TV & Films Recommendations for the week of July 31st to August 6th
Collaborative themed Recommendations in conjunction with friends at <<The Studio>>
Movies
#Saburo
Film: Tarzan (1999)
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Description: You all know the story and myth of Tarzan, and some may not, but Disney's version of Tarzan is one of the best-animated films of all time and I will say no Disney film will ever be close to touching this kind of perfection anytime soon. Every time I re-watch this film, I notice something new, but not just something my eyes didn't notice before - I'm talking about the symbolism, the animation, the colors, and the characterization. I can ramble on and on about it, but if you somehow have never seen this film or haven't seen it in a while then do yourself a favor and watch it! I mean for goodness' sake, Robert Ebert gave Tarzan a perfect 4/4 and saw it TWICE which is why he rated it higher than The Lion King.
Songs: Two Worlds, Son of Man, You'll Be in My Heart, Trashin' the Camp, Strangers Like Me. (I can't pick just one)
Producers: Phil Collins and Mark Mancina
Notes: The songs by themselves hold meaning without seeing the film, but it changes the meaning when watching the film. It becomes a narration of events and it blends seamlessly with the gorgeous hand-drawn and CGI animation. I get so overwhelmed with emotions anytime I hear the soundtrack. If I can quote that one tweet, "Phil Collins didn't have to go THAT hard for the Tarzan soundtrack, but he did that, he did that for us."
#Soft Flex
Film: Watchmen
Genre: Action, Drama, Mystery
Description: In an age where masked heroes have been outlawed, a stubborn vigilante investigates a conspiracy that he believes is targeting his former crimefighting comrades.
Songs: Prophecies and Pruit Igoe
Composer/Performer: Philip Glass/The Philip Glass Ensemble
Notes: Both were originally used in the film Koyaanisqatsi but are probably more widely known among audiences today for their use in Watchmen, and Stranger Things 4 also used Prophecies this year. Watchmen uses both and transitions seemless from one to the other in the Dr. Manhattan backstory sequence which is easily one of the top few highlights of the movie. Stranger Things 4 uses Prophecies for a montage of its own that I can't describe in good conscience just yet because it's a big reveal in the season but it caught my ear immediately because I've seen Watchmen many times now. Just very eerie and ominous tones from both that elevate the scenes they're utilized in.
@ Buffy
Film: Moulin Rouge!
Genre: Musical, Romance
Description: Okay, so normally I don't like musicals, but the chemistry and sheer effort that was put in by both Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor, not only on the acting front, but singing as well, is just on another level. There are some solid performances from the rest of the cast as well, mainly John Leguizamo and Jim Broadbent. Songs of note are below and honestly Nicole Kidman absolutely kills it with One Day I'll Fly Away. Songs of note: Come What May (Nicole Kidman & Ewan McGregor), Nature Boy (David Bowie), One Day I'll Fly Away (Nicole Kidman), Hindi Sad Diamonds (Nicole Kidman, John Leguizamo & Alka Yahnik), Your Song (Ewan McGregor & Allesandro Safina)
@ The Benz Mafia
Film: The Thomas Crown Affair (1968)
Genre: Crime, Drama, Romance
IMDb Synopsis: A debonair, adventuresome bank executive believes he has pulled off the perfect multi-million dollar heist, only to match wits with a sexy insurance investigator who will do anything to get her man.
Song: The Windmills of your Mind (Music by Michel Legrand, Lyrics by Alan Bergman and Marilyn Bergman, Performed by Noel Harrison)
@ Towelie
Film: Team America: World Police
Genre: Comedy, Action, Satire
Description: The extraordinary tale of Gary Johnston, Top Gun actor, as he embarks on a fantastical journey to try and dispel the forces of evil. Along with a rag-tag group of vigilantist renegades, they seek to prevent the world's destruction all in the name of one thing - America... F--- yeah.
Songs: America F--- Yeah, Freedom Isn't Free, End Of An Act, North Korean Melody, Everyone Has A---, Only A Woman, I'm So Ronery.
%czim
Movie: The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Genre: Animation, Drama
IMDB Synopsis: In 15th-century Paris, Clopin the puppeteer tells the story of Quasimodo, the misshapen but gentle-souled bell ringer of Notre Dame, who was nearly killed as a baby by Claude Frollo, the Minister of Justice. But Frollo was forced by the Archdeacon of Notre Dame to raise Quasimodo as his own. Now a young man, Quasimodo is hidden from the world by Frollo in the belltower of the cathedral. But during the Festival of Fools, Quasimodo, cheered on by his gargoyle friends Victor, Hugo, and Laverne, decides to take part in the festivities, where he meets the lovely gypsy girl Esmeralda and the handsome soldier Phoebus. The three of them find themselves ranged against Frollo's cruelty and his attempts to destroy the home of the gypsies, the Court of Miracles. And Quasimodo must desperately defend both Esmeralda and the very cathedral of Notre Dame.
Songs: The Bells of Notre Dame, Out There, God Help The Outcasts, Topsy-Turvy and Hellfire
Notes: One of the most underrated Disney movies and the one with arguably the best soundtrack of them all, Hunchback is also one of the most adult Disney movies, discussing themes like religion, abuse and hypocrisy of the leaders. My standout song is Hellfire, the best Disney villain song ever, where Frollo (a priest) is attracted to Esmeralda and sings about how she is "turning him to sin".
%TheAura
Film: Shrek 2
Genre: Animated
Description: What comes after Happily Ever After? Meeting the in-laws. Follow Shrek as he settles into his role as the son-in-law of a King, and see how the ogre struggles to find his place in the world, and how much he's willing to give up to be with the love of his life, Fiona. Song to note: The best rendition of 'Holding Out for a Hero' by Fairy Godmother (Jennifer Saunders) herself. The song just elevates the climax of this movie to such great heights, it surpasses an already excellent first outing for Shrek.
Film: Sing Street
Genre: Musical/Romance
Description: This movie revolves around a young teenage boy trying to start a band to impress a girl. The band and the boy start expressing themselves through the music and it just has a lot of banger songs that are very fun to listen to.
+Elliot
Film: Biggie: I Got A Story To Tell
Genre: Documentary
Description: A documentary about the life of The Notorious B.I.G., made up of lots of previously unseen recordings from one of his closest friends. The documentary gets its name from one of his songs, and features footage of some early recordings and emotional interviews with friends and family.
Film: Baby Driver
Genre: Action
IMDb Synopsis: After being coerced into working for a crime boss, a young getaway driver finds himself taking part in a heist doomed to fail.
Song(s) to note: The eponymous Baby Diver by Simon & Garfunkel, but the whole soundtrack is fantastic.
+noct
Film: Blue Velvet
Genre: Thriller, Neo-noir
Description: It's a Lynch movie so there's your standard dream-like structure, but this is one of his movies where the plot and meaning is pretty easy to digest and coherent on first watch. The performances are phenomenal, especially Dennis Hopper as Frank Booth, who might be the best absolute sociopath in a movie.
Song to note: There's "Blue Velvet" sung by Isabella Rossellini, but the song that I'm choosing to highlight is "In Dreams" by Roy Orbison, as the way its used in the scene is pretty much the thematic through line of the movie.
Film: The Devil and Daniel Johnston
Genre: Documentary
Description: A documentary that revolves around the life of Austin, Texas icon Daniel Johnston, which shows his life and his struggles with mental illness all throughout. It truly shows that music can come from anyone, and that music is the true pipeline to the heart in ways that almost no other form of media can even compare. RIP Daniel.
+yackback
Show: Westworld
Genre: Drama, Science Fiction
Description: A hyper-real theme park made entirely of hosts, almost indistinguishable from humans, and the humans that run them. Created by Jonathan Nolan (Christopher Nolan's brother) and Lisa Joy.
Song: Exit Music (for a Film) by Radiohead
+Zipzapadam
Film: tick, tick... BOOM!
Genre: Musical, Drama, Biography
Description: An autobiographical musical that follows the life story of Jonathon Larson, on his 30th birthday, navigating his life of being an unknown artist in New York City trying to break into the scene. RIP Johnny.
Notable songs: 30/90, Green Green Dress, Therapy
pyro
Film: Top Gun
Genre: Action, Drama
IMDb Synopsis: As students at the United States Navy's elite fighter weapons school compete to be best in the class, one daring young pilot learns a few things from a civilian instructor that are not taught in the classroom.
Notable song: 'Danger Zone' is the obvious pick, and for good reason - it's an instantly recognizable track with a great sound that aligns perfectly with the more action-packed scenes the film has to offer.