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Music Films you must watch! – Let’s discuss and overanalyse some films!
Introduction
Bit of a strange article in this one, however, I was chatting to a few music friends and we started talking about music films and which ones we thought were good and which ones we thought were not as good! This got me thinking about music films for a few days and in my head I made a list of music films that I think all musicians should watch at least once!
These films aren’t going to be in any order and the reasons you should watch them will be very different across the list! However, the one thing they all have in common is that they are all amazing films and are easy to watch! I will admit that I will most likely read too much into these films and maybe get a bit deep about them, but hopefully you will understand where I am coming from! So why don’t we dive straight into it with my first film!
Walk the Line
I think this was the first film I watched which was solely about music and a musician! It opened my eyes a little bit to the music industry! The Johnny Cash biopic really shows you what the music industry can be like. How people can fall down a hole and almost ruin their lives! Even though the industry has changed a lot since then, I think this movie still has a point and is worth a watch!
Another small lesson I took from Walk the Line is about performing and putting on a show! Throughout the film Johnny Cash always puts on an amazing show! Gives every performance his best. A lesson I believe everyone can learn and follow!
Whiplash
This is a classic! Honestly, it is one of the best films I have ever seen! The way it is shot, the acting, the look, everything about it is just amazing! However, what I took from Whiplash is how brutal and how much hard work the music industry can be! If down to a college band level! Watching how quickly you can lose your seat in the band is brutal!
Of course, there is a lot that is played up for the camera and a lot that is over-exaggerated; however, I think the message is really clear! If you want to dive into the film more, Adam Neely made an amazing video going over how “real to life” it actually is! (Full Video Here). It is interesting to see how close they got some parts!
"I love this aspect of the film, because that is what it should be like! Playing in a band should be fun and about a group of mates having a laugh and making music"
Blues Brothers
This is a classic! A true classic! I think anyone in a band needs to watch this, but also anyone in a function band needs to watch this! It is so relatable as to some of the situations you find yourself in. With certain stages, times, and also set lists. So many of us have experienced scenarios similar to the ones in Blues Brothers.
Alongside the amazing story and comedy, the music in this film is some of the best film music ever! It is so good with some huge names appearing in the film as well! Such a timeless classic! When I watch this film, I forget about the storyline and end up enjoying the music so much! So many classic songs! Honestly, it is a must-watch for anyone!
School of Rock
If you want a feel-good film to watch, then look no further than School of Rock! What a classic! A film that made me love the Gibson SG more than I already did! So many good and great lessons from this film. Mainly just rocking out and making music! However, you also see and learn about how a band operates (of course, in a kid-friendly and very washed-down way), the ups and downs a band goes through while preparing for a gig!
What I love most about School of Rock is just how fun it shows being in a band and playing music! I love this aspect of the film because that is what it should be like! Playing in a band should be fun and about a group of mates having a laugh and making music! School of Rock encapsulates that perfectly! If I ever find myself taking music too seriously and getting stressed over it, this is the film that I will put on to bring myself back down and tell myself “it is only music”.
Spinal Tap
This is honestly just a great movie! So many amazing quotes and just so funny! There aren’t any real lessons in this movie, just that it is a good and funny movie and that 11 is one better! If you like simple and funny comedy films, classic rock and honestly, some annoyingly listable music, then this is the film for you! So funny and such an easy watch!
They have put out a Spinal Tap 2 which I have yet to see but am very excited to check out as the reviews seem pretty positive, so I will definitely be checking that film out. I will put my thoughts just below where, so check back to see if I have been to watch it yet!
Conclusion
Hope you liked this proper random article on music films! I always love watching films about music and artists. There were a few that I was going to put on here but didn’t feel they were as strong (to me anyway) as the ones listed above. As I said in the introduction, I may have read too much into these films! However, all art is about taking your own message away from it and this is the message I took from these films.
What music films do you love to watch? Any that I am missing? Let me know as I would love to check some of them out and give them a watch! As always, I might have to do a part 2 to this article if you all send in loads of films!
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