Some people are skeptical about movie soundtracks since they are nothing more than background noise in a film. However, I beg to differ. So here is a list of my favorite movie soundtracks, and scenes where music and movies just hit the right spot.
MY FAVORITE SOUNDTRACKS
1. "Marie Antoinette" - Various Artists
Sofia Coppola is one of my all time favorite directors because the music she chooses fits her films perfectly. This adaptation of the infamous French queen, Marie Antoinette, is set during the French Revolution, however her music selection sharply contrasts the era with her choice of 80's new wave/punk and low fi indie rock. I was immediately drawn to this movie when the trailer came out and they used one of my favorite songs "What Ever Happened" by the Strokes. The movie itself is difficult for a lot of people to understand. It's slow and doesn't have much dialogue. But if you think about it, this movie is pretty good at accurately depicting the lifestyle of royalty. Traveling was a long tedious process, and then the livelihood of the rich consisted of nothing more than parties, gossip, and boredom. Coppola spices up this humdrum life with artists like New Order, Radio Dept., Gang of Four, The Cure, Adam & The Ants, etc. I also recently bought this soundtrack on vinyl. My favorite song on the soundtrack is "Ceremony" by New Order.
2. "Black Snake Moan" - Various Artists
Sex on a soundtrack is exactly what this is. Samuel L. Jackson covering Blind Lemon Jefferson and R.L. Burnside is honestly one of the best things I've ever heard. This entire album just reeks of good, dirty, sexy blues. Not to mention, The Black Keys and North Mississippi Allstars both appear on this soundtrack. I've never even seen this movie, but when someone told me Samuel L. Jackson sang in it, I had to hear it for myself.
3. "Death Proof" - Various Artists
My man, Quentin Tarantino! Every single movie that he does hits that fuckin sweet spot every single time. Though there are better Tarantino movies with better soundtracks, the first time I saw this movie, I was in awe. I could talk about this movie for a very long time (and barely even touch upon the soundtrack) but one of my favorite scenes in this movie is when Vanessa Ferlito gives Kurt Russell a lap dance to the song "Down in Mexico" by The Coasters. I love when directors and music supervisors purposely have the song that is being played in a scene, actually be heard by the actors - the video below is exactly what I'm talking about. Plus this scene is just epic. WARNING: the video is a wee bit graphic
4. "Into the Wild" - Eddie Vedder
Easily one of my top 5 favorite movies of all time. Sean Penn does an incredible job directing this true story adapted from a Jon Krakauer novel. I'm not a Pearl Jam fan, but I am an Eddie Vedder fan (and it's not cause he's jammed with Kings of Leon on multiple occasions). It's basically a "collection of folksy, rootsy tunes where rock & roll makes fleeting appearances" (Allmusic). After seeing this movie and listening to the soundtrack, you will have an incomprehensible urge to travel to Alaska.
Safe Travels.
5. Almost Famous - Various Artists
Where to begin. FIRST, everyone knows that I am a die-hard Led Zeppelin fan and I know very well that Jimmy Page and Robert Plant have issues with licensing their music for commercial means. So when I saw this movie and heard not 1, not 2, not 3, not 4, but 5 Led Zeppelin songs used, I flipped (to put it nicely). One of which is my favorite song in the whole world - "Bron-Yr-Aur". Additionally, director Cameron Crowe's wife just so happens to be Nancy Wilson (guitarist from the band Heart) so even the score for the film is jizz-worthy. The best scene from this movie is unquestionably this one:
6. "Phenomenon" - Various Artists
Just look at John Travolta on the album cover....he wants you to listen...
7. Thicker Than Water - Various Artists
Surfing and music always go hand in hand. Being from a place where you can walk to the beach, I enjoy the combination of good tunes while gliding on water. Once again, I've never even seen this movie but I do own the soundtrack. Personally, this is my favorite work of Jack Johnson, especially "Moonshine". But "Liver Splash" by The Meters...damn. My brother and I both really enjoy the Harpers Bizarre version of the Native American song "Witchi-Tai-To". I cannot listen to this album while here in New Orleans, it makes me miss the beach too much. But for those who do live near a beach or would like to - check this out.
8. The Mission - Ennio Morricone
Ennio Morricone is my favorite composer to ever exist. And it's almost solely based on this score. My dad use to play this soundtrack when I was growing up, but it wasn't until 7th grade when my history class had to watch this movie (I went to a Catholic school - hence the requirement) that I really appreciated it. Over the summer, I played this song (located below) for my friend in my car sitting in a parking lot of a McDonalds and she cried after she heard it....and then we got some fries and sweet tea (ennio morricone + mcdonalds = highly recommended). I couldn't find any good videos but here's my favorite song from the soundtrack.
9. The Wackness - Various Artists
1994 New York City cannot be summed up better than this mix of legendary hip-hop artists. Nas, Raewkon, Notorious B.I.G., DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince, Donovan, R. Kelly, and my favorite A Tribe Called Quest ("Can I Kick It" samples one of my favorite songs "Take A Walk On The Wildside" by Lou Reed). They even have some 1960's reggae from The Pioneers, and tunes from Mott The Hoople. People typically don't know that I enjoy hip-hop cause I don't listen to the current music. But this soundtrack is what I truly love about hip-hop...it's harsh, melodic, and damn good. Just take a listen to "Flava In Your Ear" - Craig Mack, you probably haven't heard it in a long time. Enjoy reminiscing.
10. Romeo + Juliet - Various Artists
For never was a soundtrack more bodacious than this of Juliet and her Romeo. Whether you hated this movie or loved it, you cannot deny it's amazingly crafted music. From the Butthole Surfers and The Cardigans to Garbage, Everclear and Radiohead! Though back in 1996, Leonardo DiCaprio was the reason I watched this movie, I distinctly remember the scene with "Talk Show Host" by Radiohead. The slow motion of the hooker on the streets of Verona with the song playing in the background is forever imprinted in my brain. I can't find the actual scene that the song is used but this will do.
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