Indie Films Worth Watching

I decided to make a list of some lesser known films…not including indie films like Reservoir Dogs, Fargo, Trainspotting, Donnie Darko and the like, because those, among other indie films have become Cult Classics. Instead, this list includes some really great independent films that didn’t get much recognition, and some that I think are just good flicks worth seeing. (again, in no particular order)

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford – I list this film because it is one of my top 10 and it is a beautiful film that did not get the recognition it deserved. And what I think is Brad Pitt’s finest performance

Dead Man – Jim Jarmusch ‘s masterpiece starring Johnny Depp. Love this film

The Fountain – I still know a lot of people that still have not seen this film. Watch it! It’s amazing and beautiful

Brick – Lowbudget indie from a few years ago that I thought was quite brilliant. If you like film noir, check it out

Following – Christopher Nolan’s first film, and definitely a must-see

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang – absolutely love this film. it’s a funny murder mystery flick starring Robert Downey Jr, Val Kilmer, Michelle Monaghan

Mean Creek – Great little indie

Stay – Kind of a mind bending film that I enjoyed, starring Ryan Gosling, Ewan McGregor and Naomi Watts

The Machinist – Dark film starring a very emaciated Christian Bale

Broken Flowers – Jim Jarmusch, Bill Murray team up again in this quirky film

Shopgirl – great film about love. Steve Martin wrote the book, directed the film and stars in it with Claire Danes and Jason Schwartzman

The Science of Sleep – Eternal Sunshine director Michel Gondry’s odd but adorable film starring Gael García Bernal

Idiocracy – Mike Judge’s lesser known film, which I find quite amusing and just a lot of fun

Bottle Rocket – Wes Anderson’s first film, starring the Wilson brothers in this fun little indie

Fido – I’ve always loved zombie films, so I kinda fell in love with this 1950s style spoof about a boy and his zombie

I’m Not There – Bob Dylan played by lots of great actors/actresses

A Scanner Darkly – pretty sweet little film by Richard Linklater based on the Philip K. Dick novel

Into the Wild – I know this got some recognition, but there are still a lot of people that haven’t seen it. I really dislike Sean Penn, but he did a great job with this film

The Last Kiss – I know Zach Braff is dislikeable to some, but I really enjoyed this film, as depressing a love story as it sort of was

Once – Yes, Oscar winning, so maybe not “lesser-known” but again, I know a lot of people that still haven’t seen this film, so I thought I’d add it

The Virgin Suicides – Sofia Coppola’s beautifully tragic film, starring Kirsten Dunst and Josh Hartnett

Hard Candy – Ellen Page stars in this gritty, disturbing story about a pedophile

Green Street Hooligans – If you’re a soccer player/fan or just like street life sort of films, check it out. Elijah Wood stars.

I Heart Huckabees – great cast, very odd but strangely likeable film

Hard Times – Christian Bale’s performance in this film is riveting, as usual.

The United States of Leland – not a bad flick starring Ryan Gosling and Don Cheadle

Welcome to the Dollhouse- odd sort of indie.

Ghost World- amusing film with Thora Birch, Scarlett Johansson and Steve Buscemi

Thank You For Smoking – Jason Reitman’s film previous to Juno. It’s a lot of fun and Aaron Eckhart does an amazing job

Kalifornia – Not a great film, but Brad Pitt’s performance as a crazy, redneck killer got me to sit through this one

Special – A new twist on a superhero film. A good indie film to check out

Wendy and Lucy- very low-budget but quite heartwarming little film starring Michelle Williams

I may add more later, but for now if anyone has other indie film suggestions I’d be happy to post them or check them out if I haven’t seen them.