Musicial Musings of Ho: February 2011

Every once and awhile I like to add a playlist about a different topic. This week I wanted to do a playlist on my favorite songs from films. I think music makes films- that that perfect harmony of music, dialogue, mis en scene and visuals can speak louder than words. So I created a playlist with my favorite songs used in films.

1. Sufjan Stevens: Chicago from Little Miss Sunshine
There is something about this movie that I truly love. I think it’s because of its message- that in life there is always going to be someone better than you: smarter, funnier, more athletic, etc. That if you continue to compare yourself to others you’ll never truly be happy with yourself, rather, by embracing who we are, life turns out to be a lot better. I think it is hilarious that the writer of the film says the whole idea stemmed from a quote from California Governor Schwarzenegger in which he talks about how much he hates losers and how misguided that frame thought truly is. The film has a great cast of the always funny Steve Carell (even when he doesn’t try), the under-appreciated Toni Collete, the vulgar Alan Arkin and the always charming Greg Kinnear as well the introduction of Abagail Breslin. Chicago is in my opinion the song of the film and even though they are nowhere near Chicago, it makes me think of their yellow van trucking along the I-10 headed to a beauty pageant that really doesn’t mean all that much.

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2. New Order: Ceremony from Marie Antoinette
I believe another great choice of song. While many are torn about the biopic about the French teenage queen at Ms. Coppola hands, the music of the film was down right amazing. An ode to excess, youth and vanity, the soundtrack read like any cool kid’s musical library from over the years. One of the best choices that Coppola makes on the soundtrack is the addition of the classic song, Ceremony by New Order. New Order is the band that formed after the death of Ian Curtis and they continued Joy Division's legacy. Ceremony makes me think of more simple times, of youth enjoying their youths- which is a perfect match for the scene in Marie Antoinette in which Marie celebrates her birthday and in the midst of this formality and (pun intended) ceremony, a kid will do what a kid does best- be a kid.

4. Regina Spektor- Hero from 500 Days of Summer
Of course I wanted to put Temper Trap- Sweet Disposition, but I had already put that amazing song on a post already- but that doesn’t matter, I love the 500 Days of Summer of soundtrack and knew I could find another (or even 2). I love the film and thought that the Cure and The Smiths presented the perfect backdrop to what is in fact a sort of truthful parody of romantic melodrama. Hero by Regina Spektor plays during a pivotal scene in the movie where the screen is split between what the protagonist Tom wants and what is actually happening. The scene ends with the sad realization that Summer has not only moved on but is engaged to another, and with our hero tragically walking home. What a beautifully done scene and with Regina’s line “I’m the hero of the story I don’t need to be saved” wretches at you, as he walks alone.

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4. Mumma-ra: She's Got you High from 500 Days of Summer
Another song from 500 Days of Summer. When I think of this film, I think of this song. This beautifully written song about a love that has kind of blossomed gradually (yet without noticing) makes me think of the film's protagonist, Tom Hansen and how he falls in love with Summer, gradually yet without him really knowing when or even how. It also speaks to the idea that it maybe a one sided love (which of course is how the film turns out) but that he just can't help it- she's got him high, and he doesn't even know it.

5. Coldplay: Don't Panic from Garden State
Of course anyone who's followed Coldplay knows that Don't Panic was the first track on their huge debut album Parachutes- but Zach Braff uses this song to full effect. As Andrew returns to the state of New Jersey for his mother's funeral, this song plays bittersweetly as Chris Martin chimes, "We live in a beautiful world...Yeah do, yeah do", which of course with slight hesitation and irony. A beautiful film, outstanding soundtrack (Iron and Wine, Frou Frou, The Shins and Zero 7, what's not to love?)- Don't Panic just opens it up perfectly.

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6. My Bloody Valentine: Sometimes from Lost in Translation
If you are a friend of mine you know that I love Sofia Coppola and her films. Lost in Translation is one of my favorite films ever, in which it deals with two travelers who feel emotionally isolated in Japan. Both characters Bob (played by the amazing Bill Murray) and Charlotte (played by Scarlett Johannsen) while both in different places in their lives, realize that that they both are stuck in lives they don’t want to live in. Emotionally and now physically trapped in another country, the two create a bond in their shared ennui. Sometimes by My Bloody Valentine encapsulates these two characters perfectly in Coppola’s dream like world, where everything is soft, every action truly meaningful and the silence truly deafening.

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7. Belle and Sebastian: Piazza, New York Catcher from Juno
I always have to laugh when I see this film- a debut for writer Diablo Cody this one really hits in all the right places. Director Jason Reitman uses music to great affect in this film- Kimya Dawson brings forth an artistic/whimsical feel to the entire film. This classic brings forth a wittyness/word play that runs rampant through the film, as well as that great acoustic tone- this song is just cool, and the Ellen Page's Juno is just that- cool.

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8. Badly Drawn Boy: Above you Below Me from About a Boy
One of my favorite films ever. Toni Collette returns once again to my playlist and does a great job playing the role of eccentric and very depressive mother just trying to get by with her son Marcus, who she loves dearly. Hugh Grant, plays the kind of asshole bachelor Will, who in his attempts to hook up with single mothers gets roped into Marcus's life somehow. The two learn from each (not as cheesy as it sounds) and it ends up with a great scene of two singing Killing Me Softly and getting pelted with food. Above You and Below Me represents their unique friendship perfectly in which the line "I will take you as you are, please accept me as I am".

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9. Nancy Sinatra: Bang Bang from Kill Bill Vol.1
What a great choice of song to start out this bloody tale of revenge. While this song was written decades ago, the audience feels like this song was written for the blood splattered bride as we see her and her wedding party gunned down in cold blood by her former colleagues and former lover Bill. I remember watching this scene and just getting chills, Nancy’s cool yet sad voice in the midst of this chaos and violence, Tarantino is a true auteur.

10. Tan Dun and Yo-yo Ma: Eternal Vow from Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
A great film from China and another great film from the gifted and multi-talented Ang Lee, everything about Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is romantic- done with a Chinese flare. In the backdrop of the beautiful and ancient China, two warriors become entrapped in a game of cat and mouse caused a by a free spirit yet troublesome young woman who feels trapped in her societal role of what a woman should be back then. Tan Dun creates a beautiful song true of the emotional weight of film. A beautiful song that thanks to the amazing cellist Yo Yo Ma just breaks your heart and makes you feel the spirit of this Chinese love story.

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