The Movie Mixtape
By Sophie Severs
Well, folks, it seems that we’ve reached that point in the year. Summer boredom is creeping its way back into our lives. The novelty of having seemingly endless time on our hands is slowly wearing off — but fear not, there are surefire remedies to this ailment! The dog days of summer will not prevail quite yet!
Staff writer Sophie Severs here, to provide you with a couple of recommendations that have been on my recent summer film rotation. Each film listed will nurture your music loving nature, and is guaranteed to bring a smidgeon of light to the monotony of a daily routine.
Empire Records (1995)
Dir. Allan Moyle
Empire Records is basically The Breakfast Club, but a more fun, record store version!
Empire Records centers around the daily lives of a group of rambunctious teens who work at the local record store, Empire Records. In an effort to save his beloved workplace from being purchased by the corporate giant, Music Town, employee Lucas loses $9,000 worth of the store’s revenue. As a result, the lively employees frantically scramble to recover the funds to save their store.
This rush to save the store occurs simultaneously with the long-awaited arrival of washed-up pop star Rex Manning for the store’s “Rex Manning Day” meet and greet. Dealing with the finicky pop-star is not the only somewhat chaotic event that happens in a day at Empire Records — the teens additionally babysit deal with an arrogant shoplifter, witness an awkward yet endearing confession of love, and participate in plenty of dance breaks.
Renée Zellweger’s character pronounces in the film that this movie is full of “tasty treat[s] from the gang at Empire Records” that anyone is bound to enjoy.
TLDR, Why You Should Watch:
For an extremely endearing love confession
For the Rex Manning music video that OOZES camp
For Renée Zellweger’s KILLER vocals in “Sugar High”
High Fidelity (2000)
Dir. Stephen Frears
This is what record store owners are really like — pretentious, snobby, musical gatekeepers who are more than eager to trash talk your taste in music.
High Fidelity centers around one Rob Gordon, a record store owner who is just oh so indie, but don’t worry, he’s self aware. The film focuses on Rob’s giant pity party that he throws for himself after his longtime girlfriend, Laura, breaks his heart. After the big breakup, Rob begins to spiral, reminiscing and reconnecting with five of his exes who had broken his heart to try and suss out whether it’s him who is the problem, or if the problem lies within the women he chooses to date (not-so-spoiler alert: it’s the former option). He spends the entirety of the film being an angry, mopey mess, though he wears the musical gatekeeper badge with pride — since it’s likely the only thing he can be proud of after being dumped so many times…
Rob and his buddies are a group of pompous musical know-it-alls that would definitely be the most irritating people if you came across them in real life. And while they admittedly have irritating social tendencies and no-filter when it comes to talking to people, the earnestness and sincerity with which these characters love music is something to be respected. Rob & Co. have a passion for music that is evident in all of their actions, and one cannot help but love them for all of their quirks and playful banter.
TLDR, Why You Should Watch:
For an example of how not to talk to people about music
For the various ways Rob and his friends justify throwing customers out of the store
For the incomparable Catherine Zeta Jones (that’s all)
Almost Famous (2000)
Dir. Cameron Crowe
Arguably one of the most iconic movies about music ever made, Almost Famous follows William Miller on his coming-of-age journey. Audiences follow the adventures of the up-and-coming rock band, Still Water, alongside young William as he hopes to get enough material to write an editorial feature in Rolling Stone Magazine. William sees the band go through their highest highs and lowest lows, and becomes enchanted by the self-defined “band-aid,” Penny Lane. William lives out the dreams of any music journalist; working within the industry of cool, buddying up to musicians, and enjoying the luxuries that come with a life of fame.
With its killer soundtrack and stellar dialogue, Almost Famous is a nostalgic ode to a time long gone. The landscape of the music industry has changed since the 1970s, but director Cameron Crowe skillfully captures the glamor and hardships that came hand in hand with the rock n’ roll lifestyle.
TLDR, Why You Should Watch:
For William’s endearing awkwardness and tactless approach to flirting with Penny Lane
For the incredible classic rock soundtrack
For the extra special cameo of real-life Rolling Stone journalist and editor, Ben Fong-Torres
Sing Street (2016)
Dir. John Carney
Sing Street is a sweet little morsel of Irish charm infused with 80s alt rock — what more could one ask for?
As a director, John Carney has been recognized for his endearing filmic love letters to music, including Once and Begin Again, that capture the director’s passion for music. He strikes gold yet again with Sing Street, a semi-autobiographical story of Carney’s own adolescence growing up in Dublin.
A young Connor Lawler boldly asks his crush, Raphina, to star in a music video of a band he has yet to create. Stuck in a bind after Raphina surprisingly accepts his offer, Connor quickly forms a band of misfits, and under the musical guidance of his older brother, Brendan, begins to churn out track after track. The boys — who call their group “Sing Street” as a pun on the name of their school, Synge Street — pull musical and aesthetic inspiration from bands such as Duran Duran, The Cure, and even Spandau Ballet. The original soundtrack, written by Gary Clark and Carney, is full of catchy tunes that get stuck in your head for days after first hearing the tracks.
TLDR, Why You Should Watch:
For Connor’s unique 80s inspired outfits
For the creative and catchy original soundtrack
For the dorky Eamon and his obsession with rabbits
Frank (2014)
Dir. Lenny Abrahamson
Frank confirms the stereotype that musicians do, indeed, have big heads.
Though, in this case, it’s in a literal sense — the eccentric titular figure, Frank, spends the entirety of the film with his face masked inside a giant paper mache head. The film is shot from the point of view of aspiring musician Jon Burroughs, who stumbles across a band of misfit musicians (the Soronprfbs) led by the aforementioned Frank. The band invites him to record music with them in a dingy cabin in rural Ireland, and the adventure begins.
After gaining traction online after Jon posts clips of their recording sessions to social media, they earn an invitation to perform at a small festival in the United States — though you’ll have to watch the film to find out whether they get their big break (and to see if Frank’s face is ever revealed).
TLDR, Why You Should Watch:
For an unhinged Maggie Gyllenhaal
For the witty and quirky dialogue
For the touching final scene
While these five films might not have the runtime to stave boredom off for the entire summer, the memories that come with them are enough to fill an entire lifetime. And thus, peace, love, and happy watching!