S.G. Browne

Seven Films (2012-2013) No One Saw But Should

Lately it seems like the only movies anyone talks about are the big Hollywood tentpole films where pathos and plot and nuance take a back seat to action and explosions and CGI special effects. Films like World War Z, Pacific Rim, and Fast and Furious 6; not to mention all of the superhero sequels and reboots and remakes.

While popcorn movies are fun to watch on occasion, I tend to prefer films that have a little more going for them than blue screens and action sequences. Below are my seven favorite film I’ve seen over the past two years, at the theater and on Netflix, that garnered little fanfare or box office success.

Why seven films? Why not five or ten? Because these are the first films that came to mind without me having to think twice about them. And I stuck with the last couple of years because otherwise this list would be at least twenty-five films long.

Four of these films earned less than $5,000,000 domestic gross while all of them have earned less than $30,000,000. Many of these are also from first time writers or directors. Or both. If you enjoy smart, funny, or thoughtful films, or a little of all three, then there’s something here for you.

(Oh, and feel free to share your favorite under-appreciated films in the comments.)

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Killer Joe
If you’re a fan of dark comedies and inept seedy characters, this is the film for you. Fun performances turned in by Thomas Haden Church, Juno Temple, and Emile Hirsch. And even if you can’t stand Matthew McConaughey, you’ll love him as the titular character.

Jeff Who Lives at Home
An engaging, amusing, and thoughtful film about relationships, unfulfilled dreams, and destiny, with Jason Segal as a live-at-home stoner searching for his destiny and Ed Helms as his asshole big brother, with Susan Sarandon as their frustrated mom. Written by Jay and Mark Duplass (The League, Cyrus).

Young Adult
While Diablo Cody is best known for her Oscar-winning script for Juno (which I loved), I think this is the best of her three scripts, starring Charlize Theron as an emotionally stunted young adult author who goes back home to recapture her glory days. Great turn by Patton Oswalt as her unlikely romantic interest.

Safety Not Guaranteed
A quirky little film about a team of reporters (Aubrey Plaza, Jake Johnson) who investigate a classified newspaper ad asking for a time-traveling companion. Mark Duplass plays the author of the ad who seems a little crazy. But then, aren’t all geniuses a little nuts?

Don Jon
Joseph Gordon-Levitt writes, directs, and stars in this in-your-face romantic comedy about a modern-day Don Juan who has a predilection for online porn. Scarlett Johansson and Julianne Moore are perfectly cast as the women in his life, while Tony Danza as Gordon-Levitt’s father is absolute gold.

The Way, Way Back
A sweet, smart, and funny coming-of-age story about a lost 14-year-old boy who struggles to find himself while on a summer vacation. Good writing and a great ensemble cast with Toni Colette, Robb Cordy, Amanda Peet, Sam Rockwell, and Steve Carell playing against type as an emotionally-abusive future step-father.

In a World…
First-time writer/director Lake Bell (Children’s Hospital) stars as the daughter of a voice-over king in a world where men dominate the theatrical trailer landscape. But when she gets a chance to lend her voice to the upcoming Amazon Games trilogy, the world turns upside down. Smart writing and a cohesive ensemble cast.

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7 Comments »

  1. Scott I’ve seen all these except Killer Joe which I hadn’t heard of. i liked them all except Young Adult, where good taste required me to leave halfway through the movie.

    Comment by Dane Golden — November 11, 2013 @ 1:10 pm

  2. Speaking of Diablo Cody, isn’t she supposed to be writing the screenplay for Breathers? What up wit dat?

    Comment by Michael Church — November 11, 2013 @ 6:55 pm

  3. Dane, I’m glad we didn’t see that one together, then. And Michael, as far as I know nothing is up wit dat.

    Comment by S.G. Browne — November 11, 2013 @ 8:52 pm

  4. Great list.

    I adored Jeff Who Lives at Home. It just struck all the right cords with me.

    I’ve been dying to see Safety Not Guaranteed and Don Jon, but haven’t got around to it yet.

    Based on your good taste with those, I’m going to have to add the rest of these flicks to my TBW list now, too.

    Comment by Andrea Blythe — November 13, 2013 @ 7:56 pm

  5. Andrea, I think Jeff Who Lives at Home is probably my favorite on this list. I hope you enjoy the others, as well.

    Comment by S.G. Browne — November 14, 2013 @ 9:29 am

  6. I loved the “Way Way Back.” It makes me miss our old station wagon so bad!

    My list would definitely include “Seven Psychopaths.”

    Comment by Susan Seaman — December 11, 2013 @ 9:39 am

  7. I don’t have any problem with “Seven Psychopaths” being on anyone’s list. Or “In Bruges,” either. I’m a fan of Martin McDonagh.

    Comment by S.G. Browne — December 11, 2013 @ 8:38 pm

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