Looking for something to watch, but only got an hour and a half?
WhenTransformers: Age Of Extinctionclocks in at 165 minutes, I can understand the sentiment.
But whats the perfect length of a film?
For me, its a trim 90 minutes.
Not enough to outstay its welcome, but enough to tell a story and leave you wanting more.
Well heres my take on the top 50 underrated films with a 90 minute or under runtime.
As to what makes a film underrated, thats a highly subjective area.
On, then, with the countdown…
Step forward mid 90s Johnny Depp thrillerNick Of Time.
Depp plays an everyman who is blackmailed by Christopher Walken into killing a US state Governor.
Surprisingly melancholic, its still a very funny film with a great performance from Kaye at its centre.
One night he returns home to discover a young heroin addict attempting to burgle him.
Romantically thwarted and simultaneously intrigued, he embarks on a training regime of his own for become someone new.
Its intense and powerful.
But its a very worthy try, notable for its script fromDoctor Whowriter Jamie Mathieson.
Alysson Paradis plays Sarah, an expectant mother who has recently lost her husband in a car-crash.
One night she is called upon by a mysterious woman, who tries to gain entry to the house.
At 87 minutes, its leanness is its strength, with nothing about Cyril or his world explained.
36.The Fox And The Hound(1981, 83 mins)
The forgotten Disney film?
That broke my heart, because it was such a beautiful friendship, unfairly tarnished by a cruel world.
Years later, Spike LeesDo The Right Thingbrought up that same point with a vengeance.
By contrast,Zeligis far less known, but by no means inferior.
Seven young schoolgirls (all mostly amateur actors) travel to the home of one of their aunts.
But its always fascinating, often hilarious, and very gory.
But perhaps the best thing about the film is that it was meant to be the Japanese answer toJaws.
I blame the writer),TheLimeysadly gets the least praise of the lot.
I think it stands toe-to-toe with any of the others, bar perhaps his masterpiece,Traffic.
Its a great concept, and tension thrums throughout the film.
His first film in this list is perhaps his most personal work to date.
But when Alamein, the father, eventually does return, things arent exactly as Boy hoped for.
Clive Owen as an assassin gleefully shooting his enemies in dozens of inventive ways in always enjoyable.
20.Top Secret!
In that, hes spot on.
And at that, it is the perfect vehicle.
Our longer lookback at the film ishere.
The camera never really leaves Hardy as he engages in phone call after phone call.
WhileMad Max: Fury Roadmade him a big name,Lockemade him matter as an actor.
17.Only God Forgives(2013, 90 mins)
Maybe some people expectedDrive 2?
But those people obviously werent too familiar with Nicolas Winding Refn.
Its fascinating, beautifully shot, and provokes questions without giving answers.
But unlike his previous work,Frances Hahas Greta Gerwig in the lead role.
Shes brilliant, colorful, and radiates a tractor beam like pull on anyone watching it.
Which while it might seem easy to write, is incredibly difficult to get right.
George Clooney is just the best casting for the English Mr Fox (I know!
), but Andersons usual array of supporting actors pop up to provide ace voice work.
MVP of the piece though?
Jarvis Cocker as the very Jarvis Cocker alike Petey.
A super low-budget time travel film, it combines hard science with philosophical debate and complex narrative structure.
So not the most accessible film ever.
But wrap your head round it and its worth the investment.
It was a pain to track down.
Is it really two separate men, or is the same person with two varying personalities?
But youre not here for the plot, youre here for comedy.
But its also incredibly smart, with a ton of nods for film aficionados hidden within.
Which will never get old.
The news its getting a sequel is to be hugely welcomed.
Its a meditation on loneliness, loss, and humanity.
The man can do wrong, and he does no wrong in a beautifully compact runtime.
Unlike his later, bleaker work,Show Me Loveis guaranteed to make you feel warm inside.
Agnes and Elin are two teens at a school in the small town of Amal.
Elin is popular and outgoing, while Agnes is reserved and shy.
She is also in love with Elin, but feels like shell never be able to express it.
Another superbly crafted mockumentary,Best in Showessentially fell victim to his own greatness.
People expected superb comedy from him.Best In Showis this, but it didnt explode the mockumentary genre.
And for that it seemed to slip from memory.
5.Tucker And Dale vs.
Evil(2010, 89 mins)
Probably the film I enjoy watching the most on this whole list.
A homicide or a bad B-movie?
Track it down and watch it today.
The best comedy series in years.
The studio were not fans, and audience and critical reaction was mixed.
It never shys away from the consequences of revenge, but nor does it preach to you about it.
It just lays it out on-screen, shot after expertly crafted shot.
