List
Under the Radar 3.0
If you're looking for hidden gems, overlooked releases, or slightly forgotten films, check out the items on this list.
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The Best of Youth
2006Get this itemSpanning the mid-1960s to early the 2000s, this saga follows the divergent paths of two brothers through turbulent social and political events in Italy. Originally conceived as a mini-series, it screened at the Cannes Film Festival and won the Un Certain Regard award. A wonderful example of world cinema and episodic storytelling, it runs six hours and tempts one into binge watching.
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Blaze (DVD)
2019Get this itemI had not heard of country songwriter/singer Blaze Foley before this biographical drama got rave reviews at the Sundance Film Festival. Ethan Hawke directed, and co-wrote the screenplay with Foley's muse Sybil Rosen. To keep things as authentic as possible, he used musicians as first-time actors. They nailed it. Call this a labor of love for an under-the-radar legend.
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Blindspotting
2018Get this itemThis comedy/drama set in Oakland, California is co-written and produced by lifelong friends Daveed Diggs and Rafael Casa. It follows two best friends, Miles (Casa), a hothead and family man, and Colin (Diggs), recently released from two months in jail, trying to avoid trouble. With only a few days left on probation, Colin witnesses an unarmed black man gunned down by a white police officer. Timely, powerful, with terrific acting and confident direction, this deserved more attention during the awards season.
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The Brothers Bloom
2009Get this itemBrothers Stephen and Bloom plot one last swindle, for $2.5 million. Their mark is an eccentric heir named Penelope Stamp who wants an adventure. A quirky comedy, I especially enjoyed Rinko Kikuchi's character, Bang Bang, an explosives expert of few words.
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Columbus
2019Get this itemThis film, unique and exquisite in its execution, is a visual feast and much more. In standout performances, John Cho and Hailey Lu Richardson play two people at a crossroads in life, who bond over architecture. Every scene that shows a structure or building is striking and adds depth to the story.
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Cold Comfort Farm
2003Get this itemKate Beckinsale stars as Flora Poste, a young woman recently orphaned, who moves from London to live with bizarre relatives on their gloomy, rundown farm. To everyone's surprise, she immediately starts to reorganize and make improvements. Featuring a stellar British cast, this delightful comedy of manners doesn't miss a beat.
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Eighth Grade
2018Get this itemEighth-grader Kayla Day, getting through her last week of middle school, posts motivational videos about confidence, goal setting, and self-image to her YouTube channel. She does not have many school friends and wins the “Most Quiet Award” from her classmates. Bo Burnham (a former YouTuber) did an exceptionable job capturing the character and struggles of a 13-year-old girl. Some universally familiar scenes hit home and are truly uncomfortable. This movie makes a great conversation-starter.
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The Fall
2008Get this itemSet in the 1920s, a stuntman wounded on a movie shoot befriends a little girl hospitalized with a broken arm. He fashions a fantastical epic story as a means of tricking her into doing something for him. Director Tarsem Singh largely financed it himself, filming sequences in 28 countries and taking four years to complete. The movie has stunning visuals that exemplify the power of imagination.
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The Great Match
2006Get this itemThis charming comedy speaks to global unity and devoted sports fans. It follows the extraordinary efforts of three indigenous tribes, one from Mongolia, another from Niger, and another from Brazil, to watch the soccer World Cup final. Spanish filmmaker Gerardo Olivares uses non-actors and makes the most of the beautiful scenery.
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