Directed by Ari Gold. With Ari Gold, Michael McKean, Shoshannah Stern, Travis Johns, Chi Ling Chiu, Jimmy Jean-Louis, Jane Lynch, Adrian Grenier and Steven Williams. Categories: Comedy, Music. Year: 2008.
Adventures of Power
This documentary chronicles the air guitar sensation that has swept the globe. Contestants from New York to Los Angeles compete in the first ever US Air Guitar Championships for the right to represent their country and possibly become the first American world champion. Using creativity, enthusiam and invisible guitars, competitors rock out for the chance to be named the best air guitarist in the world. Directed by Alexandra Lipsitz. With David S. Jung and Dan Crane. Categories: Documentary, Music. Year: 2006.
Air Guitar Nation
Tired of struggling for success, Chazz (Brendan Fraser), Rex (Steve Buscemi) and Pip (Adam Sandler), the three members of the rock bank The Lone Rangers, decide to break into a local radio station to have their demo played. When their plan backfires and their demo is accidentally destroyed, the band panics and takes the station hostage with a bunch of water guns. With the police outside, Chazz and his friends find an unlikely ally in Ian (Joe Mantegna), a popular DJ, and eventually a hoard of rock fans descend on the station, demanding to hear the band's music. Directed by: Michael Lehmann. With: Chris Farley, Michael McKean, Judd Nelson, Ernie Hudson, David Arquette, Reg E. Cathey and Michael Richards. Category: Comedy, Music, Crime. Year: 1994.
Airheads
William (Patrick Fugit) is a nerdy teen who gets the chance to cover rock 'n' roll for Rolling Stone Magazine in the late Sixties. Encouraged by the critic Lester Bangs (Philip Seymour Hoffman), he goes on tour with the band Stillwater, which is fronted by the charismatic Russell Hammond (Billy Crudup). William's intellectual mother (Frances McDormand) is horrified, but William is in heaven as he gets to know musicians, groupies (Anna Paquin and Fairuza Balk), and even falls in love with the most notorious groupie of all, Penny Lane (Kate Hudson). Directed by Cameron Crowe. With Zooey Deschanel and Michael Angarano. Categories: Drama, Music. Year: 2000.
Almost Famous
After the tree they live in is cut down, three singing chipmunk brothers, Alvin (Justin Long), Simon (Matthew Gray Gubler) and Theodore (Jesse McCartney) find themselves in Los Angeles, where they are adopted by struggling songwriter Dave Seville (Jason Lee). Impressed with the little guys' talent and seeing the opportunity for long-awaited success, Dave sets out to make the chipmunks a musical sensation. But, to achieve their dream and remain a family, Dave and the boys will have to overcome a meddling record executive (David Cross). Directed by Tim Hill. With Cameron Richardson. Categories: Comedy, Family, Fantasy, Based on a Cartoon. Year: 2007.
Alvin and the Chipmunks
Locked in an asylum, Antonio Salieri (F. Murray Abraham), formerly a competent but unspectacular composer, relates his tragic life story to a young priest. A success when he first meets Mozart (Tom Hulce), Saleri eventually sees that his work pales in comparison to Mozart's genius. Salieri's anguish at his own mediocrity manifests itself in anger toward God, whom he has devoted his life. The only release he sees is to renounce the God who mocks him and devise a plan that will lead to Mozart's complete ruin. Directed by Milos Forman. With Elizabeth Berridge, Roy Dotrice and Jeffrey Jones. Categories: Drama, Music. Year: 1984.
Amadeus
Midwestern teenager Sally Kendoo (Mandy Moore) seems to be the favorite for the extremely popular television singing contest, "American Dreamz." When polls reveal that more Americans vote to determine the shows winner than in the presidential election, incumbent U.S. President Joseph Staton (Dennis Quaid) is convinced by his Chief of Staff (Willem Dafoe) and the show's host Martin Tweed (Hugh Grant) to become a guest judge and boost his popularity. Directed by Paul Weitz. With Chris Klein, Jennifer Coolidge, Marcia Gay Harden and John Cho. Categories: Comedy, Music. Year: 2006.
American Dreamz
This documentary chronicles the birth and development of the underground hardcore punk scene from 1979 to 1986. Interviews and rare live footage from artists such as Black Flag, Bad Brains, Minor Threat, SS Decontrol and the Dead Kennedys reveal the heroes behind the music. Directed by Paul Rachman. Categories: Documentary. Year: 2006.
American Hardcore
A talented Irish guitarist (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) and a sheltered cellist (Keri Russell), who share a strong but momementary connection, are torn apart by their circumstances before their love is given a chance to grow. The result of their brief encounter is August Rush (Freddie Highmore), now an orphan living on the streets of New York. Using his unique musical gifts and aided by his odd caretaker (Robin Williams), August sets out to find his birth parents and discover who he is. Directed by Kirsten Sheridan. With Terrence Howard. Categories: Drama, Music. Year: 2007.
August Rush
Will (Gaelan Connell) is a nerdy guy in a new high school. He becomes friends with a brainy girl, Sam (Vanessa Hudgens), who tells him about the upcoming Bandslam competition. The winner will actually get a recording contract. Will decides to go for it, but should he join forces with Sam, or a popular blond (Alyson Michalka)? His mother (Lisa Kudrow) isn't much help. Directed by Todd Graff. Categories: Comedy, Drama, Music. Year: 2009.
Bandslam
Bobby Darin (Kevin Spacey) is the consummate entertainer. After growing up fatherless in the Bronx and learning music and dance from his mother, Darin sets out to become a star. With an already successful music career, he makes his way into movies and meets his future wife Sandra Dee (Kate Bosworth). From then on it's a balancing act between his love of performing and his family life. Directed by Kevin Spacey. With John Goodman and Bob Hoskins. Categories: Biography, Drama, Music. Year: 2004.
Beyond the Sea
An ensemble comedy loosely based on a true story, this film is about a pirate radio station run from a boat in the North Sea in the 1960s. Radio Rock, which broadcast from the boat, shook up Britain with its hardrocking tunes. Rhys Ifans, Nick Frost, Bill Nighy and Philip Seymour Hoffman all play rogue DJs who keep the boat rocking. Kenneth Branagh is a humorless government official who makes it his life's mission to shut the boat down. The soundtrack features classic rock tunes. Directed by Richard Curtis. With Tom Wisdom and Talulah Riley, Kenneth Branagh. Categories: Comedy, Drama, Music, Romance. Year: 2009.
The Boat That Rocked
Eric (Tom Cavanaugh) and Sam (Ben Shenkman) are a happy gay couple whose lives are suddenly turned upside down when a distant relative dies and names them the guardians of a young boy, Scot. The twist is that the tween boy has already decided he is gay and they don't know how to handle this, especially Eric, a former hockey player turned sportscaster, who is still in the closet at work. Directed by Laurie Lynd. With Categories: Drama, Music, Romance, Sport. Year: 2007.
Breakfast with Scot
Leonard Chess (Adrien Brody), founder of Chess Records, scours the South looking for hot new blues talent. After discovering some of the biggest names in music history, including Muddy Waters (Jeffrey Wright), Etta James (Beyoncé Knowles), Chuck Berry (Mos Def) and Willie Dixon (Cedric the Entertainer), Chess sets out to make them famous by selling records out of the trunk of his Cadillac. Directed by Darnell Martin. With Emmanuelle Chriqui, Gabrielle Union, Norman Reedus, Columbus Short, Jay O. Sanders and Eric Bogosian. Categories: Drama, Music, Musical. Year: 2008.
Cadillac Records
After murdering her cheating husband, nightclub singer Velma Kelly (Catherine Zeta-Jones) ends up on Chicago's famed murderess row. Represented by Billy Flynn (Richard Gere), the slickest lawyer in town, Velma's case grabs the headlines and makes her an even bigger star. But, when struggling performer Roxie Hart (Renée Zellweger) joins Velma behind bars, Billy diverts his attention from Velma's case sensing the opportunity to create another tabloid sensation. Instant rivals, Velma and Roxie will stop at nothing to outdo one another in their obsessive pursuit of fame and celebrity. Directed by Rob Marshall. With Taye Diggs, John C. Reilly and Queen Latifah. Categories: Crime, Drama, Music. Year: 2002.
Chicago
Directed by David McNally. With Piper Perabo, Tyra Banks, Adam Garcia, Bridget Moynahan and Maria Bello. Categories: Comedy, Drama, Romance, Music. Year: 2000.
Coyote Ugly
Chaz Davenport (Gabriel Mann) is the proprietor of what promises to be the most popular nightclub in town. Although Chaz is surrounded by the music he loves and has his pick of gorgeous women, he also has to deal with the city's constant blackouts and a menacing loan shark, both of which threaten his dream. Making matters worse, Chaz finds himself in a love triangle with Crystal (Bijou Phillips), the club's star performer, and Madelaine (Izabella Miko), a mysterious and seductive new singer. And, when people close to him begin turning up dead, Chaz must decide who he can trust as he's drawn into the city's darkest recesses. Directed by Rachel Samuels. With Elias Koteas, Jarreth J. Merz and Michael Fairman. Categories: Drama, Thriller, Music, Musical. Year: 2008.
Dark Streets
The life of American composer Cole Porter (Kevin Kline) is told through a series of flasbacks as the elderly Porter is asked to watch a play based on his life. Transported into his world, we gain insight into this artist's complicated career and love life, including the intricate story of Cole and Linda Porter (Ashley Judd), his wife who had to come to terms with and help conceal his homosexuality. Directed by Irwin Winkler. With Elvis Costello, Sheryl Crow, Alanis Morissette and Natalie Cole. Categories: Musical, Romance, Biography. Year: 2004.
De-Lovely
Directed by Oliver Stone. With Val Kilmer, Meg Ryan, Frank Whaley and Kyle MacLachlan. Categories: Biography, Drama, Music. Year: 1991.
The Doors
Effie White (Jennifer Hudson), Deena Jones (Beyoncé Knowles) and Lorrell Robinson (Anika Noni Rose) are three talented girls with voices of gold looking to make it big. They get their big break when they catch the ear of Curtis Taylor Jr. (Jamie Foxx), an unscrupulous manager, who gets them a gig as backup singers for the famous James "Thunder" Early (Eddie Murphy). However, it is only a matter of time before fame takes its toll and Effie, the plump, yet very talented lead songstress is replaced by the beautiful, yet less riveting Deena. Directed by Bill Condon. With Danny Glover, Keith Robinson, Sharon Leal , Hinton Battle and Mariah I. Wilson. Categories: Musical, Drama. Year: 2006.
Dreamgirls
Mrs. Jumbo, the star of a traveling circus, is horrified when the baby elephant Mr. Stork (Sterling Holloway) delivers comes out with enormous ears. Dubbed Dumbo by the other circus workers, he is humiliated into silence and forced to perform in ridiculous clown acts. Lonely and disheartened, it's up to his tiny friend Timothy Q. Mouse (Edward Brophy) to show Dumbo his true value. Directed by Ben Sharpsteen. With Jim Carmichael, Hall Johnson Choir and Verna Felton. Categories: Drama, Family, Animation, Music, Classic. Year: 1941.
Dumbo
Puerto Rican salsa pioneer Hector Lavoe (Marc Anthony), one of the biggest Spanish-language singers in the 1970s, starts the salsa movement and brings it to the US. Despite his passionate relationship with his love Puchi (Jennifer Lopez) and his international recognition, Lavoe is unable to escape the temptation of drugs and his personal pain. Directed by Leon Ichaso. Categories: Drama, Music. Year: 2006.
El Cantante
Rob (Omarion Grandberry), an aspiring NY rapper, flees trouble in the big city for a new home in Puerto Rico. There, he finds a father (Giancarlo Esposito) he never knew and develops a passion for Raggaeton. Together with his half-brother, Javi (Victor Rasuk), Rob sets out to capture his dream no matter what stands in his way. Directed by Alejandro Chomski. With Melonie Diaz and Zulay Henao. Categories: Drama, Music. Year: 2007.
Feel the Noise
A.K. (Eugene Hutz), a Ukrainian immigrant living in England, moonlights as a cross-dressing dominatrix to fund his dreams of rock superstardom. A self-described poet and philosopher, A.K. believes that his rollicking gypsy punk bank, Gogol Bordello, is destined for greatness and will do whatever it takes to turn his dream into a reality. Joining A.K. in his crazy life are his flatmates, Holly (Holly Weston), an aspiring ballet dancer reduced to working as a stripper, and Juliette (Vicky McClure), a pharmacy assistant who dreams of going to Africa to help starving children. Directed by Madonna. With Ade, Olegar Fedoro, Stephen Graham, Richard E. Grant and Inder Manocha. Categories: Comedy, Drama, Music, Romance. Year: 2008.
Filth and Wisdom
An inner city drug dealer (50 Cent), who turned to crime after his mother's death, writes lyrics to keep his sanity while living a violent life. But, after a tragedy that nearly kills him, he turns away from his gangsta lifestyle to pursue his dream of becoming a rap superstar. Directed by Jim Sheridan. With Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Joy Bryant and Terrence Howard. Categories: Biography, Crime, Drama, Music. Year: 2005.
Get Rich or Die Tryin'
They Might Be Giants is the musical pairing of John Flansburgh and John Linnell. Their unique coupling of typically complex and dark lyrics with bouncy melodies has made them an underground sensation for many years. Blending concert footage, music videos, television performances and live interviews, the film attempts to capture both their lives and personalities. Directed by AJ Schnack. Categories: Documentary, Music. Year: 2002.
Gigantic (A Tale of Two Johns)
In December of 1969, the Rolling Stones joined Jefferson Airplane for a free concert at the Altamont Speedway in California. Attended by almost 300,000 people, the concert would go down in history for the disastrous employment of the notorious Hells Angels bikers for security. When fights broke out, the Angels responded ruthlessly and by the end of the day one person was dead. Directed by Albert Maysles, David Maysles and Charlotte Zwerin. With Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and many more. Categories: Documentary, Music. Year: 1970.
Gimme Shelter
David Taylor (Boris Kodjoe) abandoned his pastor father and church-going lifestyle and became a successful R
The Gospel
Tracy Turnblad (Nikki Blonsky), an overweight teenager who loves to dance, is obsessed with "The Corny Collins Show," a hit TV dance party. Every day after school, Tracy and her best friend Penny (Amanda Bynes) run home to watch heartthrob Link Larkin (Zac Efron) and the rest of the show's performers shake their stuff. When Corny Collins (James Marsden) holds auditions to replace a star who has left the show, Tracy seizes her chance to make her dream come true, even though her mother Edna (John Travolta) doesn't approve. Directed by Adam Shankman. With Christopher Walken, Michelle Pfeiffer, Queen Latifah, Brittany Snow, Elijah Kelley and Allison Janney. Categories: Comedy, Musical, Dance, Remake. Year: 2007.
Hairspray
Miley Cyrus, the popular teen singer/actress who plays rock star Hannah Montana, has made a full-length movie. When Hannah gets into a fight with model Tyra Banks in a boutique over a pair of shows, her father, Billy Ray (Billy Ray Cyrus) decides Miley needs to give Hannah a rest for a while and takes her back to her Tennessee hometown. There, where she is known only as Miley, she learns to take care of the animals, ride horses and do chores. She also falls for a handsome neighbor. Directed by Peter Chelsom. With Emily Osment, Lucas Till, and Jason Earles. Categories: Comedy, Drama, Family, Music. Year: 2009.
Hannah Montana: The Movie
Even though he's living out his dream by running a record shop with his music obsessed employees Dick (Todd Louiso) and Barry (Jack Black), Rob Gordon (John Cusack) isn't quite satisfied with hs life because he has yet to find true love. After his latest girlfriend (Iben Hjejle) walks out on him, Rob decides to track down the five women who meant the most to him in order to figure out what he's doing wrong. What he finds is that whether he like sit or not, it might just be time for him to grow up. Directed by Stephen Frears. With Lisa Bonet, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Joan Cusack and Tim Robbins. Categories: Comedy, Drama, Music, Romance. Year: 2000.
High Fidelity
Honey Daniels (Jessica Alba) is a tough, sexy hip-hop dancer who dreams of making it big as a music video choreographer. Teaching hip-hop at a local youth center, Honey is discovered by Michael Ellis (David Moscow), a producer who decides to cast her in his latest music video. But, when Michael ends up being more interested in Honey's body than her dance moves, this determined young woman will have to push herself to the limit in order to show her talents to the world and make her dream come true. Directed by Bille Woodruff. With Lil' Romeo, Mekhi Phifer and Joy Bryant. Categories: Drama, Music, Romance. Year: 2003.
Honey
DJay (Terrence Howard), a drug-dealing pimp from the rundown streets of Memphis, seeks purpose in his life by pursuing his long-buried dream of being a rapper. With the help of his women and an old firend (Anthony Anderson), who happens to be a sound engineer, DJay is able to put together a demo in time to arrange a meeting with a successful local rapper named Skinny Black (Ludacris). But, when things don't go as planned, DJay will have to dig deep and decide if he's going to end up the same old story, or fight his way to the top. Directed by Craig Brewer. With Taryn Manning, Taraji P. Henson, DJ Qualls, Paula Jai Parker, Elise Neal and Isaac Hayes. Categories: Crime, Drama, Music. Year: 2005.
Hustle & Flow
Six actors portray the different eras and aspects of musician Bob Dylan's life and work. Directed by Todd Haynes. With Christian Bale, Cate Blanchett, Richard Gere, Julianne Moore and Heath Ledger. Categories: Drama, Music. Year: 2007.
I'm Not There
After saving the life of a mafia don's daughter, Darrell (Usher Raymond), a successful DJ, is hired to act as the girl's bodyguard. What the don (Chazz Palminteri) doesn't realize is that his daughter, Dolly (Emmanuelle Chriqui), and Darrell have had their eyes on each other for some time, and now things are really going to heat up. Directed by Ron Underwood. With Robert Davi. Categories: Comedy, Crime, Drama, Romance. Year: 2005.
In the Mix
An intense, two-character drama in which Steve Buscemi (who also directed the film) plays Pierre, a serious journalist sent to interview Katya (Sienna Miller), a movie star. Pierre thinks the assignment is beneath him and that Katya will be an airhead. But he finds her to be much more complex and intelligent than he imagined and starts to fall for her. But is she just playing with him? Directed by Steve Buscemi. Categories: Drama, Music. Year: 2007.
Interview
Three music icons - Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin, The Edge of U2 and Jack White of the White Stripes - get together, talk about music and put on a concert/jam session. This documentary was directed by Davis Guggenheim, who made the Oscar-winning film, An Inconvenient Truth. Categories: Documentary, Music. Year: 2008.
It Might Get Loud
Josie (Rachael Leigh Cook), Melody (Tara Reid) and Valerie (Rosario Dawson) are Josie and the Pussycats, a small band with big dreams. When they are approached by Wyatt Frame (Alan Cumming), an evil music producer, the star-struck girls willingly sell their credibility for fame. As their names flood the market, the terrible secret of the music recording industry may not reach them in time to save their own lives. Directed by Harry Elfont and Deborah Kaplan. With Parker Posey, Seth Green and Eugene Levy. Categories: Comedy, Music, Based on a Cartoon. Year: 2001.
Josie and the Pussycats
Edith Piaf (Marion Cotillard), the Little Sparrow, overcomes overwhelming odds to become one of the most beloved singers of the 20th century. Born into proverty in France to an alcoholic street singer and a circus performer, Piaf spends much of her early life in her grandmother's brothel and singing on street corners. After being discovered by a wealthy club owner (Gérard Depardieu), Piaf struggles with alcohol and drug addiction and intense heartache as her magical voice captivates audiences around the world. Directed by Olivier Dahan. With Jean-Pierre Martins. Categories: Biography, Drama, Music, Based on a True Story. Year: 2007.
La Vie En Rose
Lady (Barbara Luddy) is a beautiful, pedigreed cocker spaniel who decides to leave home and follow Tramp (Larry Roberts), a homeless but free spirited mutt. Accompanied by Tramp's friends Trusty (Bill Baucom) and Beaver (Stan Freberg), Lady falls in love and realizes the world is a very complicated place. Directed by Clyde Geronimi, Wilfred Jackson and Hamilton Luske. With Verna Felton, Peggy Lee and Bill Thompson. Categories: Drama, Family, Animation, Comedy, Music, Classic. Year: 1955.
Lady and the Tramp
When Prince Simba Jonathan Taylor Thomas) is born, his uncle Scar(Jeremy Irons), the second in line to the throne, plots to kill King Mufasa (James Earl Jones), and make himself King of the Jungle. Led to believe that his father's death was his fault, Simba flees the kingdom in shame. After years in exile spent palling around with his friends Timon (Nathan Lane) and Pumbaa (Ernie Sabella), Simba learns the truth and returns home to fulfill his destiny. Directed by Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff. With Matthew Broderick, Robert Guillaume, Rowan Atkinson, Whoopi Goldberg and Cheech Marin. Categories: Animation, Adventure, Drama, Family, Musical. Year: 1994.
The Lion King
Raised on a Greek island by her doting mother Donna (Meryl Streep), Sophie Sheridan (Amanda Seyfried) sets out to find her father so he can give her away at her upcoming wedding. Based on Donna's diary, Sophie narrows down the field to three men: Sam (Pierce Brosnan), Harry (Colin Firth) and Bill (Stellan Skarsgård). Inviting all three without Donna's knowledge, Sophie creates quite a spectacle, and, as the big day approaches, Sam sets out to make up for lost time. Directed by Phyllida Lloyd. With Rachel McDowall, Ashley Lilley and Dominic Cooper. Categories: Comedy, Musical, Romance. Year: 2008.
Mamma Mia!
Following rock legends Metallica during the making of their album St. Anger, filmmakers shot over a thousand hours of footage to create this startlingly personal and eye-opening look at what it means to be rock stars. Witness breakdowns, breakthroughs and enough therapy to make even these road-tested veterans question their sense of purpose. Directed by Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky. With James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Kirk Hammett and Bob Rock. Categories: Documentary, Music. Year: 2004.
Metallica: Some Kind of Monster
Washed up pop singer Alex Fletcher (Hugh Grant) sees a ray of hope for his career when he is given an opportunity to compose and sing a duet with current teen sensation Cora Corman (Haley Bennett). Struggling with the lyrics, he stumbles upon Sophie Fisher (Drew Barrymore), whose quirky way with words is just the thing Alex needs to complete the song. While their personalities and styles clash, Alex and Sophie soon find themselves drawn into an unexpected relationship. But, in order to make things work, they'll have to overcome their fears and admit they make perfect music together. Directed by Marc Lawrence. With Brad Garrett. Categories: Comedy, Music, Romance. Year: 2007.
Music and Lyrics
After being dumped by his girlfriend Tris (Alexis Dziena), Nick (Michael Cera), an amateur bassist, feels that his world is crumbling around him. When he spots Tris with a new guy at one of his gigs, he can barely keep it together. But, after a chance encounter with Norah (Kat Dennings), an indie rock-loving girl with love troubles of her own, Nick sets off with her into the New York night in search of a legendary band's secret show. Directed by Peter Sollett. With Aaron Yoo, Ari Graynor, Rafi Gavron and Jonathan B. Wright. Categories: Comedy, Drama, Music, Based on a Novel. Year: 2008.
Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist
Rap legend the Notorious B.I.G. (Jamal Woolard) rises from the tough streets of Brooklyn to become one of the most famous MCs in history. Using the hard realities of his life for inspiration, Christopher Wallace, a.k.a. Biggie Smalls, leaves drug dealing behind and teams up with Sean "Puffy" Combs (Derek Luke) to provide the East Coast's answer to LA's gangster rap movement. While dealing with difficult relationships with his wife Faith Evans (Antonique Smith) and fellow rapper Lil Kim (Naturi Naughton), the pressures of celebrity and a bitter feud with Tupac Shakur (Anthony Mackie), Biggie never loses his lyrical genius and becomes an inspiration to millions of fans. Directed by George Tillman Jr.. With Angela Bassett, Marc John Jefferies and Sean Ringgold. Categories: Biography, Drama, Music, Based on a True Story. Year: 2009.
Notorious
When Everett Ulysses McGill (George Clooney) escapes from a chain gang with his friends, Delmar (Tim Blake Nelson) and Pete (John Turturro), they set out on a journey through 1930s Mississippi to recover a stash of bank loot that Everett buried near his house. Based loosely on Homer's Odyssey, these bandits encounter a series of villains and prophets as they record a hit country song, attempt to win back Everett's ex-wife (Holly Hunter) and do their best to stay one step ahead of an otherworldly lawman (Daniel von Bargen). Directed by Joel Coen and Ethan Coen. With John Goodman and Charles Durning. Categories: Comedy, Adventure, Crime, Music. Year: 2000.
O Brother, Where Art Thou?
This film was the surprise winner of the Oscar this year for Best Foreign Language Film. It stars Masahiro Motoki as Daigo, a cellist who plays in an orchestra that closes down. Looking for a job, he decides to leave the city and answers a classified ad for a business called Departures in his old hometown. He thinks it is a travel agency but it turns out to be a funeral home. Although at first, he doesn't think he will last in this new job, he soon finds a new peace and sense of self in preparing bodies for burial. Directed by Yôjirô Takita. With Tsutomu Yamazaki, Ryoko Hirosue, Takashi Sasano, Tetta Sugimoto and Tôru Minegishi. Categories: Drama, Music. Year: 2008.
Okuribito
Wladyslaw Szpilman (Adrien Brody), a renowned composer and pianist, struggles for survival amidst the violence and inhumanity of World War II. After his family is taken to a concentration camp, Szpilman spends time doing forced labor before escaping to hide in the ruins of Warsaw, scavenging for food and shelter. Just as he is losing hope and succumbing to starvation, he finds help in an unlikely place. Directed by Roman Polanski. With Emilia Fox, Thomas Kretschmann and Michal Zebrowski. Categories: Drama, Biography, War, Music. Year: 2002.
The Pianist
Pink (Bob Geldof) is a musician whose troubled life and many mental and physical problems manifest themselves in the wall he builds around himself as protection from the world. Problems with his mother (Christine Hargreaves), father (James Laurenson) and wife (Eleanor David) are compounded with social problems like WWII in this legendary film based on the music of Pink Floyd. Directed by Alan Parker. Categories: Drama, Music. Year: 1982.
Pink Floyd The Wall
The story of an all-girl band in 1980s Los Angeles, Gina Gershon stars as Jacki. She's the founder and leader of the band, Clam Dandy. She has always said she would quit if she didn't make it by 40 and her birthday is fast approaching. But as she prepares for a performance, and deals with personal problems along with her bandmates (Drea de Matteo, Lori Petty and Shelly Cole) she can't decide what to do. Directed by Alex Steyermark. With Marc Blucas. Categories: Drama, Music. Year: 2003.
Prey for Rock & Roll
Ray Charles (Jamie Foxx) was stricken with blindness at a young age, left defenseless against a world that had little compassion for a disabled black child. Inspired by his mother to overcome the perceived limitations of his handicap, Ray works tirelessly to cultivate his extraordinary musical talents. But, as the pressures of celebrity and life on the road take their toll, Ray must overcome racism, broken relationships and drug addiction to achieve superstardom and international fame. Directed by Taylor Hackford. With Kerry Washington, Regina King and Clifton Powell. Categories: Biography, Drama, Music. Year: 2004.
Ray
In this screen adaptation of the hit Broadway rock opera, Mark Cohen (Anthony Rapp), an aspiring film-maker, has lost his performance artist girlfriend, Maureen (Idina Menzel), to an uptight lawyer named Joanne (Tracie Thoms). Mark's roommate Roger (Adam Pascal) is an HIV-positive would-be musician who has misgivings about getting involved with Mimi (Rosario Dawson), an exotic dancer. Tom Collins (Jesse L. Martin), a disgruntled professor, falls for a transgendered street-drummer, Angel (Wilson Jermaine Heredia). Together this group of down and out friends must grapple with poverty, AIDS, suicide, commercialism and artistic stagnation. Directed by Chris Columbus. With Taye Diggs and Sarah Silverman. Categories: Drama, Musical, New York. Year: 2005.
Rent
After the noble King Richard is hypnotized into joining the crusades, the sinister Prince John (Peter Ustinov) takes over the the throne of Nottingham. Aided by Sir Hiss (Terry-Thomas) and the bullying Sheriff of Nottingham (Pat Buttram), Prince John raises the taxes of the defenseless people of Nottingham and puts them in jail when they can't pay their debts. Their only hope is the noble outlaw Robin Hood (Brian Bedford), who hides out in Sherwood forest, robbing the rich and giving to the poor with the help of his faithful friend, Little John (Phil Harris). After spying the beautiful Maid Marian (Monica Evans), his former girlfriend, at an archery tournament, Robin sets out to free his love and return the throne to its rightful owner. Directed by Wolfgang Reitherman. With Carole Shelley and Andy Devine. Categories: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Music. Year: 1973.
Robin Hood
Schultze (Horst Krause), a retired miner living in a small German village, is a passionate Polka musician who plays the accordion. After hearing a Zydeco tune on the radio, Schultze is enamored with the new music and begins to make radical changes in his life. His passion leads him on a journey to Louisana, where Zydeco music was born. Directed by Michael Schorr. With Harald Warmbrunn and Karl-Fred Müller. Categories: Comedy, Drama, Music. Year: 2003.
Schultze Gets the Blues
In the fall of 2006, Director Martin Scorsese filmed the Rolling Stones during two concerts at New York City's Beacon Theatre. The electric energy of the band's performance is enhanced with archival footage and interviews, as well as news clips which provide context for the band's greatest hits and lesser known gems. Directed by Martin Scorsese. With Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Ron Wood, Charlie Watts, Christina Aguilera and Jack White. Categories: Documentary. Year: 2008.
Shine a Light
A documentary about the controversy surrounding the successful female country band, the Dixie Chicks. When singer Natalie Maines criticized then-president George W. Bush for his Iraq policy in 2003, the group was attacked by right-wing Bush supporters. The Dixie Chicks found themselves heckled in public at every turn. This film examines how they rode out the storm and grew as artists in the process. Directed by Cecilia Peck. With Emily Robison and Martie Maguire. Categories: Documentary, Biography, Music. Year: 2006.
Shut Up & Sing
While searching for his next story, LA Times journalist Steve Lopez (Robert Downey Jr.) happens upon Nathaniel Ayers (Jamie Foxx), a homeless Julliard trained musician who suffers from schizophrenia. Once a promising musical prodigy, Ayers now supports himself by playing violin and cello on the streets. While Lopez attempts to help Ayers get back on his feet and realize his dreams, the two form an unlikely bond that transforms both of their lives. Directed by Joe Wright. With Catherine Keener, Nelsan Ellis, Stephen Root, Tom Hollander, Justin Martin and Lisa Gay Hamilton. Categories: Drama, Biography, Music. Year: 2008.
The Soloist
Joe (Tony Curtis) and Jerry (Jack Lemmon), a pair of unemployed musicians, accidentally witness the St. Valentine's Day gangster murders. To protect themselves from retribution, they disguise themselves as women and join up with an all-female traveling band. While on a train to Florida, the pair fall for the band's beautiful ukulele player (Marilyn Monroe). Eventually, the mobsters track them down and the two use every trick in the book to stay alive. Directed by Billy Wilder. With George Raft, Pat O'Brien and Joe E. Brown. Categories: Comedy, Crime, Music, Romance, Thriller, Classic. Year: 1959.
Some Like It Hot
After not speaking to one another for over twenty years, Floyd (Bernie Mac) and Louis (Samuel L. Jackson), two estranged soul legends, agree to reunite to perform at a tribute concert for their former band leader at the Apollo Theater. Setting out on a road trip, Floyd, a boisterous retired businessman, and Louis, a stubborn ex-convict, butt heads every step of the way and find themselves in a series of uncomfortable predicaments. But, while the two can't seem to agree on anything else, they eventually discover that their music will always connect them. Directed by Malcolm D. Lee. With Jennifer Coolidge, Affion Crockett, Sharon Leal, John Legend, Isaac Hayes and Sean Hayes. Categories: Comedy, Music. Year: 2008.
Soul Men
When Andie (Briana Evigan), a rebellious street dancer, lands at the elite Maryland School of the Arts, she struggles to fit in with a different crowd and hold onto her old life. Joining forces with the school's best dancer, Chase (Robert Hoffman), she forms a crew outcasts and prepares to compete in an underground dance battle. As the long hours of practice lead to a budding romance, Andie finds a way to live her dream without forgetting where she came from. Directed by Jon Chu. With Adam G. Sevani, Cassie, Will Kemp and Danielle Polanco. Categories: Drama, Music, Romance. Year: 2008.
Step Up 2 the Streets
Sean Penn stars as Emmet Ray, in this biopic of a fictional jazz guitarist. The arrogant Ray is considered the second-best jazz guitarist in the world, and he is obsessed with improving his reputation. Meanwhile, he falls in love with a mute woman (Samantha Morton) and gets involved with a high-society floozy (Uma Thurman). Directed by Woody Allen. Categories: Comedy, Music. Year: 1999.
Sweet and Lowdown
A dramatized version of what went on behind the scenes at the legendary Woodstock music festival in 1969, this film focuses on Elliot (Demetri Martin), a young man whose initiative gets things going. When the organizers are denied a permit for a concert in the area, Elliot steps in and offers the use of his parents' rundown motel. He also convinces Max Yasgur (Eugene Levy), a local dairy farmer, to allow the concert to take place on his property. Of course, Elliot never anticipated that the concert would attract hundreds of thousands of hippies. Directed by Ang Lee. With Jonathan Groff, Emile Hirsch and Liev Schreiber. Categories: Comedy, Music. Year: 2009.
Taking Woodstock
Followed by a documentary crew Spinal Tap, a long-past-its-prime British heavy metal band, sets out on a revival tour in the United States after a 17 year hiatus. Documentarian Marty DiBergi (Rob Reiner) follows band members David St. Hubbins (Michael McKean), Nigel Tufnel (Christopher Guest), Derek Smalls (Harry Shearer), Mick Shrimpton (R.J. Parnell) and Viv Savage (David Kaff) on their hilarious journey as they try to reclaim the fame they once had. Directed by Rob Reiner. With Tony Hendra, Fran Drescher and Patrick Macnee. Categories: Comedy, Music. Year: 1984.
This Is Spinal Tap
When her grandson, Champion, is kidnapped during the Tour de France, Madame Souza and her beloved dog Bruno travel across the Atlantic to Belleville and team up with an aged song-and-dance team to rescue him from the French mafia. Directed by Sylvain Chomet. Categories: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Music, Foreign Film. Year: 2003.
The Triplets of Belleville
This documentary focuses on the period of John Lennon's life from 1966 to 1976. During this time, Lennon transforms from a famous rock star into an antiwar activist and is in constant conflict with the US government and its actions. Directed by David Leaf and John Scheinfeld. With Walter Cronkite, Yoko Ono and Geraldo Rivera. Categories: Documentary, Music. Year: 2006.
The U.S. vs. John Lennon
Dewey Cox (John C. Reilly) is a beloved but troubled musician whose songs captivate the nation. On his rocky road to stardom, Cox experiences all the highs and lows of celebrity: female adoration, famous friends, drug abuse and failed marriages. But, after all his trial, Cox becomes a national icon and earns the love of a good woman (Jenna Fischer). Directed by Jake Kasdan. With Paul Rudd, Jack Black, Jason Schwartzman, Justin Long, David Krumholtz, David Koechner, Kristen Wiig and John Michael Higgins. Categories: Comedy, Music. Year: 2007.
Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story
While growing up during the Great Depression, Johnny Cash (Joaquin Phoenix) quickly learns to love music. This film explores the life of this country legend, starting with his early years on a cotton farm to his rise to success. But, the focal point quickly becomes the love he shares with musician June Carter (Reese Witherspoon). Directed by James Mangold. With Robert Patrick. Categories: Biography, Drama, Music, Romance. Year: 2005.
Walk the Line
This time around, Wayne Campbell (Mike Myers) and Garth Algar (Dana Carvey) must fend off a sleazy record producer (Christopher Walken) who has an eye for Wayne's musician girlfriend (Tia Carrere). While Wayne seeks guidance from Jim Morrison to help put together Waynestock, the greatest music festival of all time, Garth meets a beautiful woman (Kim Basinger) who wants him to kill her husband. Directed by Stephen Surjik. With James Hong, Heather Locklear, Olivia d'Abo, Drew Barrymore and Chris Farley. Categories: Comedy, Music. Year: 1993.
Wayne's World 2
Robbie Hart (Adam Sandler), a popular wedding singer, takes pride in turning happy couples' special days into all out '80s celebrations. But, when his fiancee Linda (Angela Featherstone) leaves him at the alter, Robbie becomes an inconsolable, drunken mess. Things start to turn around when Robbie meets Julia (Drew Barrymore), a fun, warm-hearted waitress, but just as he realizes he has feelings for her Julia elopes with a man who doesn't appreciate her. Unwilling to let Julia go, Robbie gives chase to tell her how he feels before it's too late. Directed by Frank Coraci. With Christine Taylor, Allen Covert, Steve Buscemi, Jon Lovitz and Matthew Glave. Categories: Comedy, Romance, Music. Year: 1998.
The Wedding Singer
Frankie Lyman (Larenz Tate), the singer who made the hit record Why Do Fools Fall in Love at the age of 13, died at age 25 and left behind three women, all claiming to be his widow. They come to his manager after his death staking their claims. One is a singer (Halle Berry), formerly of the Platters; one is a petty thief (Vivica A. Fox) from Philadelphia; and one is a teacher (Lela Rochon) in Georgia. Little Richard has a small role. Directed by Gregory Nava. Categories: Biography, Drama, Music. Year: 1998.
Why Do Fools Fall in Love