10 Films You Really Should Watch That You "Probably" Haven't

Right. Time for a bit of fun. Remember, my good movie may be different to your good movie. And if you've read anything of mine before, you might already be primed to disagree. But lets jump into it, nonetheless.

10. Spun (2002)

I really dig this flick. An off-kilter one, centering around an amphetamine addict played by Jason Schwartzman. It's a great cast all round, featuring the likes of Mickey Rourke, John Leguizamo and Brittany Murphy. Even Eric Roberts shows up for a good cameo. This film is a wacky joyride, and a great substitute for Requiem for a Dream, having a very similar tone but not going as dark. I've seen it a few times and its always great.

It has an unfortunate rating on Rotten Tomatoes, but that shouldn't put you off. This film is vastly under rated and somewhat forgotten about. It needs that cult status it deserves. Definitely check this one out. 8.5/10 for sure.

9. Small Apartments (2012)

This low budget all-star drama, seemed to go a bit under the radar on its release in 2012. But saw a small following generated after a stint on Netflix. Another off-kilter one here that is both beautiful and strange.

Full disclosure, it gets difficult to watch at times. But that is the purpose of the tone, you're never meant to get too comfortable watching this. Everyone in this gives a cracking performance. And as a Brit, its nice to see English jewel, Matt Lucas, getting some bigger roles. 8.5/10. Easy. This is a must-watch.

8. Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story (2007)

It still surprises me how many people haven't heard of this film. Another one of those Judd Apatow comedies from the mid-2000's, Walk Hard is a parody of Walk the Line, Ray and other biopic films.

This is easily one of my all-time favourite comedies. A stellar performance from John C. Reilly and he sings all the numbers beautifully. I heard that the role was initially written for Will Ferrell, but John is so perfect in the role its hard to imagine anyone else.

This is the role he was born to play. The music is wonderfully crafted and every song feels like a genuine slice of the era they represent. And as with any Apatow production there are jokes galore. And in this one, they all land. 9.5/10. Watch this film immediately.

7. Tyrannosaur (2011)

Something a bit closer to home for me. A British drama done right. But even my fellow Brits might not have heard of this one. Tyrannosaur is the directorial debut for Paddy Considine, who you might know as, "one of the Andys" in Hot Fuzz.

This film deals with, domestic abuse, coping with loss and controlling your inner demons. Starring Peter Mullen and Olivia Colman, giving outstanding performances.

With a supporting cast that hold the film together, including a spine tingling performance from Eddie Marsan, as an abusive husband. If this film doesn't choke you up a bit, you may be dead inside. 8.5/10. Could be a 9.

6. eXistenZ (1999)

Now this film gets a mixed response should I ever recommend it to friends. Master of the body horror, David Cronenberg, tries his hand at commenting on the craze of video games. This film is mental. It bridges the gap between the organic and the technological to make for some shocking scenes.

The film follows a group of people testing a new virtual reality game......which looks like a fetus. And it has an umbilical cord that you need to plug into the base of your spine. So yeah. Just a bit weird. Typical Cronenberg. Another all star, featuring Jude Law, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Willem Dafoe and more. Just watch it. I can't explain this madness. 8/10. A great watch.

5. Wild at Heart (1990)

What do you get when you take, Nic Cage, Elvis, and The Wizard of Oz, and stuff it all into a Twin Peaks-shaped box, that was laced with a bit of Natural Born Killers? The answer is Wild at Heart. Directed by David Lynch, the lunatic of Hollywood. This one, is actually much more linear than your average Lynch flick.

Perhaps that's why this one is a little under-appreciated. Cage gives an amazing performance. You'll be thinking by the end that he should play Elvis in a biopic. But everyone is at their best here. Laura Dern, Willem Dafoe (again), Harry Dean Stanton, everyone is just great. 9/10. Watch it and allow Cage to serenade you with his Southern drawl.

4. Enter the Void (2009)

I mean. This film. Dude. This film. I just. I can't even. Its crazy. Its amazing sure. I loved every second. Gets quite long winded but the visuals keep you hooked. I don't want to say too much about this film because its an experience. It posses profound questions of life and existence through the use of DMT. Look, I've already said too much. This film is unlike any film you've ever seen. 8/10. A feast for the eyes. And the mind.

3. Hobo With a Shotgun (2011)

The story of how this film got off the ground is quite heartwarming. Back when Tarrentino and Rodriguez did the Grindhouse double feature, they had a competition for fans to make a fake trailer, to be part of the plethora of tongue and cheek trailers between the two films. This was the winner.

Flash forward a couple of years later, and we got the feature length version. Hobo with a Shotgun. Certainly better than Deathproof and Planet Terror, and made on a fraction of the budget. Better than Machete and its sequel too. This film is so wonderfully outrageous that you cant help but laugh the whole way through. 10/10. Straight up. Watch it. Watch it right now.

2. Unleashed (2005)

Something for you action fans out there. This is a British based, kung-fu film....Confused? So are the cast. For a film set in Glasgow, there isn't a single Scottish accent. But if you put that aside, this film and Jet Li vehicle is great.

Enslaved as a child to be a gangster's muscle, played by the late Bob Hoskins, Danny (Li) escapes and learns to live a normal life through music and the help of a caring family, one of which is a blind Morgan Freeman.

Once Danny gets settled, his old life catches up with him. This film, on the surface at least, seems to be a bit all over the place. But it just works. You're compelled to care about the characters.

But more importantly, you care about the action. The fight sequences are choreographed to perfection. You really feel the weight of each blow. 8/10. Action that could rival The Raid. Just intense. My rating doesn't do it justice.

1. Silent Running (1972)

A bit of an under appreciated gem, Silent Running is a sombre alternative to 2001: A Space Odyssey. It is all about solitude and madness. Being the only man on a large space ship, with only robot companions to accompany him, the sense of loneliness is something you cant shake off while watching this one.

The ship is carrying a green house with the last plant life in existence, and our protagonist is tasked with caring for it all. This film is to the brim with subtext and nuance, and is perhaps even more relevant now. I don't want to give much away, because if you are to watch any film on this list, it should be this one. This film is a work of art. 10/10. Give it a chance. Its so good.

So, thanks for reading. I hope you've found a couple more films that have tickled your fancy. The amount of other films I could have put in the list, but had no room for, is beyond my count. So you can be sure to get another one of these lists soon. Cheers.