10 Overlooked Films from the Past to Watch While Theatres are Closed
Many people around the world are probably missing the experience of going to the theatre to see a new movie since most theatres are closed due to COVID-19. People want something new to watch, but the reality is not much is being released right now.
Since this is the case, you may want to watch something you missed in the past, so here are a handful of recommendations for great movies from the past that you may have overlooked.
10. Roar (1981) Directed by Noel Marshall
Although we don’t always like to admit it, some of us enjoy watching people do stupid things, but what about life-threatening stupid things? Of course many people have become famous for their dangerous stunts: Evel Knievel was famous for his death-defying bike stunts; Alex Honnold is famous for his terrifying “Free Solo” climbing of giant rocks without any harnesses; and Johnny Knoxville was made a household name by brutally maiming himself for others’ entertainment.
But even all that pales in comparison to the story of 1981’s Roar. Seventy members of the cast and crew were injured while making this film due to the fact that the production was done with real untamed lions, panthers, and tigers running amok with basically no supervision. Eleven years and $17 million were spent on making this film, and it is something to behold.
The two lead actors in this story are played by director Noel Marshall, and his then wife, Tippi Hedren (who had previous experience being attacked by animals in The Birds). The film tells a wild and thoroughly entertaining story, while also showcasing some of the most death defying stunts you will ever see in a movie. Thankfully, no animals were harmed though.
9. The Plague Dogs (1982) Directed by Martin Rosen
Though not as well regarded as Martin Rosen’s other animated feature Watership Down (which is also very, good by the way.) The Plague Dogs is in some ways even more impressive. Based on the 1977 novel of the same name, The Plague Dogs centers on two dogs named Rowf and Snitter who escape from a research laboratory that has been abusing them with cruel experiments. After escaping, they proceed to run away throughout Great Britain looking for a master to care of them.
The film highlights some of the darkest aspects of animal research, and isn’t incredibly fun to watch, but is still one of the greatest overlooked pieces out there; although, you shouldn’t watch this film if you aren’t prepared for something sad. The Plague Dogs is truly a beautiful film.
8. Diner (1982) Directed by Barry Levinson
Maybe you’re looking for something more uplifting in this time of hardship and uncertainty. Maybe a nice flashback film with a great cast of characters hanging out, living life, and having fun together will do the trick. Diner is a perfect slice of life tale taking place in 1959, surrounding a group of five young men grappling with their newfound responsibilities as adults, and attempting to grasp on to the last few threads of their childhood they can. It’s nice and simple, but sometimes that’s all you need to have fun. It’s not too heavy, but not too carefree, leaving it as a wonderful time capsule and a great comforting time for any watch.
7. The Abominable Dr. Phibes (1971) Directed by Robert Fuest
Perhaps you’re more of a horror fan and want something slightly scary to check out right now. The Abominable Dr. Phibes is a perfect film for the occasion. Following a horrible car accident that leaves famous organist and doctor Anton Phibes horribly disfigured, and presumed dead, a detective begins to investigate a series of murders centered around the Egyptian plagues spoke of in the Bible. As he unravels the mystery surrounding these deaths, he begins to discover that Phibes is not only alive, but also is killing off the former doctors who he thinks are responsible for his wife’s death.
Vincent Price plays Phibes in what was is his 100th film role, and the film is something truly special. Although overlooked in its time, The Abominable Dr. Phibes is said to have inspired many horror films of today like Se7en, and even Saw. Despite its dark plot, Dr. Phibes is a fairly silly movie. Some of the moments are indeed creepy, but overall this film is in some parts a comedy, and is both spooky and a ton of fun.
6. Magic (1978) Directed by Richard Attenborough
If you’re seeking something a little scarier than Dr. Phibes, Magic may be a good bet. In one of his earliest roles, Anthony Hopkins plays a ventriloquist comedian who begins to fall in love with a married woman, just as he begins to believe that his ventriloquist dummy named Fats is alive, and even controlling him. This film is incredibly creepy and unnerving, never quite showing much of its horrors, but more so implying them. As the story unravels, you begin to lose the ability to distinguish what is real and what is false in the story. Every second drips with suspense, all leading up to one horrific conclusion.
5. Dark Star (1974) Directed by John Carpenter
Despite being directed by legendary filmmaker John Carpenter (director of Halloween, and The Thing) and written by Dan O’Bannon (writer for Alien, Total Recall, and Return of the Living Dead) Dark Star doesn’t get a lot of recognition. Being the first film by the two — made on a very low budget and also being their Senior Project in film school — Dark Star is an incredibly impressive film.
This film is a brilliant and funny satire of the sci-fi genre, featuring sentient bombs, a killer alien that looks like a beach ball, and a beautiful song written for the film called “Benson Arizona.” Every effect in this film is impressive in some way, even if some were meant to look cheesy (e.g. the beach ball). This is a severely funny watch that should be viewed by way more people.
4. Moonwalker (1988) Directed by Will Vinton, Colin Chilvers, Jerry Kramer, and Jim Blashfield
Sometimes you might just want to sit back and watch something visually appealing, while also hearing some good music. Michael Jackson’s 1988 film Moonwalker is perfect for that kind of itch. Although it doesn’t have much of a plot until the second half (and even then it’s pretty loose), this film carries itself incredibly well. It’s almost like an overview of Jackson’s career featuring many of his biggest songs, music videos, and signature dance moves. Although it may be cheesy to some, Moonwalker is undeniably a fun and energetic experience that is perfect for anyone who likes Michael Jackson’s music.
3. Black Dynamite (2009) Directed by Scott Sanders
Black Dynamite is a film I would consider to be the funniest I’ve ever seen. The brainchild of director Scott Sanders and actor Michael Jai White, Black Dynamite is an incredibly well made parody of 1970s blaxploitation cinema. For those who aren’t aware, blaxploitation was a genre of films specifically targeted toward a black audience in the early ’70s. Although many of these have stood the test of time and become classics (examples including Shaft, Across 110th Street, and Super Fly), many are often criticized for their horribly offensive race stereotypes and outdated view of African Americans.
That being said, Black Dynamite turns the genre on its head and makes fun of every thing that made those films both good and bad. It is full of intentional errors, like boom mics coming into view, and weird editing errors that are so bizarre they’re funny. This film is an underappreciated classic, and it’s one that you should check out if you need a good laugh. (There’s even an animated series, too!)
2. Inside Llewyn Davis (2013) Directed by Joel and Ethan Coen
Despite being directed by The Coen Brothers (directors of O, Brother Where Art Thou?, Fargo, and The Big Lebowski), featuring two actors who would go on to be in Star Wars (Oscar Isaac and Adam Driver), as well as a Hollywood great (John Goodman), and even having a starring role for Justin Timberlake, Inside Llewyn Davis still doesn’t get a whole lot of attention. Following the life of a struggling folk musician in the early 1960s, Llewyn Davis tries to pull together a solo record following the tragic suicide of his former singing partner. This film has a lot of heart, is full of great touching music, and is equal parts funny, compelling, sad and hopeful. This is a brilliant period piece and one that many may find relatable, and even touching.
1. Election (1999) Directed by Alexander Payne
Election is one of the funniest. most charming and well paced comedies to ever take place within a high school. Starring Matthew Broadrick, Reese Witherspoon, Chris Klein and Jessica Campbell, Election follows a race for the student presidency of a small high school in the suburbs. Matthew Broadrick plays a teacher with an intense grudge against Reese Witherspoon’s character, Tracy Flick, for being an insanely annoying overachiever, brat and all around spoiled student who acts like she knows everything. All of this culminates in some of the funniest antics in a school ever put to the silver screen. Not all of the picks on this list are for everyone, but Election is a film that is hard to dislike.