By Tia Bradley
Sound on Screen: Leicester's Favourite Music Films
Thu 20 Aug 2020
To celebrate our Sound on Screen takeover, we recently asked you over on our social media platforms to tell us what your favourite music film was.
You didn’t disappoint, we had loads of great responses and have collated some of the most popular into this handy list; perfect if you want to delve deeper into the music film genre.
Grease (1978), dir. Randal Kleiser
We owe Grease a lot and let us tell you about it, Stud.
Not only did the film grace us with karaoke classics like Summer Nights and Grease Lightning, it also had a huge cultural impact that has resulted in a mass of T-Bird and Pink Lady-themed Hen and Stag Do’s.
Also shout-out to that iconic opening title sequence.
Available to watch on Amazon Prime Video.
La La Land (2016), dir. Damien Chazelle
In hindsight, life was simpler when La La Land was falsely announced as the winner of the Best Picture Oscar (Moonlight FTW)!
The film that seems to divide audiences, Damien Chazelle’s musical is full of jazz, dancing, sing-along hits and rather surprisingly, quite a substantial amount of whistling from Ryan Gosling.
Available on Netflix.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975), dir. Jim Sharman
It’s just a jump to the left, then a step to the rig-h-h-h-t!
A cult classic that is a firm favourite among Phoenix staff members and customers, this rip-roaring, LGBTQ+ extravaganza features the magnificent Tim Curry as the sweet transvestite Dr. Frank-n-Furter.
Spinal Tap (1984), dir. Rob Reiner
A solid 11/10, this hilariously mockumentary is essential viewing for all music fans.
With every scene a triumph, Spinal Tap follows a filmmaker making a documentary about a once-super-famous, now forgotten British heavy metal band returning to the States for one epic concert tour.
Available to watch on Amazon Prime Video.
Quadrophenia (1979), dir. Franc Roddam
A momentous film for Mods, Quadrophenia is the first film to feature on this list which isn’t musical. Loosely based on The Who‘s 1973 rock opera of the same name, the band don’t actually appear in the film but The Police frontman Sting makes his feature debut as Ace Face.
The ultimate Mods vs Rockers clash stars Phil Daniels as Jimmy, a young 1960s London-based Mod on an odyssey to Brighton.
The Little Shop of Horrors (1986), dir. Frank Oz
Frank Oz’s bizarre cult classic needs to be seen to be believed, featuring super catchy songs and of course, a giant man-eating plant.
With an impressive 90% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, it’s hardly a surprise that there are talks of another adaptation starring Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson and Taron Egerton – that’s enough to get us excited already!
The Happiness of the Katakuris (2001), dir. Takashi Miike
The Sound of Music meets Dawn of the Dead in director Takashi Miike’s finest, albeit eccentric horror-comedy which expertly combines stop-motion animation, elaborate musical numbers and… zombies.
When the visitors of the Katakuri family’s country inn start to arrive in a series of suicides, murders and unexplained deaths, they decide to bury the bodies to save their reputation.
Singin' in the Rain (1952), dir. Stanley Donen & Gene Kelly
It’s not a surprise that this musical masterpiece features on this list.
Not only does it showcase the artistry of Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds and Donald O’Connor, the film is also responsible for much-loved numbers Make ’em Laugh, Moses Supposes and of course the exuberant title track.
Rocketman (2019), dir. Dexter Fletcher
Rocketman burning out his fuse up here alone!
A truly one-of-a-kind biopic which somehow perfectly balances the dark gritty side to fame and fortune with real warmth and humour. Full of elaborate dance scenes and sing-along classics from Elton John, this biopic will leave you smiling from ear-to-ear – whether you’re an Elton fan or not.
Climax (2018), dir. Gaspar Noé
A lesser-known film on this film, Climax originally screened at Phoenix as part of our ‘Cinema Bizarre’ strand.
Directed by Gaspar Noé, this hypnotic and hallucinatory film depicts a party that descends into delirium over the course of one wintry night.
Available on Netflix.
Moulin Rouge (2001), dir. Baz Luhrmann
Similar to his other films, Baz Luhrmann weaves new cover versions of songs from varying genres into one love story set at the Moulin Rouge in turn of the century Paris.
A musical triumph, the film bounces back and forth between modern tracks and big Broadway-style ballads. Some of the most well-respected names in music signed on for the project, including David Bowie, Beck, Bono, Timbaland and Fatboy Slim. The film also gave us the naughtier version of Lady Marmalade from Christina Aguilera, Lil’ Kim, Pink and Mya.
Almost Famous (2000), dir. Cameron Crowe
Pretty much every young music journalist’s dream comes true in this cult classic comedy-drama.
Featuring some of Hollywood’s shining stars, including Frances McDormand, Kate Hudson, Billy Crudup and Zooey Deschanel, the film tells the story of a high-school aspiring journalist who is given the chance to write for Rolling Stone about an up-and-coming rock band, with him accompanying them on their tour.
School of Rock (2003), dir. Richard Linklater
Well you’re not hardcore unless you live hardcore!
Definitely one of the more family favourite music films on this list, Jack Black stars in arguably his best role as Dewey Finn, a fake substitute teacher who mentors his class into a rock band.
So much fun that it was adapted into a rockin’ West End show. There’s even a new TV version but the less we dwell on that the better.
Blinded by the Light (2019), dir. Gurinder Chadha
Baby we were born to run!
A brilliant representation of multicultural Britain and packed with fun and heartfelt moments, Gurinder Chadha’s glorious musical is a joyful essential watch and will make a Bruce Springsteen fan out of everyone.
The Blues Brothers (1980), dir. John Landis
Wall-to-wall soul music and outrageous car chases make this one of the most loved music films ever.
Jake Blues, just released from prison, puts together his old band to save the Catholic home where he and his brother Elwood were raised.
Available on Netflix.