List by David Hall
Obscure(ish) films from an undervalued decade (part two 1986-89)
Another trawl of the archives (and memory) for some unsung/overlooked/utterly forgotten films of interest from this fascinating and often badly-represented decade.
Again, I've tried to stay away from the weather-beaten tracks. Some dynamic works here though: a brace of hard boiled, gritty rentals like COP, 52 PICK-UP and DEAD BANG will be familiar to many thirtysomethings I am sure.
More from Alan Rudolph (whose unique body of work seems to have been largely forgotten), some Canadian and Australian gems get a look-in (I adored the gentle, Forsythian aus comedy MALCOLM when I saw it many years ago - god knows whether it holds up).
I am aware of the unique badness of some of these - especially THE FANTASIST, but damn it is entertaining.
Things to note: LOTS of films in the 80s had 'DEAD' in the title.
Also: Charlotte Rampling in a ménage a' trois with a monkey.
They really DON'T make 'em like that anymore.
In fact, monkeys were everywhere.
Will try and add some one-line comments and update part one soon.
Again, comments and suggestions welcome..
52 PICK-UP and WHITE OF THE EYE are definitely underrated, David. And good to know I'm not the only one with an unexplainable soft spot for MODERN GIRLS!
Cheers! MG I remember being unpretentious fun. Killer tunes on there too.
In a Glass Cage is a great film but a real tough watch.
I keep meaning to check out Fortress. I'll use this list as an incentive to finally buy a copy of the film.
Agreed, Cage is no picnic.
I was very fortunate in that a friend recently loaned me a stack of amazing Australian films including WAKE IN FRIGHT, NEXT OF KIN, DARK AGE, FAIR GAME, DANGEROUS GAME and FORTRESS. I was really impressed with Fortress, which is surprisingly dark and violent for a TV movie. Rachel Ward is excellent in the lead. Well worth seeking out
Wake in Fright and Next of Kin are great. If you are after more Australian recommendations then both Celia and The Interview are well worth watching, as is Peter Weir's The Last Wave, but that is pretty well known.
Cheers, never heard of THE INTERVIEW, will check that out.
Another great list
Why did Peter bleeding Coyote keep being cast in erotic films?