Often, hidden gems burn the brightest. They are perhaps harder to find, but easier to love.
Unfettered by shackles of box-office collections or awards glory, the following movies exist shrouded in a vacuum of secrecy to the movie-going audience at large.
In keeping with the theme of the question, I have strived to pick movies with less than 1,00,000 votes on IMDB.
While this meant that some films that I adore have missed the cut, it would have felt inauthentic to include them in the list proper.
So here they are as Honourable Mentions:
The Way Way Back (2011), Upgrade (2018), Moon (2009), Attack The Block (2011), The Hunt (2012)
The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019)
If one were to distil all aspects of The Peanut Butter Falcon; all its strengths, complexities, perfections and imperfections into one word, that word would be ‘endearing.’
An adventure movie at its core, The Peanut Butter Falcon explores themes of compassion, love, redemption, and hope.
There’s something to be said about the drawing power of ‘feel-good’ film; they are richly rewarding. And led by the charming Zack Gottsegen, The Peanut Butter Falcon is a peak feel-good spectacle.
A Most Violent Year (2014)
JC Chandor’s crime-drama feels like a movie that doesn’t belong; it is a remnant of a bygone era, a film that could be a worthy companion to similarly restrained dramas from the 70s.
I don’t make this comparison lightly – A Most Violent Year has shades of The Godfather. Both in its gripping and tightly coiled story, and also in Oscar Isaac’s remarkable performance, which has loud echoes of Pacino’s work as Michael Corleone.
There’s an outstanding Jessica Chastain performance in there as well, one of her finest.
Contrary to its title, there isn’t a lot of violence in A Most Violent Year, but it remains an uncommonly compelling drama.
Sing Street (2016)
The third instalment in John Carney’s unconnected musical trilogy following Once and Begin Again, Sing Street is impossibly charming.
A coming-of-age tale at its heart, the film revolves around a boy who starts a band to impress a girl.
And well, it’s delightful. There is an awfully good chance you will go through Carney’s cutesy tale with a near-constant smile on your face and a tap on your feet. Sing Street is irresistibly charming.
Big Nothing (2006)
Starring David Schwimmer, Simon Pegg, Alice Eve and shot in a hauntingly beautiful part of Wales, Big Nothing is a standout dark comedy that confoundingly slipped under the radar.
An original tale that nonetheless touches upon the several standard beats of comedically tinged crime capers, Big Nothing is as sharp as it is funny.
There are twists and turns aplenty, and there are moments of hilarity; this is as darkly thrilling yet hilarious a movie as you’re likely to see.
Big Nothing is the quintessential hidden gem; it’s a diamond in the rough.
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