Top Five Music Movies

By Julia Howard1. High FidelityThis is the movie adaptation of Nick Hornby’s classic novel about what it means to be a music geek. Music snob and record store owner Rob, along with his employees, the hilariously judgmental Barry and the quietly knowledgeable Dick, look at the importance of music in life as Rob goes through his worst break up. Music geeks everywhere will feel the truth of Rob’s inner evaluations or at the very least love the references to everything from pop to soul.2. Pirate RadioBased loosely on true events, this comedy tells the story of an English rock and roll station in the 1960s, when rock and roll was not legally allowed on public radio. Rock stations had to broadcast from ships just off the shore of England. To give you a good picture of the feel of this movie, imagine a charismatic group of radio DJs getting into crazy shenanigans to keep themselves entertained, listening to great classic rock music, and fighting the government from a constant party on the water. For other comedies see: This Is Spinal Tap.3. Shut Up and Play the HitsBand documentaries are one of the most common types of music-related movies, so it’s especially hard to stand out in this category. My favorite, however, is a relatively new documentary about LCD Soundsystem’s last concert at Madison Square Garden, which sold out a special one night showing this past summer. Part of what makes concert documentaries so special is the emotion and the feeling of importance in the situations. They’re real, striking, and reveal the depth of moments in music history. For Shut Up and Play the Hits, it’s not just the end of LCD Soundsystem that stirred tears in the eyes of many fans during the summer showing, but also a commentary on independent music’s capacity for fame and what that means for the bands involved (not to mention the music kicks ass). For more documentaries see: The Last Waltz.4. OnceTaking place in Dublin, Once is Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglovà’s award-winning movie about the connection two musicians feel for one another. This movie may surprise viewers by its stark reality. The cinematography in itself reveals the small budget with which the crew had to work. In a way, it’s charming and intimate, making the story of these two struggling musicians that much more realistic.5. ODDSACODDSAC fits into its own category all together. The ingenuity of this strange and wild artistic experiment can be difficult to accept for some at first viewing. It is meant to be the visual representation of Animal Collective music and captures the intense connection between images and sound. At times it’s calming and beautiful, while at other times it’s intense and psychedelic. Do not expect plot. Do not expect character development. Expect fantastic music and a new experience.