Top 5 Underrated Movies

I'm a movie freak. I probably get this from my parents, who have bookshelves filled to the brim with movies. Most of our collection comprises of comedies (my dad is a dedicated Jim Carrey fan), action and horror (my mom's tastes range to the Japanese variety). Also like my parents, my sister can start to quote a movie and I'll finish the rest for her, and vice versa.

As someone who spends a lot of free time at Blockbuster, I can tell you there are a lot of hidden gems that more people need to see. I've compiled a list of my favorites, but feel free to write any I've missed in the comments.

Starter for 10

Courtesy of Picturehouse

This quirky, coming-of-age comedy is based on the novel by David Nicholls (the same guy who wrote One Day). In 1985 Brian Jackson (James McAvoy), a bright, wide-eyed freshman enrolls at Bristol University , where he joins the University Challenge team. It's there that he becomes smitten with Alice, his sexy teammate. But by dating Alice he starts to alienate his friend, Rebecca, a witty political activist. This film features an all-star cast including Rebecca Hall, Alice Eve, Catherine Tate, Benedict Cumberbatch and Dominic Cooper.

Drop Dead Gorgeous

Courtesy of New Line

This is my favorite movie, and my sister and I have seen it enough times to quote the entire screenplay by heart. Before Toddlers and Tiaras and Here Comes Honey Boo Boo, there was a Miss American Teen Princess Pageant in Mount Rose, Minnesota. All seems to be going well until the contestants start getting killed one by one in "accidents". It doesn't help that the judge's daughter, also competing, is part of the Lutheran Sisterhood Gun Club.

Whip It

Courtesy of Fox Searchlight

In small town Bodeen, Texas, Bliss Cavendar (played by indie goddess Ellen Page) is a reluctant Miss Bluebonnet contestant (what is it with small towns and beauty pageants?). On a trip to Austin she falls in love with roller derby and joins the team. She quickly goes from her Barbie roller skates to being "the hottest thing on eight wheels". Drew Barrymore's directorial debut (who also stars) is both hilarious and sweet, featuring the talents of Alia Shawkat, Kristen Wiig, Landon Pigg, Eve and Jimmy Fallon. Rated PG-13 for crude one-liners and ludicrously short skirts.

Rest Stop

 Courtesy of Raw Feed

It's not what you see, it's what you don't see. Jaimie Alexander plays Nicole, an aspiring actress on her way to Los Angeles with her boyfriend, Jess. At a rest stop, Nicole returns from the ladies' room to find her boyfriend gone. Stuck in the middle of nowhere without any phone signal, she is harrassed by a faceless killer. As generic as this plot sounds, what makes the film stand out from its slasher compadres is the fact that it sells the sizzle, not the steak. Too often the element of fear is destroyed once we see the killer's face, which is not the case in Rest Stop. I can guarantee this film will make you wet your pants.

Superstar

Courtesy of SNL Studios

I am in love with this movie. Based on the skit on Saturday Night Live, it's about nerdy Catholic school girl, Mary Katherine Gallagher (Molly Shannon) and her undying endeavor to become a superstar. Obsessed with movies, she has a tendency to quote movie monologues and make out with trees. Despite being forbidden to dance by her grandmother, Mary enters the school talent contest with the help of her friends from special ed. Also stars Will Ferrell as the jock she hopes to one day kiss with the same unbridled passion as the redwood below.