Spectre Vs. Skyfall

Adele Vs. Sam Smith? How can you possibly compare these two considering they're kind of the male and female forms of each other, both saddled with unrivaled ridiculous musical talent. While Adele's amazing Skyfall is a bit more more "Bond" feeling, Smith's Writing's on the Wall is also a musical masterpiece. The famous opening "Gun Barrel" sequence that is carried throughout all of the Bond movies allows both of these songs to be experienced in such an amazing visual and audial way. In Skyfall, the opening sequence is under water with of course, tons of foreshadowing and amazing graphics to foreshadow and get us wondering. While I believe Skyfall is a better Bond song, Spectre's opening credits with Writing's on the Wall is way better graphically and visually. Maybe I'm just a sucker for the day of the dead, but the use of the sugar skulls were a perfect contrast for Sam Smith's haunting vocal delivery. 

Maleficent: Gorgeously Eerie

Sleeping Beauty really hits home for me- its been my favorite princess movie since I can remember and, embarrassingly, I still listen to the music from the 1959 film from time to time. This being said, imagine my... not disdain... disdain is a bit too extreme- however, in my mind I knew that they had big shoes and I wasn't sure if it would stand up to the challenge. While most of the music is just simply good enough and gets the job done, one song in particular was done extremely well- but only plays in the credits! Lana Del Rey's eerily gorgeous remake of "Once Upon a Dream" is more than perfect for this modern and dark take on the classic. Her haunting and slow voice combined with the classic chorus and dark drums create a stunning wall of sound. Angelina Jolie, who stars as Maleficent in the film, handpicked Lana Del Rey to perform the cover and after hearing it there is absolutely no question as to why. While the movie itself could've been a lot better, this plays at the end and leaves you feeling how you should've felt throughout the movie. This song is supposed to accompany the movie, but the movie is definitely subpar to the amazing cover. 

Birdman

This dramatically riveting film is full of original drum music written and performed by Antonio Sanchez. The drums sound like that of a seasoned house band and pick up or come down, matching every moment and emotion he feels. The drums are also used as a tool to bring us in and out of his reality. We go from listening to the music as if it's in his head to it being real in the streets as he passes by- once earlier in the film by a street performer and then later with the marching band, as he walks in his underwear, frantically trying to get back to the theater. The bigger, fuller classical pieces are used in his bigger, more dramatic moments. For example, towards the end of the movie when the "birdman," his alternate voice in his head has taken physical shape in his reality, he goes through a mental journey that helps him get back to the state of mind he needed to be in to complete his play. As he soars, literally, through and over the streets of New York on the way to the theater for his first, and highly anticipated performance on broadway, the amazing graphics are accompanied by "Symphony No. 2 in E minor, Op. 27 II Allegro molto" by Sergei Rachmaninoff. Its a whimsical, hope filled piece, which is perfect as he prepares mentally for his performance. As soon as he enters the theater after he lands, the drums come back in, and we skip ahead to listen in on the audience members at intermission as they rave about the first act. As he walks to the stage for his last scene, we see the street drummer from earlier in a storage room, playing the drums in his head. Because this is a relatively new movie, I won't go on to ruin the gorgeous, masterful last couple of scenes... but I will convey how confused I am that I went from my heart beating out of my chest, to feeling like I wanted to cry, to chuckling a bit, to being confused but satisfied by the more than interesting ending. 

Pride and Prejudice: Music as Beautiful as the Love Story it Accompanies

Pride and Prejudice- a wonderfully loving, witty, and dramatic tale of family and love. Written by Jane Austen in 1813, it is one of the most well known love stories of all time. This film, made in 2005, did the story justice with its amazing cast, fantastic scenery and costumes, and of course it's gorgeously composed, Academy Award winning soundtrack. 

We open the movie with beautiful scenery, beautiful music, and an even more beautiful Elizabeth Bennet (Kiera Knightly) walking through a meadow in her mud tattered dress and boots, reading a novel lit by the sunrise. "Dawn," the opening song plays as she walks to her family's house, she listens in on whats happening with the Bennets that day. Composed by Oscar Winner Dario Marianelli and performed by Jean-Yves Thibaudet (piano) and the English Chamber Orchestra, this amazingly cohesive soundtrack is so beautifully moving that you could listen to it straight through  and be touched just as much as when watching the movie. 

Perhaps the most riveting and dramatic feelings happen later, as "Darcy's Letter" plays when Elizabeth is running through the rain after church and is met at a stone column by the one she loathes most in that moment, Mr. Darcy. The intensity of the building music matches the feeling in that moment perfectly; when she is surprised by Darcy, it fades off... and later we watch as Mr. Darcy drops off the letter he wrote for Elizabeth at her cousins home. The rest of the song resumes when she opens it- this time with a much softer, saddened tone as she reads his explanation to all of the things that made her hate him. We can't help but feel how devastated and guilty she feels for misjudging him.

Finally, the most beautiful and climactic scene is accompanied by "Liz on top of the world." Its early morning, a sleep deprived Elizabeth is standing in a field, contemplating the events of the night before when she looks up to see Mr. Darcy, the love of her life, coming toward her through the fog of the sunrise. Just as she realizes its him, a gorgeous piano crescendo emerges, confirming his determined commitment to her. The crescendo dissipates as he reaches Elizabeth, nervous but determined to confirm his love for her. The composition of the piano perfectly mimics their mutual emotional resolution.

Crimson Peak: Dark and Hauntingly Sexy

Crimson Peak wasn't quite everything that I expected- But so much more. Directed by Guillermo Del Toro and starring Tom Hiddleston, Jessica Chasten, Mia Wasikowska, Charlie Hunnam and Jim Beaver, this movie was sure to kill, and of course it did. The trailer, which was amazing all by itself, sold it as a supernatural thriller, which it was, but it didn't allude to any of the dark and twisted happenings to come. Because its still in theaters, I won't give anything away- However I will say how unexpectedly graphic and sexual it was. The production design of this film is stunning and captivating. From the effects to the gorgeous costumes, the colors and mood are perfection. Mixed with the gothic look, the music used is beautifully spooky. Besides the song "Red Right Hand," which was used in the trailer, the soundtrack is comprised of all haunting classical songs. Tim Davie's "Violin Sonata in F Major, Opus 24" was whimsically lovely as we watch Sir Thomas Sharpe and Edith dance. Another beautifully dark moment was when we see Lucille (Jessica Chastain) play Nocturne, a piece by Fredric Chopin- it was a moment that represented her sorrow-filled character perfectly. This was also a perfect example of how challenging and complicated these characters were to portray. Although we've seen her play darker roles before, this time Chastain's depressing role took such a toll on her emotionally that she actually took a break from acting and dropped out of the movie that she was supposed to start filming as soon as Crimson Peak ended. Hunnam's role, however, was completely different than the all of the others we've seen him play before in his more popular roles, (Sons of Anarchy and Crimson Peak), and he nailed it. Jim Beaver, known for his good guy characters in Supernatural and Justified, was seen in a new light as well- this time as a less than lovable character. Last but not least, Tom Hiddleston's complicated character was actually sort of similar to his most famous role to date as Loki- Obviously not the same personality or background, but in the manner of his tone when he was angry- you may as well have given him a scepter and a crown. All in all, this film can be appreciated from many different angles, if not just for its beautiful artistry. 

50 Shades of Grey

Say what you will about this movie, but the music is undeniably well done. The use of the many original songs, remixes, and even older songs such as "Beast of Burden," has a lot to do with its success. The Weeknd's song "Earned It" couldn't have been more perfect. Its glamorous but loving sound is a perfect representation of their relationship. Also the new remix of Beyonce's "Crazy in Love" added to the modern and fresh feel of the movie, while still hitting us at home with a familiar song. Last but not least, Ellie Goulding's "Love Me Like You Do" is delightfully girly and gives us a taste of what Anna is feeling. 

The Interview

For a such a silly movie, the music is actually quite brilliant. Particularly "Walk on By" by Isaac Hayes, which plays as they arrive to Kim's palace. Just like many of the other songs in the movie, it manages to sound like traditional oriental music and sound modern at the same time. There are a couple other great choices as well such as the choice to use "Firework," a cover done by Jenny Lane, when Kim dies. Its ironically perfect because of its mention earlier in the movie obviously, but mostly because it sounds so sweet and delicate- a perfect contrast that just worked.

Adore

This oddly enchanting film centers childhood best friends Lil and Roz (Naomi Watts and Robin Wright) who fall for each others sons. That summary was way too short and sweet for what happens but essentially that is it. This films got a pretty original plot, a great group of actors, and last but not least, an enchanting and captivating soundtrack. 

The composure of Christopher Gordon is unforgettably beautiful. Each song ties together through the beautiful walls of sound which are all different, but mesh together as the story goes on. A lot of Australian pop is used as well- a couple in the wedding scene, however utterly forgettable. What is truly capturing is the brilliant piano sequence that Christopher Gordon repeats throughout his music throughout the movie. The simplicity of the violin and piano together is almost whimsical and sucks you in. Gordon's music makes you feel curious and excited while still being sucked into each couples love. His music is hauntingly beautiful and it works perfectly for this film. 

50 First Dates: Not all Ukuleles

In light of "Blended" coming out and ruining Sandler and Barrymore's perfect 2 for 2 record with romantic comedy, I thought I'd talk about the great island music theme used throughout "50 First Dates." I would talk about "The Wedding Singer" but this ones a tiny bit more recent. Because the film is based in Hawaii, one would expect beachy music, but not this varied and diverse. We hear everyone from Bob Marley and The Wailers to 311 to UB40 to even Adam Sandler himself. The laid back theme of the movie lets us focus on the story between Henry and Lucy. While they all have a reggae flair, they're all different and tailored to each scene. 311's "Amber" and No Doubt's "Underneath it All" were perfect for the scene in the cafe when Henry bets Nick that Lucy won't talk to him- both give an understated tropical feeling but not overwhelming us with ukuleles, of course until we hear "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" by Israel Kamakawimo'ole, but thats understandable. 

American Sniper: One and Done

In this tragically heroic tale of an American navy seal, Bradley Cooper gives his best performance yet. Chris Kyle, deemed the "deadliest sniper in U.S. history," was an American hero who was killed by a troubled marine he was trying to help. This movie tells he and his family's story beautifully. Everything is done so simply and respectfully. 

While I love movie music, the lack of it in this movie is perfection simply because they save the most beautiful and thoughtful music moment for the end. There are a couple songs used earlier in the movie; one at their wedding by Van Morrison, and one called "Taya's theme," which plays throughout the movie and has a delicate sound. The real cinematic triumph was actually at the end of the movie, after Kyle leaves to go shooting with a marine whom he's trying to help out. The screen goes black and we begin to hear drums as a message in white comes up that says "Chris Kyle was killed that day by a veteran he was trying to help." The drums we hear are the beginning of "The Funeral," composed by Ennio Morricone. A soft wall of sound is complimented by a trumpet playing a beautifully simple tune. The understated sound makes overwhelms you with sadness, pride, and a sense of respect so strong that you can't help but sit in silence and watch as the procession goes by. 

I saw this movie in theaters twice and I couldn't tell you what it sounds like to hear an audience talking over this ending scene and credits. Everyone was quiet, whether it be out of respect for him, or because the music just made you feel like listening- for me it was an overwhelming amount of both. Even after the funeral is over and regular credits play, as everyone gets up from their seat, all you hear is shuffling foot steps. This is the first and only time that I've ever witnessed this happen, making it in my eyes, which were filled with tears both times, one of the best cinematic accomplishments in a long time. 

Marvel's The Avengers' Music Unfortunately Unparalleled by Avengers: Age of Ultron

Personally, The Avengers is a better movie than Age of Ultron overall, but that could just be because I like the music better, I'm probably a bit narrow-minded. The music in Age of Ultron was utterly forgettable and easily replaceable. The best song in the movie wasn't even in the movie, it was in the trailer! The remake of Disney's classic "I've Got No Strings" from Pinocchio is perfect for the movie and it's teaser-trailer. This version is dark and haunting, perfect for the scary feeling we get when we meet Ultron. Sung by Dickie Jones, its a familiar toon that is refreshed and re-experienced in a completely different way, making it fit in our modern movie that has an audience of all ages.
The trailer and its use of this song did do a good job for setting the tone of the movie before we saw it, but it wasn't enough to cover the fact that the rest of the music is vanilla and didn't take much thought. While the jazzy/blues songs played in the background set a cool vibe and feeling for the party, I have a hard time believing that Tony Stark would be playing it in his place. These songs, as well as the rest in the movie, get the job done, but don't wow us or make us remember them.
On the other hand, The Avenger's music is an entirely different ball game. It's music is much more thought out and tailored for the movie, which you'd think would be a given. When I say tailored, I mean fitted to each and every character that they play in the background of. When Loki is with his recently gathered team in Germany, he and Hawkeye are breaking into a museum in the middle of a party. As Loki peers over the balcony to see his soon-to-be victim, we hear in the background "String Quartet NO. 13 in A minor 'Rosamonde,' D. 804: III. Menuetto. Allegretto," a beautiful and thrilling song that fits Loki's demeanor perfectly, but also counters the action he's about to partake in. It's perfectly ironic, and, I believe, is the start of the viewers admiration for Loki and his style.
As I've mentioned in an earlier blog that compared the original Iron Man movie and Iron Man 3, a safe but signature move when representing Tony is always going to be a heavy metal song, and usually, it's an A.C.D.C. song. It's what we know and love about Tony- he's a badass who appreciates guns and rock and roll. So, when were outside of the museum, Cap is getting beaten by Loki, and we hear "Shoot to Thrill" come over the P.A. of the helicopter, we know exactly who's about to fly in. Sure enough, Tony barrels in, blasts Loki sending him backwards onto a staircase. To this day, every time I hear "Shoot to Thrill," I picture Loki landing and Tony raising his hand as he says "Make a move reindeer games."
Finally, in the end credits we hear "Live to Rise," by Soundgarden, another powerful and badass song that's not as well known, but that feels like its meant to be there, not just thrown in. It makes us feel how we should feel as we walk out of a Marvel movie, empowered and proud to be an American.

The Other Woman's Classically Modern Sound is a Winner

The Other Woman was sure to be a hit just looking at the A-list cast alone, but once viewed, we realize it was truly a hit because of the music. Yes, of course the combined comical talent of Leslie Mann, Cameron Diaz, Nicki Minaj, Don Johnson, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau and Taylor Kinney were responsible as well, but combined with the music, this movie was a true triumph- A triumph full of girl power, hilarity, and beautiful music moments tailored by the use of classic songs that fit this modern chick-flick perfectly.

We open the movie with an Etta James classic, "A Sunday Kind of Love," and our modern day sweetheart Cameron Diaz, seemingly on a date with her significant other, Mark (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau), in New York City. Of course we soon find out that he's a cheating pig when we see him wake up in bed next to his wife, Kate (Leslie Mann). Kate's world is turned upside down when Carly (Cameron Diaz) shows up at their house in a skimpy plumbers costume, looking to surprise her boyfriend, but is greeted by Kate, his unknowingly soon-to-be jilted wife. Kate suspects something's up so she tracks down Carly at her office and gets her to open up about Mark, which sends Kate into a very public and dramatically funny meltdown. Eventually, after much deliberation, Carly lets Kate come into her apartment so they can talk. We find Kate and Carly sitting together in a nook, talking more than civilly over a glass of wine (a couple bottles it looks like). Next the girls are in Carly's closet, trying on her gorgeous clothes, and the voices of Raining Jane creep in signing a familiar tune, Pat Benatar's   "Love is a Battlefield." Once an eighties pop hit, it's transformed into a coffeehouse sounding song that just works. We listen as we watch them drink and laugh and dance and its a perfect mix. 

The girls meet Amber (Kate Upton), a newer mistress whom Mark has told that his wife is a cheater. Pretty soon, all three girls who are now best friends, start conspiring against Mark. We get to watch the girls mess with him while we listen to Cyndi Lauper's "Girls Just Want to Have Fun," a simple but  ironic and effective choice that does the job. I could go on and on about how well the music is done in this movie so I'll skip to the end. After the girls find out he's been framing Kate for his embezzlement, they fly to the Bahama's to end it. After a night of partying at the resort, "Gonna Miss You When You're Gone" by Patty Griffin plays in the background the next morning as we see Kate in a beautiful dress with a headscarf and sunglasses, ready to go in and close out the account of embezzled money. As she and Carly exchange readying glances, Carly hands her the envelope of information she needs to do the deed, and Kate strides into the bank to finally end it. This song was perfect for the ongoing theme of classic sounding songs, and it's sound was perfect for the ending theme. The rest of the soundtrack is perfect, and the movie ends how it should, with Mark exiled and jobless, and all three girls extremely happy, still best friends. 

Southpaw Ends With Frank Ocean Magic

This masterpiece tells the extremely sad tale of a once unstoppable World Champion boxer "Billy The Great" (Jake Gyllenhaal) falling from grace when his world is turned upside down when his wife Maureen (Rachel McAdams) gets shot and killed at a charity event, leaving him a devastated, helpless widower, with a daughter whom he loves but doesn't fully know how to care for. After losing his rock and voice of reason, his life soon spirals out of control, eventually losing his house, his contract, and even his daughter. After a seemingly endless chain of devastating events, he decides to get up and get his life (his daughter) back through joining a gym owned by a retired, once successful trainer (Forrest Whitaker). True to form, he has a more than bumpy start, but finally things start to look up when he shows the court that he's done well; he got a steady job at the gym, he's stopped with the alcohol, and he's ready to take care of his daughter. 

Throughout the movie the viewer hears familiar voices. To name a few, The Weeknd plays in the background of the bedroom scene of him and his wife talking- a fantastic choice because not only does it show who the couple is, but the song itself is haunting and sexy, which sets the perfect tone for the scene; A new Eminem song plays in a montage of him training before the big "revenge" fight (Unfortunately.) While Eminem is a fantastic rapper and lyricist, this song is just awful. It's not catchy, its not clever, and its not very deep, which doesn't suit this movie at all. The choice of using Eminem is an obvious one, but the song feels misplaced and distracting. However, we end the movie with another familiar voice: Frank Ocean. After he wins the amazingly intense fight, he goes back to the dressing room to be greeted by the paparazzi, and then his daughter, who is a bit shaken after seeing her dad fight for the first time. He hugs her and we start to hear Frank Ocean's voice in the back, singing the beginning of "Wise Man." "I was so scared for you, it was so scary," she says. "Your mother would be so proud of you," Billy says muffled through tears, just as we hear the same line in the Frank Ocean song- A brilliant move. It was so beautifully personal that it almost felt like the song was written for that exact moment in their story. This scene, which made the movie the masterpiece that it is, wouldn't have been the same without the choice to use Wise Man. It was a perfect marriage of movie and music and I'm so glad I got to experience the magic. 

Watch the whole scene here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRjgtht3sX0

Iron Man 3: Lacking a Couple Heavy Hitters

Iron Man opens with tanks rolling in, Tony is in the tank second from the front, holding a glass of scotch, and A.C.D.C.'s "Back in Black" is blasting from a boom box- thus the beginning of the badass theme we know and love that carries through the Iron Man movies.. at least until the third. The "badass theme" I'm referring to doesn't just pertain to the rock music used, although it is mostly comprised of songs by heavy hitters such as A.C.D.C., Black Sabbath, Queen, The Clash, and many more, but also includes that Ghostface Killah song in the first Iron Man, the one that plays in the airplane scene when Tony and Rhodey drunkenly clank their drinks as they watch the flight attendants dance; or Tupac's "California Love" which plays at Tony's party in Iron Man 2. While these songs aren't in the same genre, all of these songs are "heavy hitters." 

Unfortunately, Iron Man 3 doesn't follow this same, successful pattern, and personally, I believe it made Iron Man 3 sub-par. While I loved watching Tony dance to the modern version of "Jingle Bells," it wasn't enough to keep the movie at the same level as the first two. The opening and ending scene's music made it feel foreign as well. I do understand the use of "Blue (da ba dee)" because of the time period in the opening scene, but I can't forgive the ending credits' music. It sounds like it could double as the theme of a 70's cop show and it almost left a bad taste in my mouth. All I wanted as I walked out of the movie theater was some A.C.D.C. or Led Zeppelin to seal the deal, but I walked out disappointed and unsatisfied. I'm all for innovation or improvement, but you don't mess with perfection, and the first two movies were, in fact, perfection. 

While I didn't truly enjoy any of the music in the third Iron Man movie, I do truly believe it could've been saved by a kick-ass closing credits song. The first Iron Man ends with "Iron Man," by Black Sabbath- an easy but effective move that did the job. The second Iron Man ends with "Highway to Hell," by A.C.D.C.- a badass ending as well. Personally, the whole movie felt out of place, probably because the first two movies were directed by Jon Favreau, who also plays Happy, Tony's security detail in the trilogy, and the third was directed by some other guy, who apparently had a different vision. Also, the "Iron Man Theme" gets tied into the first Avengers movie when Tony flies in to help Cap' fight Loki in Germany, and "Shoot to Thrill" is playing in the helicopter because Tony hacked their system; even though the song plays before he is even visible, you know who is about to fly in. This makes the viewer, if they're a fan like me, think back to Iron Man 2, when Tony flies into the opening night of the Expo, while, you guessed it, "Shoot to Thrill" is blaring. It only solidifies the fact that Iron Man 3 doesn't belong, or that at least the music could have been done MUCH better. 

P.S. Jon Favreau never would've let a continuity error such as Tony's leg getting cut off in the final battle scene slip through- that I know for sure.