Official Thread: CULT FILMS - Your Favorites

[Castlewood]

Alright, this will be the official thread for those weird, unusual, unique, rare, and "relatively unknown" films that you absolutely love. YES, some of them can be "mainstream", and YES, some of them can win Best Picture Oscars.... but the bottom line is, it has to be a step back from what is otherwise considered a "typical, Hollywood movie." A cult film can definitely be popular, but by no means can it be "Independence Day" or "Armageddon", if you get my drift. A cult film has a following behind it, and it's a little gem that is usually unheard of, or underappreciated. It can be well-known, as well... but there must be something unique about it that distinguishes itself from ordinary films. Michael Bay, Jerry Bruckheimer, Stephen Spielberg, and George Lucas are obviously not welcome here, if that makes any sense. Of course, that's my interpretation of "cult cinema"... you may disagree.

If you add more to the list (and I hope you do), please state why you love them, and why it's a cult film.
So, I'll start. Name the movie, and then name its director. Make your list of favorites, and maybe we can help others who are unfamiliar with them.
Here's my list. I own all of them, and I HIGHLY recommend them for those who are "starting out."

Requiem for a Dream – Darren Aronofsky
American Psycho - Mary Harron
Memento – Christopher Nolan
Donnie Darko - Richard Kelly
Fight Club – David Fincher
The Boondock Saints – Troy Duffy
Reservoir Dogs – Quentin Tarantino
The Usual Suspects - Bryan Singer
Se7en – David Fincher
Pi - Darren Aronofsky
Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang – Shane Black
Pulp Fiction – Quentin Tarantino
OLDBOY - Chan-wook Park
Sin City – Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller
The Departed – Martin Scorsese
The Prestige – Christopher Nolan
The Machinist - Brad Anderson
Dead-Alive - Peter Jackson
The Shawshank Redemption - Frank Darabont
The Matrix – Andy and Larry Wachowski
Unbreakable – M. Night Shyamalan
Vanilla Sky – Cameron Crowe
The Illusionist - Neil Burger
Closer – Mike Nichols
The Descent - Neil Marhsall
Garden State – Zach Braff
Evil Dead - Sam Raimi
Evil Dead 2 - Sam Raimi
Army of Darkness - Sam Raimi

____________

Also, some topics to consider:

1.) Do you think any of these favorites should NOT be considered "cult films"?

2.) If so, what exactly constitutes a "cult film"?

3.) Do you think there is a CLEAR definition, or is it all based on opinion?

4.) Which ones on this list are completely overrated (in your opinion)?

5.) Which ones are completely underrated?

Discuss!

 

[jaguarr]

Yellowbeard. Close thread.

jag

 

[Erzengel]

I always considered cult movies, movies that may have done low to somewhat above average box office numbers.

Not really "mainstream".

Usually not involved in any type of Academy Award type recognition.

Usually movies, you hear about years later from your friends or read about on the internet.

I don't consider the Departed a "cult" movie because of these reason. It's mainstream, it's Scorsese's first Oscar win, and it's favorted by fans and critics alike.

The Evil Dead Trilogy
Clerks
Boondock Saints
Shawshank Redemption
Requiem for a Dream
American Psycho
Memento
Donnie Darko
Fight Club
Reservoir Dogs

These are examples of "cult" movies.

 

[BatMatt]

American Psycho and Memento are my top two

 

[Karem-Knight]

Fight Club
Pulp Ficition
Resevoir Dogs
Clerks

 

[Mr. Socko]

Lost Boys

 

[deathshead2]

Big trouble in little china. What a great action comedy.