But unlike, TDTESS redux, it had a script, a filmmaker, actors, an art director, some wit and a director.

I would not have watched it based on the trailer or the hype.

It helps if you remember Lassie.

1. I'll second the poster who recommended "Popeye".

2. "Hi-Life" (1998) has become, in some warped way, my favorite Christmas movie. What's more, speaking of underrated, its cast includes several of the most underrated actors of all time, including Campbell Scott, Peter Riegert, and the late, great, Katrin Cartlidge.

I have a thing for offbeat, ensemble comedies that look like they were fun to make.

"Mystery Men" exploits every single superhero cliche in the book. Great cast: Ben Stiller, Hank Azaria, William H. Macy, Janeane Garafolo, Geoffrey Rush, Paul Rubens, and more. I think this movie is just too much fun. Also, it can be used as a great illustration of the Twelve Officials model from the Yellow Emperor's Classic.

"The Imposters" is a Stanley Tucci project that came not long after "Big Night." Another great ensemble cast, in a movie made to emulate the screwball comedies of the 1930s. Stanley Tucci stars with Oliver Platt, backed by Alfred Molina, Tony Shalhoub, Steve Buscemi, Hope Davis, Campbell Scott, Billy Connelly, Lily Taylor, Isabella Rosellini, and that's just off the top of my head. If you can suspend your disbelief and enjoy something intelligent and clever but screwy, this movie is for you.

Great idea for a thread!!

Two of my favorite movies,unwatched by everyone I know:

"Riders of the Purple Sage," with Amy Madigan and Ed Harris. Flawless breath taking recreation of the Zane Gray book.

"Eve's Bayou" Again flawless, a moody Louisiana fevered dream.

We're done here. Go home.

The already mentioned "Popeye" was a delight (especially the tunes), as was Sayles' masterpiece "Lone Star."

One overlooked gem was the Disney "Return to Oz" with Fairuza Balk and Jean Marsh and directed by Walter Murch. The film had been made when Ron Miller was in charge of Disney, but released after Michael Eisner and Frank Wells took over. If it had been a hit, it might have proven that Miller had some ability at Disney, so after little advertizing (but a semi-splashy debut at Radio City Music Hall), the film was dumped into few theaters. Harlan Ellison wrote a brilliant fan piece about this, but it was published in the Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction months after the film disappeared. Despite the use of MGM's ruby slippers, the film is closer in tone to the scary bits of the Baum books, and Balk is far closer to Dorothy's age in this film.

On a completely different note, I seem to have a fondness for Japanese films about adolescent girls preparing for rapidly arising musical performances. "Linda Linda Linda" is three members of a teen pop/rock band searching for a new vocalist three days before their school festival gig, and "Swing Girls" is a group of nonmusicians who must quickly substitute for a high school band they've managed to give food poisoning to... Teen bonding, coming of age (without having to actually grow up), and fun music propel both into films I like to revisit often.

Starring David Warner as a mentally ill misfit in the middle of the swinging 60's scene of London, who is unable from moment to moment to tell the difference between his rich inner fantasy life, and real life as it is.

AMEN to the comment on John Sayles. Kevin Smith's only great movie is Chasing Amy. Everyone who has seen A Simple Plan has been struck by it. Jackie Brown was overlooked. Lately, I loved After the Wedding and Brothers and highly recommend them. Also the Tim Robbins movie in which he is the injured guy on an oil rig. The Edukators is also good. So is Clean. I could go on and on....

"Unless you are familiar with British Football (Soccer) you won't know that Totnam is the Susan Lucci of the Football league."

OK, I don't understand the 'Susan Lucci' reference, but I know it's not 'Totnam' - it's 'Tottenham' (generally pronounced 'Totnam'), as in Tottenham Hotspur AFC, aka Spurs.

He's done a lot of good screenwriting. He wrote the screenplay for "Aligator" and "The Howling" and made "Brother from Another Planet."

Kevin Smith on the other hand just keeps on making movies about sexually immature and or sexually frustrated comic book geeks, with severe Star Wars fixations, who talk about their sexual frustrations at conveinience stores and or shopping malls. So that is to say in my estimation - Kevin Smith sucks.

All-time favorite.

There's a reason HBO keeps repeating this film, and it's not just because it's a wee bit chick-flick-ish.

Edward Norton is convincing as the wounded husband, despite his wandering British accent. Naomi Watts is deeply affecting as his wife, and China looks gorgeous. The score (by Alexandre Desplat) is haunting.

It starts slowly, but stick with it.

I have many, many films I've loved but given the criteria:

"The Beast"...there are many films with this title but the one I'm referring to stars Jason Patric as a Russian tank driver during the Russian occupation of Afghanistan. It is topical in that it is a cautionary tale as to what happens when foreign armies try to invade and occupy Afghanistan. You can almost feel the grit and taste the dirt.

Also, "The Journey of August King" which ironically also stars Jason Patric as well as Thandie Newton in one of her first roles. The film's setting, which unfolds slowly and languorously, is during the early years of the nation in North Carolina. The plot revolves around an escaped slave, Newton, and the man, Patric, who must decide during his journey whether to turn her in or risk everything to save her. The last line of the movie is one of the most poignant ever.

According to a film review at the time by James Berardinelli:

The Journey of August King is as close to a flawless motion picture as is likely to be produced by the film industry (independent or mainstream). Featuring strong acting, realistic set and costume design, an intelligent script, solid directing, and evocative cinematography, every facet of this movie is impressive. It is a thoughtful, emotionally-rich production that explores its title in both a literal and a metaphysical sense. In the process, the audience experiences both of August King's journeys: the one he takes through the mountains of western North Carolina and the one his soul makes from loss to salvation.