Welcome back to our feature on the fifty best films you've never seen. We're over the halfway stage and hopefully by now you've found a few recommendations that suit your tastes. We'll get straight back into the list, and be sure to join us tomorrow for the final 10!!
31 - Garden State
Synopsis: A young man returns home to his estranged family for his mother’s funeral and ends up on a journey of self discovery, love and redemption along the way
Why you need to see it: Written, directed and starring Zach Braff, this movie was really a labour of love for him, and it shines through how personal a film it is. The story is anchored by some great chemistry between Braff and Natalie Portman, the soundtrack is spectacular and the quirky humour of the plot has the feel of a Wes Anderson feature. Not to everyone’s tastes but those who like this kind of drama will adore Garden State.
32 - Ginger Snaps
Synopsis: Two outcast sisters find their bond strained when one of them is bitten by a werewolf.
Why you need to see it: The best horrors use their supernatural hooks as metaphors for something we are all familiar with, and this movie fully throws itself into lycanthropy as metaphor for puberty. The use of impressive practical effects, and a strong lead pair in Emily Perkins and Katherine Isabelle goes a long way to making this a truly effective and memorable horror.
33 - The Last Starfighter
Synopsis: A disheartened video-gaming boy finds himself recruited as a gunner for an alien defense force.
Why you need to see it: For anyone who ever played video games, this has an amazing charm and soul which makes it a must watch, as well as some of the best sci-fi action the 80's had to offer. The film is a real throwback to the more innocent and naive childhood films of that decade, but is all the more resonant and impactful for choosing to celebrate it's innocence.
34 - The Wages Of Fear
Synopsis: In a decrepit South American village, men are hired to transport an urgent and unstable nitroglycerine shipment without the equipment that would make it safe.
Why you need to see it: This action packed thriller is probably one of the most intense and suspenseful movies ever made, with our foursome of truck drivers encountering all manner hazards on their journey across the harsh environment, trying to make it home without blowing themselves sky high. Edge-of-your-seat doesn't even begin to describe how nailbiting some of the scenes are in the film, and it ranks up there with some of the best in the genre.
35 - The King of Kong
Synopsis: A documentary that charters the attempt of an old school arcade gamer to try and grab a world record on one of the hardest videogames ever made - Donkey Kong.
Why you need to see it: The King of Kong is the ultimate underdog story. Affable gamer Steve Wiebe is our protagonist and we see the world of arcade gaming through his eyes and the eyes of his family. He faces off against Billy Mitchell, probably the most detestable man to ever appear on screen, who has the backing of a possibly corrupt and certainly biased gaming commission, and who will stoop to great lengths to preserve his own records on the game, to the constant frustration of his opponent.
36 - Smokey and the Bandit
Synopsis: The Bandit, a likeable rogue, is hired to run a tractor trailer full of beer over county lines with an unrelenting and foul-mouthed sheriff in hot pursuit.
Why you need to see it: While it might look a bit dated now, it has some serious comedy and some brilliant chemistry between Burt Reynolds, Jackie Gleason, Jerry Reed and a very young Sally Field. With insane car chases and stunts that would chill an insurance broker to his very core, they absolutely don’t make em like this anymore.
37 - Army of Darkness
Synopsis: The demon fighting Ash finds himself pulled from present day to medieval times, and must fight through an army of the undead to get home.
Why you need to see it: The final part of Sam Raimi’s Evil Dead trilogy, this is pure old school adventure as opposed to the previous movies being pure horror. No knowtledge of the other two movies is required, and cult legend Bruce Campbell is on the best form of his career as our bumbling hero.
38 - Heathers
Synopsis: Sick of being one of the popular girls, high schooler Veronica falls for rebel Jason, who has a radical idea to negotiating high school politics: kill the popular.
Why you need to see it: With fantastic performances from the lead pairing of Winona Ryder and Christian Slater, some sizzling chemistry and a razor sharp script packed with wit and intellect, Heathers is a dark, utterly delightful, and very different high school movie.
39 - Serenity
Synopsis: The crew of the ship Serenity find themselves hunted to the far end of the galaxy by an assassin, hell-bent on recovering a government weapon that they are unaware they are even in possession of.
Why you need to see it: Serenity is the brain-child of Joss Whedon, and before this cinematic outing there was a 10 episode tv show called Firefly that the movie is a finale to. Both tv show and film are fantastic, laced with Whedon’s trademark humour and kinetic action, all held together by the charismatic Nathan Fillion as captain Mal Reynolds. Think western in space and you get the idea. Serenity and Firefly have become something of a cult phenomenon since their release and now is the perfect time to immerse yourself in the lives of the crew of the Serenity.
40 - A Single Man
Synopsis: Directed by Tom Ford, A Single Man tells the story of George, a college professor who recently lost his lover, Jim, in a car accident. Terribly grief-stricken, George plans to commit suicide. As he goes about his daily routine and puts his affairs in order, his encounters with colleagues, students and an old friend lead him to make a final decision as to whether life is worth living..
Why you need to see it: American fashion designer Tom Ford’s directorial debut exudes style and finesse with gorgeous cinematography and a brave and haunting performance from Colin Firth which earned him a nomination for Best Actor at the Academy Awards.
