i watched Adventureland the other day and enjoyed it and would recommend it. let me elaborate: i was initially suspicious of the mid-80's setting. with the basic plot sketch i had going in of a young man's coming to terms with life after college graduation, the 1980's setting seemed superfluous and gimmicky...given this synopsis, why set the movie in a time other than the present?
i was proven wrong in two respects--the first being the 80's centric soundtrack. i'm a sucker for a good soundtrack, and a lot of people would argue that it's really not something worth commending a movie for, but the music is fantastic, both purely as a playlist and as a trip through pop music in the 80's...it also strikes a tone worthy of the classic teen, john hughes-style movies to which this one stands in homage...which essentially states point #2: the 80's setting does more than highlight some excellent tunes or channel the sort of retro-phoniness i was worried i was in for--it more or less dresses the movie in a genre.
so i dug up this comprehensive tracklist (w/ scene included) off of this blog (whoever runs it has done everyone a favor, and a noble one at that, and linked to the "buy" page at amazon):
- Opening scene – Bastards Of Young by The Replacements
- West Beirut by Civilian Fun Group
- Opening credits – Here She Comes Now by The Velvet Underground
- Down To Rio by Daniel May
- Funiculi, Funicula by Bob Stuhmer
- Horse game – Modern Love by David Bowie
- Bottles game - Rock Me Amadeus by Falco
- Em gives James a Ride home - Don’t Want To Know If You Are Lonely by Husker Du
- Looking For A Kiss by New York Dolls
- Pleasure Dog by Civilian Fun Group
- Party at Em’s house, after the pool - I’m In Love With A Girl by Big Star
- Connell comes to Em’s house – Taste Of Cindy (Acoustic Version) by Jesus & Mary Chain
- Lisa P is back - Tops by The Rolling Stones
- Singer at bar - Hot Blooded by Louis Grammatico (Foreigner)
- Ride home after the bar - Pale Blue Eyes by The Velvet Underground
- At Connell’s mom’s house – So It Goes by Nick Lowe
- I Need To Know by Rodney Saulsberry
- The Caissons – 5 Alarm Music
- Fireworks – Don’t Dream It’s Over by Crowded House
- Lisa P dancing – Let The Music Play by Shannon
- Video on TV – I Want Action by Poison
- James riding with Connell – Satellite Of Love by Lou Reed
- Razzmatazz - Point Of No Return by Expose
- Second Razzmatazz song – Obsession by Animotion
- Girls In The City by Jamison Rotz
- Just One Girl by Chris Carlisle
- Awkward guy talk to redhead after makeout – Your Love by The Outfield
- America The Beautiful by Bob Stuhmer
- Libiamo (La Traviata) by DeWolfe Music
- In The Ether by Black Swan Lane
- Pot cookies - Just Like Heaven by The Cure
- Running away from bully – Breaking The Law by Judas Priest
- Fixing the rifle game - Dance Hall Days by Wang Chung
- Waltz Of The Flowers by Bob Stuhmer
- What Do You Got Against Love by Sarah Taylor
- Second time at Razzmatazz - In My House by Mary Jane Girls
- Hearts Collide by Rob E C
- Guy with drum sticks sings Rush song – Limelight by Alex Lifeson, Geddy Lee and Neil Peart (Rush)
- Putting eyes on the bananas – Here I Go Again by Whitesnake
American Patrol March by Bob Stuhmer - Jukebox – Pale Blue Eyes by The Velvet Underground (thanks to eyenoise for knowing the song)
- New York City – Unsatisfied by The Replacements
- Closing credits – Adventureland Theme Song by Ian Berkowitz and Brian Kenney
- Don’t Change by INXS
also had me plumb the depths of my itunes library for some 80's classics that i was into at some time or other but had forgotten about. check out a few:
INXS- "Don't Change"
Cars- "You Are the Girl"
Elvis Costello & the Attractions- "Tears Before Bedtime"
that should do it.
on
Thursday, October 8, 2009
1 comment:
always a pleasure merkin. dont let people discourage you from discussing soundtracks! its an art! maybe something you'd be good at.
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