John Dvorak points to a list of 50 recent, underappreciated films. A few that I definitely agree with:
- Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas – For all its flaws, I think it’s
pretty loyal to the novel. - Beautiful Girls – Timothy Hutton is great, Natalie Portman is wise
beyond her years and it’s got that great Rosie O’Donnell monologue. - The Player – I’m not crazy about art about art, and films about Hollywood,
but this is a quality film from an auteur. Watch it for the opening shot alone. - Sliding Doors – John Hannah is such a splendid, warm actor. Plus,
it’s a darker film than you’d expect. - Glengarry Glen Ross – I’m not sure that this film is underappreciated,
but it’s exceptional work. The dialogue is lifted more or less directly from
Mamet’s play, and kicks Quentin Tarantino’s ass around the block. The acting
is superb from top to bottom–there’s an extraordinary monologue by Al Pacino. - Best in Show – Underappreciated? I don’t know. As good or better
than Waiting for Guffman, it’s an enormously funny film (shot, incidentally,
in Vancouver). - Heavenly Creatures – A strange little film by Peter Jackson, full
of whimsey and weirdness. - The Sweet Hereafter – You rarely see these kinds of films made in
North America–stark, quiet and intimate.
I got up to about #25, and then concluded that I could applaud most or all
of the films near the top of the list. Here are the films in the top half that
I think aren’t worthy of further attention:
- The Virgin Suicides – Wooden, poorly acted, predictable and messily-shot.
How is this the same woman who made Lost in Translation? - The Limey – It’s quite an ordinary film.
- Babe: Pig in the City – Can you describe this film as underappreciated?
I think not.
I’ll try to root through the longterm storage of my brain to dredge up other
under-loved films. Back in March, I went
through a similar exercise in reference to another, related article–100
Films that Deserve More Love. I see that I’ve repeated myself in a couple
of cases.
DarrenBarefoot.com 
Babe: Pig in the City was possibly better than the much-more-popular original. Certainly it was more imaginative in many ways. (It was Gene Siskel’s very last “best movie of the year” before he died.) But the grapevine said it was lousy, overbudget, and rife with organizational problems behind the scenes, and it tanked at the box office. I can see why people say it’s underappreciated.
My thoughts: The Virgin Suicides was a terrible, awful film. Best in Show is one of my all-time favourite comedies. The Sweet Hereafter was quiet and intimate because it was directed by Atom Egoyan. Go Canada, go. 🙂
Virgin Suicides – I thought this was a brilliant movie; spooky, subdued and disturbing. And the use of the Air French Band for the soundtrack really added to it.
Have not made it to see Babe: Pig in the city yet, but I suspect I would agree with you on this one.
THE LIMEY might be an ordinary movie, but it has the best commentary track of any DVD I’ve ever watched. The writer and director argue back and forth over changes made to the script throughout much of the movie.
I’d disagree with RUSHMORE, which I found to be pointless and mind-numbingly boring. Dull on top of that, for good measure.
I would definitely agree with THE IRON GIANT being #1 on the list, though.
he Virgin Suicides – Wooden, poorly acted, predictable and messily-shot.
How is this the same woman who made Lost in Translation?
you clearly have no knowledge of this movie! it says at the start that they all die!! its not about a twist! its a beautiful movie, amazing directing by sofia and maes something mudane seem almost normal. if you dont GET it fine but dont DARE say its bad!! if you add me on msn i will EXPLEN it to you.