Top 10 Movie Soundtracks

This list is all about music in movies. Combining two things I love. For this list I excluded musicals and scores. Let me know what you think are the best soundtracks.

10. Rushmore
   
     When Wes Anderson makes a film you know the soundtrack is going to be amazing. Of all of Andersons' movies Rushmore's soundtrack was the one that stuck with me. From The Rolling Stones to Creation to Cat Stevens and ending with Ooh La La. This is a very memorable soundtrack that will be embedded in your brain forever.

9. Trainspotting

    When you have to put your soundtrack on two albums you know you have something great on your hands. This soundtrack is so eclectic is goes along with this crazy roller coaster of a film. From rock to electric to punk, this soundtrack is one that will always be able to stand on its own.

8. Pulp Fiction

   Quentin Tarantino is another director that will always put together an awesome soundtrack to go along with a fantastic movie. What is great about this soundtrack is when you play a song from it, you can immediately see the scene playing out in your head. Dusty Springfield "Son of a Preacher Man" anyone?

7. The Devil's Rejects
  
   Since Rob Zombie is a musician you'd expect he would know good music. The Devil's Rejects Is a fantastic collage of southern rock, classic rock, and classic country. mixed with quotes from the film between every other song. This soundtrack is one that you can press play and listen throughout with hitting that pesky skip button.

6. American Graffiti

    Whats unique about this film is they have a real radio DJ Wolfman Jack. While all these kids are driving around we are gifted with the voice a Wolfman Jack providing a soundtrack for the kids night and the movie. There is a reason they call them oldies but goodies, and this film is full of them. From Booker T. & the M.G.'s to The Beach Boys this soundtrack is amazing and full of music that for some reason I was made fun of for liking at a Dairy Queen.

5. The Graduate

   This one is pretty simple Simon and Garfunkel. The opening scene with Dustin Hoffman riding a moving sidewalk in the airport with "The Sounds of Silence"is iconic. Another reason this soundtrack is so great is "Mrs. Robinson" which was originally written for the movie is considered one of the greatest songs of all time.

4. Empire Records

   This cult film is a wonderful collection of 90's music. Gin Blossoms, Toad the Wet Sprocket, Cracker, and The Cranberries. If anyone remembers these bands it could be likely because of this movie. If you love 90's music I highly recommend this movie.

3. Boogie Nights

    An awesome mix of disco and classic rock, this soundtrack is one of the coolest of all time. If you're going to have a pool party I recommend this soundtrack. You can sit poolside drinking margaritas in your aviators and groove to these groovy tunes.

2. Dazed and Confused

    This is a great soundtrack of classic rock sung by the original artists. One classic scene is Pickfords Pontiac GTO pulling into the parking lot with "Sweet Emotion" by Aerosmith playing in the background. This soundtrack is definitely one that can stand alone. I recommend taking it for a drive and then relaxing with some cold beers while "Tuesday's Gone" plays.

1. Almost Famous 

   I don't think it comes as any surprise that I consider this the greatest soundtrack of all time. This movie is an Ode to classic rock and Cameron Crowe delivers. With a music budget of 3 million dollars it's two million more than usual, you know this soundtrack is epic. From Led Zeppelin, The Who, Yes, The Beach Boys, and countless others this soundtrack is unlike anything else. And don't forget about the most unforgettable song from probably the best scene in the film "Tiny Dance" by Elton John. It's so effective for the time and the place in the film.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qW9wqUI4Lg

Thanks for reading!

10 Most Anticipated Movies of 2014

So as we are half way through Blockbuster season I thought I could make a list of 10 movies that I'm most anticipating for 2014 award season. There is one horror movie on here that I don't see winning awards but I've been waiting for it for two years. 

10. Untitled Cameron Crowe Project

       Synopsis: A celebrated military contractor returns to the site of his greatest career triumphs and reconnects with a long-ago love while unexpectedly falling for the hard charging Air Force watchdog assigned to him.

      Why I'm excited to see it: It stars Bradley Cooper and Emma Stone, and Cameron Crowe made Almost Famous one of my favorite movies of all time. 

       Release Date: The tentative release date is December 25th and it's in Post-production so we'll see if it makes it in 2014.

9. Paddington

    Synopsis: A young Peruvian bear with a passion for all things British travels to London in search of a home. Finding himself lost and alone at Paddington Station, he begins to realize that city life is not all he had imagined - until he meets the kindly Brown family, who read the label around his neck ('Please look after this bear. Thank you.') and offer him a temporary haven. It looks as though his luck has changed until this rarest of bears catches the eye of a museum taxidermist...

      Why I'm excited to see it: Paddington takes me back to my childhood. I had the book and the actual teddybear. 

        Release Date: Colin Firth Dropped out Voluntarily as the voice of Paddington because the director felt his voice wasn't right for the part. It also has a release date of December 25th, However, I haven't heard if they've casted for Paddington so we'll see if it makes it in 2014 as well.

8. True Story 

    Synopsis: A drama centered around the relationship between journalist Michael Finkel and Christian Longo, an FBI Most Wanted List murderer who for years lived outside the U.S. under Finkel's name.

    Why I'm excited to see it: The main reason is it stars James Franco and Jonah Hill. But, I think the story sounds very interesting and it is in fact a true story.

     Release Date: This is another movie that I'm not sure if it will be released this year. It's in post-production and there isn't a release date, just that it is to be released this year. So we shall see. 

7. Fury 

    Synopsis: April, 1945. As the Allies make their final push in the European Theatre, a battle-hardened army sergeant named Wardaddy commands a Sherman tank and her five-man crew on a deadly mission behind enemy lines. Outnumbered and out-gunned, and with a rookie soldier thrust into their platoon, Wardaddy and his men face overwhelming odds in their heroic attempts to strike at the heart of Nazi Germany.

    Why I'm excited to see it: It's written and directed by David Ayer. He wrote and directed End Of Watch and Wrote Training Day. Plus it stars Brad Pitt.

     Release Date: November 14, 2014

6. Kill The Messenger

    Synopsis: A reporter becomes the target of a vicious smear campaign that drives him to the point of suicide after he exposes the CIA's role in arming Contra rebels in Nicaragua and importing cocaine into California. Based on the true story of journalist Gary Webb.

   Why I'm excited to see it: The trailer makes it look great. Jeremy Renner is starring in it, and I haven't seen him do bad work yet. Plus I find Conspiracy Theories fascinating.

    Release Date: October 10, 2014

5. Whiplash

    Synopsis: A young musician struggles to make it as a top jazz drummer.

    Why I'm excited to see it: Since it premiered at Sundance there has been oscar buzz about J. K. Simmons and potential for Miles Teller. I also can identify with having a tough but brilliant music teacher.

    Release Date: November 13, 2014

4. Gone Girl

    Synopsis: With his wife's disappearance having become the focus of an intense media circus, a man sees the spotlight turned on him when it's suspected that he may not be innocent.

    Why I'm excited to see it: It's directed by David Fincher (The Social Network, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.) And Trent Reznor is teaming with Atticus Ross to compose the soundtrack. So we know we are in for a dark story with an eerie yet compelling score. 

    Release Date: October 3, 2014

3. The Green Inferno

    Synopsis: A group of student activists travel from New York City to the Amazon to save the rainforest. However, once they arrive in this vast green landscape, they soon discover that they are not alone - and that no good deed goes unpunished. 

   Why I'm excited to see it: It's been 7 years since my favorite horror director Eli Roth has directed a movie. And he wants to bring back the cannibal genre and with Cannibal Holocaust being one of my favorite horror movies I'm pretty excited.

   Release Date: September 5, 2014

2. Interstellar 

    Synopsis: A group of explorers make use of a newly discovered wormhole to surpass the limitations on human space travel and conquer the vast distances involved in an interstellar voyage.

   Why I'm Excited to see it: It stars Anne Hathaway and Matthew McConaughey. And it's directed by Christopher Nolan who has not made a bad movie yet. Lastly, the subject matter is very interesting. I love the subject of Astrophysics and trying to understand wormholes, and dark matter, and our vast universe.

    Release Date: November 7, 2014

1. Foxcatcher

    Synopsis: Based on the true story of Mark Schultz, an Olympic wrestler whose relationship with sponsor John du Pont and brother Dave Schultz would lead to unlikely circumstances.

    Why I'm excited to see it: It stars Steve Carell and Channing Tatum in career changing roles. After the film premiered at Cannes Critics said that Carell is a lock for the oscar and Tatum could earn a nomination as well. It's directed by Bennett Miller (Capote, Moneyball) and if Foxcatcher is up for best picture his first three movies will have all been nominated for best picture, which is pretty impressive. This film was originally due to come out last year but the director pulled it because he had some finishing touches, but most people think that because of the crowded oscar year last year that he pulled it so he wouldn't have to compete with such tough competition. 

    Release Date:

So there you have it the films I'm most excited about for 2014. I hope I was able to intrigue you about a movie you may not have heard of. Let me know some movies you are excited about seeing.

Top 20 Favorite Movies

Top 20 Favorite Movies

 I realized it's been too long since I wrote my last blog (my Oscar predictions, which I was 10 for 12 not bragging or anything.) I was thinking and it hit me, I love movies but never told which ones I love most. Every year I think about the past movies that came out and if I would add them to my top 20. Some years it changes and some it doesn't. This year it did, so here are my top 20 movies (simply because I can't choose only 10.)

20. End of Watch

      End of Watch is possibly the best cop movie ever made. The filming style makes the viewer feel part of it rather than just watching it.

19. There Will Be Blood

      The acting is incredible, not to mention that Paul Dano is one of my favorite actors. There Will Be Blood made me a fan of Dano, and Daniel Day Lewis is fantastic as well. The cinematography is beautiful as well.

18. No County For Old Men

      This is a dry movie, but it moves so quickly. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. Also, Javier Bardem is incredible.

17. Moonrise Kingdom

     I love Wes Anderson movies so I decided I should have my favorite movie of his on my list. Rushmore was a close second.

16. Her

      Everything about this film I love. From the score to the screenplay to the cinematography. Her consists of a beautiful story will a score that coincides like nothing else.

15. Boogie Nights

      This is the second Paul Thomas Anderson film on my list, and the only reason it's not higher is because it's a little too long. I love 70's movies and Mark Wahlberg is awesome. 

14. Pulp Fiction

      Do I need to explain? Quentin Tarantino is incredible and I'm a fan of all of his movies. This is just a cool movie all around and I could watch it every day.

13. The Social Network

      This movie surprised me.  It doesn't matter that it's about the creation of Facebook. It could've been about anything. This movie was a masterpiece in story telling and it's a shame it didn't win best picture.

12. The Deer Hunter

      This was another surprise. My parents recommended I watch it and I'm glad I did. The final scene will always stick with me. It takes place in the 70's, which I enjoyed.

11. The Devil's Rejects

      My favorite horror movie of all time. It's very quotable, funny, and messed up. All the qualities of a great horror film. This movie also takes place in the 70's and it has an awesome soundtrack.

10. A Clockwork Orange

      I like Stanley Kubrick, and it's my all time favorite book. Great film about humans, morality, and agency. Highly recommend reading the book and watching the movie. Movie first, book is easier to understand.

9. American History X

    This is not an easy film to watch, but if you do you will be very satisfied. Beautiful, sad, and startling and Edward Norton is amazing.

8. Inglorious Basterds

    The second Quentin Taratino film on my list. It's definitely my favorite of his, plus it has Eli Roth and Christoph Waltz who blew me away. Every award he won was deserved. 

7. Inception

    Christopher Nolan should win an Oscar sometime in his life. This movie was action packed and made you think. Not to mention, it has one of my favorite actors Leonardo DiCaprio.

6. American Beauty

    Kevin Spacey, need I say more? This is a polarizing choice, but I think this film is beautiful. They take a boring subject about middle class white America and make it something great.

5. The Shawshank Redemption

    Just a great film. There's really no other reason. Masterful story telling and a must see.

4. Jurassic Park

    This movie stuck with me as a kid. I can't count how many times I've seen this film, but it's A LOT.

3. Dazed and Confused

    I have my sister and brother-in-law to thank for this one. Such a cool movie that takes place in the 70's and has an awesome soundtrack. This movie reminds me how much freedom we had as kids.

2. Almost Famous

    Another one from my sister and brother-in-law. This movie is an ode to classic rock. I love classic rock, and the 70's. It has an awesome soundtrack and it just a great film to watch on a rainy day.

1. The Departed

    The best cop film that isn't exactly a cop film. It's a fantastic gangster film that isn't exactly a gangster film. The cast is superb and the story is awesome. Martin Scorsese is a genius. It's easy to see why this film won Best Picture, but I still don't understand why Matt Damon wasn't nominated for best supporting actor.

Well that's it. I hope you enjoyed and look out for my next blog post.

2014 Oscar Predictions and Hopefuls

2014 Oscar Predictions and Hopefuls

Best Sound Editing


·      Gravity


·      Captain Phillips


·      All Is Lost


·      The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug


·      Lone Survivor   

Want to Win: Lone Survivor

Will Win: Lone Survivor

Best Sound Mixing
"

·      Gravity

·      Captain Phillips


·      The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug


·      Inside Llewyn Davis


·      Lone Survivor

Want to Win: Lone Survivor/ Inside Llewyn Davis

Will Win: Lone Survivor

Best Visual Effects


·      Gravity


·      The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug


·      Iron Man 3


·      The Lone Ranger


·      Star Trek Into Darkness

Want to Win: Gravity

Will Win: Gravity

Best Cinematography


·      Gravity


·      The Grandmaster


·      Inside Llewyn Davis


·      Nebraska


·      Prisoners

Want to Win: Prisoners/ Inside Llewyn Davis

Will Win: Gravity

Best Original Screenplay


·      American Hustle 


·      Blue Jasmine 


·      Dallas Buyers Club 


·      Her 


·      Nebraska

Want to Win: Her

Will Win: Her 
        


Best Adapted Screenplay


·      12 Years a Slave  


·      Before Midnight 


·      Captain Phillips

·      Philomena 


·      The Wolf of Wall Street

Want to Win: The Wolf of Wall Street

Will Win: 12 Years a Slave

Best Supporting Actress


·      Jennifer Lawrence, American Hustle 


·      Sally Hawkins, Blue Jasmine

·      Lupita Nyong’o, 12 Years a Slave 


·      Julia Roberts, August: Osage County


·      June Squibb, Nebraska

Want to Win: Jennifer Lawrence

Will Win: Lupita Nyong’o

Best Supporting Actor


·      Barkhad Abdi, Captain Phillips 


·      Bradley Cooper, American Hustle


·      Michael Fassbender, 12 Years a Slave 


·      Jonah Hill, The Wolf of Wall Street


·      Jared Leto, Dallas Buyer's Club

Want to Win: Jared Leto, Jonah Hill, Bradley Cooper

Will Win: Jared Leto

This was a tough category to pick my favorite.

Best Actress


·      Amy Adams, American Hustle 


·      Cate Blanchett, Blue Jasmine 


·      Sandra Bullock, Gravity 


·      Judi Dench, Philomena

·      Meryl Streep, August: Osage County

Want to Win: Amy Adams

Will Win: Cate Blanchett

Best Actor


·      Christian Bale, American Hustle

·      Bruce Dern, Nebraska


·      Leonardo DiCaprio, The Wolf of Wall Street 


·      Chiwetel Ejiofor, 12 Years a Slave

·      Matthew McConaughey, Dallas Buyer's Club

Want to Win: Matthew McConaughey, Leonardo Dicaprio, Christian Bale

Will Win: Matthew McConaughey

Best Director


·      Alfonso Cuarón, Gravity 


·      David O. Russell, American Hustle

·      Steve McQueen, 12 Years a Slave


·      Alexander Payne, Nebraska 


·      Martin Scorsese, The Wolf of Wall Street

Want to Win: Alfonso Cuarón

Will Win: Alfonso Cuarón

Best Picture


·      12 Years a Slave

·      American Hustle

·      Gravity

·      The Wolf of Wall Street

·      Dallas Buyers Club

·      Her

·      Nebraska

·      Philomena

·      Captain Phillips

Want to Win: I’d be ok with 6 of them but if I can only choose one I’d pick American Hustle.

Will Win: 12 Years a Slave

Hope you enjoyed my picks. I realize these are not all of the categories but I figured I’d stick with the major ones. Let me know your picks or thoughts.

P.S. I finally saw Inside Llewyn Davis today and I can’t believe it was left out of the best picture race.