Good music movies

wren · Post by **wren** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 7:08 pm

I really enjoy a good movie that is either about music or has a music-centric plot. What are some good "music movies" that you don't think enough musicians/audio people are hip to? They can be true stories/documentaries, pure fiction, or anything in between.

My picks are:
The Commitments.
Amandla.

Very different, obviously, but both really incredible movies. I'd recommend them both very highly to just about anybody, but anyone who takes part in making music should definitely see both of them.

RefD · Post by **RefD** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 7:11 pm

damn, this pretty much discounts most of my faves which are actually concerts.

as for documentaries and outright fiction: This Is Spinal Tap, Don't Look Back...okay, drawing a blank now.

i'm sure i'll think of more.

ashcat_lt · Post by **ashcat_lt** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 7:31 pm

Dogs in Space,
I kind of dug 24 Hour Party People,
does Rattle and Hum count?

RefD · Post by **RefD** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 7:32 pm

Meeting People Is Easy

The Buddy Holly Story (Scary Gary Busey)

Dub Echoes

cutsnake · Post by **cutsnake** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 12:16 am

The recent Joy Division doco was pretty good. Interviews with all the right people, and a great story.
Certainly got me listening to the music again.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1097239/

Alex Netick · Post by **Alex Netick** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 3:16 am

Performance with Mick Jagger is pretty cool. There was that movie about 80s metal bands, I can't remember what it was called -- the Decline of Western Civilization or something, which is also a classic. Its on cable every once in a while (I think on IFC). Frank Zappa's Baby Snakes is an awesome movie with one of his best bands (Terry Bozzio, Adrian belew), and some pretty cool claymation. 200 Motels is also pretty cool.

lysander · Post by **lysander** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 5:26 am

Breaking Glass

curtiswyant · Post by **curtiswyant** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 5:47 am

I loved "Once."

;ivlunsdystf · Post by **;ivlunsdystf** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 5:49 am

curtiswyant wrote:I loved "Once."

I used to want to see that, but not anymore, because I have heard that god damn song too many times. It's friggin' everywhere. I wish they had written in a bridge so it would be more interesting.

A.David.MacKinnon · Post by **A.David.MacKinnon** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 5:59 am

It's not really a music film but Blow Up is awesome for it's live Yardbirds footage.

RefD · Post by **RefD** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 6:08 am

screw it, i'm gonna cite Pink Floyd - Live At Pompeii!

even after all these years, that film (the original, not the awful "Director's Cut" version) still kicks my ass.

comfortstarr · Post by **comfortstarr** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 7:08 am

--The Decline of Western Civilization (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082252/)
Great documentary about hardcore. Very very funny.

--The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094980/)
Same director as above. Very funny, maybe more funny than the first one. Some great scenes of complete inanity and obliviousness.

--I Am Trying to Break Your Heart
Wilco documentary. Kind of fun

--Loud Quiet Loud
Pixies reunion documentary. Very good.

--Tom Dowd & The Language of Music
Great doc about... well... Tom Dowd. It's on Netflix's "watch now" catalog.

--Stop Making Sense
Great Talking Heads concert film from Jonathan Demme. Probably my favorite concert film ever

--The Last Waltz
Somewhat uneven concert film, but the high points are easily worth a watch.

--Rude Boy
Kind of a bizarro film about a Clash "fan." But hey, it's the Clash.

Has anyone seen the new documentary about Philip Glass?

;ivlunsdystf · Post by **;ivlunsdystf** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 7:26 am

junkshop wrote:It's not really a music film but Blow Up is awesome for it's live Yardbirds footage.

YES

RefD · Post by **RefD** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 7:50 am

Hardcore Logo

mjau · Post by **mjau** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 8:26 am

Some of my favorites:
The Last Waltz
Loud Quiet Loud
Single Video Theory
the bonus studio footage for Grizzly Man
Rattle & Hum

I like Meeting People is Easy, but it's a tad unsettling.

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