This should be the thread that EVERYONE posts in. I can understand someone not tolerating subtitles, but, I'm sure you've seen some of these. These aren't necessarily cult films, but indies that people tend to befamiliar with. I'd like to create a big list, so PLEASE chip in. And, as always, discuss some of these films, because there's gotta be a reason behind their success.

Here's some:
Being John Malkovich
Bowling for Columbine
The Blair Witch Project
Clerks
The Crying Game
Donnie Darko
Election
Life is Beautiful
Lost in Translation
Memento
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
My Big Fat Greek Wedding
Napoleon Dynamite
Reservoir Dogs
Rushmore
Y Tu Mama Tambien

*whines*

Torri,

There isn't a single Jim Jarmusch flick in that ENTIRE post. How could you do this to me?


*wine*

Jim what's his face? Who's he? *searches imdb...discovers he's the guy who did Coffee and Cigarettes*

Most of his films have been well received, but they haven't been big. I've yet to watch Dead Man...

I'm going to add Monty Python and the Holy Grail and Donnie Darko to the list. Most of these movies should 1) be hits box office wise, or, 2) become cults and have some sort of following in their second stage (video release).

Garden State
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Elephant

The Piano (Holly Hunter was great, but I hated the movie.)
Fargo
Lone Star
Dancer In The Dark

and finally....

The Passion Of The Christ

Hmm..

Now I'm left completely confused.
Whats an Indie?

Smoke should be added as well.


And Star Wars. :-)

Btw, Life of Brian and Meaning of Life by Pythons, are they 'independant' as well? I prefer them both to Holy Grail.

Basically, if I understand correctly, an independent film is made without studio control, both creatively and financially. Some people have argued that The Passion Of The Christ isn't an independent film, but it fits the criteria. It just made more money than the average independent film.

Not a film from Bollywood.

What Atoddr said. And yes, Passion is an indie. We can't talk distribution so much anymore since alot of films get taken up by production compainies...and indies would be classified more like "indie-esque" films, because such films as Michael Moore's earlier stuff was clearly independant, but his last film had funding, etc, by a huge studio. Its still considered an Indie, IMO.

Ok. I LOVE Memento. I just think its an extremely creative concept, a great script, great acting. A great "ending" to a tragic story. In my top 10 all time list. I just think its tops.

Um...

The Good Girl
City of God (I think this one is an Indie... Right?)
Thirteen
21 Grams

Can't think of any older ones.

I had no idea so many of those movies on the list had no studio control

Some of the biggest indies of all time:

The Empire Strikes Back
Return of the Jedi
The Phantom Menace
Attack of the Clones
Revenge of the Sith

All of them, paid for out of Lucas' pocket.

Ghost World
Far From Heaven

Rocky Horror? When I think cultish, I think whatshis face in drag doing a toy boy AND Susan Surandon.

In my opinion NAPOLEON DYNAMITE was so big and is now so loved by so dang many mainstream moviegoers (it's especially popular in high schools) that it has become mainstream. THE PASSION is also one that was "intended" as an independent film while it was being made but it ends up being a mainstream film too due to its success and how loved it is by mainstream moviegoers.


Others to add:

MONSTER
OPEN WATER
ONE HOUR PHOTO
SECRETARY
IGBY GOES DOWN
PUNCH-DRUNK LOVE
KISSING JESSICA STEIN
BOYS DON'T CRY
ADAPTATION
PIECES OF APRIL
MAY
28 DAYS LATER (I don't know, is this one?)
LAUREL CANYON (And is this one?)
SHATTERED GLASS
THE STATION AGENT
CAMP
SWIMMING POOL
WHALE RIDER
WINGED MIGRATION
SPELLBOUND
THE COOLER
BOUND
FREEWAY
THE MACHINIST
MEAN CREEK
CHASING AMY
RUN LOLA RUN
TALK TO HER
REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES
GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING
IN AMERICA
BEST IN SHOW
A MIGHTY WIND
DOGVILLE
GINGER SNAPS
LATTER DAYS
SAVED!
KINSEY
MARIA FULL OF GRACE
AMELIE
SIDEWAYS
REQUIEM FOR A DREAM
THE VIRGIN SUICIDES
ALMOST FAMOUS
BILLY ELLIOT
WONDER BOYS
HIGH FIDELITY
AMERICAN PSYCHO
THE DEEP END
MULHOLLAND DRIVE
HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH
IN THE BEDROOM