The Fiction I Live

Burnzy Canada

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My Top 50 Favorite Movies

24

Dark City (1998)

Before Requiem For A Dream, Jennifer Connelly plays the partner to another male lead in a similar role she reprised a few years later. This time the lead is John Murdoch (Rufus Sewell) a man who wakes up one day in a literal dark city and struggles to remember the past while being wanted for murder. He is then the target of the "mr. people" (The Strangers) these mysterious figures who run Dark City after they have discovered that he shares the same powers as them. They are out to capture John, as he looks to escape Dark City while trying to put back together his past along with help from Dr. Schreber (Kiefer Sutherland). This is an all in one action packed, sci-fi, neo noir, mystery, thriller blended into one massive movie that works out very well. This is arguably one of the most advanced movies I've seen and its recommended you watch with subtitles on and the Director's Cut version so you don't miss anything important. The special effects are top notch, the central theme being about life and consciousness and it concludes with a "too good to be true" ending that only further propels this cult classic high up on my list. Dark City gets better like aged wine, this film is truly mesmerizing.

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Let's Get Loud: My Favorite Songs, Ever.

Bad Religion / I Want to Conquer the World / No Control

Just over 2 minutes, this quick banger from Bad Religion is easy in and easy out. The lyrics are as usual for the band, a message to the world about the environment, politics, world hunger. Bad Religion collectively for President.

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Let's Get Loud: My Favorite Songs, Ever.

The Ataris / All Souls Day / Silver Turns to Rust

Just when I thought The Ataris weren't around anymore, they made a semi-comeback story in the newest Tony Hawk game with this song, All Soul's Day. This track might have something to do with a divorce possibly from lead singer Kris Roe and his ex. The lyrics are simple to sing along to and the beat is pretty consistent and standard to The Ataris. If you like the band, you will like the song.

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Let's Get Loud: My Favorite Songs, Ever.

At The Drive-In / Quarantined / Relationship of Command

At The Drive-In's super influential Relationship of Command is full of political message bombs that scream Rage and System vibes. Behind "One Armed Scissor" there are plenty of other tracks that warrant your attention and Quarantined is one of them. Moments of soft melodic, and then techy heavy guitars and the classic duo vocals with the thunder background noises is pure sweetness.

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Let's Get Loud: My Favorite Songs, Ever.

The Appleseed Cast / Antihero / The End of the Ring Wars (1998)

Before diving into a cult super depressing sounding emo band, The Appleseed Cast was noisy and had some grunge inspirations trickled in to their early stuff. The current fans like to forget about this era but I'm all for this record and Antihero is an amazing track with some seriously good drumming in the background.

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Let's Get Loud: My Favorite Songs, Ever.

Daybreak Drive / Imitation Violence / Prelude EP (unknown year)

I don't know a thing about this band or song other then it was for the intro of Framing Hanley's music video, Lollipop. Great catchy chorus and breakdowns. Makes you wonder what this band could've been.

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Let's Get Loud: My Favorite Songs, Ever.

AFI / Summer Shudder / Decemberunderground

AFI has been around longer then people may realize. 1995 they came onto the scene and have shown some serious jumps of versatility in their music that there are times where they don't sound like the same band. It took them awhile to find mainstream audiences though they did with "Miss Murder" and their 2006 record Decemberunderground offers plenty of songs on repeat - including my personal favorite, Summer Shudder.

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Let's Get Loud: My Favorite Songs, Ever.

Bush / Comedown / Sixteen Stone (1994)

Bush's 1994 debut album still stands the test of time for alternative rock records from the 90's. They set a bar so high that they couldn't quite recapture that success again. Saying that, this record is a singles juggernaut and Comedown never gets old with it's clever guitar riffs and pacing along with a prime breakdown before ending.

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Let's Get Loud: My Favorite Songs, Ever.

Chiodos / Baby You Wouldn't Last a Minute On the Creek, The Words "Best Friend" Becomes Redefined / All's Well That Ends Well (2005)

"In a Podcast interview with AP Magazine, Craig Owens (Chiodos singer) revealed that the song “Baby, You Wouldn’t Last a Minute on the Creek” is lyrically about Craig wanting to quit the band, not about the end of a relationship like majority assumed. The end of the song is actually the first track, titled Prelude, in reverse." (Genius)

Chiodos, in my opinion a one album wonder band, features a haunting unforgettable intro and song and right after cranks up the intensity with the intro for their song "Best Friend". These two tracks fully complement each other as they intend to. It just so helps that the colors used for the album's artwork is way too nice!

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Let's Get Loud: My Favorite Songs, Ever.

Thursday / For The Workforce, Drowning / War All The Time (2003)

"The first track on Thursday’s 2003 album War All The Time, “For The Workforce, Drowning” talks about people who are missing out on other aspects of life because their jobs are all-consuming." (Genius)

This killer tone-setter for Thursday's first Major Label debut is as memorable as it gets for this genre.

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Let's Get Loud: My Favorite Songs, Ever.

Thursday / Cross Out The Eyes / Full Collapse (2001)

Post Hardcore outfit, Thursday, released this top-heavy 2001 record Full Collapse and captures their sound with Cross Out The Eyes and leads off with Understanding In A Car Crash - a metaphor for Geoff Rickly's former heroin addiction.

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My Top 50 Favorite Movies

1

Lost in Translation (2003)

Have you ever asked yourself, if you were a movie what would you be? It took me years to find this answer to a question I never asked myself until I saw Sophia Coppola's Lost in Translation. This is the most beautiful movie I have ever seen. There isn't a single moment, not scene, I mean moment as in seconds that I do not appreciate. It is 2 strangers in Tokyo, Japan that are there for their own reasons that eventually form a bond, unexpected and coincidental to both of them. They are both lost in life but during different stages between identity crisis that is Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson) and mid-life crisis in his older years, Bob (Bill Murray). Both phases in life are completely relatable and natural. The best medicine for these two in particular is that they are away in another world, out of their current element of reality and almost in a dream like scenario in Japan that is foreign in both language and culture. Their sudden friendship brings them even closer when they attend a party thrown by a friend of Charlotte's who goes by Charlie Brown. This is where the adventure element and some comedic relief is kicked in and makes us feel like we are in Japan enjoying life at it's absolute fullest, with no thoughts or burden. The serious moments are Bob's telephone conversations with his estranged wife and Charlotte's distant gap connection with her newly wed husband, both moments are great precursors to what follows, explained above. Just like any trip, Bob and Charlotte will need to say their good-byes and this where the movie's conclusion becomes pretty sad, knowing they'll never see each other again. What I love here is that, this movie is not romantic, it's an imaginative method of meeting your perfect counterpart in a perfect setting at a perfect time - and all of it was completely unexpected making the movie that much more relatable. Lost in Translation was filmed by using film which gives a grainy stock effect for the viewer and puts pictures in motion like a collage and just so happens to be instrumental to the movie's success. Filmed in 27 days, Bill Murray's all time favorite movie is also mine and Lost In Translation is a forever mood captured on screen and sits at number 1 comfortably.

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My Top 50 Favorite Movies

2

21 (2008)

I like to use a moniker here: I have probably seen this movie 21 times. Dating back to 2008 in theatres to owning it on DVD and even purchasing it on my phone, 21 is accessible through many different formats. What makes this movie so good to me? It all starts with Ben Campbell, a Massachusetts native who is trying to get into Harvard Med but does not have the $300,000 to do so. Enter Micky Rosa (Kevin Spacey) who teaches Ben in one of his classes and sees a very smart young man and invites him to a secret card counting club. Reluctant at first, Ben is then convinced by an attractive sidekick Jill (Kate Bosworth) to join not only for the money though as well for the experience of a lifetime, going to Las Vegas every weekend to count cards for the table game Blackjack. It is up to Jim to stay focused, collect what he needs and get into Harvard Med. Easier said then done. A strong cast ensemble led by Spacey works wonders in this movie that is easily rewatchable and appealing to most crowds. There a few side plots also worth having your attention like Ben and his close friends in robotics, Jill and Ben's budding chemistry, and Micky's long history with the casinos in Vegas. 21 is such a good movie that it is over before you know it and I usually revisit this film once a year now and still pick up something new. Locked in at number two.

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My Top 50 Favorite Movies

3

Open Your Eyes (1997)

In the realm of concept between the war of dreams vs. reality this 1997 Spanish masterclass work Open Your Eyes examines both sides in one mans life. Cesar is your ordinary 20 something year old frat boy type who likes parties, women, and living in the moment. He feels on top of the world and uses those around him to make his crown brighter. Eventually Sofia, portrayed wonderfully by Penelope Cruz, enters his life after she's introduced by Cesar's friend, Pelayo. This comes with some friction, that Sofia is of interest to Pelayo but Cesar shows no hesitation in pursuing the girl as another flavor of the month. Later, Cesar with his current fling, Nuria, get into a car accident which leaves Cesar's face disfigured altering the course of his life and people around him. When Sofia and Pelayo don't see Cesar the same way anymore, it spirals him into a deep depression and that's where Cesar's life and the movie go a different direction. As though the movie may seem complicated, it was made in a way where it's easy enough to follow and understand Cesar through his struggles. The film is also nearly split into 2 different movies entirely while staying equally as exciting. Open Your Eyes has a personal resonation with me or anyone who dreams of something too good to be true only to realize that you will have to wake up at some point and come to terms with reality. The concept isn't super original but the movie does a perfect job of staying with its source material and being gripping throughout as Open Your Eyes is the best foreign movie I have ever seen and places at number 3 on this list of 50.

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My Top 50 Favorite Movies

4

American History X (1998)

From here on out, the list gets easy to rank, these top 4 movies may never see a shift in the favorites scale. American History X takes me back to the days where I was first tested by how hardcore a movie can be and it happens in the opening scenes by form of an assault. The film is divided by black and white scenes (the past) and color sequences (the present). Derek (Ed Norton) is raised as a confused young man who is brought up by his brilliant principle, a black man Dr. Sweeney who believes in Derek and sees how smart he really is only until Derek's controversial father is killed on his firefighting job and that's where Derek's confusion becomes turmoil and it changes him to a ravish Neo-Nazi preacher. The present is Derek with a fresh look but in his grip he has his suffering family led by brother Danny (Ed Furlong) and his mother Doris (Bev D'Angelo) where Danny is a near exact copy of Derek and is heading towards a dangerous life path. Derek's life told in a narrative story at times as well as Danny's and seeks closure and forgiveness in a fascinating tale of 2 brothers who try to identify their place in the world. Is that enough for them to be accepted is the question.

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My Top 50 Favorite Movies

5

The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

At number 5 is The Shawshank Redemption - a movie that has forever been of my favorites right from the first time I've seen it. The plot is as universal as the movie itself, a man gets wrongfully convicted to life in prison for the murder of his wife and while in prison he tries to prove his innocence. When he is finally able to present the facts to the warden, he is denied release and starts to plan his escape. Tim Robbins who plays Andy Dufresne is maybe my favorite main character in a movie and his friend Red is an outstanding counterpart played by Morgan Freeman. They are greatly supported by more outstanding performances by lesser known actors who crush it in their roles, even for the characters we're supposed to hate. Stephen King must be proud of how well his book did in the theatres and it's in full reason to say that the movie is better then the book. Hope, freedom, friendship and believing is what I continue to take away from this movie to this very day. There isn't a single moment that is not satisfying. Universally acclaimed and IMDB's top rated movie with almost 3 million ratings, The Shawshank Redemption is timeless.

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My Top 50 Favorite Movies

6

The Godfather (1972)

It pains me to ask this but how many people have seen The Godfather? Sadly as the years go on, less and less people are reluctant to watch a grand achievement in movie culture and as a result the viewership goes down. At nearly 3 hours long, Mario Puzo's book turned masterpiece is still completely in tact like it was during its initial release and in no way should this film be dismissed by any fan of movies. The Godfather starts off with Don Vito Corleone's demanding screen presence played by Marlon Brando, negotiating a deal with a family friend. As the movie rolls along, taking your eyes off of Brando is nearly impossible and stays that way when we get introduced to his family and what their roles are within the family hierarchy. Eventually Michael (Al Pacino), Vito's youngest, is strained into ceding power after Vito falls ill. Married to a non-Italian and taking measures to be distant from his family, Michael's freedom is slowly being taken back as he hesitantly draws closer into power and control. The expectation is that he lives up to his fathers image. A tall task. The rise and fall of Michael Corleone is an alternative title I always toyed with, and basically, that's what this movie is about. You'll have to see it to believe it.