Great films where music is a central theme.
This thread has prompted me to get several of the movies, which I really enjoyed (The Bands Visit for one). I have to add in my own 2cents, not to add a new one to those already listed, but to reinforce the need for *anybody* interested in music to watch 'The Commitments'. Not only is the music superlative, but the story line and character development are massively captivating. I do not consider myself a movie buff by any means, but I *am* a music buff, and the *only* movie I have seen multiple, multiple times (I would guess between 50 to 100) and love it more with each successive viewing. You have to be able to tolerate the massive amounts of profanity however, which in Dublin is used as a form of punctuation without any implied profanity |
Il start light and move on to more contreversial suggestions: Those already mentioned: Amadeus (BTW the sound track on vinyl is pretty good too!) The soloist (so-so, too much digital enhancement for my taste) Now for a few new ones that come to mind: Departures (Japanese film that won best foreign film at the 2009 academy awards) The central character is cellist that looses his job. Great music and movie. Dancer in the dark. Bjork! and Lars von Trier! Not for everyone, but if you like contemprary electronique music it is great. My next suggestion is about the music, within the context of the movie, and not an endorsment of the movie itself. Just watch the prologue it's enough (if not too much) Lars Von-Trier's Antichrist. The opening seen features the Aria Lascia Ch'io Pianga, it is emotionally outstanding. Having a young son, the seen really struck a cord and it is no small part due to the music. On a lighter note, best musical TV episode (no not Glee!) is the Simpson's episode where they go to Italy to chase Side-Show-Bob and end up at la Scala, where Krusty The Clown is performing "I Pagliacci" and finally Side-Show-Bob removes Krusty from the stage just in time to sing "Vesti la Giuba"... The show inside the show inside the show, you gotta love the Simpson's Wow, after re-reading my post I seem to have a really grim taste in movie and music. |
This thread has prompted me to get several of the movies, which I really enjoyed (The Bands Visit for one). - snip Way cool! That's exactly why I created it - to get some good recommendations from others. This is why I requested please don't just reference generic lists of films with music. I'm really interested in your personal recommendations. Glad you liked, The Bands Visit and Commitments! Both are excellent films. Nick_sr - Sounds like you have some crossover tastes, I mentioned the wonderful film, Departures already. Though I can only take Von Trier in small doses and all of his stuff very polarizing for myself, I have to say, that first scene in Antichrist is amazing and beautiful. It is not, however, a film with with music as any part of the storyline so not a film that fits here. I'd also warn anyone that that considers that film that it is painfully difficult/disturbing content to watch at times. I personally would not recommend it to anyone, but I can say it will stick with you. In that Dogma school of cinema Von Trier is known for, on a personal recommendation apart from this thread as it has no musical content either, The Celebration, is one of my all-time favorite films. Oh, and I did enjoy Dancer in the Dark, which does belong on this thread as music is a big part of the content - but yes, not for everyone as any of Von Triers films might be described. Overall, everyone's been adding some great suggestions. My Netflix queue thanks you! Keep'em coming |
To piggyback on Marco's comments regarding Von Trier, I would also like to add Beavis and Butthead Do America. I would say that music is central to the theme of the film and also would parallel the Von Trier comments in that it can be polarizing, painfully difficult to watch and disturbing in content. I must admit to being a fan of the film as well as the series and am pleased that they are being revived to educate a new generation. |
Yes Marco, very influential and responsible for the Cornholio as a Christ figure subtext. Glad I could further your film education. Thanks for the schoolin' on movin' pitchers, Richard. Thanks also for making me blow a fair amount of bubbly water through both nostrils when I read your treatise on Cornholio. The nostrils were in need of a bit of a flush anyway. Nick_sr - yeah, I mentioned Black Swan a while back. Which leads me to think of one of his earlier films, which has a great soundtrack and no qualifying musical content otherwise, Requiem for a Dream - but since you like dark and disturbing films, I'm sure you're familiar with it. This of course brings to mind a more recent soundtrack by the same guy who did Requiem, Clint Mansell; he also did the haunting soundtrack to, Moon. Again, sadly, no musical content and the film does not belong in this thread, though it is an excellent film with a great performance by Sam Rockwell. Oh, damn, now I'm doing it! You see what you guys made me do?! On a redeeming note, I just watched Wim Wenders installment, The Soul of a Man, of Martin Scorsese Presents the Blues series. I promptly ordered the soundtrack. Yes, it is entirely musical content, of course. A documentary. |
Somehow, I didn't expect that my search for "Cornholio" (I was unfamiliar with the reference) would lead to Beavis and Butthead, given that it was driven by references from Marco and Richard. I may have to re-evaluate certain assumptions that I've had about you two. Or, about Beavis and Butthead, I suppose. Either way, I didn't see that one coming. Marty |
Calm down, Marty, the fine motion picture event Richard referenced is obviously Von Trier's long-awaited sequel to his television production, The Kingdom For totally moronic humor I much prefer Ren and Stimpy. I think those are directed by Terrence Malick. |
One Trick Pony....a semiautobiographical story with Paul Simon about a musician losing his recognition and family in the pursuit of trying to re-establish his career playing music that is not Top40 friendly. Fantastic performances from the soundtrack of the same name (Simons best album post 'Still Crazy') plus guest appearances by the B52s, Otis Redding, The Lovin Spoonful, Lou Reed et al. |
Also.... FM, released circa 1978. The story of a radio station enjoying rising success due to a phenomenal playlist (many of the best artists on the MCA label from 1975-1978 including Steely Dan)struggling with management who want more advertising and less music. The backdrop of recorded music and live concerts largely make up for the somewhat WKRP-esque schtique. The double LP soundtrack won a Grammy for Best Engineering, and I can attest to the fact that the cuts on it are extremely well done- no 4th generation cassette masters were used here. |
Let me start with one which has most likely been mentioned already and if it has then shame on you. SpikeLee's Better Blues. Then there is Tony Gatlif, who has produced several excellent movies on a variety of themes of gipsy music. My personal favorite is Vengo, A movie about two fueding gipsy familied in Spain. Flamenco puro! Second is Tony's first film Latcho Drom which recounts the journey of the gipsy culture from east asia to the mediteranean, eastern europe and north africa. The story is told entirely through song, evolving through time and cultures. Beautiful and educational! Finally on the theme of gipsy music, Roma gipsy in this case,the Serbian movie Black Cat White Cat. So all this to say, I am not all about gloom and doom. Although mid-week can get depressing. But by Friday evening my mood lighten's up, the wine at dinner helped to! One last point, I hate this thread! It is urging me to get my TV/Cinema setup going. Ever since we moved, the TV has been split from the Hifi.I get a dedicated room but no screen. That means that movies are watched without proper sound. For most movie I don't care but for the movies mentioned in this thread it is essential for their enjoyment |
Not sure how I missed this thread. My all time favorite which is just my all around favorite movie of all time is 'Herald and Maude' with the music of Cat Stevens played throughout the film and even sung by Ruth Gordon and Bud Cort. I've seen this movie 20 times throughout my lifetime and love it as much now as I did the first time I saw it. Another fantastic movie is 'Me Myself and Irene' with Jim Carrey who plays a motorcycle cop in Rhode Island. The music of Steely Dan plays through the movie and is performed by various artists, many of which do some great renditions of SD tunes. |
If someone mentioned Sound City, I missed it. This is Dave Grohl's documentary about his efforts to "rescue" the analog sound board from the San Fernando Valley recording studio Sound City. Actually, I think he just wanted to film himself hanging with the folks who recorded there in the '70's and '80's. |
