Taking an end of July break I thought I'd spend this week looking at some of my favourite hidden gems. Being yer regular film obsessive I naturally have vast bucketloads. Here are half a dozen. You may have already come across these movies, but I find many people haven't, that they slipped under the radar and got kinda lost. Never too late, however. And all of them still look pretty fresh, despite the earliest being more that 20 years old.

Dark City (*****) came out the same time as The Matrix and – without the bullet time shenanigans – told a similar story. Despite being one of the best and most imaginative films of the year it sank without a trace. It has now been released in a Director's Cut, without the plot-spoiling start that the studio insisted upon. And brilliant stuff it is. Starring Rufus Sewell, Keiffer Sutherland, Jennifer Connelly, William Hurt, and most especially Richard O'Brien in a career-best turn to rival his iconic Riff-Raff, it follows Sewell's character who wakes to find he may be a murderer, or have been framed. But everything in the city keeps changing, there are mysterious threatening 'others”, and it never seems to be daytime. Director Alex Proyas went on to make I Robot but this extraordinary sci-fi thriller is his masterpiece.

For everyone who enjoyed Martin Scorsese's The Departed, take a step back and try the original, Hong Kong film Infernal Affairs (****). Directed with great visual style this is arguably the better film, keeping the action lean and mean and without the over-the-top extremes of Mark Walberg foul-mouthed lieutenant or Jack Nicholson's crime boss in the remake. There are also two equally stylish sequels (since the ending of this is different – not everyone dies) which expand and add complexity to the story.

Director Danny Boyle has done wonders in so many different genres (Trainspotting, 28 Days Later, Slumdog Millionaire) that it's a shame his 'kid's film” Millions (****) was generally ignored. As with Son of Rambow (see below) it fell into the space between adult and kid cinema, more of a pity because this story of two brothers, one of whom finds a suitcase containing the titular cash, is made with his usual panache, making for an engrossing, visually engaging, often funny, and quite touching film.

In the 1980s Director Bill Forsyth was briefly the shining light of Scottish film but after a couple of disastrous filmmaking experiences in America he hasn't been heard of since. He did, however, leave one shining masterpiece, a beautifully understated story of a Scottish village about to be bought by a big oil company for their new refinery. It is Local Hero (*****) and is one of the most charming and well-observed films you will ever see. Gentle Northern humour collides with American brashness, and the brilliant score by Mark Knopfler and a late-career appearance from Burt Lancaster are icing on the cake.

As mentioned earlier there is a movie-making black hole that swallows films starring kids that are not necessarily made for kids. Into that hole went Son of Rambow (****) one of the UK's freshest debuts of last year. It centres on two young teens, one brought up by a strict religious order, the other a rebel, who together take on the task of remaking their favourite film (guess what it is!). This is both very funny and able to make sharp points about the perils and sweetness of growing up, while the film the boys make is easily on par with the brilliantly low-budget filmmaking of Be Kind Rewind.

Comedy horror is a very difficult genre to pull off, especially on a low budget. Killer Klowns From Outer Space (****) does it in spades. In homage to B-movies of the 50s, earth is being invaded and only teens in smalltown USA know. But can they convince anyone? Problem is the aliens look just like circus clowns. Evil circus clowns with space guns. Many would recommend seriously mind-altering chemicals to enjoy this movie fully but the general insanity occurring will appeal to even straight lovers of the weird and wonderful. Added points for a great turn from B-movie stalwart John Vernon and the chirpy theme song (yes, it's called 'Killer Klowns From Outer Space”!).