I just got into a pretty good discussion over this topic a few days ago. So what say you? What do you think are some of the most underrated and overrated films?

Underrated
In Bruges- One of the best screenplays of the last few years, and the performances, as well as the score, are great.
Revolutionary Road- One of the biggest Oscar snubs of the decade. I have seen it four or five times. The performances by DiCaprio and Winslet are remarkable, the cinematography by Deakins is stunning, and the score is absolutely brilliant. Such a snub.
Hook- Now I know it's not some cinematical masterpiece, but this movie is fantastic. I may be a bit biased since I basically grew up on this movie, but even watching it now I think it's a great film with a lot of heart.
There Will Be Blood- I definitely think this film is underrated. I mean, there were a lot of people who thought it was great, but I still don't think it got what it deserved. I think this will end up being a Shawshank Redemption-type film, where in a decade or so, people will really see how stunning of a masterpiece this is. One of my top 10 films of all time, top 5 of the decade.

Overrated
V for Vendetta- Oh get off your fucking high horses about this movie. The performances are lackluster and the direction seems disjointed at times. Yes, there are some definite visually appealing scenes at times, but other than that, I don't see the hype.
Across the Universe- I love Julie Taymor. I wish that I would've liked this movie. Unfortunately, all the visual effects seemed out of place and that they were just there to be cool. They didn't serve a purpose. Not to mention they didn't need half of the characters in that movie. They only put in a few of them (Sadie, Prudence, etc.) so they could get their one song about them.
Sin City- I like this movie, I do. But I don't think it's the cinematical masterpiece that many make it out to be. That's all I have to say about that one.

I think underated (or possibly under-seen) is Children of Men. One of the best films I've ever seen and one of the few films I've watched in the cinema where my jaw has literally been wide open when it was over. Some of the single take scenes are incredible.

Mr Torrie Wilson wrote:I think underated (or possibly under-seen) is Children of Men. One of the best films I've ever seen and one of the few films I've watched in the cinema where my jaw has literally been wide open when it was over. Some of the single take scenes are incredible.

You should give the book a try.

Overrated:

Sacrface - An excellent first act, and explosive ending don't make a movie. This film is not the masterpiece its made out to be. The second act drags and goes no where. And on top of that, Pacio's performance is completely over acted. And I never found him convinceing as a Cuban in any way.

Training Day - I really don't enjoy this film, the whole film revolves around Denzel trying to steal the show, and in the end is very unconvincing and completely over the top.

Underrated:

Dark City (Directors Cut) - The studio enforced theatrical cut is horrible, but Proyas Directors cut is amazing. It has been criminally ignored by critics and audiences alike. Its one of the most engrossing, compelling and enjoyable sci-fi films I've ever seen.

Sunshine - I'll concede that the final act is weak, compared to the awesome first two acts, but I absolutley love this film. It combines my favourite parts, of movies like 2001, Alien and maybe Event Horizon. But I will admit to being a massive Danny Boyle mark.

Running Scared - An awesome little gangster movie from Wayne Kramer, is bizzarre, crazy and completely over the top, but in a good way. It doesn't take itself serioulsy for a second. The characters are so badass that you cant help but laugh, and the way Kramer designs the city to be its own Alice in Wonderland adventure is amazing.

Overrated :

WALL-E
Most people seem to think it is cinema gold! I watched it and have never been so bored in my whole live in a cinema, it was absolute toss! Mate said it was one of the best movies he ever saw! I was like Was we watching the same movie? all it was was EVE? WALL-E! EVE!!! WALL-E!!! EVVVVVVVVEEEEE!!! Christ sake it was rubbish and when more characters where involved a bunch of fat people I just wanted them all to die they where so annoying, terrible terrible movie.

Underrated:

For me it's down to what you're expecting from the film most of the time. If Scorcese did a slapstick comedy, few people would take it seriously because it's not what he does...but if you look at it purely as a slapstick comedy then you can consider the film on it's own merits...something I don't think is done often enough. (Still wouldn't save the last Indy film, though...)

So...

Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back - Smith is known for capuring a certain type of chaacter and relationship - Holden/Amy, Dante/RandallZach/Miri. There's usually some moralistic angle in there (Cue the Chasing Amy speech). But what if you strip that all away and just leave the dick and fart jokes? This one is just a modermn day comedy road trip - a joke made by a bunch of friends using Hollywood money, so I really find that just switching off and going with the ride, letting the ridiculous wash over you, makes this a great film to watch when youi're looking for a laugh. Smith says when asked about doing Sci-Fo in future that he's already done it with Amy because "ask any lesbian - that'd never happen!" and I respectfully submit that this is his comic book movie, just more Garfield or Peanuts than Chris Claremont or Stan Lee.

Eight Legged Freaks - Not for Arquette, Johansson or Wuhrer, but just because it is so unashamedly tongue in cheek 50s B-movie. We embrace Flash Gordon for its own stylised TV serial/Comic strip approac, so why not this?

Plus the spider voices are hilarious!

The Italian Job (remake) - To go ack to my first point, just don't call it the Italian Job. It's a good film if it's not in any way associated with the Caine classic - just change th film name, Wahlberg's character name and swap out the minis for something else and you'd never link the two.

The In-Laws (remake) - Douglas and Brooks are very good, Ryan Reynolds is on his game perfectly in his smaller role, but Suchet as the campest "not gay" killer in history is an absolute riot

The Producers (musical version) - A lot of people don't like this film, but very few look at it as what it is - a film of a show. It is almost exclusively framed just like a stage show with box set and fourth wall, and having been working on our production now for about 5 months, you can really see just how good some of the performances are.

Garibaldi wrote:Underrated:

For me it's down to what you're expecting from the film most of the time. If Scorcese did a slapstick comedy, few people would take it seriously because it's not what he does...but if you look at it purely as a slapstick comedy then you can consider the film on it's own merits...something I don't think is done often enough. (Still wouldn't save the last Indy film, though...)

So...

Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back - Smith is known for capuring a certain type of chaacter and relationship - Holden/Amy, Dante/RandallZach/Miri. There's usually some moralistic angle in there (Cue the Chasing Amy speech). But what if you strip that all away and just leave the dick and fart jokes? This one is just a modermn day comedy road trip - a joke made by a bunch of friends using Hollywood money, so I really find that just switching off and going with the ride, letting the ridiculous wash over you, makes this a great film to watch when youi're looking for a laugh. Smith says when asked about doing Sci-Fo in future that he's already done it with Amy because "ask any lesbian - that'd never happen!" and I respectfully submit that this is his comic book movie, just more Garfield or Peanuts than Chris Claremont or Stan Lee.

Eight Legged Freaks - Not for Arquette, Johansson or Wuhrer, but just because it is so unashamedly tongue in cheek 50s B-movie. We embrace Flash Gordon for its own stylised TV serial/Comic strip approac, so why not this?

Plus the spider voices are hilarious!

The Italian Job (remake) - To go ack to my first point, just don't call it the Italian Job. It's a good film if it's not in any way associated with the Caine classic - just change th film name, Wahlberg's character name and swap out the minis for something else and you'd never link the two.

The In-Laws (remake) - Douglas and Brooks are very good, Ryan Reynolds is on his game perfectly in his smaller role, but Suchet as the campest "not gay" killer in history is an absolute riot

The Producers (musical version) - A lot of people don't like this film, but very few look at it as what it is - a film of a show. It is almost exclusively framed just like a stage show with box set and fourth wall, and having been working on our production now for about 5 months, you can really see just how good some of the performances are.

Jesus! You've been working on a production for 5 months and it hasn't even opened yet. What the hell kind of production is this??

Over-rated:

Dark Knight and Fight Club

Under-rated;

I'm not sure I agree about in bruges, maybe it got more coverage over here ten in the states, its a legitimet film here.

Big Dave wrote:Over-rated:

Dark Knight and Fight Club

Under-rated;

I'm not sure I agree about in bruges, maybe it got more coverage over here ten in the states, its a legitimet film here.

It was nominated for on Oscar (which was a big surprise, even though it absolutely should have been), but it is still not very well appreciated over here. I think the consensus is that people enjoyed the film and thought it was really good, but no one saw it. I think if more people saw it, the more people would realize how brilliant it is.

Over-rated.

Donny Darko, did I miss something or is it because I was one of the few who realised the engine had to drop in order for the world to be put back in place?

Under-rated

Wayne's World. Party on, excellent.

Overrated
- There Will Be Blood
- WALL-E
- Slumdog Millionaire

Underrated
- Superman III
- The Devil's Rejects
- The Basketball Diaries
- Glengarry Glenn Ross