When I discover some little-seen classic, I feel like it's my duty to pass on the titles to other film lovers. If you've seen any of these movies, great--you know what I'm talking about! If not, why don't you give them a try?

A Simple Plan
Billy Bob Thornton is a worthy Oscar nominee in this tale of money and morality. As the tagline reads, "Sometimes Good People Do Evil Things." You'll be questioning your own decisions when a "what if" presents itself. A bag of money leads to murder in a small town. An excellent movie that is expertly adapted from the novel. This is, without a doubt, one of the best movies I've seen this year. Visit the web site for A Simple Plan.

Bowfinger
This hilarious film, penned by none other than that wild and crazy guy Steve Martin, was sadly overlooked by moviegoers! This is one funny movie! Anybody who loves "the movies" will enjoy this film! Steve Martin is hilarious as a down and out "B" filmmaker who wants to get an alien invasion movie made but can't--not without big movie star Kit Ramsey (Eddie Murphy). The "crew" decides to secretly tape Ramsey everywhere he goes in order to put him, unknowingly and unwittingly, in this movie. Eddie Murphy is very funny in two different roles, and Christine Baranski nearly steals the show as washed up diva Carol. And, you can look forward to a surprisingly non-annoying performance by the otherwise puke-inducing Heather Graham.

The Last Days of Disco This is one of the best I've seen in a while. A great tongue-in-cheek movie that pokes fun at the "self absorbed" clan of soon-to-be yuppies in the very early 1980s. This is writer/director Whit Stillman's (whose "Metropolitan" and "Barcelona" are also deservedly great) best piece yet. Extremely dialogue-intensive and at times annoying witty, but one that you shouldn't miss. For more info about this film, check out The Last Days of Disco official site. At Right: Alice and Charlotte spend another late night at the Disco

The Big Lebowski
This title is also among the ranks of my All-Time Favorite Movies. This is one of the funniest dark comedies I've ever, ever seen. It's so much better than "Fargo"; too bad Lebowski was overlooked. Jeff Bridges gives a totally over-the-top performance as "The Dude," and the supporting cast (from a hilarious John Goodman as a Vietnam Vet prone to violence to the faux sophisticated coolness of Julianne Moore), this film wins big points in my book. Totally wicked and totally wild. The bowling dream sequence is one of the funniest in movie history. Check it out and let me know if you agree.

Buffalo 66
An aboslutely mind-boggling first film from director Vincent Gallo, Buffalo 66 tells the depressing tale of Billy, a pitiful (and innocent) ex-prisoner who kidnaps a young dancer and takes her home as his "wife" to meet his dysfunctional family. There's a lot of pain that viewers can share as Billy works through his inner demons (and goes bowling). You've gotta admire a guy who wrote, directed, acted and even composed the music for his work of art. This is one terrific movie. Check out Buffalo 66 on the web.

Dream With The Fishes
This indy picture starts out with a bang. It's absolutely hilarious, but then it turns into a melodrama and totally fizzles. That's not to say that you shouldn't see it! David Arquette is hilarious as a hapless suicidal guy (who enjoys spying on women) meets up with a new buddy stricken with a terminal illness. Together they take some drugs, hit the road, and wait to become the "keeper of the fishes." Very funny stuff here.

The House of Yes
Don't let the cast, which includes Tori Spelling and Parker Posey, deter you from renting this dramedy. Parker Posey is an insane girl who believes that she's Jackie O. When her incestuous brother brings his new fiancee (Tori Spelling) home to meet the family, all hell breaks loose. Totally bizarre, sick, twisted and funny. Sample dialogue: "You were poor? Oh my God, you ate chicken pot pie, didn't you?"

Hard Eight
Before director Paul Thomas Anderson made the fiasco Tarantino rip-off "Boogie Nights," he actually showed that he had some talent and insight. "Hard Eight" is a dark film about an orphan, a serious gambler, a prostitute and a kidnapping gone awry. Great stuff here. Check it out.

Clockwatchers
THE movie for anyone who's ever worked as a temp! Parker Posey is her usual smart-ass self in this tale of the pitiful lives of temporary employees. Toni Collette and Lisa Kudrow round out the cast. A total chick movie, though I think guys will enjoy it as well. The filmmakers (two sisters) wrote it and they know the temp life like the back of their hands.

To Die For
Yeah, I thought I'd hate this too--but it's awesome. Smart, funny, witty....and believe it or not, Nicole Kidman IS fabulous. Of course, Matt Dillon and Illeana Douglas shine as usual in Gus Van Sant's pseudo-documentary style film about a ditzy tv wannabe and the teenage thug she "hires" to murder her loving husband. Joaquin Phoenix is amazing--he's one to watch. You've gotta see this one.

Houseguest
Yes, yes, yes! This comedy with Phil Hartman and Sinbad is HILARIOUS! This is one funny movie! Sinbad, a down on his luck petty criminal, pretends to be the old family friend of an upper middle class white family. There are so many funny moments in this moments, I don't know where to start. I guess the dentist's office would be a good place....Check out the Sinbad Shrine for lots of info and great pics of the comedian. (P.S.: Don't confuse this with the Goldie Hawn/Steve Martin fiasco, "Housesitter")!

Citizen Ruth
Laura Dern plays a dirt poor white trash gal who has a penchant for sniffing model glue and paint thinner. Nobody cares about her until she meets up with some holy roller pro-lifers in jail and tells them that she's pregnant. Her story becomes part of the great American "Media Circus" and all of a sudden, she's in the middle of a hilarious battle between the extreme Left and the extreme Right. This one's an original.

Ione Skye battles small-town demons in Allison Anders' GAS FOOD LODGING.

Gas Food Lodging
Another one of my favorites, this weird film pays homage to Olivia Newton-John, classic movies and creates a dreamy sort of "trailer park chic." In a small New Mexico town, a teenager searches for the perfect "cowboy" for her single mother while her bitchy sister gets in to all sorts of trouble. Definitely Allison Anders' best work (although "Grace of My Heart" comes awfully close), and definitely worth a look. Speaking of "Grace..."

Grace of My Heart
Allison Anders hit again with the incredible look at a Carole King-type singer in the 60s. This movie features excellent turns by great little actors: Eric Stoltz, Matt Dillon, John Turturo, and Illeana Douglas, who makes herself almost as likeable as she did in "To Die For." For some great photos and other info, check out MovieWeb's Grace Site.

Sour Grapes
Like a long version of a "Seinfeld" episode, "Sour Grapes" is full of tv-like schtick--but it's still one funny damn movie! The basic plot is: two cousins from New Jersey go to Atlantic City to gamble. One loses all he has at the slots and asks his cousin for 2 more quarters. Of course, the two quarters brings him a huge jackpot, and jealous mayhem quickly ensues. I'm telling you, this movie is very funny; it's almost a 'dumb comedy' classic.

Paulie
Yes, yes, a movie about a talking parrot....but it's actually GOOD! It's almost as good as "Babe." The story is great, the parrot is cute, and the film is one of the most charming things I've ever seen. "Paulie" made me laugh and cry. Go on and support this one. It deserves it.

Welcome To The Dollhouse
A very "downer" of a movie, but everyone who ever picked on the dorks or WAS a dork in junior high should see this one. This film captures preteen angst better than any other film I know. Very, very dark and painfully surreal. Don't miss it.

Mallrats
Another funny funny funny movie that nobody has seen. I think we were the only people in the theater the night we saw this, but we laughed our heads off. Now we have the video and watch it regularly. Mallrats is overboard in its outrageousness and reeks of "Gen X" laziness, but I think it's 100 times better than "Clerks" (if you can belive that). Don't forget to cheer (loudly) for Silent Bob and Jay, the biggest slackers every portrayed on film. Check out the Mallrats Tribute Page for great dialogue, pictures, and videos. If you haven't seen "Chasing Amy" yet, get your butt to the video store NOW! It's very funny.

True Colors
This early 90s film tells the story of two law school buddies who make their way to Washington, D.C. Both engrossed in politics, one becomes an unethical senator and the other brings about his fall from grace. Excellent acting, a great story, and an all-around enjoyable film. (Starring John Cusack and James Spader).

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
This is the most glorious celebration of drug abuse ever to hit the screen. The result is an absolute farcical look at the City of Sin as gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson and his 300 pound Samoan attorney, Dr. Gonzo, spend a drug-induced weekend in Las Vegas and beyond. Read the book before you see this movie--the translation onto the screen is a work of genius. Keep an eye out for hysterical cameos by Cameron Diaz as an unsuspecting elevator companion, Gary Busey as a homosexual policeman, and Christina Ricci as a whacked-out Midwestern teenage artist who will only paint portraits of Barbra Streisand. Warning: Parts of the movie get a little weird (even for me), and you may find yourself gagging and hiding your eyes, but isn't that what great moviemaking is all about?

Fearless
Not for those afraid of airplanes, "Fearless" tells the story of one man's survival of a plane crash and his spiritual inability to be "normal" again. You'll want to watch it more than once since you will surprisingly find yourself reevaluating your own existence.

Motorama
I just recently saw this movie and I fell in love with it! It's very David Lynch-like in all its weirdness. There is, believe it or not, a really good web page dedicated to the film. Check out Motorama for a site filled with quotes, pictures, and producton information. If you can find this one in your video store, you HAVE to see it. It's a bizarre tale of a 10-year-old boy and his drive across part of the country in search of Motorama game cards that would lead to instant wealth. Very surreal, very odd and very good! A must for Lynch fans.

Queen's Logic
An older version of a "coming-of-age" tale; funny moments, great actors! This is also a good movie for those of you who like child/buddy movies. I've never seen a film with a better ensemble cast than this, with maybe the exception of CASINO (one of my All-Time Faves). So get out there and rent it.

Desert Bloom
Not to be confused with the lesbians-in-the-desert movie "Desert Hearts," "Desert Bloom" tells the story of a young girl's fear and the country's obsession with the atomic bomb in 1950s Las Vegas. Add in an abusive stepdad, family turmoil and alcoholism, and you've got a first-rate drama.

Inventing The Abbots
This recent film suffers from a terrible title, but it's definitely worth a look. "Inventing the Abbots" is a great coming-of-age story of two poor boys and their obession with the three rich Abbot daughters. A really good movie.

The War
Okay, so Kevin Costner can't act at all, but this movie is surprisingly entertaining. In fact, I'll even go so far as to call it "good." If you can swallow the "Southern people are evil racists" preaching, you'll enjoy this movie. While Costner plays a dad who has to deal with his Vietnam ghosts, the kids in the movie start a war of their own against the "poor-white- trash-mean-as-snakes" bad kids. The stupid "war is bad" theme isn't forced as much as you'd expect, though.

Blue Sky
Another atomic bomb movie with excellent performances all-around. Jessica Lange, as a flighty and slightly drunken military wife, has a breakdown while Tommy Lee Jones finds himself in the midst of a government cover-up on nuclear weapons test policies. You've got to see this one.

Naked In New York
A great little movie about a playwright (Eric Stoltz) and the gal he loves. This one is hilarious, especially the scenes of their early relationship in college. Great stuff here, with cameos from Kathleen Turner and Ralph Macchio. Yes. The Karate Kid himself.

The Hudsucker Proxy
Maybe it's the title that kept people away, or maybe it was the Coen brother's reputation for oddball "nobody understands it" humor. (Okay, I'm a self-proclaimed Coen junkie...) Whatever the reason, don't let it persuade you against renting this film! When the President of Hudsucker Industries commits suicide, mailboy Tim Robbins takes over and invents the hula hoop. This film is so strange that I don't know exactly how to describe it, but if you ignore Jennifer Jason Leigh, you'll dig it.

The Freshman
A very funny tale of a new film student at NYU who gets caught up in the underworld of New York City. Great writing, great cast, and another all-around winner from director Andrew Bergman. This seems to be having a resurgence on cable t.v. lately, so check your guides to see if you can catch it.

Timothy Hutton and Natalie Portman share a laugh in BEAUTIFUL GIRLS.

Beautiful Girls
A great movie that more of you should have seen when it was in theaters. This is a movie that makes going to the movies FUN! For more details, photos, articles and links, visit my Unofficial Beautiful Girls Fan Page!

Indian Summer
Here's another fun movie that nobody paid much attention to. In this one, a group of old buddies go back to summer camp to relive memories. If you ever went to camp as a kid, you'll probably love this nice little movie. Check out the Internet Movie Database's Indian Summer Page.

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This page was created by Louisa Moore and was last updated on DECEMBER 23, 1999.

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