A bit over a decade ago, I saw the Wachowskis’ film V For Vendetta. As the closing credits rolled, this track caught my attention:
Another film that left an impression was Children of Men. The soundtrack was wonderful, but this gem in particular was worth seeking out (as an early effort at dubstep):
Both tracks have aged well. They don’t sound out of place if played currently, and the lyrical and sample content is quite timely still (a prospect I find a bit discouraging, as it means we’re still fighting the same battles over and over again).
On that somewhat less than optimistic note, enjoy some tunes.
This week, we have made a White Russian fountain available for your pleasure. Drink responsibly, and tip your friendly neighborhood bartender.
You know who would have loved a White Russian fountain?
That’s who.
Speaking of musical movie moments, this was one:
The Coens really went for it here.
This track was featured in a climactic scene during the season 1 finale of Jessica Jones:
One of the younger members of my family had recommended Sleigh Bells to me not long before I had a chance to check out the first (and so far only) season of this wonderful series.
This David Bowie track was originally part of Cat People, and later became the backdrop for this pivotal scene in Inglourious Basterds
I LOVE this movie. Could there be a more satisfying cinematic act than to get Hitler and his entire leadership team in a theatre, strafe them all with automatic weapons and then set the theatre on fire with flammable celluloid as the accelerant? I approve of this revisionist history.
Just thinking about it now makes me want to savor a cigarette, and I haven’t smoked in months.
Always look on the bright of life:
This song acted as the illustration of the emotions of the central character near the end of “Seeking A Friend For The End Of The World” as he listened to an album his lost love had left behind:
It was devastatingly effective.
When I think of the effective use of well-curated soundtrack music to bring out the ideas in a movie, I think Jonathan Demme. In “Something Wild”….
…when Melanie Griffith starts, well, doing things to Jeff Daniels after chaining him to the bed frame in a shady hotel room, this begins playing in the background. An unpredictable, strange road is about to be traveled by our previously milquetoast businessman.
The song playing over the opening credits of “Something Wild” is a dynamite mood-setter:
Plenty of loco to come.
The first episode of the first season of “Mad Men,” we watch Don Draper drink and womanize shamelessly, behaving as the prototype of the swinging bachelor…
…and then we get this gobsmacker of an ending, Vic Damone delivering the trenchant social commentary.
Time for a dance off…Russian martial style,
.
Well, gosh, maybe the Russia defenders and IC haters here have a point. The Russian military isn’t organized to be a deadly defender of client states in their sphere of influence and a malevolent disseminator of propaganda meant to increase the opportunities for illiberal leaders to take and exercise power in Western states. No, the Russian military just wants to show off some fancy steppin’!
Sarcasm aside, this performance is unusual and impressive. Much different dancing styles from ours.
Completely different from us culturally. No way our military does a two step on a public stage. For one thing….we don’t even have the historical context! But we are way too macho.
My knees hurt watching that last guy.
.
Two artists having a good time,
.