Essential viewing (music movies and the like)

WARNING:YET ANOTHER "LIST" THREAD!!!! :D

I've noticed ads on TV for some thing on Turner Classic Movies called "The Essentials", where some bigshot director who hasn't had a hit in years (Sydney Pollack, Rob Reiner, and some other guy I can't remember have hosted so far) talks about what films he considers "essential viewing", then proceeds to (naturally) show said film.

I thought to myself, "Self, why not compile a list of your own 'essentials' and share them with the board?". Realizing a list of such magnitude would take forever and surely bore anyone to death who didn't want to hear my take on "Stop Or My Mom Will Shoot!" and the finer points of "Staying Alive", I decided to whittle it down to films primarily musical in nature. What I mean is, films that have music as the primary action (concert films and the like) or had a ton of great music that almost made for an extra character or served as the catalyst for action. So, in no particular order, are my musical essentials

"A Hard Day's Night" (1964)- starring the Beatles: Their first and by far best foray into the world of cinema, the Fab Four are great as your typical music-superstars-with-loads-of-screaming-teenage-fans-hounding-their-every-move rock band. I watched this again a few days back and was struck by just how good it really is (not that I didn't know before, but it had just been a while). The high-water mark for films with rock musicians trying to act, imho.

"Rushmore" (1998)- starring Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray. Technically not a "musical" in the grander sense, but music plays an essential role in this not-your-typical-teen-movie about love and growing up. There are some scenes that would be unthinkable apart from the British Invasion track or French torch song that accompanied what occurs onscreen. Of course, my love of this film could be soley based on the use of "A Quick One While He's Away", my favorite non-anthem Who tune :D

"24 Hour Party People" (2002)-starring Tony Coogan, Shirley Henderson, Vini Reilly. Yes, we've all seen it, so i don't need to be quite as long-winded. Suffice it to say, if no other film of the Manchester experiance ever sees the light of day, we'll always have Tony Wilson's DVD commentary to keep us entertained.

"The Last Waltz" (1978)-starring The Band, Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Neil Diamond, et al: One of the finest concert experiances caught on film. A bit overblown in some aspects, but the Band's music and performance are not to be missed.

"Monterray Pop" (1969)- directed by (can't remember! sorry, whoever you are): The show that brought The Who and Jimi Hendrix stateside. Who cares that the Association and other no-name hippie bands are also featured? Catch it especially for the Janis Joplin scenes, as well as Otis Redding. Fuck "Woodstock", this was the REAL deal.

"2001: A Space Odyssey" (1968)- starring HAL and some humans: Stanley Kubrick makes the most of the world of classical music in this one. A feast for the eyes and ears. Nuff said.

"The Graduate" (1967)- starring Dustin Hoffman, Anne Banecroft: The greatest movie ever made has one of the best soundtracks to boot. Here's to you, Mrs. Robinson...

"American Graffitti" (1973)-starring Ron Howard, cindy Williams, Harrison Ford: Before George Lucas stuck in Jar Jar Binks because his kids liked it, he was making this great film. Every single scene seems to have some classic track accompanying it. It spawned some horrible imitators, but this nostalgia trip was worth going on.

Now then, that's my list. What's yours?

I totally agree with The Graduate, 2001: A Space Odyssey, and Rushmore. Allow me to add these music movies to the mix:

The Royal Tenenbaums: more of Wes Anderson's genius, and notable since his inclusion of an Elliott Smith track is the most recently created song he's used in one of his movies.

The Blues Brothers: classic over-the-top comedy. plenty of good music, even if i'm not what you'd call a blues fan.

A Clockwork Orange: easily one of the greatest movies ever made from perhaps the greatest director of all time (well, at least in my opinion); can you imagine this movie without Wendy Carlos' score, not to mention Beethoven and Singin' in the Rain? i think not.

Singin' in the Rain: speaking of Clockwork Orange, this movie is one of the few musicals I can stand to watch. Very funny, some classic moments, kinda hokey in some parts, but altogether enjoyable--especially after quite a few drinks.

Moulin Rouge: greatest musical EVER. the academy should've been boycotted for not selecting this as best picture and then voting Chicago (still haven't seen, have no interest in doing so) best pic the following year. A true classic, hands down.

This is Spinal Tap: ah! Rob Reiner! well, this is probably his best movie. Very funny, tons of classic lines, quite influential. seriously though, I'm waiting for This is New Order. they'd be a pretty easy band to parody.

Show: a concert film from The Cure's 1991 Wish tour. a 'last waltz' of sorts for the great lineup that had made up the band since the Head on the Door album. i mean, Boris Williams, Porl Thompson....what more could you ask for?

The Cure in Orange: concert film from 1986, the beginning of the lineup that would end with the Wish tour. Lots of the older, darker material that was absent from Show, and some songs that really don't get played anymore in concert. Robert's missing most of his hair, though. Classic moment when Simon pulls Robert's wig off.

The Filth and the Fury: enjoyable little Sex Pistols documentary by Julien Temple. not as self-serving as The Great Rock n' Roll Swindle, but when haven't the Pistols been self-serving? good footage encapsuling most of their short run.

Stop Making Sense: Talking Heads concert film directed by none other than Jonathan "Perfect Kiss" Demme. finally got a chance to see this the other day and it's a great show. plenty of classic songs, lots of energy. David Byrne is a genius.

Oingo Boingo--Farewell: Boingo's last Halloween show (and last show ever) recorded for posterity. Plenty of great hits. Danny and the band give it their all. awesome show.

The Nightmare Before Christmas: stop motion musical created by Tim Burton, with Danny Elfman songs and vocals. total cult musical. macabre, funny, touching....in other words, great stuff. technically amazing production.

And then too many movies to list that would've been totally different without the music used in them.

tony coogan tabsy? i know he played the part well, but not that well....

Originally posted by Taboo # 7 "2001: A Space Odyssey" (1968)- starring HAL and some humans: Stanley Kubrick makes the most of the world of classical music in this one. A feast for the eyes and ears. Nuff said.

Tabsy, let me remind you of NewOrderOnLine's Terms of Use:

"Rule #65657: Only Huntsmaniac and Monsieur Round & Round are allowed to post messages regarding movies directed by deceased american directors and written by english sci-fi writers living in the Indian Sea"

Must See Films- Dead Alive-Peter jackson's true masterpeice, you will forget lord of the rings after you see this one

The Dead Zone- David cronenberg meets Christopher walken 'Nuff Said oh stephen King too

A Clockwork Orange-Needs no Description

Every Episode of the Young Ones

American Werewolf in London-Monsters,love story, Blood Guts, Talking Corpses and even a Cameo by Rik Mayall (See Above)

Originally posted by Monsieur Round&Round > Originally posted by Taboo # 7> > > > > "2001: A Space Odyssey" (1968)- starring HAL and some humans: Stanley Kubrick makes the most of the world of classical music in this one. A feast for the eyes and ears. Nuff said.>

Tabsy, let me remind you of NewOrderOnLine's Terms of Use:

"Rule #65657: Only Huntsmaniac and Monsieur Round & Round are allowed to post messages regarding movies directed by deceased american directors and written by english sci-fi writers living in the Indian Sea"

Sorry! :D

What about Woody Allen? He's not off-limits, is he?

Agree with the pop stuff above. But there are also: The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (1966 with Catrene Denieuve)- the # 1 musical movie of the last century. That one had nothing to do with pop music... so what? The very colours started playing and singing. "Cabaret" (1972) is the fabulous masterpiece, quite enjoyable.

Originally posted by frank smarra Must See Films-Dead Alive-Peter jackson's true masterpeice, you will forgetlord of the rings after you see this oneThe Dead Zone- David cronenberg meets Christopher walken'Nuff Said oh stephen King tooA Clockwork Orange-Needs no DescriptionEvery Episode of the Young OnesAmerican Werewolf in London-Monsters,love story, Blood Guts, Talking Corpses and even a Cameo by Rik Mayall (See Above)

Hells yeah. I walked out of both Lord of Rings movies saying, "Yeah, it was good, but it was no Dead Alive." That movie has to be one of the greatest ever.

The Young Ones. totally there.

The Dead Zone: not Cronenberg's best (I prefer Dead Ringers, Videodrome, eXistenZ), but you can't argue with the Walken.

And here's a movie everyone should see for a little disturbing fun: Happiness. it's gotta be one of the funniest movies ever. doesn't have anything to do with music though.

thought of another couple:

Chungking Express: Wong Kar-wai goes overboard with that "California Dreaming" song in a cute little romance movie about a girl at a take-out stand, a cop, and a flight attendant.

Fallen Angels: Wong Kar-wai again, but another great mix of music. my favorite of his movies. very strange romance again between a hitman and several women.