My baby brother Ryder loved music and movies as much as I do, if not more. The memories that will never leave me are of us laughing at goofy shit, and criticizing each other’s musical taste as much as appreciating the other’s similarities. He was an incredible human being that made more of an impact on people in this world in 31 years than most do in a lifetime. He experienced everything, saw the world from Belize to South Africa, was never afraid, worked hard, loved life and genuinely gave a shit about others. He was funny, talented and exceptionally opinionated. I will love and miss him forever. Here are some of his favorites, in an order I think he would have found fitting.
O Brother Where Art Thou – Dick Burnett – I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow: We both agreed that no matter what time or genre… hot shit is hot shit. So is this song. Best Line: “I’m not here to make a record ya dumb cracker!!”
Lost and Found – David Spade/ Neil Diamond – Brother Love’s Traveling Salvation Show: The lesson we took from this was if you’re Neil Diamond or even close to as good imitating him… you can throw a bitch through a table in the moment and it’s not only totally legit, her husband will give you money. Best Line: “Brothers!”
The Beach – Moby – Porcelain: There is not a more perfect song for a more perfect beach in a more perfect moment in time. The French guy says it best. C’est Magnifique. Best Line: “It’s so fucking beautiful man…”
The Girl Next Door – The Who- Baba O’Reilly: My brother loved this song. He loved all real rock music and never wavered from it. He may have been born in 89, but his soul was from the 70’s and 60’s. Best Line: “It’s like a gift. It’s like I can’t control it.”
The Breakfast Club – Simple Minds – Don’t You Forget About Me: We both agreed that if you don’t think it’s cool when Judd Nelson is kissing some hot chick, rocking ray bans, a diamond earing and fist pumping like Tiger Woods in one day, after the shit his character went through….. there’s something fucking wrong with you. Best Line: “Gonna get me a scholarship.”
You, Me and Dupree – Coldplay – Fix You: This shit crept up on you. It was a funny movie with sweet undertones, and then suddenly it became the most poignant and appropriate use of a great Coldplay song without being sappy. Best Line: “7 Different Kinds of Smoke!!”
Snatch – Oasis – Fuckin in the Bushes: The four of us brothers fought each other as practice for the real world. In the end it proved a valuable skill to whip someone’s ass if needed. Want a good song going through your head if you know you’re about to get into a FIGHT? Here ya go. If this doesn’t make you want to run through a wall, you’re already dead asshole. Best Line: “Not for me, it’s for me Ma.”
Elizabethtown – Lynyrd Skynyrd – Free Bird: I watched this movie with my brother when we were absolutely shit-faced at 3 am on a Tuesday. A surprisingly beautiful weird and well written movie, but absolutely made worth watching for this scene if ever on cable. Holy shit we thought this was funny, randomly awesome cathartic hysteria that personified everything cool about life, including the lightning in the bottle that was this song. Just like my brother. Best Line: “Just Keep Going!”
Hot Tub Time Machine – Rick Springfield/Black Eyed Peas – Jessies Girl/Let’s Get It Started: Craig Robinson seriously did a favor for both the artists he covered in this movie, and not only made them relevant again but better sounding. Good songs are ageless. So is this scene. Best Line: “Get out of my way, stool.”
Cruel Intentions – The Verve – Bittersweet Symphony: Maybe the coolest, saddest most appropriately musically timed ending ever. We have both watched this multiple times through the years, and the scene never lost its appeal to either of us, nor did the song that was ironically the thing that reminds me most of how much I miss him all-time. Best Line “It’s from Long Island…”
Almost Famous – Elton John – Tiny Dancer: For a fact I know this was one of my brothers top five movies ever, even more so the performance of Phillip Seymour Hoffman as Lester Bangs. Every line he utters, and spews is absolute gold, he steals the movie. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nvuv0357O8I The beauty and set-up of the bus scene that re-launched a classic song back into the mainstream, is timeless. Absolutely timeless. The fact that Cameron Crowe lived most of this odyssey is a tribute to what just going out there and seeing what happens and getting into shit, exploring life can accomplish. And that is exactly how my brother lived, and how I will always remember him. Best Line: “You’ll meet them all again on the long journey to the middle.”
The Modern Renaissance Man 
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