Thanks to the actual thousands of films that come out each year, there are always going to be those that fall by the wayside. Critical acclaim can only count for so much, and doesn't always translate into a film being rightfully seen by the masses. Great films fade from view every month - it's a symptom of an over-crowded marketplace and a 'not enough hours in the day' mentality from audiences (which is fair enough, because there aren't enough hours in the day to see every good film - even for diehard fans). When films are mis-marketed or not given a sufficiently wide-enough release, they fall through the cracks. Some films have terrible trailers but actually end up being really good. Others are just written off thanks to a 'book-by-cover' judgment approach. So let's set that right. Here are ten films rightly enjoyed by critics, but were by and large ignored by the general masses; the ones that so easily get glossed over in favour of whatever Oscar bait is ruling the roost or whichever superhero blockbuster is currently infuriating fans.
10. The Grey
Joe Carnahan's severely underrated survival thriller The Grey was a victim of criminal mis-marketing. Originally advertised as some kind of Liam Neeson-versus-wolves action piece, the film itself is actually more of an existentialist think-piece in the guise of a survival story. A plane carrying a bunch of roughneck oil drillers from the heart of Alaskan wilderness crashes, leaving several macho-macho survivors to battle a harsh wilderness and a ravenous pack of wolves. Neeson's character Ottway is luckily well-versed in the way of the wolf, having been hired as a sniper to protect the oilmen whilst they work the pipelines. Taking leadership of the group, the struggle against the wolves almost takes a backseat to each man's individual demons as Ottway tries desperately to keep the men united against the threats they face. Stealing the show is Frank Grillo, whose ability to play an a**hole is proven here, although his character Diaz grows to become so much more than that; the arc carries a kind of tragic beauty with it, sold succinctly thanks to his acting. Be sure to keep an eye out for an unrecognisable Dermot Mulroney, who also impresses.
Cinephile since 1993, aged 4, when he saw his very first film in the cinema - Jurassic Park - which is also evidence of damn fine parenting. World champion at Six Degrees of Separation. Lender of DVDs to cheap mates. Connoisseur of Marvel Comics and its Cinematic Universe.
