Battle Royale, Anything Else, Audition, The Blade, Boogie Nights, Dazed & Confused, Dogville, Fight Club, Friday, The Host, The Insider, Joint Security Area, Lost In Translation, The Matrix, Memories of Murder, Police Story 3, Shaun of the Dead, Speed, Team America, and Unbreakable
My Top 20 Since 1992
Dazed and Confused
Jurassic Park
Battle Royale
For those who still haven't seen Kinji Fukasaku's violent masterpiece--you really ought to. You're lucky, now it's on Netflix. When I first wanted to see it, I had to head into Chinatown and seek out a Region 9 disc. It's the Clockwork Orange of our generation. You owe it to yourself to watch this. Side note: skip the sequel.
The Boondock Saints
Clueless
Alicia Silverstone was my childhood love. Somehow, a very young Gringocito saw a couple Aerosmith music videos and his life was changed forever. Then Clueless came out and any chance for my homosexuality was eradicated. The hair, the clothes, the slang--the early 90s still hold a special place in my heart. Anyone remember that "He-he-helloooo" line from Party Girl? The point is that I do. A recent home screening of Clueless proved that even though Silverstone's career didn't hold much staying power, her best film still does.
The Descent
I had no idea what The Descent was about when I stepped into the theater. Didn't know I was walking into the the best horror film of the past decade. From the claustrophobic sets to the frightening plot twists, there just aren't many movies that can touch its overall horror.
El Crimen Del Padre Amaro
Just after high school, I worked at a one-screen art house theater in a mostly Latino part of town. After the Catholic Church banned this film we had sold-out shows every night. For those who've seen it, you know that there's an especially offensive scene about an hour in. Well, every night, about sixty minutes after the lighted dimmed, an angry mob would storm out of the theater--looking for whoever was responsible for the offensive content they had just been subjected to. Apparently, that was me. After a couple nights of being yelled at by angry Catholics, I decided that I'd actually watch the movie. When I did, I was immediately blown away. The narrative is entrancing, the acting is phenomenal, and the controversy is in full-effect. It's definitely earned a spot in my Top 20 list.
The Fugitive
Hackers
I know...I know...I know. There's just something about Hackers that won't let me go. The music, the outdated technology, the ultra-cool underground nerd society. Would you believe that this movie pushed Barton Fink off the list? I debated about whether or not it deserved to be on the Top 20 but, if I'm being honest, it does, and not at the bottom either.
He Got Game
High Fidelity
Any He Shot Cyrus reader knows how much I adore High Fidelity. I want to be Rob but I'm so afraid that I'll become Dick that I live my life as Barry. Something like that. It's my #2 film of all-time (right after The Warriors) mostly because it accurately describes my post-high school life.
Kill Bill Vol. 1
Matinee
I recently attended a screening of Matinee and got to meet Joe Dante, the man to thank for Gremlins, Explorers, and The Howling. We both agreed that Matinee hasn't received a fair shake since it's release. This is a special film which honors a different age of filmgoing set against a tense time in American history.
Old Boy
Reservoir Dogs
It's fitting that while filling out my own Top 20 list that two of QT's films have found slots on the order. Reservoir Dogs appeals to me for all the same reasons it appeals to everyone else. The cast, the performances, the story (just as contained as I desire), the violence, and the music. He's the only director to show up twice and as happy as that makes me, the fact that the Coen Bros. leaves me wishing for a 21st choice.
The Sandlot
Superbad
If High Fidelity represents my post-high school life, then Superbad represents the four years before. There won't ever be a character on-screen that more accurately portrays who I was during my teens than Seth (Jonah Hill). We told the same jokes, wore the same awful clothes, and sported the same hairdo. This kid was me, I was this kid. It's a very cool experience to connect with a character like that.
The Truman Show
Unfaithful
Waiting for Guffman
Choosing my favorite Christopher Guest film proved to be much more difficult than I imagined. Eventually, Parker Posey giving praise to the DQ pushed Guffman to the top.What are your Top 20 Films since 1992?
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