Monday, August 20, 2007

Top 5: Movies About Music

Having recently seen High Fidelity, I was reminded of how much I liked the "top 5" thing he does throughout the movie. So here's my top 5 of movies about music (in no particular order).

1) High Fidelity - Duh, of course this had to make the list, it inspired the list. John Cusack back when I would have still wanted to date him. It takes place in a record store. It's a love story not only about his girlfriend but about music.

2) Almost Famous - I like the scene after Russell (Billy Crudup) went to the party and jumped off the roof and the whole band is back on the bus, mad at him. Tiny Dancer comes on and, one by one, they start singing and the anger fades away. I like when Elaine (Frances McDormand) has a breakdown in front of her class and says, "Rock stars have kidnapped my son!" I swear I don't really like Elton John all that much but this movie does include one of my favorite songs by him, "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters." Overall, I like music from the 70s, it's what I grew up on. And I think Patrick Fugit is adorable.

3) Pretty in Pink - More of a teen drama than specifically about music but this was probably the first soundtrack that I loved. And it's still great. I remember I wore a pink satin Esprit shirt to see it and of course, all day, I was obnoxious saying I was Pretty in Pink. Favorite lines:
Blaine: "That's it, Stef. She thinks you're $h!t. And deep down, you know she's right."
Duckie: "His name is Blaine? Oh! That's a major appliance, that's not a name!

4) Singles - About people and how their love of music ties them all together. I once told a guy I would marry anyone who could play me Waterfall by Jimi Hendrix on guitar. I love the scene in the grocery store when Steve (Campbell Scott) is buying a pregnancy test, the cashier is Doug Hughley (Jeremy Piven) who recognizes Steve from his college radio show and starts mixing Public Enemy and Elvis Costello, "What's so funny about peace, peace, peace, love and understanding, death row, what does a brother know." And the cameos - Eric Stoltz as a mime, Eddie Vedder as a terrible musician "A compliment for us is a compliment for you", and the one scene with Chris Cornell. I remember before I saw this movie on a date, my friend, Christine, told me to sneeze and see what my date said. And after the movie, I still think of it every time I pull up someone's car door button. Remote power locks have ruined this display of love. And I'm pretty sure every girl anywhere near my age would love a boy to stop by their house and say, "I was just nowhere near your neighborhood." Favorite attempt at a pick-up line: "There is so much life in you and so much emotional larceny in these others."

5) Josie and the Pussycats - OK, I'm just kidding....

5) This Is Spinal Tap - "It's such a fine line between stupid and clever" and luckily this movie is on the right side of that line. From the many cameos including Paul Shaffer, Billy Crystal, Dana Carvey, and Fran Drescher to the eternally quotable lines. This movie is the original and ultimate mockumentary. If you love Best in Show and A Mighty Wind but haven't seen this, see it tonight, it's the grandfather of all the others. And these guys actually toured and even had a reunion tour. Favorite lines: When Nigel freaks out about the small bread and large cold cuts and how he can't fold the bread.
And of course the classic:

6 comments:

Sara said...

Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes. I agree with them all. And way to capture the various eras of our lives with the 5.

Emily said...

This is funny to me. Keith is always asking people for their top five movies and His number one is definately High fidelity too. I've seen it a dozen times since i met him.

Tamara said...

Pretty in Pink totally counts. She worked in a record store. In many ways you could say it inspired High Fidelity...

Marie said...

I STILL want to date John Cusack. Don't mock me for adoring his puffy little face. I love him so.

The only one here I've seen is Spinal Tap, and it's been waaaaay too long.

Jessica said...

Josie and the Pussycats...um I only saw it once, but I remeber I laughed...And Seth Green...who doesn't love Seth Green in a boy band?

alyson. said...

I actually had to watch Spinal Tap for a class assignment. granted, it was guitar class, freshman year of highschool, but all the better! great list.