As a movie fan, I often hear people say "Hollywood is unoriginal". Modern audiences love to point at the flood of sequels and reboots in recent years and mourn the death of the movies. The thing is, though, there are many great original films being produced today. However, for a variety of reasons, many people don't go out and see them. The irony of audiences complaining about a lack of originality is that when original content does come to theaters, they often disregard it. But no more! Here are five great original films that you probably haven't seen it; and if you haven't seen any of these, then you must put them on your watch list!
1. Midnight Special
Do you love classic sci-fi? If so, then Jeff Nichols' Midnight Special is the film for you. This chase movie harkens back to the Spielbergian era of science fiction with clear influences from movies like Close Encounters Of The Third Kind. The story follows a father and son who are on the run, being pursued by a religious cult and the federal government because of the son's mysterious powers. It's an exciting, original, moving story of a parent who's willing to do anything to protect his child and a fanatical tale of a young boy who is "not like us". I cannot say enough about Midnight Special. It is one of my favorite movies of the year so far, and I really think it could be one of your favorites too.
Midnight Special is now out on DVD.
2. Green Room
Some consider this a horror movie, although I like to think of it as more of a thriller. For those reading this article who enjoy suspenseful, gory cinema, this is the movie on the list that you must check out. The story follows a punk rock band that accepts a gig at a Neo-Nazi skinheads club. When the band sees something that they shouldn't have, they find themselves fighting for survival against this cult. From the second that things go south, this movie never lets up on the suspense. It's gripping from beginning to end, allowing as little breathing room as possible. It's claustrophobic, it's suspenseful, and it's shocking. What more could you ask for from a great modern thriller?
Green Room is now out on DVD.
3. Everybody Wants Some!
This movie is for the ones who love a good time. Everybody Wants Some! follows a college freshman baseball player through his first few days on campus in the 1980s. As he follows the lead of his upperclassmen teammates and builds new friendships with his fellow freshmen, the audience is surrounded with one of the most fun cast of characters of the year. And through the fun, the young men all learn about the different complications of life. This is a movie that is impossible not to love, if you love having a good time.
Everybody Wants Some! is now out on DVD.
4. Sing Street
To anyone who just wants to feel good about themselves, their lives, or their dreams-watch this movie. Sing Street focuses on a young man who channels his love for music so that he can impress a girl. Through many trials and tribulations that come with finding his creative voice, while trying to impress the girl, he goes on an uplifting journey that is ultimately about dreaming. This is all without even mentioning the fantastic tunes that come on the soundtrack, or the young cast of characters that resembles that of The Sandlot. This isn't a musical per say, but it is a darn good movie with darn good music. It's a true crowdpleaser.
Sing Street is now out on DVD.
5. Swiss Army Man
My friends are probably tired of hearing me praise this movie. It's true, I talk about this one a lot-but it is my favorite movie of 2016 so far, and with good reason if you ask me. Swiss Army Man is one of the weirdest movies I've ever seen, but it's also one of the most original movies to ever come out. The story is very hard to explain, as there's never really been another one like it. On the most basic level, it's about a man who is stranded on a desert island and comes across a magical corpse. From there, I think it's best to just let you watch the trailer to get a good feel for it. I will say this: this movie made me bust a gut laughing, and it made me ugly cry from how moving it was.
Swiss Army Man will be released on DVD on October 4th.
