QUICK FIX Movies To Watch 41-45 are all a little strange in their own way
QUICK FIX Movies To Watch is a weekly column of mixed movie suggestions for both the avid film fan and the casual movie-goer. Dive in, swim around a little bit, and come up with a new movie or two you think is worth watching. They’re all great!
This week’s Quick Fix takes a look at Rubber, The Basketball Diaries, District 9, Millions, and Donnie Darko.
QUICK FIX Movie To Watch #41: RUBBER
Release: 2010 Rating: R Director: Quentin Dupieux
Stars: Charley Koontz, Jack Plotnick, Stephen Spinella
Rubber should pretty much be the text book definition of experimental film making. It’s bizarre, in your face, unapologetic, and all of it works so well. It’s about a homicidal, rogue rubber tire who kills people. I know, it sounds like a terrible B movie, but it’s much better than you’d expect. Plus it’s a pretty great commentary on movie-goers/viewers in general. I don’t know how to describe this one more without sounding insane, so check it out if you get the chance!
HIDDEN GEM: There’s a rogue audience member who refuses to follow the rules in this film, and the subsequent confusion he causes by doing so is pretty priceless.
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QUICK FIX Movie To Watch #42: THE BASKETBALL DIARIES
Release: 1995 Rating: R Director: Scott Kalvert
Stars: Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Wahlberg, Juliette Lewis, James Madio, Bruno Kirby
Young Leonardo DiCaprio was such a fun talent to watch develop and grow into the excellent actor he is today, and The Basketball Diaries is one of his earlier films. Based on the real-life memoir novel of a New York author, the movie deals with youth drug use, sex, violence, basketball, and frivolous, substance-fueled writing. It’s a strange coming of age story and a must watch if you’re a fan of either DiCaprio or Mark Wahlberg.
HIDDEN GEM: Not to sound like I’ve got a man-crush on Leonardo DiCaprio, but he’s such a crazy teenage herione addict here and his performance through the highs and lows throughout the film is exceptional.
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QUICK FIX Movie To Watch #43: DISTRICT 9
Release: 2009 Rating: R Director: Neill Blomkamp
Stars: Sharlto Copley
District 9 put both Sharlto Copley and director Neill Blomkamp on the map in a big way. Both showed tremendous talent respectively bringing to life the main character and creating a uniquely layered sci-fi world and instant classic. The CGI on display is flawless, which is not an overstatement. The alien creatures blend perfectly with the gritty slums they live in and the humans they encounter. Both a violent alien action flick and a heartfelt look at equality and morality, District 9 comes highly recommended!
HIDDEN GEM: The alien design and the inventive weaponry they’ve brought with them cause some tremendous damage throughout the film, and it’s pretty wild watching the creatures interact with the devious, deceptive side of humanity.
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QUICK FIX Movie To Watch #44: MILLIONS
Release: 2004 Rating: TV-14 Director: Danny Boyle
Stars: Alex Etel, James Nesbitt, Christopher Fulford
Millions is easily Danny Boyle’s cutest, most accessible movie, and that’s mostly due to young Alex Etel’s performance. The kid’s curious, inquisitive, and just good to the core and sometimes it backfires on him. Add in a bank heist, imagined saints (or are they?), a bag full of money, the coolest cardboard fort I wish I’d had as a kid, and the clever direction of Boyle and you’ve got a very good movie experience.
HIDDEN GEM: The way our protagonist interacts with various saints, and the depth of the conversations they have together, are fun, insightful, and even a little spiritual without being preachy or gimmicky.
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QUICK FIX Movie To Watch #45: DONNIE DARKO
Release: 2001 Rating: R Director: Richard Kelly
Stars: Jake Gyllenhaal, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Patrick Swayze, Jena Malone, Drew Barrymore, Noah Wyle
This was one of those movies I’d pop in to show friends while in high school saying something like “it’ll blow your mind, it’s crazy awesome”, and a lot of those friends would come out the other end of the rabbit hole thinking just that. Donnie Darko is a cult-gem dealing with coming of age in an odd world, time travel, an evil-looking adult-sized rabbit named Frank, and a medicated, confused young man who may be the key to saving the world. Pretty intense, right? This is one of my favorites and will always have a place on my shelf.
HIDDEN GEM: Frank the bunny is straight up creepy for most of the movie, and it’s his voice in particular that used to chill me straight through. Also, this is one of Seth Rogen’s earliest appearances on film, and it’s oddly awesome to see him as a background character in such a great movie.
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