My World: Five Underrated Films

A personal, top movie list will al- ways be one of the most argued lists that people have feelings toward. The Internet Movie Database has one of the most popular list rankings, which I like to go to when I’m in need of a quality film.

The list contains the 250 highest ranked movies in the history of the art form that is “motion pictures.” Few people can say they have seen all 250 of the movies, and although I’d like to be, I am not one of the few.

I like to think I’ve seen a lot of quality flicks, so I’ve put together a list of five films, which I believe are underrated on IMDB’s top 250 list.

Ranked at 198, “Donnie Darko” is a psychological thriller that leaves the viewers wanting more at the end. An extremely well mapped out film with a sci-fi plot, the story tells the adventure of what one teen were to do if he were able to discover time travel.

With the help of his “friend,” Frank, the main character of Donnie Darko, portrayed by Jake Gyllenhaal, is led on a journey to discover time travel to possibly save a life, while sacrificing one. (My ranking: 68)

At 152. “Fargo,” a crime thriller, is an intense story that subtly builds up into one of the darkest films I’ve seen. William H. Macy does an incredible job, supported by one of everyone’s favorite bad guys, Steve Buscemi. “Fargo,” a “comedy,” tells the story of a man you’ve never wanted to hate more in your life. (My ranking: 62)

Based on a novel of the same title, “Requiem for a Dream” comes in at 82 on the IMDB list. To this day, I’ve never been more disturbed by a work of art. Jared Leto, along with an incredible supporting cast, portrays four individuals with life dreams that we can all relate to. Throughout the movie, they build their dreams into a perfect situation for them, and through the scary, all-too-real dangers of addiction, their dreams come crashing into an abyss of psychosis. (My ranking: 24)

Daniel Day-Lewis portrays an “oil man” in “There Will Be Blood,” ranked 185. Based off Upton Sinclair’s novel “Oil!” the film is an intense drama that tells the story of a turn-of-the-century discovery.

Daniel Day-Lewis, as always, makes the film what it is through his witty, brilliant acting and shows just how far some people are willing to take a lie for their own greed. (My ranking: 45)

At 188, “The Wizard of Oz” is the ul- timate classic. Based off the novel “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,” by L. Frank Baum, the feel-good film is able to tell the journey of unlikely friends who overcome their individual, internal is- sues, helping each other along the way to the mystical land of Oz.

This is the most appropriate film for all ages and is a reminder to us all that “There’s no place like home.” (My ranking: 44)