PT Anderson’s (my favorite living filmmaker) new film is coming out this Fall. It looks like another masterpiece. Even though Anderson insists this film is NOT about Scientology and NOT about L. Ron Hubbard, I hope he has a decent legal fund at his disposal.
One of John Williams’s best and in my opinion, most underrated scores. Composed for director Brian DePalma’s 1978 follow-up to “Carrie,” “The Fury” wasn’t as successful, which is probably why the score (and the film, for that matter) has either been forgotten or ignored. It’s on Netflix instant and is worth a look. Overall, I’d give the movie 3-stars. It’s DePalma at his best … and his worst. However, the ending is pretty spectacular and will either have you convulsing in hysterical laughter or running for the nearest toilet to hurl, depending on what a sick fool you are.
The theme song for Paul Schrader’s underrated and wonderfully bats–t crazy Freudian horror film from 1982, in its better original version recorded for the film. (There’s a remake on Bowie’s gazillion-selling 1983 album “Let’s Dance,” which is decent, but not as good as this one). Quentin Tarantino had the good taste to include this on the soundtrack for “Inglorious Basterds” during the scene where Shoshanna gets ready for a night of revenge.
A beautiful hymn to old Hollywood and the perils of fame and ambition. I’ve never been able to confirm if this song has ever been used during an Oscars night montage, but I would be dumbfounded if it hasn’t. If anyone knows when and if this was ever used, I’m all ears.
The one Johnny Thunders song most people know and would agree is a classic. Covered by everyone from Guns ‘n’ Roses to Ronnie Spector. Put to great use not only in Martin Scorsese’s “Bringing out the Dead” but also on “The Sopranos.”
Seriously, aside from Martin Scorsese and Wes Anderson, Quentin Tarantino has the best taste in pop music of any living director. Who else but QT would remember (and use) this stellar rocker that was first heard in director William Friedkin’s notorious (and underrated) gay slasher film “Cruising”? Anyway, the song was impossible to find for years, but is now easily available on the “Death Proof” soundtrack. Thanks, Quentin for not only your great taste in music, but for making so much of it available on your soundtracks.
If you need further proof that the Top 40 is sometimes the safe haven for terrific songs that don’t fit in anywhere else, here we go again. Before Bob Marley … before Jimmy Cliff … this reggae song hit the U.S. Billboard Top Ten back in 1969. A great, classic song. Effectively used in Gus Van Sant’s 1989 film “Drugstore Cowboy.”
Dave's Strange World 