Music can be a great way to set the time in a movie or TV show. It can be reminiscent of what was heard at the time (for example the amazing score to Pride & Prejudice) or set the mood of that time period that we may not have lived through or only read about in history books. The right music helps to define the culture, helps you to feel for the characters or the society at the time, and can even date the movie to a time and place in our own memory. Good music of that time is essential in order to really feel like you are living in that time along with the characters.
Here are a few of my favorites that did it right: (note these are again non-score, non-musical and also movies that were made in a different time period than they were set. So things like Breakfast Club could not make the list)
Remember the Titans: I love this movie, and one of the reasons is because I love the music so much. They use the music so well in this movie. To show blending of cultures, get you hyped up to win some football, to sing on the bus and in a cafeteria, and also a possibly accidental-but well placed reference-to the saddest movie ever...The Temptations movie. (don't watch it, it is depressing- if you want me to explain the reference to spare you the horrific details just let me know) And no offense to Foo Fighters because I love them but "Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye" and "Up Around the Bend" get me more excited to win a football game. (Plus they let the song play and don't just use the same 20 seconds over and over and over)
Forrest Gump: This is another good movie, and if you have seen it know that is the story of Forrest Gump from childhood to adulthood. Which means it starts in the 50s and ends in the late 70's- a great time for music. They use music so well in this movie to show the passing of time and to highlight the emotions of a scene. With Hendrix, Dylan, The Doors, Fleetwood Mac, Beach Boys, Hank Williams, Elvis, Doobie Brothers, Skynyrd, The Supremes, and even some Tony Orlando- this soundtrack is amazing and has to be one of the most expensive ever made. (Probably is beat by The Wonder Years, which is why you will never see that on DVD)
The Wedding Singer: Lets get out of the 60's and move into an awesome decade: the 80s. The Wedding Singer is a great soundtrack with so many 80s standards. You've got your Falco, Culture Club, Journey, Hall & Oats, Wham and the heart of every great 80's soundtrack: Huey Lewis & The News!! (Heck it even has the Smiths!) I am a fan of the movie as well and when I heard they were turning this into a Broadway musical I was excited but nervous about them not using the amazing music from the film. (this was before the current trend of taking popular music already out there and making a story around it) However, I saw it on Broadway and it definitely captured the 80's perfectly just like the movie. (Although I did miss a little "Do you really want to hurt me?")
New Release to check out tomorrow: Rave On Buddy Holly. It. is. fantastic! (Good new releases have really slowed down, it will pick up in fall.)
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