You probably saw Snatch. Remember, Brad Pitt, the Pikey? Well, Snatch producer Matthew Vaughan did this film, too. Anyway, if you’re down for those fast-paced British-accent flicks with a twisty plot, frenetic action and some heavy gunplay – you should go back and check out Layer Cake. The plot revolves around a drug deal gone bad. Watch what a million hits of ecstasy will make people do. It’s pretty crazy.
The debut film in Robert Rodriguez’s trilogy including Desperado and Once Upon A Time In Mexico, El Mariachi cost a mere $7000 to produce. While enjoying the suspenseful plot of a man who only wants to play his guitar, but finds trouble in every turn – keep asking yourself – how did he do it for under 10k?
I passed this film by many times, until I recently noted it was directed by Sam Raimi of The Evil Dead, Army of Darkness and Spiderman. A spaghetti western with a killer cast, dark humor, unexpected gruesomeness and top-notch storytelling. You even catch a glimpse at Russell Crowe – long before anyone knew who he was.
If you’re a fan of Dexter, Natural Born Killers, A Clockwork Orange or Spinal Tap, you’ll cherish this film. Comedies don’t get much darker. Man Bites Dog is a mesmerizing, low-budget mocumentary following Ben, a serial killer, as he proudly teaches you (the viewer) how to get away with murder. It’s harsh.
After seeing this flick, you’ll wonder how it slipped under your radar. Five men wake up in an abandoned warehouse. One is bound. One handcuffed & shot. One has a ruptured nose. No recollection of what transpired, who was responsible or better yet, how to escape. This psychological thriller is full of intrigue, suspense, unpredictable twists and it gets only better each time you watch it.
The random hook-up. Thrilling? Or terrifying? In Clint’s directorial debut, Play Misty For Me, this simple act turns out to be the worst decision of a lifetime. Although the 70s trappings are a bit dated and bordering on comical, this Hitchcock-style thriller is definitely worth a watch.
A hot-wired ex-soldier returns home to avenge his abused mentally-handicapped younger brother. This slasher film is a story of vengeance – candy for indie aficionados.
Stephen Spielberg refers to the Seven Samurai before directing any movie. Scorsese said of the film’s director, “Let me say it simply, Kurosawa was my master.” George Lucas’ Jedi were inspired by the film’s namesake. Enough said? See this movie.
This isn’t your a-typical western. Dead Man’s symbolism, poetry & bleak plot twists require time to unfold. Black & white with a soundtrack by Neil Young – this 19th century story stars Johnny Depp, Iggy Pop, Gabriel Byrne, Lance Henriksen & John Hurt.
