Guardians of the Galaxy

Marvel did it again. I have to admit when I first heard of the making of Guardians of the Galaxy, I was more than reluctant to give it a chance. While I love every marvel movie, this felt like it was trying to compete with The Avengers at first.. However, once I saw the first trailer, my mind couldn't have changed more. Besides the whole team of heroes fighting evil thing, It's nothing like The Avengers. I believe it actually has opened a whole new realm of possibility for Marvel movies, and it sort of paved the way for Ant-Man's comedic feel. Its on a whole other playing field, and I'm more than a fan of the new team.  
While all of the songs used for this triumphant action packed comedy were more than well-known, this film had a way of revitalizing each one and making them its own. Of course, the most revitalized song for this movie has to be "Hooked on a Feeling" by Blue Swede. It played in the trailer and became the undeclared new theme song for the movie. The next most memorable has to be the use of "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell. While it didn't quite revitalize the song as it does all the others used, it was a perfectly chosen song for the ending montage. I can't wait to see what songs are used in the sequel, coming in May of 2017. 

She's All That

I couldn't write about 10 Things I Hate About You and not write about my other favorite 90's high school movie. She's All That is another 90's modernization of a classic play.. Pygmalion. It's jam-packed with big names.. or at least they all were in the 90's: Freddie Prinze, Jr., Rachael Leigh Cook, Paul Walker, Matthew Lillard, Kevin Pollak, Lil' Kim, Anna Paquin, and of course, the random school D.J., Usher. While its a bit more of a cheesy representation of the high school world, its still an awesome 90's classic.. minus the horribly dorky and unrealistic dance sequence that the 90's rom-coms are infamous for... and not to mention the scene when Zack and Dean are deciding who to bet on, commenting on each option openly as they walk by, of course settling on the art-geek Laney. While its not loved for its realness, its a classic opposites attract rom-com that gets the job done. While music isn't a main contributor in this film, its most memorable song choice has to be "Kiss Me" by Sixpence None the Richer. Its actually the first movie to feature it in a film and it has a perfectly delicate, romantic sound that compliments her inexperienced and new feelings towards Zack. Perhaps the film's most climactic and famous scene is when Laney has been given a makeover by Zack's sister in preparation for that night's party. As "Kiss Me" comes on, she emerges, walking down the stairs complete with dress and heels, and Zack's pleasantly surprised jaw drops making Laney blush. Its probably one of the best representations of what every teen girl imagines happening in high school and its displayed perfectly here.

10 Things I Hate About You

While I'm biased because this happens to be one of my favorite movies, no one can deny the on-screen magic between Heath Ledger (Patrick Verona) and Julia Stiles (Kat Stratford.) This perfect pairing is supported by other great casting moves such as Joseph Gordon Levitt as the love-struck Cameron who's obsessed with Kat's little sister Bianca; David Krumholtz as Cameron's geeky friend Michael who helps him get Bianca; Larry Miller as Kat and Bianca's overprotective father; Allison Janney as the high school's quirky guidance counselor who writes romance novels. The chemistry of the cast shines through in this 90's modernization of Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew. 

Kat Stratford is a highly intelligent, antisocial, angry girl-rock loving proponent of classic literature.. which to me sounds like a perfect "90's modernization" of a Shakespearean comedy. The film opens with "One Week" by Barenaked Ladies and later fades into Joan Jett's "Bad Reputation," as Kat pulls up next to a group of girls, seemingly frightening them out of dancing any more. Later, after Kat gets home from school, "Calypso" by Spiderbait plays as we get a nice little flyover view of their neighborhood.. but when it pans to the Stratford's house, the sweet song picks up and turns more punk rock as we see Kat. While all of the music choices that follow are perfect choices as well, the most memorable and iconic song from this film has to be "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You," by Bob Crewe and Bob Gaudio. Verona, having pissed Kat off the night before, tries to win her back very publicly at their schools stadium by singing the song to her over the P.A., interrupting Kat's soccer practice. Its a wonderful extension of a very John Hughes-feeling grand display of affection, and will forever have the power to make you fall in love.. or back in love with the amazing Heath Ledger. 

The Longest Ride

The Longest Ride is a beautiful movie: amazing story line, great acting, and of course the music was perfectly sweet as well. Well.. it is a Nicholas Sparks masterpiece so what else is to be expected. While, personally, I enjoyed Ira's love story a bit more, Luke and Sophia's story is lovely also. While in most of the flashbacks to Ira's beautiful love story classical and instrumental music plays, the job gets done with sweet simplicity. On the other side, many modern songs play from all different genres. Some pop folk, alternative, and of course country. Perhaps the most memorable song used was "I feel a Sin Comin' On" by Pistol Annies. It plays as Luke, dressed in his cowboy get-up complete with boots and a hat, walks up to Sophia's sorority house to pick her up for their first date. Its a perfectly modern country song led by Miranda Lambert's powerfully sweet voice. While it may have seemed like an easy choice, it was a great one because of the simplicity of Miranda's voice matched with the sound of snaps to the beat. 

Magic Mike XXL

The first Magic Mike, while fun to watch for the ladies (and some boys), was a huge HUGE letdown. Horrible story line, if you even count it, horrible acting by Pettyfer,  (of course the poor kid can't fix the poorly written lines), no one knows why the old man "Tarzan" even got an acting job, and finally, lets admit it, had Tatum and McConaughey not signed on, it never would have happened. So, naturally, when it came out that there would be a sequel, people didn't give it the light of day... at first.  However, with a couple of new names signed on such as Andie MacDowell, Amber Heard, Elizabeth Banks, Jada Pinkett Smith, and of course, Donald Glover, the new film gained a bit of cred. Then the trailer came out, using Mikes most popular song in the film, Genuine's "Pony," and the building way they did it.. people got a bit more excited. Finally, it comes out. Not an amazing story line, but still 10 times better than the first. Better actors. Better Choreography. AND better music of course. From Donald Glover singing to the girl in the club "Caroline," to Joe Manganiello's character dancing to Backstreet Boys' "I Want it That Way" in the convenience store, to Matt Bomer singing "Heaven to the cougars.. but the most memorable was R. Kelly's new song (well newish, 2014), "Cookie" which is played in the final dance scene when the characters of Channing Tatum and Stephen "tWitch" Boss dance at the convention. While its a cheap thing to point out, a song talking about "Cookies" was really fitting considering Channing tells Amber Heard's character he's a cookie guy.. then proceeds to grind on her on stage to a song called "Cookie." Well played. 

P.S. Michael Strahan looks fantastic in a thong.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower

The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a treat for all of your senses and emotions. Its an incredibly real depiction of high school kids and their real problems and relationships. While its sort of an anthem for the misfit kids, anyone can enjoy it and find some way to relate to any of their stories. As for the music- 90's perfection. While not all of the music is from the 90's, the music chosen to touch our emotions all have that same quality. The most memorable songs used are in perhaps the most memorable scenes. At Charlie's first party, Patrick leads them downstairs where a bunch kids are getting stoned and the song, perfectly enough, "Low" by Cracker plays. Next, when Charlie proclaims feeling "infinite,” David Bowie’s “Heroes” plays and it has just the right amount of off-beat-ness to fit the feeling perfectly. Then later, the use of “Bust a Move” was perfect for the scene with the line “A chick walks by you wish you could sex her, but you're standing on the wall like you was Poindexter.” Finally, the most iconic "Perks" song plays when Charlie decides to join Patrick and Sam on the dance floor when they're right in the middle of their rehearsed "living room routine." “Come on Eileen” is playing and is slower in the bridge as he walks towards them and puts us in his shoes. Each of the songs chosen for this film are more than perfect and created the most amazing soundtrack.