Saltzman Sees...Stanger than Fiction (2006)

Everybody knows that your life is a story. But what if a story was your life? Harold Crick is your average IRS agent: monotonous, boring, and repetitive. But one day this all changes when Harold begins to hear an author inside his head narrating his life. The narrator it is extraordinarily accurate, and Harold recognizes the voice as an esteemed author he saw on TV. But when the narration reveals that he is going to die, Harold must find the author of the story, and ultimately his life, to convince her to change the ending of the story before it is too late.


Will Ferrell is terrific, and he is supported by two legends of the silver screen: Emma Thompson and Dustin Hoffman.  Ferrell and Maggie Gyllenhaal have a tremendous chemistry on screen that is odd considering they play opposites initially in the story.  It is a beautiful story and a unique look at one's mortality and one's purpose in life.  


It barely earned the money it took to make the movie, as it only grossed $40 million at the box office despite costing $38 million to make. It is in my Top Ten list for the year, and certainly deserving of the Most Underrated Movie of 2006.

 Emma Thompson won my Best Actress of 2006.

Will and Maggie fall in love

Saltzman Sees...Waking Ned Devine (1998)

Waking Ned Devine is a terrific tale of a town down on their luck.  But when a lottery winner in town dies of shock, his fellow townsfolk attempt to claim the money.The entire cast is tremendous as they try to find a way to convince the Lottery that Ned Devine is still alive.  David Kelly, who recently died on February 12 of 2012, was brilliant as Michael O'Sullivan.

Waking Ned Devine made only $43 million worldwide and was generally ignored by the U.S.  It did receive several award nominations globally, but only received a single nomination from the Screen Actors Guild in the states.  It is the Most Underrated Movie of 1998.

Saltzman Sees...Spartan (2004)

Val Kilmer and Derek Luke star in an edge of your seat thriller Spartan. The film is about the investigation into a kidnapping of the daughter of a high-ranking US government official.  The movie gets better and better as the truth is pealed back like an onion.  David Mamet, one of the best screenwriters in Hollywood (The Verdict, The Untouchables, Glengarry Glen Ross, Hoffa, Wag the Dog, Hannibal, etc...) wrote and directed the film. 

Despite his credentials, Kilmer starring, and up and coming actor Luke co-starring, the movie grossed $4.4 million in the U.S.

It is a great movie that is captivating from beginning to end.  It is the Most Underrated Movie of 2004.

Saltzman Sees...Good Luck (1996)

Good Luck is equally magnificent, starring Gregory Hines and Vincent D'Onofrio.  Two unlikely buddies, one confined to a wheelchair and the other blind, set off on a quest to win a white water rafting competition.  Their journey to succeed is as unlikely as their journey to become friends.  What they learn most through their experience, is that it is more important to take a chance than to succeed.

It made $39,962 during it's opening weekend on only 106 screens and was subsequently removed from theaters.

Most Underrated Movie of 1996 

Saltzman Sees...Flipped (2010)

Flipped is a unique and beautiful look at young love and the misinterpretations of life.  Ron Reiner, one of the greatest directors of his generation, creates a beautiful story telling love story through the eyes of both young actors.  The story is narrated back and forth from each character's perspective.  Signals are consistently crossed throughout the story and ultimately it shows how magical and confusing falling in love can be.  John Mahoney, Aidan Quinn, Anthony Edwards, Rebecca De Mornay and Penelope Anne Miller all perform well in supporting roles for the young stars.  Actors Madeline Carroll and Callan McAuliffe portray our main characters wonderfully, who are thrown into this roller coaster of emotion throughout the film. Not easy for young actors to pull off, yet the film is brilliantly told to the audience.

This movie grossed $1.7 million in the U.S. and I only heard about it second hand from a friend of my parents.  When I did finally see it, it became one of my 10 favorite movies in an amazing year for film in 2010.  It is certainly worthy of mention as one of the Most Underrated Movies of 2010.

Saltzman Sees...The Music Never Stopped (2011)

The Music Never Stopped is based on the true story of a man who has lost his memory, but not his love for music.  J.K. Simmons gives one of the best performances of his career as Henry Sawyer, who is trying to rekindle a lost relationship with his son.  Lou Taylor Pucci plays Gabriel, who has a brain tumor that makes it nearly impossible to create new memories.  Julia Ormond and Cara Seymour also star in one of the most heartfelt and gut wrenching stories of a father and son fighting for what they lost.

This movie had a budget of $4 million and only grossed $258,077 according to Internet Movie Database.

This is my Most Underrated Movie of 2011.

The Music Never Stopped also won my Best Actor (J.K. Simmons) in 2011.

Saltzman Sees...The Soloist (2009)

The Soloist is Robert Downey Jr. and Jamie Foxx at their best.  Foxx plays a former music prodigy, Nathaniel Ayers, who becomes homeless because of a mental collapse.  Downey Jr. is Steve Lopez, a newspaper writer who stumbles on him one day and his life is forever changed.  Ayers' passion for music is only equaled by his troubles with being what society wants him to be. This true story is a compelling look at how trying to help someone doesn't always mean giving them the help you think they need.  But rather, helping someone gives you what you need out of life:

The Soloist was completely forgotten by voters who was not even nominated for any major awards.

It is by far, the Most Underrated Movie of 2009.

Saltzman Sees...Defiance (2008)

Defiance is the true story of three brothers who tried to survive despite Nazi Germany's takeover during World War II.  Daniel Craig, Liev Schreiber and Jamie Bell are all masterful as they bring to life a story that very few people knew about the survival stories of a thousand Jews.   In one of the darkest times in history, these men and women fought to protect themselves and survive despite brutal winter, little food and less hope.

Despite the tremendous acting, incredible screenplay and amazing direction by Edward Zwick, only James Newton Howard was nominated for any major award for his score of the film.

For one of the strongest years in movie history, with movies like Slumdog Millionaire, Milk, Gran Torino, The Reader, Revolutionary Road, The Wrestler and Frost/Nixon, Defiance was clearly forgotten by the critics.  Like Crash is 2004, who won the Best Picture award the following year, Defiance's lone nomination came in 2009.  For that reason alone, it is certainly worthy of my vote for Most Underrated Movie of 2008.

Saltzman Sees...Lars and the Real Girl (2007)

Lars and the Real Girl is one of the sweetest stories ever told about how a town can embrace a man fully, despite any flaws he might have, no matter how unique.  Ryan Gosling is incredible as Lars Lindstrom, a man suffering from what can best be described as Delusional Disorder.  Rather than commit Lars or convince him he's not normal, everyone in his life plays along trying to do what is best for him.  The performances are breathtaking, from veterans like Patricia Clarkson, to lesser-known actors like Emily Mortimer, Paul Schneider and Kelli Garner.

Ryan Gosling won my Best Actor of 2007.

Gosling was nominated for a Golden Globe as well as a Screen Actors Guild award for his performance.  However, Gosling wasn't nominated for an Oscar. Writer Nancy Oliver, who was nominated for Best Original Screenplay, answers the question: What would happen if everyone in a person's life supported them through their mental breakdown?  The small recognition and its meager performance at the box office makes it clearly my choice for the Most Underrated Movie of 2007.

It truly is one of the most refreshing and remarkable looks at how to treat any disorder.

Saltzman Sees...The World's Fastest Indian (2005)

The World's Fastest Indian is the the life story of New Zealander Burt Munro, who spent years building a 1920 Indian motorcycle -- a bike which helped him set the land-speed world record at Utah's Bonneville Salt Flats in 1967. Munro, played brilliantly by Sir Anthony Hopkins, has one goal in life and one goal only: Go Fast.  It is one of the best films I have ever seen at capturing a man's unwavering pursuit of his dream.

Despite Anthony Hopkins headlining the movie, it only made $18 million worldwide.  It won several awards, but only in Australia and New Zealand.

It is certainly a movie that will leave you impressed with Anthony Hopkins even more and more importantly glad you know the story of Bob Munro.  It is my choice for Most Underrated Movie of 2005

Saltzman Sees...Secondhand Lions (2003)

Robert Duvall and Michael Caine star with young Haley Joel Osment in a coming-of-age story about a shy, young boy sent by his irresponsible mother to spend the summer with his wealthy, eccentric uncles in Texas. Duvall and Caine are as good as always, and Haley Joel Osment does a very good job keeping up the legendary actors.  It is a beautiful story that brings a smile to your face because of it's very Hollywood style ending.  It might even make you shed a tear.

It only grossed $41 million, despite costing $30 million to produce. It didn't win a single award despite the excellent acting and wonderful story.

It is my choice for Most Underrated Movie of 2003

Saltzman Sees...John Q (2002)

John Q is the story of a down-on-his luck father, whose insurance won't cover his son's heart transplant, takes the hospital's emergency room hostage until the doctors agree to perform the operation. This movie is as much about serious problems with HMO's in America as it is a story of a father's fight for his son's survival.  Robert Duvall, James Woods, Anne Heche and Ray Liotta all bring their talent to the film, and Kimberly Elise is brilliant as Denzel's wife.

Denzel Washington might be the best actor in film today, and yet when John Q came out, The Academy ignored it.  Denzel won an Oscar for Training Day, but just like Tom Hanks won back to back awards for Philadelphia and Forrest Gump, he should have been considered for another Oscar.  John Q is Denzel's strongest performance as an actor.

This is a movie with a real message about the problems with health care in this country and includes a masterful performance by today's greatest actor.  It is certainly the Most Underrated Movie of 2002.

Saltzman Sees...The Majestic (2001)

The Majestic is a film that captures the sincere beauty of the movies and why we go in the first place. Jim Carrey stars as Peter Appleton, a screenplay writer in love with Hollywood. Carrey loses his memory during the film and while he tries to make sense of his new reality and tries to remember his past, he falls in love.  The most beautiful love story of the film, however is the one between Harry Trimble, played by Martin Landeau, and the movies.  The Majestic is an old run down movie house that Landau's character used to run before the war.  It is then brought back to life with the help of the entire town's blood sweat and tears.  Landau and Carrey brilliant and capture the true love affair with movies that we all have.  The entire cast is captivating as they show the audience what truly matters in this life is that you open your heart and let people in.

Martin Landau won my Best Supporting Actor of 2001.

"It was the only way to fall in love." ~ Martin Landau

Landau was interviewed in 2001 by Nancy Pfefferman, talking about what made movie houses such as The Majestic, so wonderful:  "You'd walk in off those hot streets into a nice, air-cooled theater and you'd spend all day watching Cagney or Jimmy Stewart. It cost all of 17 cents. Woody (Allen) and I both fell in love with the movies at those old theaters. It was the only way to fall in love." Pfefferman felt there was a Frank Capra like quality to the film.

Landau, when asked about the movie from Rebecca Murray and Fred Topel, agreed about the Frank Capra connection: "I read the script and I was very moved by it. It was like Frank Capra had put this on his shelf in 1951 and forgot about it."

The Majestic is a "Capra (esque)" masterpiece about why movies find a warm place in our hearts and stay with us for generations.  Landau felt it decades ago growing up in Brooklyn, and it is still felt today.  If only these movie houses still existed so we could go see today's movies the way they were meant to be shown.

Saltzman Sees...Price of Glory (2000)

Price of Glory is the story of an ex-boxer, living with the knowledge that his fight career was cut short, channels his bitter disappointment in a single-minded quest for boxing championships for his three sons. Jimmy Smits plays Arturo Ortega who's stubbornness is only equaled by his love for his family.  It is a story of passion, heartbreak, redemption and ultimately glory.

It only grossed $3.5 million and it only won 1 ALMA Award for director Carlos Avila.

It is the Most Underrated Movie of 2000.

Saltzman Sees...October Sky (1999)

October Sky is the inspirational true story of Homer Hickam, a coal miner's son who was inspired by the first Sputnik launch to take up rocketry against his father's wishes. Chris Cooper and Jake Gyllenhaal are remarkable as father and son.

It only grossed $32.4 million worldwide.  It didn't get nominated for a single major award. Both Cooper and Gyllenhaal are now well know, but neither was given credit for their tremendous performance in one of the best films and Most Underrated Movies of 1999.

Saltzman Sees...Prefontaine (1997)

Prefontaine is the true story of Olympic distant runner Steve Prefontaine.  He died in a car accident before he could return to the Olympic Games and try to earn an Medal in the 3000 meters.  There were actually two movies that came out at the same time about Prefontaine.  The other, Without Limits, came out the following year in 1998. Without Limits only grossed $777,423 in the USA.  

Prefontaine made a measly $532,190 in the USA.  It wasn't nominated for a single award.

It is my choice for Most Underrated Movie in 1997

Saltzman Sees...The Cure (1995)

The Cure is the touching story of a boy with HIV, who makes friends with a neighbor who sets out to find a cure for the disease.  It is one of the most heartwarming stories about friendship. Be prepared to buy stock in Klennex after watching this movie. Brad Renfro and Joseph Mazzello are marvelous as the young leads and Annabella Sciorra is tremendous as the mother.

It grossed only $2.5 million at the box office, and received hardly any nominations of any kind.  It is the Most Underrated Movie of 1995.

Saltzman Sees...With Honors (1994)

Joe Pesci is incredible as Simon Wilder in With Honors. Brendan Fraser plays a Harvard student who thinks he has all the answers for the future. Pesci plays a dying homeless man who teaches Fraser about living with honor.  Moira Kelly and Patrick Dempsey also star in this story about what life is really all about.

The only major award nomination was Madonna's song "I'll Remember" by the Golden Globes for Best Original Song.  It only grossed $20 million in the U.S.  It is one of the greatest movies I have ever seen and clearly my Most Underrated Movie of 1994.

Saltzman Sees...Heart and Souls (1993)

Robert Downey Jr. leads an All-Star cast in one of the most heartwarming films of 1993.  Heart and Souls stars Downey Jr, Elizabeth Shue, Alfre Woodard, Charles Grodin, Tom Sizemore, Kyra Sedgwick and David Paymer.  It is the ultimate story of second chances.

Alfre Woodard won my Best Supporting Actress of 1993.

In one of the strongest years in movie history, these all-star performances were ignored and movie goers didn't show.  The movie only made $16.5 million at the box office.

It is the Most Underrated Movie of 1993.

Saltzman Sees...School Ties (1992)

School Ties is the story of a prestigious 1950s school who bring in a transfer student to help their football team to beat the school's old rivals. This transfer student, however, is from a working class background, so he isn't really "one of them", but seems to fit in perfectly. David, played by Brendan Fraser, is Jewish, and has to keep this a secret from his friends for fear of being rejected.  One of the most remarkable things about this movie is the job by the young cast.  Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Chris O'Donnell, Cole Hauser, and Amy Locane were all no names at the time the movie. Dick Wolf, the creator of the Law & Order franchise, wrote the screenplay.  Fraser is tremendous as the principal character.  Matt Damon is tremendous as well as the jealous and therefore key adversary of Fraser.  Like young up and coming boxers hoping for a title fight, they shine and plant the seeds for future A-List status.

School Ties did not receive a single major nomination, and only grossed $14.7 million worldwide.

School Ties was nominated for my Best Picture for 1992.
It is also my choice for the Most Underrated Movie of 1992.