Five Great Underrated Films

Five Great Underrated Films

The history of cinema includes a long list of great films. Some of those movies are justly acclaimed and regarded while others go overlooked. For every film that is overrated and overexposed is a film that is widely neglected and under-appreciated. This collection is just five films that are, in my opinion, marvelous pieces of cinema that are grossly underrated. 

Tarnation

2003, Director Jonathan Cauoette

Mystery Train

1989, Director Jim Jarmoush

Tape

2001, Director Richard Linklater

The Gold Rush

1925, Director Charles Chaplin

The King of Comedy

1982, Director Martin Scorsese 

When it comes to underrated films the list is extensive, this is just a small collection in a catagory that could provide endless examples. Keep watching. 

The Best In The World

The Best In The World

CM Punk is a pro-wrestling performer. He came through the independent circuit and with hard work and undeniable talent, he earned a spot in WWE and has risen to the very top. 

He has made a strong argument, as his character claims, in being called the best in the world at this craft. His in-ring mechanics, his ability to tell a story in the squared circle and his superior mic skills and unmatched promos have proven his point, time and time again. He’s been fantastic in every facet of sports entertainment. He is a wonderful actor that remains believable in every role in WWE. He’s better than everyone else as a baby-face and a heel. The crowd pops he’s received at times, especially in hometown of Chicago, rival any popular superstar in the history of the business. He is passionate about his craft and he acquires the same emotion from fans around the world through his hard work, dedication and unique albeit genuine approach in and out of the ring. 

Punk has excelled in his position in wrestling, whether at the indie level or the biggest of stages, whether its cutting memorable promos or stealing the show in the mid-card or the main event, he has consistently given his all to entertain the loyal wrestling fans. 

In closing, I’m simply trying to articulate my opinion, and belief, that CM Punk is now and always will be the best all around Pro-Wrestler to ever lace up the boots. Interestingly, he’s done it all with “no gimmicks needed”. 

Stylin' and Profilin'

It's a common opinion among many pro wrestling fans that "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair is the greatest wrestler in the history of the business. He is the sixteen time World Champion and possibly the most beloved in-ring worker of all time. 

Flair spent most of the 1980s as the NWA World Heavyweight Champion, traveling around the globe defending the title. He feuded with the likes of Dusty Rhodes, Harley Race, The Von Erich's, Magnum TA, just to name a few. He built the reputation of classy champion with his custom robes, his designer suits and his unmatched charisma. He was loved by many fans around the country, especially in the Carolina's, where he made a name and home for himself. He also spent time as a magnificent heel. In that role, he formed the greatest stable in history-The Four Horsemen. 

Flair and The Four Horsemen took the wrestling world by storm. In the NWA they held all the gold. They cut the best promos, you believed that they were better than everyone else. They did this with steadfast confidence and backed it up with undeniable ability in the ring. Flair and his brethren solidified their claims by living the lifestyle outside of the ring as well. 

The stable would see many variations, but the backbone was always Ric Flair. He achieved brief success in WWE as well, before returning to the eventual WCW and stalling in a sustained lull due to bad booking. However, this couldn't tarnish his legacy as his foundation was strong enough to weather the storm. 

After WCW's demise, eventually Flair returned to his glory as a prevalent performer in WWE in the twilight of his storied career. Again, he assisted in the development of young stars in the faction of Evolution. 

 He put the final touches on his legendary career with a classic match with Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania XXIV and a trip into the WWE Hall of Fame. 

The Nature Boy will unquestionably remain on the top of lists of greatest wrestlers. To quote Flair, "to be the man, you have to beat the man", he made a career proving that point. Woooo! 

Dr. Strangelove (1964)

Dr. Strangelove, 1964 (Dir. Stanley Kubrick)

Kubrick’s “Dr. Strangelove (Or: How I Stopped Worrying and Loved the Bomb), is a masterpiece of darkly humorous chaos and an unforgettable classic. Whether you lived during The Cold War period or not, if you allow the film to envelop you, it will dig deep and stay with you in all its anarchistic glory. 

The story is realistic in the sense that miscommunication and the unpredictability of human nature could lead to precarious situations. The films approach and dialogue, however, are of the surreal variety. Kubrick and co-writers Terry Southern and Peter George, find the perfect tone of comedy in the midst of international turmoil. They could’ve made it more slapstick, and nearly concluded the final film in outrageous absurdity with a conclusive food fight, but that would’ve been all wrong. The film’s real strength is in the fact that the characters are believable, even while they make us laugh, there’s conviction in their bleak circumstances. 

The performances are comic gold. Whether its George C. Scott’s manic General “Buck” Turgidson, Peter Sellers’ trifecta of inspired madness as Capt. Mandrake, President Muffley and the mysterious Dr. Strangelove or Sterling Hayden’s glorious turn as the loony General Jack Ripper that set all the chaos in motion-the film is a study in comedic acting perfection. Sellers effectively distiguishes all three of his characters, each with specific quirks and mannerisms. The way he sells Capt Mandrake's desperation in getting the code from Gen. Ripper in their awkward and uncomfortable exchange is something to behold. Hayden's Gen. Ripper is one of the great, if not overlooked, villains in film history. His misguided, arbitrary mission to "preserve our precious bodily fluids" is equal parts hilarious and alarming. Hayden's delivery of his discovery is inspired comedic splendor. And of course, George Scott is the zany backbone of the picture. His performance as Gen. Turgidson is one of the finest comedic performances that I've ever seen. Scott does more with his face than most actors do with their entire body. I could watch Scott in this role for days, it's effortless and precise, at the same time the most intense and unpred-ictable of the movie. 

Kubrick has a distinct and successful body of work. Of his pieces, no two are alike, yet he has the "makers' mark". Which is to say his films, as a collective whole, can be identified as his own. It's debatable to which is Kubrick's definitive film. Some say his masterpiece 2001: A Space Odyssey is his essential piece, some say Strangelove; others lean towards Paths of Glory or A Clockwork Orange or perhaps his horror epic The Shining. The point is that an argument can be made for each of his films. I love and appreciate his films thoroughly. Dr. Strangelove's dark humor makes me laugh, it's craft makes me smile with the understanding that in Kubrick we get the best of what cinema has to offer. 

And so it begins...

It was at the age of 16 that I discovered the film that initiated my adoration for film. That film was Kubrick's A Clockwork Orange. I'd seen good movies before that and many great films subsequently, but it was this one that introduced me to Kubrick and the wonder of cinema. 

I'm not saying that A Clockwork Orange is Kubrick's best or essential film, after all I've seen his masterpieces 2001 and Dr. Strangelove and his glorious horror epic The Shining, but A Clockwork Orange brought his body of work to my attention. Moreover, this is also not my review of the film-this is an assessment of the origins of my relationship with the movies. 

My initial viewing of A Clockwork Orange was with equal parts fascination and fright. The aspects of the movie that stick with you long after the film ends is its visuals and soundtrack. Kubrick's camera was magnificent, his choice of music was intriguing. Those who've viewed the film, whether favorably or not, can not forget the looming influence of Beethoven over our hero Alex Delarge or the odd pairing of the song "Singing in the Rain" with a rape scene. And of course, who can forget the language used by the characters in this futuristic London based on the novel by Anthony Burgess. 

Malcolm McDowell's performance as the dastardly Alex is key to the success of the film. His is one of the finest villainous performance I've ever witnessed. His Alex was scary, sly, sarcastic and charming all at the same time. His journey from evil degenerate to brainwashed conformist was unsettling yet captivating as an observer. By the time the film faded to black, I had to snap myself back into reality. 

Great films take you on a brief journey, all your troubles and concerns are left at the ticket booth. Kubrick's films have taught me about this powerful force in filmmaking. His work is a diverse collection of cinematic majesty; a vast universe of characters, places, events, ideas and emotions. From The Killing to Eyes Wide Shut and all points in between, Kubrick has taken the viewer on a journey beyond the imagination. He and so many other filmmakers through out the history of cinema have opened our eyes to the magic and filled our souls with wonder. 

My sixteen year love affair with cinema has provided invaluable experiences and lifelong memories as well as, on a few occasions, the inspiration to better myself. I reflect on the years I've spent watching movies and with a smile on my face and a tear in my eye, I declare that I look forward to the moments I have yet to discover up there on that big, beautifully illuminated, screen.