Phil Spector, the visionary record producer who revolutionized pop music in the early 1960s with his majestic sound and fierce ambition but became notorious
Phil Spector, the visionary record producer who revolutionized pop music in the early 1960s with his majestic sound and fierce ambition but became notorious
100 Greatest Movie Songs From 100 Years of Film
By Chris Compendio, Stacker News
On 1/16/21 at 11:00 AM EST
While visuals are a huge part of what ultimately defines movies, it is the combination of imagery and sound that completes the full cinematic experience. Even before the advent of talking pictures in the late 1920s, musical scores accompanied films in one way or another, whether it was through live accompaniment from a performer or a synchronized gramophone record system.
As the film industry became more mainstream and commercialized, the use of popular songs and music generally increased. Now, soundtracks and scores are an integral part of the moviegoing experience. Sometimes, filmmakers and producers are hoping to capture a zeitgeist by tying a film s release to a popular hit. Older songs might be chosen to invoke a certain period of time.
Now streaming on: Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day is an idiotic ode to macho horseshite (to employ an ancient Irish word). It is however distinguished by superb cinematography. It s the first film in 10 years from Troy Duffy, whose Boondock Saints (1999) has become a cult film. It s such a legendary film, a documentary was even made about it.
No, not one of those the making of jobs. One made by two of Duffy s former pals who got pissed off during the filming. They show him as a possibly alcoholic egomaniac. You know you re in trouble when your movie scores 16 percent on the Tomatometer, and the documentary about it scores 79 percent.
Dr. Johnson famously remarked of a dog s ability to stand on its hind legs, that it was not done well, but he was surprised to find it done at all. I thought of that while I was watching The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, which stars Terence Stamp in drag. The macho British actor, best-known for Billy Budd and the villain in Superman II, plays an aging transsexual named Bernadette, and it is done well, yet one is still surprised to find it done at all.
The movie opens in Sydney, Australia, where Bernadette is well-known in gay circles. Bernadette s partners in a flamboyant drag act are Tick, also known as Mitzi (Hugo Weaving), and Adam, aka Felicia (Guy Pearce). The act involves lip-synching to recordings while performing a vaguely choreographed stage show and wearing tacky gowns, a great many feather boas and a lot of eye shadow. Bernadette, who is clearly an intelligent person, is getting fairly tired of it all.