With the Academy Awards right around around the corner, I thought it would be timely to blog about two of my favourite categories. The music ones (obvs). This year the nominations for "Best Original Song" are slightly underwhelming, and rumour is that Taron Egerton and Elton John had a private party/show for some of the voting members, so I think they might have bought themselves a little gold statue.
It took me a while to realize that a big reason why some of my favourite movies are in fact my favourite movies is because of the music attached to them. It's like music elevates every scene, every emotion, and takes the cinematic experience to the next level. This is part one of a two part blog. Part one on is on songs featured in movies, and part two will be on the actual scores of movies.
There are so many worthy songs and movies to write about that it was hard to narrow it all down, so I made guidelines to bring my original list down. Musicals, Disney, and 8 Mile are their own separate thing, so don't be mad there aren't any listed (but Tarzan with Phil Collins, and Lion King with Elton John. Legendary). Also, I felt the need to stay away from some overdone ones, so don't come looking for Titanic, Rocky, or The Bodyguard to make an appearance, and I'm sorry Dillon (shout out to my most loyal reader), I can't justify putting Armageddon.
A quick mention of something that also doesn't qualify for this particular list: Bond. I've always appreciated huge artists lining up to writes songs for 007 movies like it's the Super Bowl. Who did it best? Adele. Hands down. Anyways, with some big caveats, here's a quick list of movies that were impacted/elevated by the songs used in them.
Reign Over Me - I'm a sucker for comedians who can pull off dramatic roles. In my opinion, Adam Sandler delivers his best dramatic performance in "Reign Over Me." By all means he is the star of this movie and is the reason why you should watch. What really elevates this movie, is the feature song. One of my favourite songs, "Love, Reign o'er Me" by The Who. The emotion built into the song and the depth of the lyrics add so much to what is happening on screen that you can't help but let your own emotions get wrapped up in the sadness of the story.
Click - I know, I know. Two Sandler movies in one list? I'm just doing them now to get them out of the way. Please keep reading. It's almost too much even for me. You're going to think I'm a super-fan or something. I'm not. It just so happens that in the final scene of Click, one of my favourite songs, by one of my favourite bands, is backing what amounts to be a huge emotional payoff for a fairly mediocre movie. "Ultraviolet" by U2 delivers a moment for audiences that would not have had the same effect with a lesser song.
Arrival - Arguably one of the best sci-fi movies of the decade. I struggled with this one because it's more of the score that defines the movie. However, when awards season came around it was deemed ineligible for the Oscar nomination due to use of an already written song and not as much original composition. The themes in this movies are heavy, the story is beautifully and creatively woven together. What really delivers in the emotional moments is "On the Nature of Daylight" by Max Richter. Listen, I get emotional just listening to this song. Having it score such an emotional movie with complex themes is really just unfair. As far as sci-fi goes, I find this a near perfect movie, thanks in no small part to the music.
Baby Driver - The way "Baby Driver" was soundtracked was more unique than any other. Not only as a story telling device but also a creative choice by director Edgar Wright. Every song throughout was purposefully chosen and timed for every scene. Different scenes have different paces to them and are accompanied by a song that mirrors what's happening, upbeat scene = upbeat song. One example is "Tequila" by Button Down Brass, which plays right before a shootout, and it's really quite brilliant the way it's all woven together. All this is also emphasized by the fact that music is big part of Baby's (the main character) persona and how he makes sense of the world.
The Great Gatsby - Before the latest ode to "The Great Gatsby" came out, it was announced that Jay-Z was curating the soundtrack. I was already excited, and then the tracks started getting released, and it was everything I hoped it would be. Period pieces with soundtracks of modern songs aren't that easily done (or rather pulled off), but with artists like Lana Del Rey, Gotye, The xx, and Sia all contributing killer songs that actually fit with the feel and style of the movie, this was executed masterfully. By far "Young and Beautiful" by Lana Del Rey was the anchor, appearing in multiple parts throughout the movie. Jack Whites cover of "Love is Blindness" and the orchestral cover of "Crazy in Love" are both favourites of mine. When thinking about movies that are perfect marriages with their soundtracks, this is one of the first that comes to mind.
Black Panther/Guardians of the Galaxy - I harp on Marvel movies quite a bit. But these are two of my favourites, and partially for the same reason. Killer soundtracks. These two movies both stand out by integrating a soundtrack that is not only well curated but also very perfectly chosen to fit the style of movie. With Guardians it's the hits of the 70's like "Hooked on a feeling" by Blue Suede and "Cherry Bomb" by the Runaways. Equally as great are the Hip-hip and Tribal sounds featured in the Kendrick Lamar produced Black Panther soundtrack, including the hit single "Pray for Me". Both of these movies are enhanced by their use of music, and I certainly hope that Marvel chooses to use this format more often in the future.
Kill Bill - I could have picked half a dozen Quentin Tarrantino movies to include on this list. There are so many scenes in his films that are elevated by the music he chooses (see: "Reservoir Dogs" and "Pulp Fiction"). However, if I am looking for the full meal deal, I have to go with Kill Bill. The songs picked to accompany this movie are perfect. The music is both seamless like it's meant to be, while also standing out. There is an impressively eclectic mix of songs that if you were to just look on the surface wouldn't seem like it fits. But older songs like "Bang Bang" by Nancy Sinatra and "Twisted Nerve" by Bernard Herrmann are brilliantly place alongside Wu Tangs RZA original tracks written specifically for this movie.
A Walk to Remember - This feels like cheating. I think. Or maybe it's just too obvious to me. The only Nicolas Sparks movie guys will admit to watching, liking, and crying in, at least before "The Notebook" came out. Mandy Moore has such an incredible voice and her rendition of "Only Hope" is mesmerizing. Anyone who didn't immediately fall in love with her at that moment is lying. And then it plays again when she walks down the aisle. Cinematic emotional manipulation at its finest. I also liked Switchfoot at the time this movie came out, and the inclusion of "Dare You to Move" in the film was also something I appreciated.
*Bonus Entry* Shows on The CW - Prime examples include "Riverdale," "The 100," and "Smallville." Ever since I can remember, the CW has made it a point to soundtrack their shows with current music (Riverdale on Tunefind has over 400 linked songs), even at times debuting songs for artists that you've never heard of yet. I use the Shazam app on the daily (re: my post from last week), and while watching any CW show I use it more frequently than any other time. I would like to think their use of songs done extremely well. Whether it's "Radioactive" by Imagine Dragons playing as Clarke and crew step foot on earth, or as Archie and Veronica declare their love for each other (again) as Billie Eilish "When the Party's Over" is playing. I'll never forget "Collide" by Dishwalla playing as Clark and Lana are finally reunited in Smallville. Or the multiple times "Iris" by the GooGoo Dolls played. It just makes for good television.
Who would you nominate? Let me know! And don't forget to tune in next week when we look at all time scores!
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