With the release of tons of movies each year, while many make an impression, some can be classified as a one-time watch. But what makes some movies memorable is their soundtrack, which not only encapsulates the essence of the movie but also uplifts the scenes presented onscreen.
- Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist (2008)
This one surely had some really memorable and lovable scenes and was an easy, breezy teen rom-com. But somehow, it got lost in the crowd, as its storyline was full of cliches and couldn’t live forever in the annals of the rom-com genre. Still, its music tracks, like We Are Scientist’s “After Hours” and The Real Tuesday Weld’s “Last Words,” made the soundtrack really impressive.
- Elizabethtown (2005)
With a big star cast and a formula-based storyline, this movie, while having some moments of magic, didn’t resonate in the minds of the audiences for long. Too many dialogues made the movie somewhat dull, with nothing meaningful to say. The soundtrack, however, was truly brilliant, equally heartwarming and sweet. Director Cameron Crowe, who had previously worked on ‘Almost Famous,’ surely gets the music right.
- Saturday Night Fever (1977)
While the movie was well appreciated for its depiction of young love with very famous dance sequences, its storyline many felt was really flat. This movie popularised disco music to the next level and its soundtrack went platinium fifteen times. Bee Gees became a household name with ’Stayin Alive’ which is still admired to this date along with classics by Kool & the Gang and KC.
- Garden State (2004)
Continuing with his ‘Scrubs characters’ comic timing, Zach Braff wrote, directed, and starred in this movie, which had its heart in the right place but couldn’t resonate onscreen. Marred by melodrama, this flick could surely have done better in terms of its storyline and direction. However, the soundtrack was so good that it won the Grammy Award for Best Compilation Soundtrack Album for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media. It featured tracks by The Shins, Coldplay and Simon and Garfunkel.
- Twilight (2008)
Well many people have a lot of opinions about this vampire-clad movie, but one thing is undeniable is that its soundtrack did win the hearts of the audience. Some believe that the soundtrack made this movie even more enjoyable and a sure guilty pleasure. It had tracks from Paramore, Linkin Park, and Radiohead, and the best was “Eyes on Fire” by Blue Foundation.
- Purple Rain (1984)
Prince’s obsession with the colour purple is known far and wide; besides this being a very iconic movie for Prince’s fans, it also has one of the most commercial and critical soundtrack successes, even grabbing an Academy Award for Best Original Song Score. While some critics have touted it as one of the greatest musicals of all time, some do not agree with its exemplary title. But one thing is clear, which is that songs like ‘Purple Rain’ really come once in a lifetime.
- Romeo + Juliet (Baz Luhrmann, 1996)
A very popular movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes, this one skillfully depicts one of the most romantic plays ever written. Ofcourse this one was filled with melodrama since the story calls for it, one thing which stands out is its soundtrack. Not using a traditional soundtrack, it had songs like ‘Lovefool’ by The Cardigans and “Talk Show Host” – Radiohead that surely stirr the soul.
- Guardians of the Galaxy
This movie franchise uses songs from the ’60s and ’70s which is constantly listened to by the main character Quill on his Walkman so that he feels connected to Earth. Nostalgia and memory plays a big part in curating the soundtrack which includes classics like “Hooked on a Feeling” by Blue Swede, “Cherry Bomb” by The Runaways, and “Escape (The Piña Colada Song)” by Rupert Holmes.
