Films I was pleasantly surprised at watching...

The first time I came across this was late night on a movie channel and I caught it half way through. When I finally was able to see the entire film I was shocked at how great it is and now consider it one of the greatest sci-fi films I have ever seen.

I had never even heard of the book. I still do not know if it was ever in the theaters but if you have seen it, Holes is remarkably good for what it is. Acting was great across the board and the cast contains some very prominent actors. I think Disney should stick to getting lucky off of "sleeper hits" like this instead of spending a fortune on big budget blunders.

This film will definitely be an acquired taste for many but I found it well acted and the premise is quite original.

I tend to come very late to the table when it comes to Indie films like this but I am starting to believe that films like this should be the ones recognized for Oscars and not the same high-profile films that keep winning. I still do not know whether Take Shelter is meant to be a psychological drama or science fiction film but I think that is the point.

Not sure how I heard of this. But I figured why not give it try. I have always found Matthew McConaughey entertaining even in all the movies people hate on but honestly would never consider him a great actor. But perhaps the old adage "less is more" is apropos here. His acting is subtle and yet proves to be very powerful. Mud was written and directed by Jeff Nichols (Take Shelter) and is truly a delight to watch. I hope the boy that plays Ellis will get some nominations.

When it came out I thought it looked ridiculous. I had a few friends try to convince me it was actually good but I did not believe them. But I was bored one day a year or two later and rented it. Talk about a surprise. Pitch Black is quite good I think. Everything you want in an action sci-fi plus a great story and decent acting. Just wish they had stopped after making this lol.

Keep in mind the title of this list is pleasant surprises lol. I am not saying Dredd is an Oscar winner by any means, but I am sure I am not alone when I say I truly thought this was going to be unbearably bad...especially since the first was just abysmal. But I have to admit it did not suck. I was pleasantly surprise at how non cartoonish Urban played Dredd. Will I watch it over and over again...probably not, but I would not run from it if it was on.

I am sure I will get destroyed for listing this. After all the negative press it received I quickly dismissed this film. I was definitely surprised when I finally decided to watch it. The ending was a shocker at least...I figured it would be a ridiculous and predictable Hollywood ending. Sure the tone of the film is bleak and there really is no real point to it all but maybe that is the point?

One of the better dramedies I have seen in a while. Very sincere in its approach and the characters are highly complex and sympathetic.

There really is no good way to describe this film. Just watch it.

I initially dismissed this becuase I figured it was going to be yet another cookie cutter teen romcom. But surprisingly this is a refreshing take on teen romance. Sure there are some cliched elements but overall it is a very well written and acted story about virginity, love, friendship and life

I had never heard of this film when it came out. Still not sure how I heard of it but I am glad I watched it. If you are a fan of horror comedies then this is perhaps one of the best.

This got very little marketing and an even shorter run in the US. Yes it belongs to the ever-growing list of "geriatric romcoms" (some journalist I read described these films this way), but I would say you should watch this film. The cast is unbelievable and it is a very compelling story about coping with age, death, and love.

I dismissed this, not because I thought it would be stupid, but because I have never understood movies that are directly portraying recent events (especially when there had already been documentaries of some length that had already told the story). But I must say I love this movie. If you are old enough to remember the events of the actual crisis the film helps tie the pieces together. It is not an over the top action film depicting American heroism (apparently this is becoming an increasingly maligned thing in film these days), but it accurately portrays young servicemen (yes American get over it) who are doing their duty, struggling to survive and the futility of war.

Not sure if this was a straight to video or made for tv film. I caught it on tv a few months ago and as science fiction goes this is surprisingly good. If you like the themes in Twilight Zone and/or Outer Limits then Cube is right up your alley. Acting is ok but the story is quite good.

There are serious flaws when it comes to script and scientific accuracy or even plausibility but this movie is worth watching a few times for the visual effects alone. For a budget no where near the likes of a Cameron or Jackson film, Upside Down is one of the most visually stunning films I have seen in a long time.