Favorite Little Movies

Do you have a list of favorite movies that weren't blockbusters? Below is my list of favorite 'little' movies, not well-known or box-office hits, but ones I still think about and enjoy seeing again.

The Next Three Days starring Russell Crowe
Great suspense - loved that Russell was a college professor and used his brain-power to get out of a nearly impossible situation.

The Goldfinch based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel
Loved the book (by Mississippi author Donna Tartt), loved the movie!

Logan Lucky starring Channing Tatum, Adam Driver, Daniel Craig
Touching yet funny story of three West Virginian NASCAR-loving down-on-their-luck Logan siblings (Tatam, Driver, and Elvis' granddaughter Riley Keough) who along with jailed bank-robber Joe Bang (Craig), and his two younger Bang brothers (one of whom is Jack Quaid, son of Dennis Quaid and Meg Ryan) are a joy to watch, as are cameos by Seth McFarland, Dwight Yoakam, and Hilary Swank. Refreshing to see deep South, lower socio-economic characters portrayed against stereotype as smart and savvy.

Bad Times at the El Royale starring Jeff Bridges, Cynthia Erivo, Dakota Johnson
Set in 1969 with a great 60's soundtrack and a must-see performance by Chris Hemsworth as Billy Lee, a Charles Manson-type cult leader..... suspenseful and unexpected Tarantino-like story with unique, memorable characters.

Big Fish starring Ewan McGregor, Albert Finney, Jessica Lange, Helen Bonham Carter
A Tim Burton movie filmed in Alabama about a father who tells so many tall tales that he becomes estranged from his only son.

Drive starring Ryan Gosling
This is the movie that made me understand the appeal of Ryan Gosling - he conveys strong emotions with a very subtle performance. Albert Brooks is memorable as a despicable villain.

Lars and the Real Girl starring Ryan Gosling
Funny and touching movie with a small town full of memorable characters. Gosling deserved a major award for his haunting performance.

The Town starring Ben Affleck, Jeremy Renner, John Hamm
Great suspense and touching love story. Affleck is impressive with a performance that should have gained him recognition as a sensitive actor.

The Accountant starring Ben Affleck
Loved this portrayal of an unlikely protagonist - an autistic-savant who was raised by a single, military father to be tough and able to defend himself against bullies and who used his gift of analyzing 'big data' to amass a fortune working for 'illicit' clients. When some of his powerful clients come after him, they find he is more than able to defend himself.

Miss Bala
Suspenseful Cinderella story where a heroine must overcome great obstacles to survive. Gloria is a Hispanic hairstylist who goes to Mexico to visit her best friend and during a night out, her friend gets kidnapped by a cartel. Gloria vows to her friend's young son that she will get his mother back but it will take all her strength and courage.

The Ladykillers starring Tom Hanks
A great Coen Brothers movie that few saw. A wonderful portrayal by Hanks as a 'professor of classics' leading a bumbling group of criminals.

Road to Perdition starring Tom Hanks
Set during the Depression with Hanks as a mob hitman who is also a loving family man with two young sons. The story is told from the point of view of Hank's oldest son. Paul Newman is a portrait in evil as the mob moss, with Daniel Craig as Newman's villainous son, and Jude Law as a cunning and vindictive mob henchman.

Nowhere Boy
Fab bio-pic portrayal of the young John Lennon, his relationship with his aunt and uncle who raised him and his complicated relationship with his mother. Great, spot-on portrayals of young John, Paul, George, and Ringo.

Musicals

Blues Brothers starring John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd
Classic that never gets old, with memorable performances by Ray Charles, James Brown, Aretha Franklin, and of course, the Blues Brothers Band.

O Brother Where Art Thou starring George Cluny, John Turturro, Tim Blake Nelson
Great movie, great soundtrack of roots music.

Crossroads starring Ralph Macchio
Based on the legend of Robert Johnson, who reportedly sold his soul to the devil in exchange for musical fame. Epic guitar battle between Macchio and guitar legend Steve Vai.

Documentaries

Searching for Sugar Man
An amazing, unbelievable true story of a great musician.

Sound City narrated by Dave Grohl
True story of a unique soundboard and a small recording studio influential in the history of rock music.

Amy
Documentary with archival footage of the life and music of Amy Winehouse.