Nine By Design 9

Back once again for the weekly treat that is, Nine By Design.  Even when I try to do movies, it comes back to music.  I personally don't find that to be a bad thing.  How about you?  This weeks list is on Music Based Movies.  Films where music plays a huge role all it's own.

Music Based Movies:

O Brother, Where Art Thou? has some of the best traditional country songs ever put on film.  T-Bone Burnett did an outstanding job with the score.  This is real country music ladies and gentlemen, not "pop with a cowboy hat."  I say that far too often, but it really bugs me what "they" call country music these days.

Rock 'n' Roll High School produced by the "King of B-Movies" Roger Corman and featuring the Ramones.  I know it's not a good movie, it's a great movie...well, if you like low budget movies about a punk band.  I'll still watch it anytime it's on.  Just for fun.  Any chance to see a young PJ Soles as Riff Randall, is fine by me. 

Empire Records has some outstanding music throughout the movie.  It's about a record store, what do you expect?  Plus, it has moments that really make the movie.  If you haven't seen it, it's a must see for a music fan.

High Fidelity has the record store that I would like to own.  The music purist aka (nerd, snob, etc) store, that are quickly going away...sadly.  The book by Nick Hornby is phenomenal, but the movie turned me on to some really cool music.  It also made Jack Black a hot commodity. 

Velvet Goldmine based on David Bowie's Ziggy Stardust persona and the era of Glam Rock.  It's a very good movie, with an amazing cast (Bale, McGregor and Rhys Meyers), but can be a bit heavy, at times.  The music is really top notch.  Check it out, it's a good way to get into Glam.

This Is Spinal Tap is a mockumentary and also pure comedy genius.  Most of the movie is ad libbed, as there were only outlines of scenes written.  The band is actually pretty good and the lyrics are hilarious.  They are still around, put out real albums and toured. 

The Blues Brothers has just fantastic music in it.  It's the movie that got me into R&B, Blues and Soul music.  Which is really very easy when they have the real musicians performing in the movie.  You can't really go wrong.  One of the few SNL movies that works.

Almost Famous took a bunch of actors and made them a band.  Cameron Crowe's semi-autobiographical film, is really well done.  Especially the live band scenes.  You'd never know they weren't a real band.  Jason Lee and Billy Crudup are totally believable as musicians.

Eddie and The Cruisers is the little movie that could.  A complete failure at the box office.  It wasn't until the movie made it's way to HBO, that it became a success.  The soundtrack was re-released and sold 4 million copies.  A personal favorite due to the actual band performing the music (John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band) being from Providence, RI (where I live). 

As always, I hope you enjoyed the weekly list I've put together.  I'll see you again next week.  Happy Weekend.  Cheers!