There have been many movies about music and the incredible musicians behind it. The latest movie to embrace this trend is "The Runaways," which tells the story of the all-girl, teenage rock band of the ‘70s and features Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning as Joan Jett and Cherie Currie. While the critical and commerical success of "The Runaways" can only be determined after its March 19 release, these other films have achieved this and are recommended for music and film lovers alike.
"Almost Famous" (2000)
"Almost Famous" is a semi-autobiographical film that tells the story of a 15-year-old "Rolling Stone" writer touring across the country with the fictional band Stillwater. Along the way he gains many important life experiences such as falling in love, meeting his heroes and living in the moment. The movie is based on writer and director Cameron Crowe and his teenage experiences while touring with the Allman Brothers Band as a reporter for Rolling Stone Magazine.
In 1973, the year the movie is set in, many legendary bands were in their prime, including Led Zeppelin, The Who, Lynyrd Skynyrd and the Rolling Stones. Needless to say, all of them and more make appearances on the movie's soundtrack. This in part helps create the backdrop of the times and lifestyle that the main character is thrown into.
The reason this is such a great movie is it shows the unifying power of music. The main character, William, played by Patrick Fugit, is a straight laced 15-year-old touring with the hard-partying band. William and the band members are from two opposite ends of the spectrum, yet they connect in the presence of rock and roll. This is a great example of how people from all walks of life can have something in common. For those who haven't seen it, I highly recommend watching "Almost Famous."
Christopher Spall can be reached at christopher.spall@student.shu.edu.
"Walk the Line" (2005)
The 2005 hit film "Walk the Line" is a great and rather accurate portrayal of Johnny Cash's life, a country singer whose music touched all genres. The film reveals how Cash was inspired to create some of the most memorable songs in American history.
This is possibly Joaquin Phoenix's (Johnny Cash) best role to date. It is clear that he played this part to the best of his ability and fully immerses himself in the role. A pivotal point in the movie is when Cash is suffering from withdrawals, due to his drug addiction, and finally realizes what he really needs in life. Phoenix performs amazingly, showing the effects of the withdrawals and what it did to artists of that time.
The other great aspect of "Walk the Line" is the accuracy of Johnny Cash's life and what inspired him to write his songs. From his brother's death to the concert in Folsom State Prison, the whole movie stayed fairly true to Cash's life and the things we know of him.
Nicolaos Diakos can be reached at nicolaos.diakos@student.shu.edu.
"Once" (2007)
"Once" takes place in Dublin where a man and a woman meet and fall in love while writing and recording music together.
The film feels like a documentary, yet it's made to seem more like mundane life. The characters speak as if there is no script and their interactions are like a natural conversation. The audience feels as if they're living in the characters' world and are walking the streets with them or observing them from a distance.
The main characters, Glen Hansard, singer and guitarist of The Frames, and Marketa Irglova, a Czech girl, are never referred to by name, thus the audience can picture themselves aas the characters or everyday people.
Even the way the characters meet is ordinary because they are doing something they do every day; playing music on the street and selling flowers.
Hansard and Irglova produced all the original songs for the movie, which are about the characters' past loves and the hurt they felt from the separations.
Their love story is unique; as the two get closer, it is revealed that Irglova's character has an estranged husband in Czech, but still develops feeling for the new guy she meets. The musicians become close while discovering love and achieving their dreams through music.
Patrice Kubik can be reached at patrice.kubik@student.shu.edu.
"Dreamgirls" (2006)
Although the box office hit, "Dreamgirls," reportedly is not based on the popular female group, The Supremes, much speculation has occurred since its release in 2006.
Similarities include the three person female group singing the same Motown-type music The Supremes were popular for. The similar lead singer conflict within The Supremes was one of the main focuses in "Dreamgirls."
Critics say that the movie is completely fiction, but any musical buff can see that it is definitely loosely based on the ‘60s group with Beyonce's character almost identical to that of Diana Ross.
The film has many different musical aspects to it. The music was not modern and had an old Hollywood feel to it. The acting was also phenomenal; Jennifer Hudson even took home an Oscar for her memorable performance.
The song, "Listen," from the film was popular, even being played on the radio. The movie did an excellent job at taking something historical and making it modern, which was what made it such a successful film.
Amanda Monteleone can be reached at amanda.monteleone@student.shu.edu.
"Great Balls of Fire" (1989)
Few words can describe one of the most remarkable artists of the mid 20th century whose controversial and unconventional styles of music brought iconic rock ‘n' roll bravado. The life of Jerry Lee Lewis was one of daring impulse in the face of scrutiny and scorn from the public.
Different in his own right, Lewis had just as much of an impact on popular culture as Elvis Presley. An entertaining, humorous and dramatic take on the 1950s singer and pianist is depicted in the 1989 film "Great Balls of Fire," named after one of his first hit songs.
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