Movies You’ve Never Heard Of

BAGDAD CAFE
(1988) D: Percy Adlon. Starring CCH Pounder, Marianne Sagebrecht, Jack Palance.
The ultimate movie about lost souls who find each other. A warning up front that this film is off-beat (read: German) and slow-going at first, but its deliberateness will win you over by the satisfying end. Take special notice of how the original music and cinematography enhance the mood of this wonderful film.
BET YOU DIDN’T KNOW: The title for this movie everywhere except the U.S. is “Out of Rosenheim.”

BOB ROBERTS
(1992) D: Tim Robbins. Starring Tim Robbins.
Quite an impressive writing/directing debut for the talented Robbins, whose political satire is biting.
BET YOU DIDN’T KNOW: A soundtrack album was due for release on Warner Bros. Records, but it was not released because Robbins didn’t want the songs played outside of the movie’s context.

CLOCKWATCHERS
(1997) D: Jill Sprecher. Starring Toni Collette, Parker Posey, Lisa Kudrow.
Before there was Office Space, there was Clockwatchers, the best of the satirical, office-place black comedies. Look for Parker Posey in the best performance of her career.
BET YOU DIDN’T KNOW: Director/writer Sprecher made her directorial debut with this film and has only made one other film since (Thirteen Conversations About One Thing.)

LEAVING NORMAL
(1992) D: Edward Zwick. Starring Christine Lahti, Meg Tilly.
A slow, character-driven chick flick. With a powerhouse performance from the incomparable Christine Lahti and the heart of a lion.
BET YOU DIDN’T KNOW: The multi-talented director Zwick created the television series “thirtysomething” and “Once and Again” and he directed the highly acclaimed films Glory, Legends of the Fall, Courage Under Fire and The Last Samurai.

LOVE AND DEATH ON LONG ISLAND
(1997) D: Richard Kwietniowski. Starring John Hurt, Jason Priestley.
Only the legendary John Hurt can make stalking and obsession classy and endearing
BET YOU DIDN’T KNOW: Jason Priestley’s favorite band is Siouxsie and the Banshees.

THE PLAYBOYS
(1992) D: Gillies MacKinnon. Starring Aidan Quinn, Robin Wright Penn, Albert Finney.
Was I the only one who even saw this film? OK, so it’s Irish and intimate and quiet….but it’s well worth it.
BET YOU DIDN’T KNOW: Annette Bening was originally going to play Tara but had to drop out because she was pregnant.