Staff Pix 11/10: Movie Crate

Cut the cameras! Our staffers shared their favorite movie tunes, presented with blurbs worthy of a promotional sticker on a jewel case. Tune in Fridays from 3-4PM EST to the Staff Pix radio show.

Julia Norkus

“Seems” by Queen Sarah Saturday

Empire Records (1995) remains my favorite movie. When I was in high school, the thought of working in a record store with a bunch of cool coworkers and access to any music I could want seemed like a dream. Maybe that’s why I chose my career path, or maybe that’s a story for another time. Regardless, “Seems” is the perfect song to open up a record store. The loud guitars, pounding drums—maybe it’s grating to the ears, but to me, it’s the kind of music that could jolt me upright in bed. Just picture it: it’s early morning, Liv Tyler is making your coffee while Renèe Zellweger is dusting the staircase, and no one expects anything of you other than to open the doors and to dance around in circles. There’s a sense of magic to it, with elements of fun that I really do crave in my daily life. Maybe that’s why I always come back to Empire Records—for joy :) .

Karenna Umscheid

“House of the Rising Sun” by The Animals

This is, by far, the most difficult Staff Pix theme I have ever encountered, not because of any lack of options, but because I love needle drops so much that it feels impossible to choose just one. I’ve bounced back and forth from one of my favorite songs ever, “Brother Love’s Travelling Salvation Show” in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, to “Despair, Hangover, and Ecstacy” in the cannibalistic French film Raw, and “Across 110th Street” in the opening of Jackie Brown. But I have finally landed on “House of the Rising Sun.” It was recently featured as a part of the soundtrack of Perfect Days, but I’ll always remember it as an aspect of Martin Scorsese’s Casino. A glittery, destructive cautionary tale of capitalistic greed in America, many have tried to replicate the terrifying magic of Casino, and all have failed. Scorsese is unbeatable in every way, his mastery of filmmaking is undeniable, where his sharp critiques of glorified crime and despicable American attitudes emerge through slow zooms and Stones music. “House of the Rising Sun,” like Casino, is a cautionary tale of the allure of gambling greed.

Stephanie Weber

“Lovin’ You” by Minnie Riperton

Although “Lovin’ You” is one of Minnie Riperton’s most listened to songs, it is justified in this position. This song is featured in Cheryl Dunye’s first feature film The Watermelon Woman released in 1997. One of the love interests in the film sings a cover of the song in a lesbian bar karaoke performance, completely butchering the song with a femme soprano voice. She sings the song in a serenade to protagonist Cheryl who feels incredibly embarrassed. “Lovin’ You” is one of my favorite romantic songs. With lyrics like “Lovin' you is easy cause you're beautiful” and “Lovin' you is more than just a dream come true / And everything that I do is out of lovin' you,” Minnie Riperton makes music history, writing and performing her song much better than The Watermelon Woman feature. It goes with the rest of her sexy and romantic discography.

Gabriella Collin

“Our Swords” by Band of Horses

I don’t recommend watching an entire movie just to hear *one* song. Back in August, a clip from the movie Watching the Detectives (2007) appeared on my Instagram. The scene, cropped to horizontal view, features none other than Cillian Murphy, crying and wailing while holding a softball bat. In the next shot, the pitcher parallel to him gives a confused, “are you kidding?” look, and throws the ball. Cillian hits it, runs around all three bases, sliding into home, crying the entire time. The clip was ridiculous, but the song playing in the background had caught my attention. “Our Swords” by Band of Horses is an excellent song that has three minutes of fame towards the end of Watching the Detectives. In the movie, Cillian Murphy is a video store owner who finds himself enamored with his new regular, Lucy Liu. Liu’s character, Violet, is reminiscent of the manic pixie dream girl trope that would soon take indie movies by force. “Our Swords” is played towards the end of the movie, where in an elaborate prank, Violet breaks up with Neil (Cillian Murphy). Neil becomes a blubbering, crying mess, suffering through his day-to-day obligations. “Our Swords” is not a breakup song. It’s quite the opposite, not only is it the ideal 2000s indie-rock song, it’s more upbeat in nature. I organized a viewing party for the epic film, just for this one song, and I cheered when it finally played. That being said, I don’t recommend this movie, but I highly recommend this song. 

Salem Ross

“Hospital” By The Modern Lovers

Hot Summer Nights was a let down of a movie (and I can say that because I’m from Massachusetts). It was almost a challenge seeing how long I could last on my living room couch, but I got through it none the less. Jonathan Richman, you national treasure, you hero of the east coast, you savior of cinema soundtracks. Thank you. Thank you Thank you Thank you. Your voice acted as a call of an angel in the mists of my suburban home. The only redeemable quality of this failed Chalamet film was having Hospital be played over a short scene of two lovers dancing in the parking lot, as cheesy as it might be, it was as close to an actual hot summer night in Cape Cod that that movie could achieve. 

Everly Orfanedes

“Anyone Else But You” by The Moldy Peaches

Featured in the 2007 film Juno, starring Elliot Page and Michael Cera, the indie-folk song “Anyone Else But You” has continued to hold a cultural reputation as one of the most notable songs to have been popularized by the film. The song is featured multiple times throughout the coming of age film. In the film, Page’s character, Juno, becomes pregnant at 16 from her friend Bleeker (Cera), and the two of them navigate the difficult situation at hand, as well as their budding feelings for eachother. The soundtrack for Juno is packed with singer-songwriter Kimya Dawson’s music, featuring both their solo work and music from their indie band, The Moldy Peaches. Dawson’s lyrics are packed with themes that perfectly compliment the topics and themes portrayed in Juno. The nostalgic and melancholic tone of their music prompts listeners to both smile, giggle, and shed a tear. “You're a part-time lover and a full time friend / The monkey on your back is the latest trend / I don't see what anyone can see in anyone else / But you.”

Malia Welham

“Hideaway” by Karen O and the Kids

Karen O perfectly captures the haunting yet nostalgic and warm feeling of the 2009 live-action adaptation of Where the Wild Things Are. Some may know Karen O most prominently as the lead singer for the Yeah Yeah Yeahs; however, I associate her most with the absolutely breathtaking work she does on this soundtrack. “Hideaway” perfectly captures the essence of childhood imagination and curiosity while framing it in sorrowful nostalgia. The viewer can’t help but look back on their childhood and reminisce about days filled with fantastical worlds and innocent bravery. Where the Wild Things Are is a movie that people either like or dislike. Many were frightened by how the monsters were visually portrayed. I remember they gave my brother nightmares. But, no matter your opinion on the movie, the masterful work Karen O does on the soundtrack is undeniable as it captures a feeling of mystical nostalgia and childlike curiosity that just makes you want to travel to where the wild things are.

Lily Suckow Ziemer

“Kiss Me” by Sixpence None The Richer

Maybe you’re sick of “Kiss Me” by Sixpence None The Richer after it had its resurgence on TikTok, but I’m addicted to the nostalgic feeling it gives me. I watched the movie She’s All That (1999) a lot when I was younger. It’s admittedly pretty bad (I have to skip the lunchroom scene every time) but “Kiss Me” playing in the ending scene makes it all worth it. The song is more romantic than its somewhat generic title conveys. Lead singer Leigh Nash’s vocals encompass a sweet and innocent love and the guitar sets the perfect backdrop. The lyrics contain beautiful imagery, such as “Kiss me beneath the milky twilight / Lead me out on the moonlit floor.” This song will never fail to transport you to a magical night, dancing with someone you love.

Serenity Holland

“Le Festin” By Camille

“Le Festin” is the heart of Ratatouille, and remains the key to my childhood. The french song is played during the scene when everything is going right; the rat is cooking, the chef is in love, the restaurant is revived. No matter how many times I’ve seen this movie, when this montage of wholesome triumphs begin, I forget the falling action of the plot line exists! The peak of this song soars, giving me an unmatched feeling of fantasy and freedom. Suddenly, my dreams are tangible and will 100% come true. I don’t know what this song is saying as I haven’t translated it, but I prefer to remain blissfully unaware. It won’t feel as light and airy if I have to digest the words and the weight of their meaning. I can always resort to this movie, just for this moment, and be filled with pure joy

Lia Klug

“Wigwam” by Bob Dylan

As happens every fall I have fallen back into my The Royal Tenenbaums phase. I wish I could put down every song on that soundtrack here but I cannot so I choose this one. This song perfectly captures the melancholy and longing for warmth and home that befalls us this time of year as the cold settles in and the days get shorter. In the movie this song underlies Royal finding his grandsons, Ari and Uzi. The scene is shot in rhythm with the song as the boys do the classic Wes Anderson look past the camera and squint. It’s just so beautiful. Its so fall. Its so familial, and as someone who in their mind it’s already Thanksgiving it's exactly what I’m listening to right now. 

Isabelle Pan

“A Thousand Years” By Christina Perri

This song is the only way to end the best movie series ever created.  The piano starts into a montage of Edward and Bella’s relationship - it’s perfect. Then the credits play with every single person who was in the series with this song in the back and I know I’ve made it through this spiritual journey. With all twists and turns and plot points that make absolutely no sense, this song lets me know I’ve made it to the finish line and have gotten through all of it. If you haven’t seen the Twilight series you are missing out, but surprisingly the entire soundtrack of this movie is really good with artists like Paramore, Bon Iver, Muse (don’t get me started on the baseball scene). The only way to properly bid farewell to a series like this one is to play a corny love song that will probably be overplayed at weddings and Christina Perri did exactly that.