Dew's
Movies-With-Matrix-Parallels
List

Author: Dew
Property of Dew's Matrix Fan Page (http://thereisnospoon.moviefever.com)


Since you enjoyed "The Matrix" and I'm sure that you just can't wait until the sequels come out, I have created a list of some movies that may be of some interest to you. Plus, those of you who are writing term papers may also find this list helpful.

In my opinion, the movies on this list provide a similar type of movie-going experience as "The Matrix" and/or share at least one Matrix quality, theme, concept, or issue. In other words, here are some of the things I looked for when compiling this list:


Alternate, artifical, multiple, unbelievable, or parallel realities (ie dream states, realities that could have happened, fantasy realities and virtual realities)

What is real? Is this real? Is this really happening to me or am I imagining it? Could I be crazy? Is this just a dream?

Who am I? Who decides who I am? How do I find who I am? What is my life's purpose?

Is there more to life than just school/work? Am I just a number? Why am I bored with just sitting at my desk day after day?

Relations between boss and employee; teacher and student; leader and followers

Duel lives/personalities/identities

Splinter in the mind/sixth sense about something being wrong/heightened senses or abilities

Finding out that something or an aspect of life is an illusion, trick, lie, or manipulation. ("Things aren't always what they seem or appear to be.")

Bending rules/breaking the law

Government/police vs individuals

Power struggle, fight for control

Rising above normal limits/superheroes/mastering special gifts or talents

Graceful, stylish, and mind-blowing action/fight sequences

Fate/destiny/predestination and how one person's actions affects others

Free will/choices

True love/soulmates/Is this person the one for me? How will I know?

Artifical Intelligence/Can robots or other non-human things become human (feel emotions)?

Dreams/Sleeping

Faith/hope/belief vs disbelief/doubt

Furturistic/Sci-fi/Fantasy

Prophesy, forseeing and/or manipulating the future

The connections between the past, present, and future are addressed or their boundaries are blurred/crossed

War, struggle between good vs evil

Cat and mouse thriller

Individuality vs Conformity

Overcoming obstacles and the unexpected

Deja vu/Is there such a thing as a coincidence?

Computer technology and its downsides

Prison/Entrapment

Escape/freedom/adjusting to life outside of prison/captive vs captor

Having a second chance/Avoiding death/Line between life and death

Miracles

Standing up for what you believe in (e.g. a particular cause), inspiring others

Shocking, mind bending plot twists or turns (ones that you should have seen coming but didn't)

Use of reoccuring symbols/colors (often hidden or subtle), word play, or multiple word meanings

Mind over matter/the power of the mind/the mind and body connection

Mystery, suspense, and/or paranoia

Philosophical riddles or questions

Movies that have hidden or subtle religious aspects

Movies the spoof or imitate The Matrix fight sequences (These are listed on their own page -- click here.)


Warnings: I haven't seen all of these movies-- I read many movie summaries and reviews when coming up with this list. Note also that not all of these movies are yet available on tape or dvd either--some may still be in the theater. All those that I have seen and personally recommend highly have a star next to them.


Please note that it's just not logically possible to list every movie that fits into these categories, however, if you have seen a movie that you really think should be on this list, please email me with the name of the movie, the year of its release, and an explanation of why you think it belongs on this list. I reserve the right to include or reject any submission.


Reminder: For some of these movies I have compiled a list of movie questions that go into detail the parallels I noticed. For futher information, check out this page.






V For Vendetta (2206)

The Wizard of Oz (1939)*

Alice in Wonderland (1999)*

Willy Wonka And the Chocolate Factory (1971)*

Akira (1988)

Ghost in the Shell (1995)

The Thirteeth Floor (1999)*

eXistenZ (1999)*

The Net (1995)*

Dark City (1998)

Johnny Mnemonic (1995)

Hackers (1995)

Tron (?)

Virtuosity (1995)

Being John Malkovich (1999)*



Dreamscape (1984)

Brainstorm (1983)

The Cell (2000)*

Blade Runner (1982)*

Total Recall (1990)*

12 Monkeys (1995)*

THX 118 (1971)

The Lawnmower Man (1992)

Wicked City (1992)

Strange Days (1995)

Dune (1984)

Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)*

The Fifth Element (1997)*

Men In Black (1997)*

Men In Black II (2002)

The City of Lost Children (1995)

Brazil (1985)

Delicatessen (1991)

1984 (1984)

Open Your Eyes (1997)/ Vanilla Sky (2001)*

Siesta (1987)



Conspiracy Theory (1997)*

The Usual Suspects (1997)*

Arlington Road (1999)*

The Game (1997)*

Mulholland Dr. (2001)* Reindeer Games (1999)*

Malice (1993)*

What Dreams May Come (1998)*

Fearless (1993)

Flatliners (1990)*

The Gift (2000)

Stir Of Echoes (1999)*

The Sixth Sense (1999)*

What Lies Beneath (2000)*

The Others (2001)*

Unbreakable (2000)*

Face/Off (1997)*

Jawbreaker (1995)*

Nurse Betty (2000)*

Me, Myself, and Irene (2000)*

Overboard (1987)*

Wag The Dog (1998)*

The Truman Show (1998)*

Memento (2001)*



The Wedding Planner (2001)*

Serendipity (2001)*

Still Breathing (1997)*

Only You (1994)*

Magnolia (2000)*

Contact (1997)*

Awakenings (1990)*

Multiplicity (1996)*

Devil's Advocate (1997)*

Sliding Doors (1998)*

Frequency (2000)*

Peggy Sue Got Married (1986)*

Pleasantville (1998)*

Field of Dreams (1989)*

Groundhog Day (1993)*

The Family Man (2000)*

Bedazzled (2000)*

Monkeybone (2001)*

Dead Poet's Society (1989)*

Dangerous Minds (1995)*

The Shawshank Redemption (1994)*

Office Space (1999)*

Fight Club (1999)*

Pulp Fiction (?)*

American Beauty (1999)*

Minority Reports (2002)

A.I. (2001)*

Bicentennial Man (1999)*

City of Angels (1998)*



Mortal Kombat (1995)*

Mortal Kombat Annihilation (1997)

The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring (2001)*

The Never Ending Story (?)

The Princess Bride (1987)* Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001)

Planet of the Apes (The Original) and (2001)

Sleepy Hollow (1999)*

The Crow (1994)*

Blade (1998)*

Spiderman (2002)* The Batman Movies*

The Superman Movies*

The Star Wars Movies*

X-Men (2000)*

Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within (2001)*

Resident Evil (2002)*

The Bride With The White Hair 1 and 2 (1993)*

MI:2 (2000)*

Tomb Raider (2001)*

Charlie's Angels (2000)*

Romeo Must Die (2000)*

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2001)*

The One (2001)*


© Copyright 1999-2002 by Dew, owner of Dew's Matrix Fan Page. No part of this text may be written, copied or reproduced without express written consent.

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