As Netflix becomes more popular, some of the films offered become more well known. However, the big titles can lead people to overlook less famous films that oftentimes offer storylines just as compelling.
As an avid movie watcher, I have compiled a list of 10 undiscovered gems that are a must see.
10. Adult World (2013): A self proclaimed misfit, Amy is a recent graduate struggling to make a name for herself in the literary world. Along with being funny, this movie stands out for its ending. So many movies now have unrealistic endings where everything ends up perfect -- the good guys win; the bad guys lose; the guy gets the girl. Everyone is happy, but that’s not how life works. Life doesn’t have absolute happy endings all the time, and Adult World reflects that. Amy’s life doesn’t turn out perfect. She doesn’t win any literary merit awards or become a world-class poet. It is a refreshing ending only an independant film can offer.
9. Frank (2014): Frank is the story of real life musician Chris Sievey who had an alter ego: Frank Sidebottom. The film follows Frank’s band as they isolate themselves in the country to make music, eventually playing at SXSW. A seemingly normal storyline, this film has one element that makes it stand out from others: Frank is no ordinary person. Frank spends his life wearing a giant paper mache hat which he is known for never taking off. The story of the band and their music is one that’s blissfully plotless until the very end where the story gets complex and action is thrown at the unsuspecting viewer. A really remarkable story about finding yourself in unexpected places, Frank is a must see.
8. Slow Learners (2015): This quirky film about two awkward adults with next to no dating experience is a laugh from beginning to end. Highly relatable to anyone awkward in social situations, Slow Learners is more than just a funny film. It is the story of two best friends who come to realize just how much they rely on and appreciate each other.
7. Coraline (2009): Although not unknown, it felt necessary to mention Coraline because I didn’t know until very recently that it was on Netflix. A perfect mix of horror and fantasy portrayed beautifully on screen in 3D stop-motion, Coraline is a rare film that can terrify as well as delight. It can go from making you laugh to making you scared in a matter of minutes without trying too hard and seeming unnatural. If you’ve never seen it, Coraline is well worth your time to watch, and if you’ve already seen it, it’s worth a second viewing.
6. Metropolis (1927): Wildly popular when it was made in 1927, but rarely remembered by the average Netflix viewer today, Metropolis is one of the earliest examples of sci-fi films. The special effects were considered revolutionary at the time and the modern viewer can enjoy the film as easily as someone nearly 100 years ago did despite the lack of color or sound due to the story, which is brilliant and timeless.
5. The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004): A general rule of thumb in the film world is anything created by Wes Anderson is worth a watch. His visually stunning films and compelling narratives are iconic and unique. The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou is no exception. The story of an arrogant marine specialist who explores the ocean creatures and makes documentaries of his sea adventures reuniting with his son is both touching and sad. The film goes off on multiple tangents, including the abduction of a crew member and the robbery of a rival marine specialist, which attest to the arbitrary nature of the main character, Steve Zissou. The core message of familial differences and the of pains of getting older are themes everyone can relate to.
4. What’s Eating Gilbert Grape (1993): Before his rise to fame following Titanic, Leonardo DiCaprio starred alongside Johnny Depp in What’s Eating Gilbert Grape. It's a beautiful, heartbreaking story of a boy nearing adulthood who suffers in a dysfunctional family and grows up too soon. With his mentally disabled brother and his morbidly obese mother to care for, Gilbert sacrifices a normal life to care for them. Both Dicaprio and Depp’s performances are stellar, and the film’s powerful conclusion will leave you with damp eyes.
3. Midnight in Paris (2011): Midnight in Paris is about a man unsatisfied with his life and longs for the 1920s which he has romanticized to be the ideal era. On vacation in Paris, he dreams about The City of Lights as it was in the 20s, and he is astounded to realize he has walked right into it. The costumes in this film are beautiful and the story is simple and elegant. This movie is sure to captivate your imagination and evoke nostalgia for places you’ve never been to.
2.Seeking a Friend for the End of the World (2012): Starring Steve Carell and Keira Knightley, Seeking a Friend for the End of the World is my favorite apocalypse movie because it is in a category of its own. Typical end of the world movies feature epic fights and showcase the human desire to survive against all odds. This movie isn’t like this. An asteroid is crashing into the world in three weeks. There’s no survival of the fittest. Everyone will die. This movie shows how the people of Earth deal with their imminent death and how they spend their final hours. It is also singular in that the apocalypse theme takes the backseat. This movie isn’t about the asteroid, it’s about the developing bond between two people at the end of their lives with nothing to lose.
1. Moonrise Kingdom (2012): My favorite film of all time, Moonrise Kingdom, is a whimsical story with cinematography. The film’s visuals are unmatched to anything else I’ve ever seen. The story of a young boy who is willing to give up everything to be with the girl he loves is a story told time and time again, but this film tells the story in a totally unique way. Set in the 1950s, this Wes Anderson masterpiece centers around two kids who fight against a troop of khaki scouts, two angry parents, and the hurricane of the century to be together. I can not recommend this film enough; it’s an absolute must see.
With all the franchise movies available on Netflix, it’s important to watch the lesser known films as well, because many times they’re just as good, if not better.
@emilyy_doll
ed836715@ohio.edu
