Highly Recommend (Almost Favorites)

  1. FanGirl
  2. FanGirl

This list features films that I really loved when I saw them. These films almost made the favorite film list (for the most part they would be on the favorite list except I've only seen them once or twice and I think you have to watch a film a few more times than that before you can call it a favorite). In no particular order.

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  FanGirl's Rating My Rating
1
Oldboy (2005,  R)
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2
Primer (2004,  PG-13)
Primer 4.5 Stars
It looked really boreing, but turned out to be a really great film. A new spin on time travel.
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3
Identity (2003,  R)
Identity 4.0 Stars
I didn't except this film to be any good, but it turned out to be really great. A very tight thriller with a relatively fresh 'twist'.
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4
From Dusk Till Dawn (1996,  R)
From Dusk Till Dawn 4.5 Stars
Vampires and Clooney makes FanGirl very happy.
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5
Twin Falls Idaho (1999,  R)
Twin Falls Idaho 4.5 Stars
If you like intellegent indepent films you have to see this film. The best of the Polish brother films.
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6
Eat Drink Man Woman (1994,  Unrated)
Eat Drink Man Woman 5.0 Stars
I love this movie.
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7
Fa Yeung Nin Wa (In the Mood for Love) (2000,  PG)
Fa Yeung Nin Wa (In the Mood for Love) 5.0 Stars
My favorite Wong Kar-Wai film and that's saying a lot.
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8
The Fountain (2006,  PG-13)
The Fountain 4.5 Stars
I don't understand why so many critics panned this film, I think it's brilliant and not that hard to follow. An absolutely beautiful and utterly romantic film. A must see film for anyone who likes films that make you think.
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9
Dark City (1998,  R)
Dark City 4.5 Stars
"First there was darkness, then came the strangers."
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10
Children of Men (2006,  R)
Children of Men 4.5 Stars
An outstanding and powerful film. Very brutal and realistic, it's not hard for me to imagine the world reaching this point. I didn't think the film would end the way it did (I would say what I mean by that but I don't want to spoil the end for anyone), but I'm glad I was wrong.

If this film doesn't at least make you teary eyed at some point you may want to check your pulse because I think your heart is missing.
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11
The Prestige (2006,  PG-13)
The Prestige 4.5 Stars
Really a solid film, keeps you wrapped up the whole time. The cast did an excellent job (with the exception of Johansson but I think I'm just really sick of seeing her in every other film). I figured out most things (not all) before I was suppose to but it didn't hurt the story or the suspence at all. This film had a lot more of a sci-fi bend than I was expecting which made me very happy.

I've heard this film compared to The Illusionist a lot (because they came out at about the same time and are about similar subject matters). Personally I prefer The Prestige I think it has a much tighter story and is far less obvious than The Illusionist. However I can understand why some people would perfer the lighter and less complicated story of The Illusionist.
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12
Lucky Number Slevin (2006,  R)
Lucky Number Slevin 4.0 Stars
I was surprised by how much I liked this film. Very stylish and entertaining. Granted I figured out just about every 'twist' in the beginning, but still really fun.
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13
Scotland, PA. (2002,  R)
Scotland, PA. 4.5 Stars
MacBeth in a hamburger joint. Do I really need to say anything more? One of my favorite Shakespear to film out there.
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14
Titus (1999,  R)
Titus 4.5 Stars
Probably my favorite Shakespeare to film. When it comes to sick twisted violence no body does it better than old Will. ;)
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15
Slither (2006,  R)
Slither 4.0 Stars
When will he learn? Always bring the gernade!
This movie is just a hoot! It's such a throw back to less violent yet completely disgusting horror films. If you're easily offended or don't like campy you might skip it, other then that you should check it out. It made me laugh so hard and cringe and squirm. The special features on the DVD are fun as well.
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16
The Mummy (1999,  PG-13)
The Mummy 5.0 Stars
Campy, yes. Entertaining, you bet! I love this movie (maybe a little more than I should).
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17
No Such Thing (2001,  R)
No Such Thing 4.5 Stars
A very unusual film and well worth your time.
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18
The Reckoning (2004,  R)
The Reckoning 4.5 Stars
I thought this film looked sort of boreing but it ended up being really good. I highly recommend it.
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19
3 Iron (2005,  R)
3 Iron 4.0 Stars
Really great subtle film. Highly recommend it.
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20
Happy Times (2002,  PG)
Happy Times 4.5 Stars
Charming and sweet. An interesting film with a unique story and fun characters.
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21
Save The Green Planet (2005,  Unrated)
Save The Green Planet 4.5 Stars
Really original and really crazy. A lot better and different than you might expect looking at the box art. I would definately recommend this movie.
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22
Uzumaki (,  G)
Uzumaki 4.0 Stars
Really weird, really good Japanese horror film. If I could find it I wouldn't mind buying this one.
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23
Below (2002,  R)
Below 4.0 Stars
A movie about a haunted sub, doesn't sound that good, but it is. Very taught thriller. Basically everything that could possiably go wrong on a sub happens in this film and it still manages to have a storyline and believable developed characters.
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24
Event Horizon (1997,  R)
Event Horizon 4.0 Stars
When I was little I hated this movie because it gave me bad dreams. Now I've grown up a bit and think this movie is great because it is so well done, well acted and interesting. And no, it doesn't give me bad dreams anymore.
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25
Breakfast of Champions (1999,  R)
Breakfast of Champions 4.0 Stars
Quirky and slightly insane, an underapperciated film.
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26
Bad Education (La Mala educación) (2004,  NC-17)
Bad Education (La Mala educación) 4.5 Stars
This is just an amazing movie. If you're homophobic don't see it, otherwise I highly highly recommend it. And personally I think Bael Garcia Bernal has never looked better ;)
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27
Hawaii, Oslo (2000,  Unrated)
Hawaii, Oslo 4.0 Stars
This is a really interesting twist on the ability to see the future. It's not a scifi, or is it? Make sure to watch all the way until the end for extra drop of scifi-y goodness.
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28
The Five Senses (2000,  R)
The Five Senses 4.0 Stars
Subtle and quiet. A well done 'intertwining' story film.
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29
Layer Cake (2004,  R)
Layer Cake 4.0 Stars
Sleek and stylish. An all around smart film.
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30
The Believer (2002,  R)
The Believer 4.0 Stars
Very powerful film with a powerhouse performance by Gosling. This is not an easy film to watch but it's a great film. If you liked American History X you have to see this film.
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31
Stander (2003,  R)
Stander 4.0 Stars
The preview and the box look bad, but this movie is really brilliant. It's not a subject I would normally be interested in but this movie really grabs you and is just all around good.
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32
Fallen (1997,  R)
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33
The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill (2005,  G)
The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill 4.0 Stars
You'll be surprised by how good this film is when you watch it, I know I was.
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34
Office Space (1999,  R)
Office Space 4.5 Stars
"I believe you have my stapler"
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35
Cookie's Fortune (1999,  PG-13)
Cookie's Fortune 4.0 Stars
Nice, charming lttle comedy.
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36
Pitch Black (2000,  R)
Pitch Black 4.5 Stars
Subtle, good sci-fi. Not big on Vin Diesel, but this is before most people knew his name.
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37
Sin noticias de Dios (Don't Tempt Me) (2001,  R)
Sin noticias de Dios (Don't Tempt Me) 4.5 Stars
I've read a lot of bad reviews of this film, but I found it engaging and original. I really liked this film and would recommend it to anyone who likes quirky, original films.
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38
Heavenly Creatures (1995,  R)
Heavenly Creatures 4.5 Stars
Peter Jackson before LotR. Well crafted story and solid acting. I highly recommend this film.
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39
Mars Attacks! (1996,  PG-13)
Mars Attacks! 4.5 Stars
Might just be Tim Burton's best film. But then again Edward Scissorhands was really great too.
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40
The Phantom (1996,  PG)
The Phantom 4.5 Stars
Cheesey and campy and oh so much fun. Billy Zane has never looked better.
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41
Raise the Red Lantern (,  PG)
Raise the Red Lantern 4.5 Stars
I need to see this one again.
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42
Intacto (2002,  R)
Intacto 4.5 Stars
I love the concept!!! Stylish and well done all around.
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43
The Eye (Gin gwai) (2002) (2002,  R)
The Eye (Gin gwai) (2002) 4.5 Stars
One of the best of the 'asian horror films.' Has a lovely creepy fell to it. See it before they do a remake!
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44
Little Voice (1998,  R)
Little Voice 4.5 Stars
Charming and warm hearted. Good music.
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45
Shall We Dance? (Shall We Dansu?) (1997,  PG)
Shall We Dance? (Shall We Dansu?) 4.5 Stars
Very pleasant, subtle and warm film. It's one of those movies you don't expect to like but end up loving.

I really love this movie, which made the American version all the more painful to watch.
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46
Kung Fu Hustle (2004,  R)
Kung Fu Hustle 4.5 Stars
This movie is an absolute blast. Campy, stylish, funny, hints of a musical, kung fu and a well developed storyline and characters. I highly recommend this film.
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47
The Faculty (1998,  R)
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48
Dear Frankie (2004,  PG-13)
Dear Frankie 3.5 Stars
A heartfelt flm about a boy looking for a father and the lengths his mother goes to protect him.
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49