Fiction Sounds Good.......

Time again for one of my sporadic movie/soundtrack posts.

Just finished watching Stranger Than Fiction, and i like. Will Farrell toes the line between humor and oddity better in this film than his other 'dramedies.' This was a movie that i hadn't been dying to see, by any means, but i'm glad that a rainy Monday night allowed me to do so. With a guest list of folks like Maggie Gyllenhaal, Dustin Hoffman, and Emma Thompson, the movie has promise from the start. Thematically, it's witty and original - Will plays a remarkably boring/borderline OCD IRS agent whose life inadvertently becomes the subject of a novel written by Emma Thompson's character. In turn, the pages of the novel begin to control Will's own fate and change his lifestyle. You've at least seen the trailer, so i shall not go on.


But we all know the reason why you're here, so let's get to it....

The songs in the film, expertly placed between Thompson's narration and impressively relevant to the movie, are superb. Britt Daniel (above) of Spoon collaborated with soundtrack veteran Brian Reitzell to create half original score/half amazing soundtrack. The tracks that weren't written for the film are made up of a few Spoon songs and a handful of relatively unknown (at least to me) post punk tunes. The movie is somewhat dark, and the contrast between that and the upbeat, sanguine nature of Punk music somehow works perfectly. Hearing Britt's work placed next to this style of music reveals obvious influences i may not have noticed otherwise. i've always thought that Spoon fits the elemental mold of indie-rock, but now i'm starting to see something seep out of the edges. The highlight track is from Wreckless Eric - sounds like a grunge Donovan - Will Farrell gives us an impromptu acoustic version in the movie (see below). This Monday movie night has just presented me with a few new bands to look into.



Wreckless Eric - Whole Wide World
Maximo - Going Missing
Califone - Bottles & Bones (Shade & Sympathy)
Spoon - The Way We Get By
Spoon - The Book I Write



Buy the Soundtrack

Buy the Movie

And then another hehe-hehehe.......

A movie can instantly become a hit, sometimes a cult favorite, simply because of it's soundtrack. Often one song, well placed and well chosen, can help you connect to the movie in a way that wouldn't have been possible without the musical selection. i've found that, even if you notice only one perfect soundtrack choice, chances are - the rest of it will be good.

There are the obvious favorites - Dazed & Confused, Blow, Almost Famous, and most of what Scorsese does - set in the time of real Rock N Roll, that use songs from the era portrayed. The Coen Brothers have always kept their soundtracks interesting (often integral to the movie itself). Judd Apatow, aside from completely redefining comedy, has consistently bolstered his films with great music. His newest, Pineapple Express, is permanently connected to this tune:

M.I.A. - Paper Planes
Although Hip-Hop is not my cup of tea, you gotta admit this song is fun.

Lately, indie films are not only supplying exposure for independent writers, directors, and hip actors, but their soundtracks are essentially an indie music sampler. Zach Braff did this with Garden State - but that soundtrack (and film) deserve it's own post. Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist - Michael Cera's new one - sports a soundtrack filled by Devendra Banhart, Modest Mouse, and Band of Horses, among others.
check the trailer.....

i started rootin' around looking for soundtrack stuff and found this. It's got all kinds of movie theme songs as well as a few memorable soundtrack picks. In the post, she mentions how she'd like to get a gig making soundtracks for movies. For a while now, that has been my Dream Job - to score movies. Not like Danny Elfman style, but carefully choosing GOOD songs that fit the movie, splicing them, and working with the editor for seamless timing. i guess it would be a Music Supervisor credit for the film. i'd probably have to go to film school for that - i'm done with school. So if any of you out there have a screenplay sittin' around - hit me up....

she posted this one: Axel F
and immediately, i thought of this:

But back to the Coen Brothers......
In only about an hour of looking for great soundtrack selections, i came across half-a-dozen Big Lebowski specific soundtrack posts. A landmark cult-film with an excellent soundtrack:

Bob Dylan - The Man In Me
Kenny Rogers and the First Addition - Just Dropped In
Gipsy Kings - Hotel California

"...and pull the trigger 'til it goes click"

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By the way, stroll on over to Rollo & Grady for not only good soundtrack tunes, but clips of some classic movie lines.....

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Hopefully, this will turn into a recurring feature post on superb soundtracks. Hold down your excitement, please. For now, just see it as an introduction to a new venture here at This Mornin'.... a change of pace that is much-needed to spur a continuous flow of ideas that has recently run dry.