Movies You May Have Missed, Part 2

Carnival Magic (1981)
Way-too melodramatic 'kids movie' features a talking monkey, busty performers, and yes, carnival magic.

Vibes (1988)
Cyndi Lauper and Jeff Goldblum are psychics hired to help Peter Falk find a lost city of gold. It's a sci/fi action/adventure romantic comedy.

Strip Nude For Your Killer (1975)
See title.

FX (1986), FX2 (1991)
They differ from each other in plot and tone, but it's best to watch them together. For fans of espionage, movie magic, and Brian Dennehy.

Cube (1997)
It plays silly at times, but is somehow inexplicably engrossing. P.S. It has sequels that are worth missing.

Blown Away (1994)
Overshadowed by Speed and a bit underrated, it totally excels in the 'red wire/blue wire/bomb-diffusing' sub genre.

Poor Pretty Eddie (1975)
The near-definition of exploitation and grindhouse to the bone. This is likely in Quentin's library.
aka Black Vengeance

Night Visitor (1989)
A who's who of character actors populate this Rear Window reboot.

Brotherhood of Justice (1986)
Feels kind of like a John Hughes Death Wish. It's goofy, but it actually has some strong performances from some before-they-were-stars.

Hider in the House (1989)
Ever lie awake at night and worry that Gary Busey is living in your attic? This movie will play on that fear.

Teen Witch (1986)
Harry Potter for girls? Maybe. Well, not really. But it works as a great musical! Maybe.

Spacecamp (1986)
Made for those of us who were NASA geeks as kids. Music by John Williams and lots of name actors, including young Leaf Phoenix before he changed to Joaquin.

The Contract (1999)
Ultra low budget Pulp Fiction wannabe from Canada. If that sounds not-so-great, that's its undisputable charm.

At Close Range (1985)
Somehow never as popular as it should have been. Also, if you need a movie to help with your Chris Walken impression, this is The One.

Troll (1986)
The second one gets all the attention, but the first is just as grotesque, inept, and confusing. In other words, just as good.

South Bronx Heroes (1985)
In the mood for feeling upset and grossed out? Then try to find this morally vacuous adventure tale of two kids' journey through hell. And it has an excellent music score.

Seeking a Friend For the End of the World (2011)
Another case of a movie being sold all wrong. Sure it has some laughs, but it also stands alone in the long, long line of apocalypse movies that deals with the obvious dread and the pain of loss.

Hesher (2010)
Kind of a heavy metal Mary Poppins. If you've been on the fence about Joseph Gordon-Levitt, this should sway you one way or the other.

Nightmare at Bittercreek (1987)
Made for TV Deliverance, but with women. That's a synopsis, but the review is in there.

The Legend of Billie Jean (1985)
This is back when kids' movies were full of peril and rebellion - role models not created by Marvel. Good soundtrack.

Searching For Bobby Fischer (1993)
Watch this and ask yourself, "Why won't Steve Zaillian do the directing thing more often?"

Krull (1983)
The pitch is "Excalibur meets Star Wars!" Not quite, but the attempt will charm your pants off.

Private Resort (1985)
Johnny Depp stars in an inane 80s sex romp! No, really.

Fast Forward (1985)
Sidney Poitier directed this Breakin'-esque dance-off musical. If you're into that sorta thing, you'll be into this thing.