I was trying to decide what this week's 5 things would be, and I thought, "Movies centered around music...that should be easy!" It's easy to find movies I love that are music-driven, however, it was not easy to narrow it down to just 5!!
I used the criteria that music has to be the center of the movie (not just a musical but about music), and I would have to stop on it anytime I turn on the TV and see that this movie is playing. I still had more than 5, so I'll throw in some honorable mentions at the end! So, without further adieu and in no particular order...
Charley's Top 5 Music Movies Of All Time (or my lifetime, anyway!)
1. Almost Famous (2000)
I always thought it would be cool to go on tour with a rock band. But as a 15 year old kid? Insane! This movie does such a great job of showing the highs & lows of fame and while still having a heart. This scene happens after the band has crashed a local pool party and lead singer Russell Hammond gets trashed and ticks off the whole band. Tensions are running high, but music still brings them together!
2. Empire Records (1995)
I worked in record stores all through college, but none of them were quite as cool as this one! Probably because all of mine were the "Evil Chains" that this crew doesn't want to work for. It's so 90s, and helped launch the careers of Liv Tyler, Renee Zellweger, and Robin Tunney. This is the scene where the gang takes down a shoplifter while waiting on washed-up superstar, Rex Manning, to arrive. If only catching shoplifters was actually this much fun!
3. Detroit Rock City (1999)
If you're a KISS fan and haven't seen this movie, what in the world is wrong with you? I love this one because it could be any of us as teens - battles with parents, no money, yet an undying need to go see our favorite band in concert! This is the scene that starts the guys' adventures of needing to score tickets to the sold out show (sorry, there's some language!)
4. Rock Star (2001)
What would happen if a singer of a local tribute band all-of-a-sudden was chosen to be the lead vocalist in the real band?? Rockstar was inspired by the story of Tim "Ripper" Owens, the singer in a Judas Priest tribute band, who was chosen to replace Rob Halford when he left the band. It's not the best movie on Earth, but with cameos by Jeff Pilson (Foreigner/Dokken), Zakk Wylde (Ozzy), Jason Bonham (Led Zeppelin), Myles Kennedy (Alter Bridge/Slash), Blas Elias (Slaughter) & Stephen Jenkins (Third Eye Blind), what it lacks in substance it more than makes up for with glitz. This is the scene where Chris auditions for Steel Dragon and allllllmost blows his big chance.
5. Purple Rain (1984)
This movie needs no explanation, but it sure brings back memories for me. See, I was 14 when this came out, and I remember a friend having a party & renting this from the local video store. Her mom was in the next room and we thought she would freak when she heard the language! This is another movie that isn't exactly Oscar-worthy & the acting is pretty bad, but if you were a child of the 80s, you can't leave it off your all-time top music movie list. The soundtrack is something to behold, and the movie is full of that Prince side-eye that's made so many great memes! The Lake Minnetonka scene is classic (Sorry about the quality...it's the only "edited" version I could find)
Honorable mention goes to Singles (1992), Hustle & Flow (2005), Walk The Line (2005), That Thing You Do (1996), A Star Is Born (I've only seen the 2018 version) and Reality Bites (1994). They're not all centered around a band, but the characters are in bands, so they count!
If you're looking for some fun movies to watch this weekend, here's your list! And feel free to send me some suggestions of your favorite music-centered movies on Facebook or Instagram!
My 5 Favorite Music Movies of All Time!
