There are countless forms of entertainment that vie for the audience’s attention, but there’s a level of reverence towards movies and the cinematic experience that’s hard to ignore. Movies have always functioned as a satisfying form of escapism as well as one of the most mainstream varieties of storytelling. Movies can often dictate major trends in pop culture and box office numbers are still important indicators as to whether franchises live or die.
At the same time, the movie industry is incredibly reactionary and it’s quick to dismiss certain films as failures, when in fact there are actually extraneous circumstances to consider. Sometimes excellent movies underperform during their releases and it takes years for audiences to properly appreciate what they’re trying to do. As a result, there are plenty of quality movies that viewers should make a point to revisit.
10 Speed Racer Is A Visual Masterpiece Unlike Nothing Else
The Wachowskis immediately became iconic names in the action genre after The Matrix’s release, but every single one of their movies demonstrates incredible visual filmmaking. Speed Racer might be the purest distillation of the Wachowskis' passion for playful, colorful cinema.
Speed Racer isn't the deepest property to begin with, which makes it the perfect vehicle to showcase bombastic visuals. Speed Racer truly feels like an anime come to life and every frame pushes the medium forward. Initially, people dismissed the movie as being empty and disorienting, but it holds up incredibly well and proves why the Wachowskis are so special.
9 Hot Rod Is A Comedy Classic That Gets Better With Age
The Lonely Island absolutely dominates in the music industry with their satirical songs and they’ve also made a major dent on TV. Unfortunately, the group's silly, absurdist comedy doesn't seem to translate as effectively to the cinemas. Popstar wasn't the hit that it should be, but Hot Rod is even more of a cult classic.
Andy Samberg stars as a disaffected stunt junkie who's stuck in arrested development. His quest is ridiculous in the best way possible and the film plays better now that Samberg and the rest of the team's style is better defined.
8 Moneyball Is A Thoughtful Sports Film That Inspires & Provokes Change
Moneyball is an extremely unconventional sports film that it took years to successfully crack, and even then it’s a passionate work that flew over most audience’s heads. Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill relish each line of Aaron Sorkin’s sublime script and their chemistry is palpable.
Moneyball isn’t flashy like other sports movies or films that are based on true stories, but it’s easily one of the most accomplished movies of its decade. It’s a film that only gets stronger upon rewatch and it highlights the promise that lies ahead for Bennett Miller’s career as a director.
7 Noah Is A Chaotic Look Into One Of The World’s Most Famous Stories
Movies like Requiem for a Dream, The Fountain, and Mother! are all excellent examples of what Darren Aronofsky brings to the table as a director. He's practically become synonymous with ambitious storytelling. Noah has Aronofsky reinterpret the events of the Bible that surround Noah's construction of the Ark, as well as the apocalyptic flood that follows.
This religious material worried many of Aronofsky's typical crowd and Russell Crowe's casting as the titular character also left some scratching their heads. Noah might seem like homework from its premise, but Aronofsky does beautiful, bizarre things with the subject matter.
6 The Exorcist III Is A Terrifying Sequel That Digs Deeper Than The Original
William Friedkin's The Exorcist is still viewed as one of the scariest movies of all time, but it's followed by a slew of embarrassing sequels. The Exorcist III is the exception to the rule and in some ways, it even surpasses the original.
William Peter Blatty's film centers around disturbing deaths and possessions within a psychiatric hospital. Many assume the worst about The Exorcist III without ever watching it, which is why it deserves more attention and a spotlight as a classic of the horror genre. It has one of the very best jump scares of all time.
5 Colossal Is A Wildly Different Look At Kaiju Cinema & Depression
Nacho Vigalondo is a brilliant filmmaker who consistently pushes boundaries, both with his storytelling and approach to genre conventions. Colossal is a heavy character study about addiction and culpability that stars a fearless Anne Hathaway, opposite Jason Sudeikis.
Colossal’s big twist is that the drunken destruction that Hathaway’s character causes becomes echoed through a gigantic kaiju creature. Colossal turns into a monster movie, but one with a crucial message. It’s an atypical mix of sensibilities that confused many upon its release, but it absolutely accomplishes what it sets out to do.
4 Jennifer's Body Rejuvenates Horror Stereotypes & Has A Bloody Good Time
Horror is a genre that’s difficult to properly nail down and it becomes that much easier for quality contributions to get misunderstood and considered failures. Jennifer’s Body is a glorious tongue-in-cheek take on both demonic horror movies and coming-of-age films.
Karyn Kusama’s direction and Diablo Cody’s script create a smart satire that’s also deliriously fun and steeped in exaggerated violence. Megan Fox has never been better and Amanda Seyfried is the perfect foil. Jennifer’s Body isn’t a lazy horror film, but rather a commentary upon the horror genre and the gender dynamics that so often define it.
3 Alita: Battle Angel Is A Technical Feat That Creates An Incredible World
Battle Angel Alita is an iconic cyberpunk manga and anime series that James Cameron was trying to bring to life for decades. The final product puts visionary auteur, Robert Rodriguez, in the director's chair. Alita is a shocking mix of live-action and CG that brilliantly blurs the lines in order to create remarkable action sequences.
The battles and Motorball setpieces are amazing, but there's a strong emotional core to the movie that elevates it beyond purely an action film. Alita fell through the cracks and hasn't been able to trigger sequels, but it's still worth a viewing.
2 Ocean's Twelve Goes For Broke & Has The Most Fun Out Of The Heist Trilogy
Steven Soderbergh's “Ocean's Trilogy” is an absolute delight, both in terms of its deconstruction of the heist genre, but also as incredible showcases of star power and chemistry on the screen. Ocean's Twelve is the black sheep of Soderbergh's trilogy and by far the most ambitious.
Ocean's Twelve allows itself to have fun in a way that the other entries don't, plus the twist where Julia Roberts' Tess Ocean masquerades as Julia Roberts is still a cinematic highlight. Without so much pressure behind it, Ocean's Twelve has increasingly gained popularity. It takes major risks that deserve to be revisited.
1 Iron Man 3 Gets Down To The Basics Of The Man In The Iron Suit
The Marvel Cinematic Universe has evolved in some drastic ways since its origins, but there’s a very homogenized look and approach that’s come to define the dozens of connected superhero movies.
Accordingly, Iron Man 3 feels a lot more like a Shane Black film than it does an MCU offering, but that’s the best thing about it. The movie was perceived as a controversial conclusion to the Iron Man trilogy, but its introspective approach to Tony Stark’s character and its inventive take on the Mandarin helps Iron Man 3 succeed.