soundtracks

For my birthday, I got two tickets (for me and my mum) to go and see the Sound of Music on-stage at the Birmingham Hippodrome. Apart from being irrationally excited about this, it got me thinking about movies and their soundtracks. Recently I've been more interested in listening to soundtracks than I have artist's albums, I guess they just remind me of the film and they are usually good to sing along to. So seeing as I haven't posted in a while, I thought I would give you a few examples of my favourites, old and new. Maybe it'll inspire you to listen, maybe you will think "oh what terrible taste!"

1. The Sound of Music

Despite how old fashioned or cheesy people might say this is, I think this film is wonderful. Julie Andrews has a beautiful voice, and the songs have become classics. My favourite things, ironically, is my favourite song from this soundtrack, and I think it sounds particularly good when played on a proper record player.

2. Cabaret

I first watched this film when I was part of film club, a recommended extra curricular activity while I was doing my A level in film studies. I love the way that the club is shown, and how beautiful the costumes are! Again, another leading lady with a wonderful voice, Liza makes the songs her own in every scene for me.

3. Atonement

The reason I have chosen this is because of just one arrangement of music - the way that the tapping of the keys on the typewriter transforms into a dramatic piece of music impresses me every time I watch the movie, almost as much as Kiera's amazing green dress.

4. The Twilight Saga - New Moon

This soundtrack is one that I can listen to without really thinking about the fact that the music featured on a film. The songs sound fantastic individually, as well as heard together on the album. The scene in which the camera pans around Bella stands out in my mind as a perfect song choice, with the simple and haunting melody provided by Lykke Li.

5. Footloose

Kevin Bacon, dancing. I think that's all that really needs to be said!

6. Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory

In my world, Tim Burton's assassination of this story does not exist. So here I am referring to the original motion picture from 1971, with the wonderful Gene Wilder inviting us to look around and view paradise in his magical chocolate factory. This movie struck a chord with me when I was a child but it was not until I was older that I really appreciated some of the music in it - particularly Verruca Salt's wonderfully bratty song "I want it now".

7. Amelie

The music in this film is simply brilliant. It has such life and such character, which perfectly reflects Amelie herself who is played perfectly by Audrey Tautou. Listening to this music relaxes me, and whenever I put it on I always become more inspired by the world around me.

8. Moulin Rouge

I. Love. Ewan. McGregor. Before seeing this film, I did not - it was his rendition of Your Song, a song I had also previously disliked, that suddenly made me realise that I did infact have a place in my heart for him! In particular, Elephant Love Medley is in my most played list on iTunes, which goes to show what a wonderful song I think it is. I think the way that the song has been put together with lyrics from many well known rock and pop classics is absolute genius, and gives the piece a unique dynamism.

9. Sweeney Todd (The Demon Barber of Fleet Street)

Who knew Johnny Depp could sing? Along with Helene Bonham Carter andJamie Campbell Bower they provide a wonderful soundtrack to this classic horror musical. I will forgive you for this one, Tim.

10. Adventureland

Rock me amadeus!

(images found on Google image search)