Top Ten Movies You (Probably) Haven't Seen

10.  The Goods:  Live Hard, Sell Hard (2009)

Any movie that has the tagline, "I have hair on my balls and I sell cars" is bound to  be a fun ride, and The Goods doesn't disappoint.  There is nothing here that hasn't been done before, but The Goods doesn't try to be anything other than what it is:  a silly, potty-mouthed tale of a group of friends whose only goals in life involve selling cars.  There is a plot to be found in there somewhere, but let's be honest and admit the plot isn't the reason we watch these kinds of movies.  There are plenty of laughs to be had in this one, if you don't mind it being about the furthest thing from politically correct this side of Family Guy. 

9.  Across the Universe (2007)

 

This is easily one of the most visually stunning films out there.  It is absolutely beautiful from start to finish.  Add that with the incredible music, and a solid plot driven by the music, and you've got a great movie.  There's not a lot of dialogue, but honestly there doesn't need to be.  Most of the story is told through the music and although there is dialogue thrown in to connect the scenes, it isn't nearly as engrossing as the musical numbers.  

8.  Into the Wild (2007)

 

This is one of my favorite movies that is based on one of my favorite books.  There isn't a lot to it:  a guy graduates college, abandons his parents' dreams of him becoming a huge and successful lawyer, instead choosing to leave all his possessions (and money) behind while he discovers himself on a cross-country tour.  Of course, this is based on a true story, so some of you might know how it ends when Christopher winds up in Alaska.  The real story here is about the characters he meets along the journey and how he himself changes along the ride.  Great film by Sean Penn.    

7.  Pirate Radio 

 

In 1960s Great Britain, only about 30 minutes of rock-and-roll was allowed to play on the radio every day.  So, ships would dock in international waters that would stream the music the masses wanted to hear 24/7.  There are colorful DJs with pretty gnarly cases of cabin fever and classic rock that seems a character in and of itself.  The music of the era is played constantly (in clips and full songs) that adds to the validity of the film.  If you're a fan of music, you should definitely check this one out.  

6.  Let the Right One In (2008)

This is the Swedish original that spawned the remake Let Me In.  This one is much better.  Not that the remake is bad, per se, but this is just better.   It is a vampire movie, but don't expect sparkles and fun hunting trips.  This is a grim, depressing movie about a vampire girl and her human boyfriend.  It is a love story, but there is no cute montage of them frolicking around while "Pocket Full of Sunshine" plays in the background.  Of course, it is dubbed, a fact that bothers some people more than it should.  If you can get past the lips not matching the words, you are in for a treat.  

5.  Trick 'R Treat  (2007)

At its core, this is another Halloween movie.  However, it sets itself apart from the crowd quite early on, and it does it often.  It follows a pretty diverse group of characters on Halloween, and their stories intertwine in very creative and awesome ways.  The props are done extremely well, and the kids are genuinely creepy.  The whole film has a creepy feel to it.  Overall, it's the best Halloween movie that has come out in the past 20 years.  

4.  Hard Candy (2005)

This is easily one of the most disturbing movies I've seen in a while, not to mention one of the best revenge stories.  It follows a teenage girl who entraps a pedophile photographer and their strange afternoon in his home.  It's definitely not what you would expect.  I can't really say anything else about it without giving too much away.  Just check it out.  

3.  Smokin' Aces (2006)

Basically, there is this guy (Buddy Aces) who has information that can bring down a mob boss, so a $1 million price is put on his head.  This brings out every kind of assassin you can think of in an attempt to bring him down.  There is action from start to finish, with every cliche action scenario being played out.  But the characters are nothing like you've seen before.  They are as varied as their stories.  At the core of it is Aces, who has more emotional problems than you can shake a stick at.  Great movie with a lot of big names in it.  

  

2.  Green Street Hooligans (2005)

 

Elijah Wood isn't exactly seen as a badass, but he totally pulls it off in this one.  Green Street Hooligans is about the brutal world of football firms in England.  Firms are basically gangs that are brought together both by their love of their football team and their love of violence.  Wood's character has been kicked out of Harvard and is about the last person you would expect to join this world, but he does.   There are brutal fights and a pretty good story in this one.  A little something for everybody.  

1.  Boondock Saints (1999)

With all the action in this, its hard to imagine there is any semblance of a plot, but there is, and it's good.  It follows two Irish-Catholic brothers who are as passionate about their faith as they are about their neighborhood.  They want to clean it up, get rid of the mobsters and criminals that are running a muck.  Willem Dafoe is as creepy as you can imagine as the FBI agent that wants to hunt down the brothers.  It's constant action mixed in with a great story, and some of the best cult-classic quotes floating around out there.  But, as with Smokin' Aces, avoid the sequel at all costs.  It is awful.