Movies under the radar

Most people are aware of about twelve-percent of the movies floating around theaters and DVD players on any given day. Here's a list of some really cool, compelling films that came out in the last year that you might want to become familiar with; movies that float under the radar of multi-million dollar ad campaigns. (Some of the foreign or indie titles may be from 2008 too.) You have to live and breathe cinema to know everything playing at any given time. You can line up in your Netflix queue but to what avail? For the movie maven, watching a bad movie in a theatrical setting is far preferred to watching same on high-def bluray at the homestead. But because of the immensity of available movies and the ease of modern tech one has to constantly ask oneself what am I watching for?
Avatar isn't the only movie out there yet it certainly has earned its accolades, but you have to admit it's the only film you hear being discussed, as if it's really relevant to anything. Have you heard of the following titles? Toi & Mo, Menage, Dog Eat Dog, Blind Date, The Romance of Astrea and Ceadon, Just Another Love Story, McLeod's Daughters, Goliath, The Song of Sparrows. The last film mentioned played last week at the MFA during their annual Iranian film festival. Only this article doesn't concern those titles albeit they're ripe candidates for those interested in crunk viewing.
Does anybody recall titles like Adventureland or Watchman or Pirate Radio (released outside the US as The Boat That Rocked) from eearlier last year because those films were as enjoyable a viewing experience as anything being hyped for the next month into Oscar season. Nothing wrong with that - Precious, Up In the Air, Avatar - they're films that are worthy yet there's something to be said for a film that sticks to your ribs like a good meal,
In the Loop - limited release of an absolute brilliant political satire for the ages.
Everlasting Moments - another in a long list of recent foreign films that need to be at the top of your chart.
Passing Strange - Spike Lee directs and captures the last performance of this acclaimed Broadway hit.
Police Adjective - brilliant minimalist film from Romania follows reluctant officer whose superiors order him to bust some teens for pot.
The Baader-Meinhof Complex - history and terrorism merge with exploitative filmmaking.
No Impact Man - documentary about a family who lives off the grid in downtown New York City.
Flammen & Citronen - untold story of Danish underground in WWII fascinates on several levels.
Gentlemen Broncos - surreal comedy from Napoleon Dynamite helmer Jared Hess was basically dumped by distribber Fox Searchlight (yet, they released the hell out of Amelia).



FPH readers tend to be adventurous in their movie choices and the above titles are worth seeking out just for that reason.