The following are incoherent paragraphs of soundtracks I’m currently listening to.

–

I love a great soundtrack. Even better if the movie is actually worth watching because of the soundtrack. Cameron Crowe is a perfect example of a director who knows the music to go with his films. His 1992 film, Singles (one of my favorite movies–really!), focused on the interconnected lives and loves of the people living in a duplex somewhere in Seattle. And what better way to further appreciate the movie by adding stellar rock/grunge bands in the soundtrack?! For some movies, it might come of as redundant, using music by Seattle artists for a movie set in Seattle, but Cameron Crowe made the “feel” of it all more authentic. Paul Westerberg’s “Waiting for Somebody” and “Dyslexic Heart” were PERFECT for the movie. Movies are mere replicas of life blown out of proportion but with the right pulls and tweakings, it can move you. In Almost Famous, who would’ve thought that Elton John’s “Tiny Dancer” could give one moment of peace in their chaotic rock n’ roll lives?

And then there’s Catch and Release. Catch and Release is my new favorite soundtrack. The movie is okay, but the soundtrack is even better. The movie begins with the funeral of Gray’s (Jennifer Garner) fiancé, and with the Foo Figher’s “Razor” playing melancholy in the background. Gray and Fritz (Timothy Olyphant) make love to Joshua Radin’s “What if You”. Death Cab for Cutie’s fab “Soul Meets Body” plays as they make a fishing trip. These are mere ordinary scenes that we could’ve forgotten if they happened in real life, but with the music you can recall the scenes with more gusto. Who knew I would like indie songs? Ooh and Paul Westerberg again. Can’t go wrong.

Another soundtrack I like is Marie Antoinette. The following are taken from my other journal: I kept hearing comments made by critics and people in message boards (imdb) that using New Wave music for a period film was pure mockery to the subject matter. I actually thought it fit the theme and style of the movie (litelec hah). There were times when you really cannot help dozing off during scenes where dialogue/action are few, but the upbeat music made up for it. It’s like a teen-ified biopic of a historical figure. Which I liked. I haven’t seen A Knight’s Tale so I can’t really make an opinion on that, however I have seen Plunkette and Macleane. The movie also made use of modern music during the dance scene with that guy Angelina Jolie was married to and Liv Tyler. Strange combination, but it works. “Fools Rush In” by Bow Wow Wow was fab as Marie Antoinette made her way back to the palace after partying all night long. Hah.

The Dreamers is an artsy fartsy film with a great soundtrack. I haven’t seen the entire movie (since I just downloaded a streaming video of it… and it got cut off in the last 30 minutes), but I saw enough for me to say that it’s a strange and shallow movie. The characters in the movie are so delusional (and haha disgusting maybe) and so caught up with their own little worlds, but nonetheless, they’re engaging characters and they’d be very interesting to analyze. The movie was set in France in the 60s and the soundtrack featured music by The Grateful Dead and the Doors. What could go wrong? Even Michael Pitt’s “Hey Joe” was a brimful of sixties-revolution whateverness.

Hookay. That is all. The only problem is, most soundtracks don’t carry all the songs played in the movie. Not fair!!! Thank goodness for messageboards and nice people who help you identify the songs.

Comments are closed. Please forward all comments to my email address. Thanks!