Hello CBMers!!!
Sometimes you have to sift through alot of terrible movie to get to that truly enjoyable film. It's like going to the park and finding a twenty dollar bill on the ground. What's the word...ah yes, pleasant. Isn't great to watch a movie, sometimes with low expectations, only to finish the watch pleasantly surprised. I call this films, hidden gems. Every genre has their own ideal hidden gem. Of course, gems are hard to rate, what seems precious to my eye, may be garbage to your own eye. Remember that, as these are all my choices, and today we're going to look at three different genres. This Upon Further Review article is one in which I list a hidden gem film from the genres of; martial arts, science fiction, and of course comic book movie.
Martial Arts
Drive (1997)
Starring
Mark Dacascos
Kadeem Hardison
What's it about:
No, not the one with Ryan Gosling. This is the late nineties low budget martial arts film starring Mark Dacascos, who was Jimmy in the Double Dragon film. You may recognize him from Iron Chef America. The story is pure cheesball you'd expect from straight to video film from this time, as it borrows heavily from Universal Soldier, Jackie Chan movies, and Rush Hour. It follows Toby, who was the test subject for a Chinese mafia-like organization. Toby underwent a procedure that had a device attached to his heart, it would cause the body to produce more adrenalin, thus given him enhanced abilities. He can fight longer, better, and stronger. He, however, goes on the run and of course the Chinese group wants their "project" back. They send multiple hired thugs and hitmen to capture Toby. Toby ends up gaining an ally in a wise cracking bar customer he crosses paths with. The movie then is mostly different locales that feature spectacular fight sequences. Includes motel rooms, garages, and odd themed bar. There he must confront his most adversaral pursuer, who just happens to have the same ability enhancing device Toby has.
What's good:
This movie was very surprising, especially when you rate it for what it is, a low budget, kick ass martial arts flick. The fighting is incredibly exciting and entertaining. Mark Dacascos is a surprisingly good and capable martial artist. The fighting choreography is fun and creative, that often involve the low budget set pieces. An example of creativity comes when Toby has to battle a group of thugs with taser sticks, that he cannot come into contact with. What does he do? Puts his boots over his hands and then proceeds to kick their asses.
Science Fiction
Gattaca (1997)
Starring
Ethan Hawke
Uma Thurman
Jude Law
What's it about:
This movie is set in an all too plausible future. One were genetics are used to birth the "perfect" humans. These people are more likely to succeed in life. Natural birth people are relegated to second class citizenship. It's an odd take on segregation as those born of natural birth are often deterred and congealed to meaningless occupations. The film's primary protagonist, Jerome, is one of the natural births, but aspires to a calling far outside his "gene class." He wants to be an astronaut and dreams of leaving Earth. He crafts an illegal plot in which he borrows a downtrodden "perfect" human gene signature and identity. He makes it to the astronaut program but his dream becomes compromised when a murder takes place with clues pointing to a natural birth suspect. To complicate it further, Jerome's "perfect" brother is the lead detective on the case.
What's good:
The movie is an incredible look at what could become of future society. Genetics isn't that far removed from being manipulated, just a matter of time until certain genes can be identified and used in procreation. The film has a unique stylish atmosphere that harkens back to the '50s, an important time for science fiction films. The score, beautiful and haunting, is incredibly rousing and subtle. And the story and dialogue are supremely engaging and masterfully inspiring. It's primarily a fun and imaginative spin on the underdog story. An example of the stellar dialogue comes when Jerome, the "degenerate", challenges his physical and gene superior brother to a game of "swim chicken"; a game they played as youngsters. The point of the game is to swim out to sea, just keep going until one swimmer needs to go back to the coast. Befuddled by how Jerome, is beating him, his brother demands, "how are you doing this?" To which Jerome says, "you want to know how I'm doing this? I never saved anything for the swim back!" A great inspiring motto, basically lice life to fullest, give it everything you have.
Comic Book Movie
The Punisher (2004)
Starring
Thomas Jane
John Travolta
What's it about:
The Punisher is often forgotten and discarded. The Punisher himself is a brutal violent character, and the movie made the character more appropriate for a wider audience. Or so they hoped. What was produced, is a fun, coolly crafted revenge story. Maybe I'm just a sucker for revenge stories. The story follows Frank Castle, an undercovser FBI agent, who is about to be promoted to a more normal desk job. However, his last case features an unfortunate occurrance, which is mob-like leader Howard Saint's son being killed. Saint holds Castle responsible, so he has his gang murder the entire Castle family. They manage to kill a large amount of Castle's family members, except for Castle himself. Frank then equips himself to go to war with Howard Saint. He stays at an old apartment complex, with a variety of oddball residents, while he gathers the knowledge to not just kill Saint; but destroy his whole existence. Frank brings down Saint's business, kills his best hitmen, kills his other son, turns him against his right hand man, and has him questioning his wife's loyalty. Justifying the final big shoot out at Saint's nightclub by saying it's not about revenge, "no not revenge. This is punishment."
What's good:
I never liked the Punisher character, but I really enjoyed this film. Thomas Jane was an interesting choice to portray the hardened vigilante, as he captures the loss and determination of Frank Castle. There are some great fight sequences, one featuring popular Punisher antagonist, The Russian. Plus the addition of the apartment resident side characters provide some humor, and a surprisingly engaging scene that features one of them being tortured.
In conclusion, if you have not seen these films, I can not recommend them more. Great, surprising treats are these. Sound off in the usual place with your favorite hidden gems, based on genre. If you enjoyed the read, don't forget to hit that red thumb. Thanks!!