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MIDDLE OF NOWHERE — The summer movie season is in full swing and we’re getting bombarded with big-budget, action-packed films. Let’s be honest, it’s a blast.
Every once in a while, however, we need to take a step back and see a movie that moves us in a whole new way and reminds us that there are some really amazing movies out there that we’ve never even heard of.
Here’s a list of five films that most have never heard of and even fewer have seen that are worth a watch.
The 2009 British film “Wild Target” is not well-known, but the cast is phenomenal and the movie itself is quirky and fun.
Emily Blunt stars as a small-time thief who crosses paths with a hitman hoping to retire (Bill Nighy), his protégé (Rupert Grint) and his arch nemesis (Martin Freeman).
The movie is a comedy filled with romance and heart that will keep you smiling. This isn’t award-winning material by any means, but it is pure fun. You can’t help but fall in love with Blunt, and Grint will steal the show as he makes you totally forget that he’s Ron Weasley (from the Harry Potter movies).
“Wild Target” is rated PG-13 and has an age appropriateness level of 14+ on OK.com along with a 67 percent worth-your-time rating.
The 2011 Australian film “Griff the Invisible” is a bizarre and eccentric little film, but it’s also packed with heart and emotion.
I went into the film about Griff—an office worker by day and superhero by night—with several preconceptions, only to have them all dashed in the best way possible.
The movie stars Ryan Kwanten of “True Blood” fame. It was shocking how tender and thought-provoking the film was. It’s both heartbreaking and inspiring as it reminds us that we’re all superheroes in our own way.
“Griff the Invisible” is rated PG-13 and has an OK.com age rating of 14+ and a 100 percent worth-your-time rating.
The 2008 film “The Brothers Bloom” stars Academy Award winners Adrien Brody and Rachel Weisz, as well as Academy Award nominee Mark Ruffalo.
The movie follows the brothers Bloom, con artists who bite off more than they can chew when they try to pull one over on an eccentric millionaire.
The movie is a blast and has the heist mentality of “Ocean’s Eleven” with twice the heart and humor.
The cast is incredible and the movie itself moves along at a brisk pace that keeps you guessing and intrigued.
Rian Johnson, who wrote and directed “Looper,” is the brains behind Bloom and this is some of his best work.
The movie isn’t as well-known as it should be, considering anyone who likes a good con flick should love “The Brothers Bloom.”
“The Brothers Bloom” is rated PG-13 and has an age appropriateness of 14+ along with a 100 percent worth-your-time rating.
The 2009 film “Get Low” is a slow-paced drama that is driven by a masterful performance from Robert Duvall.
The movie follows Felix Bush, a hermit living in Tennessee who throws his own funeral while he’s still alive.
Duvall is absolutely mesmerizing as Bush, and we also get great supporting performances from Lucas Black and Bill Murray as the money-loving mortician Frank Quinn.
If you’ve never seen the film, it’s worth seeing for the cast alone, which also includes Sissy Spacek and Bill Cobbs.
As mentioned earlier, “Get Low” is a slow-paced drama that is a far departure from the blockbusters hitting theaters right now, but it’s a beautifully told story with a strong moral and wit that’s hard to deny.
“Get Low” is rated PG-13 and has an age rating of 12+ on OK.com. The worth-your-time rating is only at a 44 percent, which is criminally low.
Not many have heard of the 2007 film “Son of Rambow.” That’s a real shame. This was one of my favorite movies of that year and it’s stuck with me ever since.
On the surface, the movie follows two schoolboys in the 1980’s as they try to make a film inspired by the original Rambo movie, “First Blood.”
As you watch the film, however, you realize it’s a sweet coming-of-age story that revolves around friendship and loyalty.
The movie is at times hilarious and at other times it hits you so hard in the heart that you’ll have trouble getting back up.
“Son of Rambow” will have you cheering, laughing, fighting back tears and will leave you with a weird desire to re-watch “First Blood.”
“Son of Rambow” is rated PG-13 and has an age appropriateness level of 12+ with a 100 percent worth-your-time rating.
