The past decade brought us an onslaught of new films. Some were great, most were mediocre, and some never got their time to shine. Below are my 5 films that I feel were overlooked over the past decade. All 5 were thought provoking, original, and better than 90% of the films that got more traction during “The Oh’s”. For various reasons, they didn’t get their due respect when in the theaters.  If you haven’t seen any of these films, I highly recommend them. With no further adieu, here are Film Savior’s “Top 5 Overlooked Films of The Oh’s”:

5. The Assassination of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford” (2007)

“By his own approximation, Bob assassinated Jesse James over 800 times. He suspected no one in history had ever so often or so publicly recapitulated an act of betrayal.”

With a ridiculously long and expositional title, a lengthy running time (159 minutes), and western epic feel, it’s no wonder many people passed on this film. And it’s a shame. This psychoanalytical historic epic takes an interesting approach on the tale of Jesse James. At 34 years old, he seems to be in a fog, just waiting to be killed and put out of his complicated life.  Brad Pitt, Sam Rockwell, and Casey Affleck all put in brilliant performances (Affleck was nominated for an Academy Award as the creepy Robert Ford), The haunting score from Nick Cave and Warren Ellis is a must add to your iTunes if you are music score connoisseur (you can get a taste of it in the trailer HERE).  If you have the time (or watch it in two shifts), give this one a chance. You’ll be surprised that this one passed you by.  NETFLIX it!

4.  Brick (2005)

“Throw one at me if you want, hash head. I’ve got all five senses and I slept last night, that puts me six up on the lot of you.” – Brendan

Similar to the straight approach to Baz Luhrmann’s modern twist to Romeo + Juliet, Brick takes the 1940′s film noir into modern day high school. The actors speak and act like detectives/criminals/femme fatales, but live the everyday high school experience. The fearless performance by Joseph Gordon-Levitt brought him from TV sitcom actor to a serious film actor. This role was a career page turner for him in every sense of the word.  First time writer/director Rian Johnson does not flinch in his abstract, sometimes zany, original detective story.  The film only opened in two theaters in ’06 after its film festival run in ’05.  While this original and fantastic film barely was seen, The Benchwarmers, Scary Movie 4, and RV was defecating on thousands of screens each. Really.

Check out the trailer HERE. You’ll get a better sense of how whacked out, yet true to the detective genre it is.  Here is NETFLIX link.

3. The Squid and The Whale (2005)

“I’ve got an elegant new house across the park. It’s an elegant block — the filet of the neighborhood.” – Bernard

Noah Baumbach’s best film to date perfectly captures the comedic drama of a family going through a divorce in 1980′s Brooklyn. Each character is flawed, cringe inducing, yet charming in their own unique ways. As nasty and acidic as the characters are, they all seem real–human, three-dimensional. Jeff Daniels is outstanding (as always) as the self-centered author.  Every one of his lines is delivered with stinging realism and calculated anger. Funny, despairing, and real – The Squid and the Whale is an acutely sad/humorous look at family collapse.  The verbal ping pong slinging between Jeff Daniels and Laura Linney is worth the price of rental in itself. Check out the trailer HERE. And the NETFLIX link.

2. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005)

“Wow, I feel sore. I mean physically, not like a guy who’s angry in a movie in the 1950′s.”-Harry

One would think “from the writer/director of Lethal Weapon” and “starring Robert Downey, Jr.” would be a blockbuster movie. How quickly things change in Hollywood. Around 2005 Robert Downey, Jr. was making his slow climb back up the Hollywood ranks. He had a guest starring role on Ally McBeal, he starred in The Shaggy Dog, and had a starring role in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. What a shame that this one got lost amongst his bad acting choices. As a buddy comedy and Hollywood detective satire, it’s consistently funny, full of meaningfull pop culture dialogue, and filled with great action. The chemistry between Downey Jr. and Val Kilmer (as PI Gay Perry) is undeniable. They are fantastic together. This film has generated quiet home rental buzz, but cannot be recommended enough as a fun, entertaining rental.

1. 25^th Hour

“I have been in three different prisons, Montgomery. Three different countries. And you know what I learned? I learned prison is a bad place to be.”-Uncle Nikolai

Spike Lee’s first post 9/11 film couldn’t have been more tragically prophetic. Based on David Benioff’s novel about a drug dealer’s last day before he heads off to prison, Lee’s decision to shoot the film through the viewpoint of the recently scarred New York City added a brilliant dimension to the strong script. 25th Hour isn’t just a story about one man’s mistakes, it also opens into a love letter to the American Dream, the diversity of the country, and the potential to keep things moving forward, even in the darkest days. Ed Norton, Barry Pepper, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Rosario Dawson all give powerful performances.  And the infamous “F$ck you” 5 minutes rant from Ed Norton. Wow. I’m pretty sure he offended every walk of life. Amazing speech. You can see it HERE if you so choose.

This is easily one of Spike Lee’s best films. This is also one of the best films of the past decade.  If you haven’t seen it, it’s a MUST SEE.

Check out the trailer HERE.

NETFLIX it.

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