories from different time periods. The soundtrack to this movie is off the charts incredible.
Why it’s underrated:
The complexity and deep subject matter make it a movie that requires a higher level of engagement. This inevitably reduces the amount of people willing to engage with it. Those who do are rewarded.
Director: Darren Aronofsky
Streaming: HBO Max
The Intern (2015)
The Intern is a genuine and heart-felt story about a young, successful, and overwhelmed start-up CEO (Anne Hathaway) who finds help and friendship from an unexpected source: her senior citizen intern (Robert De Niro).
Why it’s underrated:
This type of movie just doesn’t tend to get a wide audience on release. This was also a different role for De Niro, even though he plays it quite well.
Director: Nancy Meyers
Streaming: Rental only
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
Walter Mitty (Ben Stiller) is a likable but shy man who live a life of adventure, but only in his head. When an important work photo goes missing, Walter embarks on a world-wide search that brings him his first real adventure and changes him for the better.
Why it’s underrated:
PG rated movies for adults are pretty rare these days. There seems to almost be a stigma against good clean movies that aren’t for children.
Director: Ben Stiller
Streaming: Rental Only
Logan Lucky (2017)
In this fantastic heist movie, two brothers (Channing Tatum, Adam Driver) attempt to rob a NASCAR race in North Carolina. This movie is funny, quirky, and smart. The dialogue is interesting and snappy, and of course you have the classic “How’d they do that?” reveal.
Why it’s underrated:
Despite the all-star cast which includes Daniel Craig and acclaimed director Steven Soderbergh (Ocean’s 11), movie goers didn’t resonate to the movie in theaters. Perhaps it was the NASCAR element or the trailers didn’t do it justice. They missed out.
Director: Steven Soderbergh
Streaming: Amazon Prime
I, Robot (2004)
A classic sci-fi film based on Issac Asimov’s 3 laws of robotics. In a world filled with helper robots, a skeptical cop investigates the death of a leading robotics designer. Is it possible a ‘safe’ robot is to blame?
Why it’s underrated:
I think that sci-fi sometimes limits the amount of people interested. While it’s certainly a sci-fi movie, there’s enough depth to the story to warrant consideration if sci-fi usually isn’t your thing.
Director: Alex Proyas
Steaming: Rental Only
Stranger Than Fiction (2006)
An I.R.S. agent (Will Ferrell) suddenly begins having his life narrated by a voice only he can hear. This movie is fun, original, and mixed with understated humor. The movie focuses on how small changes and relationships can make your life more meaningful.
Why it’s underrated:
Will Ferrell is great as a more straight-laced character, but it’s not his usual fare. The unusual script might have confused people who hadn’t seen it as to what the movie was about.
Director: Mark Forster
Streaming: Netflix
The Other Guys (2010)
In this hilarious buddy cop movie, two cops who can’t stand each other (Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg) attempt to solve an unusual theft. This is one of the funniest movies I’ve seen. The humor is often entirely random and unexpected. It comes from both the mains and many side characters. It’s just fun throughout.
Why it’s underrated:
Not enough people know just how funny this movie is. And everyone should.
Director: Adam McKay
Streaming: Netflix
Lucky Number Slevin (2006)
Slevin (Josh Hartnett) gets caught in the middle of a war between two crime bosses after he’s mistaken for someone else. This is a fun movie with slick dialogue and standout characters, including a charming and engaging performance from Lucy Liu.
Why it’s underrated:
Movies from 15-20 years ago, if they don’t get picked up by a popular streaming service just disappear into the void.
Director: Paul McGuigan
Streaming: Rental Only
Jack Reacher (2012)
Jack Reacher, the main character in a popular book series by Lee Child, begins investigating the murder of 5 random citizens by a sniper. If you like a deep murder mystery and criminal investigations, this movie should be on your radar.
Why it’s underrated:
The trailers for this movie wildly misrepresented both the Reacher character and the depth of substance in the movie.
Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Streaming: Rental Only
Children of Men (2006)
A highly original story from fantastic director Alfonso Cuarón. In a future world where women can’t get pregnant, a miraculous birth must be shepherded to a sanctuary. This is a truly unique one-of-a-kind movie.
Why it’s underrated:
The uniqueness of the story and the dystopian future are likely the reason it didn’t receive broader acceptance beyond the critics.
Director: Alfonso Cuarón
Streaming: Peacock
