Favourite Movie Soundtracks: Part One

A good soundtrack can really enhance a movie; the right musical cue at the right time can stir the emotions, make you cry or laugh, inspire you and make you root for the underdog. An orchestral score can do all that (and more), but for the purposes of these articles, I'd like to focus on original movie soundtracks- collections of songs heard in non-musicals.

There are some truly amazing movie soundtracks out there and here are some of my favourites:

Watchmen

Standout Tracks: 'The Times They Are A-Changin'' by Bob Dylan; 'The Sound Of Silence' by Simon & Garfunkel; 'Hallelujah' by Leonard Cohen

An absolutely storming soundtrack which utilises music cues found in the original comic-book, as well as using other songs to create the world of the Watchmen. The opening sequence, using Dylan's 'The Times They Are A-Changin'' is one of the best openings to a film. Click the video below to see it (NSFW):

Cruel Intentions

Standout Tracks: 'Every You Every Me' by Placebo; 'Secretly' by Skunk Anansie; 'Bittersweet Symphony' by The Verve

Whilst the film itself (a teen remake of Dangerous Liaisons) is a bit of a trashy albeit guilty pleasure, it does have a pretty cool late-90s indie soundtrack. I was heavily into indie music at the time so loved this soundtrack which featured a lot of my favourite songs. For a pivotal moment in the film, ‘Colorblind’ by Counting Crows is used to great effect; see the video below:

Pulp Fiction

Standout Tracks: 'Son Of A Preacher Man' by Dusty Springfield; 'Girl, You'll Be A Woman Soon' by Urge Overkill; 'If Love Is A Red Dress (Hang Me In Rags)' by Maria McKee

Tarantino's films always have an eclectic soundtrack and the mad mix-up of Kool & The Gang, Al Green and Dick Dale means the soundtrack for Pulp Fiction has rarely been bettered. It's also one of the best-selling movie soundtracks of all time. In one of the film's most iconic moments Uma Thurman and John Travolta dance to Chuck Berry’s ‘You Never Can Tell’:

The Adventures Of Priscilla, Queen Of The Desert 

Standout Tracks: 'I Will Survive' by Gloria Gaynor; 'Mamma Mia' by ABBA; 'Save The Best For Last' by Vanessa Williams

A frothy, camp-tastic concoction of disco and dance tunes which ably enhance the drag-show numbers in the film. CeCe Peniston's hi-energy song 'Finally' over the big show at Alice Springs really hits the mark. To see General Zod and Agent Smith in a whole new light, click the video below:

William Shakespeare’s Romeo + Juliet 

Standout tracks: ‘#1 Crush’ by Garbage; ‘Young Hearts Run Free’ by Kym Mazelle; ‘Talk Show Host’ by Radiohead

Much like Tarantino, Baz Luhrmann’s soundtracks are eclectic mixes of different genres and styles and none so more than in his version of Romeo + Juliet. Indie mixes with dance mixes with gospel to create a beautiful soundscape. Romeo (Leonardo DiCaprio) and Juliet’s (Claire Danes) first meeting is marked by the beautiful ‘Kissing You’ by Des’ree. Click below to see this romantic moment in action:

So those are some of my favourite film soundtracks (with more to come). Let me know yours in the comments below.