10 Great Movies You've Never Seen!

Articles

Pete Whalon

10 Great Movies You've Never Seen!
Feb 25, 2004

I view this article as a PSA (public service announcement). I am going to share with you 10 great movies to rent that you most likely have never seen. You won’t find these on the new release shelf at your local Blockbuster. If fact, it might take a little footwork to locate these films; however it will be well worth it. They are in no particular order.

1. Lost in America: The funniest movie I have ever seen. It helps if you like the humor of Albert Brooks. Casino roulette scene is hilarious.

2. Heartbreak Kid: Another sidesplitting flick. Charles Grodin is great as a slimy newlywed who decides on their honeymoon to divorce his wife.

3. Emperor of the North: Lee Marvin and Ernest Borgnine have one of the greatest fight scenes in cinematic history. Gritty, depression era scenery.

4. Diner: Check out this cast from 1982. Steve Guttenberg, Mickey Rourke, Kevin Bacon, Timothy Daly, Ellen Barkin, Daniel Stern and Paul Reiser. The scene in the movie theater with Mickey Rourke is worth the price of renting the movie.

5. Hard Times: Gritty tale of a street fighter (Charles Bronson is perfectly cast) and his con-man manager, James Coburn. Some really terrific bare knuckle fight scenes.

6. The Boys in Company C: One of the best Vietnam movies ever made.

7. 12 Angry Men: There are two of these; however my favorite is the 1957 movie starring Henry Fonda, although the more recent one with Jack Lemmon is worth renting also. All but 3 minutes of this film takes place in a small jury room, however the dialog is riveting. This movie was made when the actors had to carry a film… those were the days.

8. Hero: I am not quite sure why but this movie got average reviews. I thought it was great. Dustin Hoffman and Andy Garcia’s performance make this movie. Fantastic plot.

9. Kingpin: Sometimes gross comedy, however if you like Bill Murray you will love this movie. There are at least 10 scenes where I could not stop laughing. Probably not for kids.

10. Inherit the Wind: Another oldie, but do not let that stop you. Spencer Tracy’s best. Fredric march is also terrific. The movie revolves around the famed “Scopes Monkey Trial.” A little trivia; in 1969 this film became the first in flight movie, being shown to first class passengers on TWA.

I am constantly amazed, as I stroll through my local Blockbuster, how few people look for movies on the “regular” shelves. The prevailing wisdom is; if the movie isn’t a new release it can’t be any good. A good movie is a good movie, no matter how much time has passed since it occupied a spot on the “new release” shelf. There are hundreds of great films collecting dust on Blockbuster racks throughout America. A great movie is not like a great T-bone steak—it doesn’t spoil with age!

------------

About the author: Pete Whalon has just completed a memoir on his Vietnam service. He is self-publishing the book and it should be ready for sale June 1st of this year. Email Pete Whalon: kinoman7@aol.com

Tell a friend about this site!

------------