The music creshendo to an overwhelming volume, and your heart pounds in rhythm to the beat of the drum as the hero/heroine of the movie is running for their lives from the relentless assassin/killer/ or advisor. Or maybe a heartbreaking scene is unfolding in front of your eyes and the protagonist has to make the hard choices that can’t help but pull on your heartstrinkgs. The song explains more than dialogue ever could. The soundtrack of a movie is as essential to the plot unfolding as the script. The music can speak volumes in places where too much dialogue could just pull away from the visual cues that tell the story and trigger the emotion. So what makes a music soundtrack tick? Well usually there is a key scene, chase, kiss or equally dramatic circumstance involved and the music makes it all the more poignant. Sometimes a great soundtrack is more memorable than the movie itself, and it stays with you. Here’s five picks of some stellar soundtracks and the movies that have forever forged them in my memory:
1. Garden State, Directed By Zach Braff- This is an example of a stellar collection of tunes from start to finish that really identify with the movies themes of identity and the ability to truly grasp every moment as if it were your last. My favorite song on the soundtrack? New Slang By The Shins. But this priceless movie scene is one of my favorite, and gets a little help from Simon & Garfunkel:
2. (500) Days Of Summer, Directed By Marc Webb- In the movie about the beginning and downfall of a relationship, and what it takes to move on is another great collection of songs for a great movie. But the scene after Joseph Gordon Levitt’s character gets lucky with Zooey Deschanel just makes you smile ( The song: You Make My Dreams By Hall & Oates):
3. Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist, Directed By Peter Solett- A movie that centers around the ways people are tied together (in this case music) has its share of laughs and awesome tracks. This is the scene of Nick and Norah’s first kiss and meeting. (The song: Xavia by The Submarines):
4. V For Vendetta, Directed By James McTeigue- The terrific movie about triumph over a totailitarian regime, and how people have the right to free thought without unjust persecution. Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture expertly captures all of these emotions, in the movie’s ending scene: Go here for the full clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jV2Mjc_kkY
5. Kill Bill Vol. 1, Directed By Quentin Tarantino- The music for this film really enhanced the story being told about a woman’s quest for revenge. It created a diverse ebb and flow to the film, which still makes it one of my favorites. Twisted Nerve by Bernard Herman delicately sets up the sinister intentions of Darryl Hannah’s character’s visit to the hospital:
