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In the past, we have covered soundtracks and musicals in the movies, but never have discussed movies ABOUT music. Me, I love music. It is what makes the world go 'round! And fills my life with joy. So this week, the Bumbles are asking for our favorite movies that focus solely on that particular beauty in life. How to choose?
Some Kind of Monster - I can't help but mention this amazing documentary about the band Metallica. The filming initially was intended to record the making of their album St. Anger, but instead got some incredible footage of a band in distress. If you ever wanted to be a fly on the wall in the middle of total dysfunction, here is your opportunity, never mind if you like the band or not.
Dig! - Another documentary about two bands...The Dandy Warhols and the Brian Jonestown Massacre. Both bands are off the mainstream radar, but start out on equal footing as popular Pacific Northwest local bands. However, one band has their act together, and the other is self-destructive (drugs, on-stage rages, narcissism, etc.). This was an incredibly entertaining view of the underbelly of the indie band lifestyle, and a battle of the bands on the street level.
The Doors - I've always been a huge fan of The Doors, and I eagerly waited the release of this film when it was released in 1992. It isn't going to win any awards, but was pretty raw and real about Morrison's repulsive issues and insane genius. Plus you can't really argue with Val Kilmer's skillz.
Saturday Night Fever - I've talked about this one in the past. It was a rated R movie I viewed before I was legal, escorted by a mother's friend no less, at the dollar theater. That black underwear on John Travolta made me all tingly inside. Yeah baby! Shake that thang!
This is Spinal Tap - I suppose this is where my love for anything Christopher Guest came into play (don't even get me started on my love affair with Best in Show or Waiting for Guffman). This was cutting edge back in 1984, and officially gave me a complex about big bottoms!
Eddie and the Cruisers - another one that wasn't walking the red carpet back in '83, but boy I loved to watch this one repeatedly. We all loved to oooh and aaah at the reflection of Eddie's face in the window at the end, despite the fact that he was supposed to be dead. Soundtrack rocked too, in an messed up '80's kind of way.
The Sound of Music - heck I'm just getting warmed up! Why didn't I think of this one sooner? I like a spunky nun, and let's face it...Christopher Plummer was THE DUDE back then. He could have Edelweissed me anytime.
Pink Floyd's The Wall - This was the college-sit-around-and-act-messed-up-at-a-party soundtrack/movie. But it is really a work of art, I dare say. I would challenge anyone to find a person more devoted to Floyd than myself or maybe my sister. I named one of my cats Syd (after Syd Barrett, God rest his soul), I have a gold-plated version of Dark Side of the Moon CD, I was in the second row of Roger Waters' Radio K.A.O.S. tour, camped out overnight to see Floyd in their Momentary Lapse of Reason tour, and I have the laser disc of this movie. So it is fitting to end my list with this one.
Oh, people, I could go on and on. I think I could list 50 movies under this category, but it is late and I want to sleep. There are many I considered, but didn't feel they were worthy of a mention. Which music movies are on your list?
Dig! - Another documentary about two bands...The Dandy Warhols and the Brian Jonestown Massacre. Both bands are off the mainstream radar, but start out on equal footing as popular Pacific Northwest local bands. However, one band has their act together, and the other is self-destructive (drugs, on-stage rages, narcissism, etc.). This was an incredibly entertaining view of the underbelly of the indie band lifestyle, and a battle of the bands on the street level.
The Doors - I've always been a huge fan of The Doors, and I eagerly waited the release of this film when it was released in 1992. It isn't going to win any awards, but was pretty raw and real about Morrison's repulsive issues and insane genius. Plus you can't really argue with Val Kilmer's skillz.
Saturday Night Fever - I've talked about this one in the past. It was a rated R movie I viewed before I was legal, escorted by a mother's friend no less, at the dollar theater. That black underwear on John Travolta made me all tingly inside. Yeah baby! Shake that thang!
This is Spinal Tap - I suppose this is where my love for anything Christopher Guest came into play (don't even get me started on my love affair with Best in Show or Waiting for Guffman). This was cutting edge back in 1984, and officially gave me a complex about big bottoms!
Eddie and the Cruisers - another one that wasn't walking the red carpet back in '83, but boy I loved to watch this one repeatedly. We all loved to oooh and aaah at the reflection of Eddie's face in the window at the end, despite the fact that he was supposed to be dead. Soundtrack rocked too, in an messed up '80's kind of way.
The Sound of Music - heck I'm just getting warmed up! Why didn't I think of this one sooner? I like a spunky nun, and let's face it...Christopher Plummer was THE DUDE back then. He could have Edelweissed me anytime.
Pink Floyd's The Wall - This was the college-sit-around-and-act-messed-up-at-a-party soundtrack/movie. But it is really a work of art, I dare say. I would challenge anyone to find a person more devoted to Floyd than myself or maybe my sister. I named one of my cats Syd (after Syd Barrett, God rest his soul), I have a gold-plated version of Dark Side of the Moon CD, I was in the second row of Roger Waters' Radio K.A.O.S. tour, camped out overnight to see Floyd in their Momentary Lapse of Reason tour, and I have the laser disc of this movie. So it is fitting to end my list with this one.
Oh, people, I could go on and on. I think I could list 50 movies under this category, but it is late and I want to sleep. There are many I considered, but didn't feel they were worthy of a mention. Which music movies are on your list?
21 comments:
Ugh! I can't believe I missed Eddie and the Cruisers. My sister and I loved that movie when it came out. The Doors was also pretty good, although the ending dragged. I kept waiting for them to get to the bathtub already, LOL.
I totally love musicals, mostly old ones though from the Thirties (Fred and Ginger) or the Sixties (Carousel, The King and I, Damn Yankees, Guys and Dolls, etc.)
You put this music fan to shame, Sandy. I haven't seen many of the movies you've mentioned here. The only one I have seen is The Sound of Music.
Great Expectations--the one with Ethan Hawke--had a great soundtrack.
"If you ever wanted to be a fly on the wall in the middle of total dysfunction..." Sandy, you crack me up! Between you and The Bumbles, I am going to have a movie list to rival my book list! (am embarrassed to admit that I've never seen Spinal Tap; will fix that) Oh, The Sound of Music. Yep. Rodgers & Hammerstein worked very well together...
Heather - well, you DO know what is going to happen, and his actions are a painfully slow process of self-destruction. It made me squirm a little.
Jill - Musicals are great! I tried to stay away from them mostly because that was one of our categories awhile back.
Wendy - no some of these are sort of off the radar. It is kind of fun to bring those up, just to give people something different to order on Netflix!
Tasha - ooh, Ethan Hawke. Need to check that one out! I could do a whole Monday Movie Meme on Ethan Hawke!
ds - I hesitated to put TSOM on there, as it is a musical, which was covered awhile back. But it is also a movie ABOUT music, and I couldn't help myself! Even my kids like it.
I love Best in Show and Waiting for Guffman, but have never seen This is Spinal Tap. I should fix that!
Caite - I never get tired of those shows. I laugh until I think I'm going to wet myself. That sense of humor is SO Christopher Guest.
I loved Eddie and the Cruisers at the time. I think it was the first time I ever saw Ellen Barkin in a movie, or heard of Rimbaud.
I can't believe each week I find more and more movies I've never seen. The only one on your list I know is Sound of Music. Kaye—the road goes ever ever on
You came up with some great examples, Sandy! Spinal Tap & Pink Floyd are fantastic! And the Sound of Music is an old childhood favorite! Funny to see this movie situated between Pink Floyd, Eddie and the Cruisers and Spinal Tap! lol You have great eclectic tatse :o)
The Gal - watching it now, it is pretty corny and very 80's, but we couldn't get enough of it in high school!
Kaye - same here. Oh, and I don't even want to tell you what it is like when I hang with my sister the movie critic.
Amy - haha! You can tell I was all stream-of-consciousness when I wrote this. It is a sad representation of my jumbled mind!
Great list of favorites. I haven't seen most of these, but we did match on the Sound of Music. Well done!
I have seen a few of these and the others sound like movies I need to see. The Metallica movie in particular looks like something that I would find really, really interesting. Loved this post, and now I have a bunch of movies to watch while my husband is on holiday vacation with me! Thanks!!
I absolutely loved Eddie and the Cruisers (part I & II)! I also liked Amadeus, and Mr. Holland's Opus. My favorite musicals (as opposed to movies about musicians) are another story - I love too many of them to list here! South Pacific, Brigadoon, The Sound of Music, I could go on and on. :)
You've listed some good ones here. I'm trying to think of the name of a movie I can remember that had The Ramones in it...maybe Rock and Roll High School?
Oh man, I was raised on John Travolta - really. First Grease, then Saturday Night Fever, later Pulp Fiction. I swear, my childhood (and then adulthood) was framed around him. I think that's mostly because my mum is in love with him. I'm ok with that (as is my dad)!
Wow you do win the Pink Floyd fan contest! I like them but I can only take a little at a time.
Love This Is Spinal Tap!
I think Eddie & The Cruisers was my first crush. Spinal Tap is a highly quotable favorite in our house. And sorry, but my friend's brother is the world's biggest Floyd fan - check out his podcasts here:
http://braindamage.libsyn.com/
I love THE SOUND OF MUSIC! I can watch that again and again and never get bored.
I like this topic. I'll add Hedwig and the Angry Inch and Velvet Goldmine, both very edgy, not for the kids music/movies. Both are also about making music as well.
The other ones that I watch over and over are West Side Story and Moulin Rouge.
I still have a soft spot for The Rocky Horror Picture Show, too.
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