Great Music Films
Here are some great music films. Feel free to comment, discuss, add, subtract or whatever. This list isn't a ranking and is in no particular order.
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- DirectorD.A. PennebakerStarsBob DylanAlbert GrossmanBob NeuwirthDocumentary covering Bob Dylan's 1965 tour of England, which includes appearances by Joan Baez and Donovan.Probably the greatest rock doc ever made. It shows Dylan at a very critical time in his career right before going electric. At times you see Dylan as the joker and other times you see him as deeply annoyed to the point where you can even sense a little tension. D.A. Pennebaker really captured the "fly on the wall" perspective with this doc.
- DirectorRichard LesterStarsJohn LennonPaul McCartneyGeorge HarrisonOver two "typical" days in the life of The Beatles, the boys struggle to keep themselves and Sir Paul McCartney's mischievous grandfather in check while preparing for a live TV performance.How do you have a music movie list and not have The Beatles? This movie is pure classic and great comedy. If you're looking for clever writing, you can find it here. Its one big music video with a little semblance of a plot. Greatest thing about this movie is you know the band in the movie is The Beatles but they never say the band's name. Very quotable and the best scene is with Lennon backstage with the actresses who recognizes him. Great dialogue.
- DirectorRob ReinerStarsRob ReinerMichael McKeanChristopher GuestSpinal Tap, one of England's loudest bands, is chronicled by film director Marty DiBergi on what proves to be a fateful tour.Hands down the funniest and most accurate movie about rock 'n' roll success, er, obscurity. Never has a film depicted the flaws and embarrassing moments of a rock band than this. Great acting, great comedic timing and excellent soundtrack with some classic tracks.
- DirectorCameron CroweStarsBilly CrudupPatrick FugitKate HudsonA high-school boy in the early 1970s is given the chance to write a story for Rolling Stone magazine about an up-and-coming rock band as he accompanies them on their concert tour.One of the few movies that really captures the spirit, feeling and rapture of rock 'n' roll. Puts you right into that fantasy of being able to say "I'm with the band." Penny Lane is a great character and Frances McDormand really exuberated the tortured soul of a mother who feels like she's losing her son to the evil sound of rock 'n' roll. It being biographical adds so much more to it. Also one of the best soundtracks.
- DirectorGeorge LucasStarsRichard DreyfussRon HowardPaul Le MatA group of teenagers in California's central valley spend one final night after their 1962 high school graduation cruising the strip with their buddies before they pursue their varying goals.This movie isn't about music. Its about being young and on the threshold of the real world. But it has one of the greatest soundtracks ever made and one of the most legendary DJs from the 60's and 70's in Wolfman Jack that helps tie the movie together.
- DirectorStephen FrearsStarsJohn CusackIben HjejleTodd LouisoRob, a record store owner and compulsive list maker, recounts his top five breakups, including the one in progress.For my list, a movie about lists. This film does a great job at making popular music a character development tool. Using music, we're able to have an idea as to what the character is feeling and thinking. Great acting!
- DirectorMartin DavidsonStarsTom BerengerMichael ParéJoe PantolianoA television newswoman picks up the story of a 1960s rock band whose long-lost leader Eddie Wilson may still be alive, while searching for the missing tapes of the band's never-released album.The power and emotion of music runs deep and this movie really showcases that through the intensity of the Eddie Wilson character.
- DirectorJoe BerlingerBruce SinofskyStarsJames HetfieldKirk HammettLars UlrichThe iconic metal band struggles for two years to create their album St. Anger, dealing with alcoholism, the loss of their bass player, and the challenge of working with a psychotherapist.Documentaries focusing on bands or artists always seem to be the same. It shows who they are, a few intimate interviews, concert footage, recording process, etc. etc. But never has a documentary been made that showcases the trouble, angst and the problems a band or artist is having or going through. This doc really shows the other side of what being in a band entails.
- DirectorCameron CroweStarsEddie VedderStone GossardJeff AmentA documentary on the band Pearl Jam that marks their 20th anniversary in the year 2011.How the last grunge band still standing did it while facing all the obstacles any other band would crumble under? Very interesting doc and great insight into the band's birth and crossover into the mainstream.
- DirectorAlan ParkerStarsRobert ArkinsMichael AherneAngeline BallJimmy Rabbitte, an unemployed Dublin boy, decides to put together a soul band made up entirely of the Irish working class.A movie with soul is just as great as a song with soul. Not only is this movie really entertaining and downright enjoyable, it has moments during the concert scenes in which the music really gets you going and amped up. It also is an educational tool on how hard forming and running a group actually is.
- DirectorRick FamuyiwaStarsTaye DiggsSanaa LathanYasiin BeyFriends since childhood, a magazine editor and a hip-hop record executive stumble into romantic territory.This movie doesn't rank very high with me as far as quality is concerned. The acting is a little poor, the plot a little corny and predictable. But I love the role hip hop plays in this film. Its the one thing the main characters have that they always fall back on and relate to, causing me to relate to them.
- DirectorAllan MoyleStarsChristian SlaterSamantha MathisAnthony Luke LuceroMark runs a pirate radio station and causes an uproar when he speaks his mind and enthralls fellow teens.Look, it might be teen crap but what I love about this movie, and why I'm adding it to this list, is the rebellious spirit of the movie, the main character and how he uses music to rile up his school. Plus, how can you go wrong with a DJ such as "Happy Harry Hard On"?