Hidden Gems

Here are some films that I highly recommend that were little seen during their original theatrical run. If you're not sure what to order from Netflix I would give these a try.

eXistenZ - Released 1999
This film stars Jennifer Jason Leigh and Jude Law, and was directed by David Cronenberg. The plot revolves around a virtual reality game and a possible assassin. It reminded me of Total Recall, only better.

Let Him Have It - Released 1991
This is an English film, and concerns an intellectually challenged young man who gets involved with a group of petty criminals. It's based on a true story that took place in 1950's England, and the portrayal of the results of his involvement are truly riveting.

The Comfort of Strangers - Released 1990
An English couple are on vacation in Venice and bump into Christopher Walken, who invites them back to his home. Obviously not the best decision they could have made. Mr. Walken is at his creepiest in this film, and whenever I see him, or someone else parody his persona, this is the film I think of. Directed by Paul Schrader, and a real gem.

The Vanishing - Released 1988
Guy and his girlfriend stop at a service station and girl disappears; guy becomes obsessed with finding out what happened with her. A great film, and the less said the better. This film is in Dutch with English subtitles, and do not rent/order the American remake by mistake. It was directed by the same director and I guess he felt he had to dumb down, or make more obvious one of the main characters, as well as change a major plot point. It didn't work.

The Thirteenth Floor - Released 1999
This film stars Craig Bierko and Gretchen Mol and concerns parallel worlds, virtual time travel, and good old fashioned murder. A great story.