Forgotten Gems
The Game and A Simple Plan

These are two of the most underrated movies of all time in my opinion. Especially since both directors are critically acclaimed. Fincher is revered for his immortal classics Fight Club and Seven but it seems like many people forget about his third full length movie The Game. While i wouldnt say it was better than Fight Club or Se7en it is definitely better than Panic Room and Aliens 3. To be truthful as much as i love the Evil Dead series and like the Spider-man movies i personally think A Simple Plan is overall Raimi's best movie. Both of these movies are known by the hardcore fans but a lot of people ive talked to dont even know they exist.

The Game stars Michael Douglas as a rich investment banker who's 48th birthday is coming up and his wayward brother played by Sean Penn wants to get him a unique present he's never had or experienced before. Conrad (Sean Penn) gives his brother a gift to go visit a company so they can set him up on his own personal "game". Reluctantly Nicholas (Michael Douglas) decides to go and sign up for this mysterious game. He comes home to his mansion and discovers a giant creepy doll in his driveway. From this point on once his game starts the movie kicks into high gear.The movie is chock full of twists and turns. It keeps you guessing as to what is part of the game and what is actually the game gone wrong. The direction by Fincher and the cinemotography is great. Excellent acting by both Penn and Mikey Doug. The movie is shot mainly at night and it gives off a cool isolated type of vibe.

A Simple Plan is just plain awesome. Its a great story and script but the movie is definitely an actor driven movie. This movie with a different cast could have been a complete mess. Bill Paxton as the younger brother (Hank) and "leader" of the group is better than ive ever seen him. Billy Bob Thornton (Jacob) once again portrays a classic character. He's had some of the all time great roles with his character in this movie, U-Turn, Sling Blade and Bad Santa. Phenomenal actor when given the right role. Last but not least Brent Briscoe who plays the great white trash character, Lou Chambers is cast perfectly.

The movie is about 2 brothers and one friend who are walking through the snowy woods and come across a crashed plane that has close to 4 million in cash. Instead of turning it in the decide to wait and see if anyone comes looking for the money. After a certain amount of time if its all clear then they will split the money 3 ways. Hank makes himself in charge of the money. Jacob the mentally challenged "slower" brother goes along with the plan along with the reluctant friend Lou. Of course the movie would have sucked if everything went fine but alas it doesnt. In an attempt to keep the money secret there are some murders and cover ups. Finally the FBI? comes looking for the money. There are some plot twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat all the way to the sad hard hitting finale. If you havent seen this yet go right now, get in your car and go rent it. If you are too lazy for that then at least put it in your online rental queue. You will not be disappointed. Unless you are a commercial movie mainstream cheeser, and if you are you shouldnt be reading this site anyways.