Movies about Music

This is a fun little category, that will lead to other posts I am sure. But keeping in the scheme of things, these are movies worth watching and owning the soundtracks to, great tunes and films.

Across the Universe- A rather unique approach to musicals, featuring the Beatles music. A trippy ride through the lyrics of the Fab Four.

The Commitments- This is a fantastic cult classic about a soul band in Dublin Ireland, trying to be the next big group after U2 and Boontown Rats to make it out of the slums. The band was put together for the sake of the film, but actually toured around the world briefly while promoting the movie. The soundtrack is amazing. The group covers such classic artists like Smokey Robinson, Wilson Picket, Percy Sledge, Marvin Gaye and many, many soul music legends. A seriously must own DVD and CD!!!!

8 Mile- A decent film starring Eminem, Kim Bassinger and Mekhi Phifer. Featuring Mr. M's tunes and other prominent rappers like 50 Cent, Obi Trice and Macy Gray.

Music & Lyrics - A charming romantic comedy starring yet again, Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore. About an 80's Popstar has-been getting a chance to revive his career. Features singing by Hugh and Drew, which is surprisingly good, and a relatively unknown actress/singer Halley Bennett.

Once- Glen Hansard of The Commitments fame, stars in this delightful little film about a struggling street performer/muscian, who meets a girl who inspires him to reach for his dreams.

The songs are all original tunes written and performed by Glen and his friend and co-star Marketa Irglova. Brilliant film and a serious must own soundtrack.

That Thing You Do- A rather curious and fun film by Tom Hanks, dealing with the musical phenomenon of One Hit Wonders. The tunes were written for the film and the four male actors learned to play their respective instruments to give it an authentic look and feel. Based in the 60's pop music explosion.

Walk the Line- The brilliant homage to Johnny Cash starring Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon. Shows the real life struggles of country music legend and his struggles with inner demons, and how he was saved by the love of his soul mate June Carter. Chilling perfomances, and great music. Great film, and a great soundtrack!

Movies with Killer Soundtracks

These are just a quick selection off the top of my head, of films you should watch or at the very least listen to the soundtracks. Some you will not find a soundtrack for, and if you are a fanatic, like me, you are compelled to track down the individual artists to get the tracks. But in any case here are some of the afore mentioned films....

About A Boy- It's a cute film starring Hugh Grant, not an amazing film, but it has a cool soundtrack featuring "Badly Drawn Boy".

A Lot Like Love - Another passable film, you are not watching this for Ashton Kutcher. But is has a semi-naked Amanda Peet, and an awesome soundtrack. Highly recommend buying the cd on this one.

Bright Lights Big City- A rather strange film based on the story by Jay McInerney, starring Michael J. Fox. The tracks are hip Pop tunes from the mid 80's.

Bull Durham- A great undiscovered film in my mind, starring Kevin Costner, Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins. No available soundtrack that I know of, but some really great tunes that suit the film, and the scenes that they are in, well!

City of Angels- A decent movie, either you love it or don't. Nick Cage and Meg Ryan. But undeniably, a killer soundtrack, featuring the Goo Goo Dolls. A must own cd.

Clerks I & II Kevin Smith is just a hip guy when it comes to picking tunes for his movie soundtracks. Not sure if he ever puts out soundtrack cd's, but he definitely turns ya on to some great tuneage!

Garden State- Zach Braff's directorial debut, starring the lovely Natalie Portman. The soundtrack includes a lot of hip bands including the Shins. Another worthy disc for the collection.

Get Over It-This is a rather unfortunate sophmoric comedy, stuck between being a crappy film and a decent movie. The soundtrack is funk-a-licious. Some great tunes! CD is definitely better than the film.

High Fidelity- A great cult classic starring John Cusack and Jack Black. Some awesome tunes of this including, Lou Reed, Bob Dylan, The Beta Band and a whole lot more!

Highlander- The ultimate cult classic film, with no soundtrack tied to the film. But Queen who did all of the songs took it upon themselves to release the very special album "It's A Kind of Magic". Which contains all the tunes from the soundtrack.

I Am Sam - A brilliant movie starring Sean Penn, and featuring a soundtrack with Beatle tunes covered by various musical genius in their own rights. Definitely a must own CD.

Juno- Hopefully everyone knows about this blockbuster cult classic starring Ellen Page, but if not check it out, and buy the soundtrack a lot of cool and innovative tunes on this CD.

Notting Hill- Another Hugh Grant comedy starring Julia Roberts. Great sound track that includes such brilliant artists like Elvis Costello and Bill Withers.

Pump Up The Volume - A teen angst sort of 80's film with the counter culture legend himself Christian Slater. But the soundtrack is chock full of some deep, moody classics.

Serendipity- A beautiful movie starring Kate Beckinsale and John Cusack. Fantastic soundtrack featuring Nick Drake and other really wonderful artist. Another must own CD!

Ten Things I Hate About You- Not a great movie, certainly not watching it for Julia Stiles. But you do get to see Heath Ledger sing! The tunes are very 80's retro, Cheap Trick and Nick Lowe covers by 90's hip bands. Got so serious toe tappers on it.

Tin Cup- Another Kevin Costner classic, makes watching golf fun!!! The soundtrack is great featuring Chris Isaak amongst others. Worth a watch or a listen.

Venus - A rather bizarre film starring Peter O'Toole and Jodie Whittaker, a tender relationship between a teen age girl and a dirty old man. Sadly no soundtrack, but highly recommend picking up Corrine Bailey Rae's album. Contains three of the tracks from the film.

Beat Movies and Movies with a Beat

Many things go into making a great or memorable movie, great story, great acting, great action. Now a days I have issues with directors and producers, that rely too heavily on CGI or special effects to help cover up a boring plot.

But before special effects grew from it's infancy, the thing that made crappy films decent, and good films great, was their soundtracks. But music can only do so much. Case in point, Star Trek the Motion Picture.

I don't think there is a soul alive, not connected to this monumental piece of cinematic crap, that would disagree what a horrible film this was. And it fell to the unfortunate hands of Jerry Goldsmith to try and cover the stench, which is why the film opens with roughly twenty minutes of exterior shots of a plastic model, while Jerry and an orchestra thunder away.....yawn!!!

Now there are several different types of movies with what I call "Killer Soundtracks". There are muscial movies, obviously, and there are movies about music. There are even epic movies with fantastic musical scores. But the movies I love the most, even if they are commercial flops are films with "Killer Soundtracks". Some pictures are epic and have great tunes, case in point 'Forrest Gump" or "The Big Chill" and some are cult classics like " Pulp Fiction" or "Saturday Night Fever".

But universally, good music seems to cover a multitude of sins, and make some films or in some cases some scenes unforgettable. I can't listen to Tom Petty's " An American Girl" without thinking about " Silence of The Lambs". This is the kind of idealistic song selection that I feel deserves some recognition. It sets the mood and the moment, and if done correctly strikes a chord in our minds, and becomes immortal in film history.

So without further ado, here are three lists, not all encompassing, but lists of some films that help illustrate my point. And they are as follows...

Movies with Killer Soundtracks

Movies with Killer Scores

Movies about Music