Hello and welcome back to class! (For those of you who were fortunate to have the entire summer off). The Library film blog has kept going and as we begin a new year, what better way to give us a lively start than with a bit of music? It you have not guessed already; September’s blog is about movies with a musical theme (though not full-on musicals). We have the usual four entries, each of which show music in a different light and look at various aspects and instruments with which to play it.
Our first look has a certain classical feel, with Mark Herman’s (The Boy in The Striped Pyjamas) British comedy-drama Brassed Off (1996). Starring Pete Postlethwaite (The Lost World: Jurassic Park), Tara Fitzgerald (Legend), Ewan McGregor (Star Wars, Trainspotting) and Jim Carter (Downton Abbey: The Motion Picture) among others; it focuses on a brass band consisting of miners. Se 10 years after the Miner’s Strike of 1984-85, before the privatisation of British coal, it begins with a wave of pit closures taking place. Gloria Mullins (Fitzgerald) is sent back to her hometown of Grimley; working for the management of British Coal; she is tasked with determining the profitability of the town’s pit. While there she joins the local brass band playing the Flugelhorn and renews a childhood romance with fellow member Andy (McGregor).
The relationship quickly leads the complications as Gloria struggles to keep her true reason or returning a secret. Realising their pit will be closed, the band starts to lose faith and conductor Danny Ormondroyd (Postlethwaite) struggles to keep them committed and focused ahead of the upcoming National’s competition. Danny and his son Phil (who plays Trombone) suffer the most from this series of unfortunate events. The band must pull together for one last hurrah and try to win the nationals amid the closing of their pit, creating a lasting legacy for the group and spreading some spotlight on their struggling industry. Brassed Off received positive reviews at the release but flew under the radar a bit with audiences. Its reputation has grown considerably since however, and it is currently ranked 85th in the BFI (British Film Institute) list of Top 100 British films of all time, being deemed “honest, poignant and powerful.” This relatable and seminal watch is available now on both DVD & e-stream. Watch the trailer (showcasing the lighter side of the film) by clicking the link below:
For our next entry, we fast forward almost 20 years and move from Brass to Jazz bands, in Whiplash (2014). Directed by La La Land director Dave Chapelle, it has none of the musical comedy and all the drama of the former, with the added effect of being based on real life inspirations. It features one of Hollywood’s current heavyweights and an avid up and comer in the lead roles, in JK Simmons (Spider-Man trilogy) and Miles Teller (Top Gun: Maverick, Divergent). Teller takes on the role of Andrew Neiman, a first-year student and jazz drummer at the prestigious Shaffer Conservatory in New York, hoping to fulfil his childhood goals and leave a legacy like that of his idol Buddy Rich (a famous real-life Jazz drummer!). A few weeks into the semester, Terence Fletcher (Simmons) recruits him the conductor and bandleader of the Conservatory’s studio band as an alternate drummer. To his horror, Andrew begins to discover that Fletcher is strict and ruthless on his students, being both physically and verbally abusive
Determined to impress Fletcher and become the core drummer of the band, Andrew becomes very single-minded and focuses solely on practising his drumming. This has an adverse effect on his personal life, with his relationships with his family and girlfriend severely deteriorating, though he eventually succeeds to the position of core drummer. The remainder of the film details his struggle to retain the position and both his emotional & mental health struggles with Fletchers demands for the band. Highlighting themes of perfectionism, dedication, and success; Whiplash was a critical darling, earning mostly rave reviews and several awards (including a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for Simmons). Henry Barnes of The Guardian called it a rare film “about music that professes its love for the music and its characters equally.” It did however receive a few criticisms for its interpretation of Jazz history. You can observe this pulsating epic only on DVD from the Library right now. Observe one of the film’s most intense scenes by clicking the link below:
From the overly dramatic to the much more light-hearted we switch focus to Jason Moore’s millennial filled Pop romp, Pitch Perfect (2012). Featuring the likes of Anna Kendrick (Twilight, Trolls), Brittany Snow (Hairspray), Rebel Wilson (How to Be Single, Bridesmaids), Adam Devine (The Lego Batman Movie) and Elizabeth Banks (The Hunger Games, Power Rangers); it highlights the long-standing a Cappella style of music (singing without the accompaniment of instruments, with their sound usually produced by human voices). Formed using a loose adaptation of Mickey Rapkin’s non-fiction book ‘Pitch Perfect: The Quest for Collegiate a Cappella Glory’ and the directors own experiences at university, it tells the story of the Barden Bellas (the all-girl a cappella group of the fictional Barden University in America). This story is told from the perspective of mainly one Bella, Beca Mitchell (Kendrick), a freshman who had no desire to study further and only chose to attend the University to appease her father (a professor there).
After a rather embarrassing loss at the 2011 ICCA (International Championships of Collegiate A Cappella – that is a real competition!) to their male rivals the Barden Treblemakers, the Bellas attempt to regroup by recruiting some new members from the freshman’s. Though interested in music, Beca has no aspirations to join Bellas when invited to audition, she instead joins the local radio station and becomes close to a young man named Jesse there (he eventually joins the Treblemakers). Following a hilarious conversation/audition in the showers with Chloe (Snow, one of the co-leads of the Bellas), Beca changes her mind and auditions for the group. Having been granted membership; along with a few others; she quickly becomes their star voice. With their new blood in tow and renewed purpose, the Bellas fight to regain the respect of their industry and prove their relevance by competing again in the 2012 ICCA regionals competition.
Pitch Perfect was positively received by critics and even more favourably received by audiences, gaining quite the following. It was heavily praised for its musical performances and soundtrack. It even did so well at the box-office that it spawned not one but two sequels! Both of which are available to watch alongside the original on e-stream, anywhere, anytime. The first film in the franchise is also available on DVD only in the Library. Whet your appetite for this musical masterpiece and experience the aforementioned shower scene by clicking the link below:
I finish with what is undoubtedly the writer’s choice for this month, a childhood favourite of mine, Richard Linklater’s School of Rock (2003). Starring the incredibly funny Jack Black (Tropic Thunder, Kung Fu Panda), plus three lovely ladies in the form of: Joan Cusack (Toy Story, Working Girl), Sarah Silverman (Wreck-it-Ralph) and Miranda Cosgrove (Despicable Me); it showcases the narrative of one man’s love of rock music, his desire to play it again and using it to influence the next generation.
When rock band No Vacancy performs at a nightclub to prepare for an audition for the annual Battle of the Bands competition, Guitarist Dewey Finn’s (Black) on-stage antics (that cause the end of the performance) result in his firing from the band. Adding to his woes, his roommate Ned Schneebly and Ned’s overbearing girlfriend Patty tell he must pay his overdue rent or be forced to move out. While attempting to sell some of his music equipment for rent, Dewey answers a phone call meant for Ned from Principal Mullins (Cusack) or Horace Green prep school, offering Ned a short-term position as a substitute Maths teacher. Due to his increasing money woes, Dewey impersonates Ned as is given the job. His first day does not go well however and he becomes known as Mr. S. thanks to not being able to spell Neds last name to his class. After observing his students’ talents in their music class, Dewey forms an elaborate idea to get more money as well as continue his musical dream. He creates a rock band with the students, making sure even those not chosen to play an instrument or sing have a role to perform.
Merely two weeks after his hiring, Dewey accelerates the plan by sneaking the band members out of class for an audition for Battle of the Bands (with the aim of using a portion of the winnings to placate his money problems). Though they are unsuccessful at first, they manage to win round the audition panel after a little creative thinking on manager Summer’s (Cosgrove) part. From then on, Dewey continues to rehearse with the band in class, all while trying to conceal his activities from both the principal and the real Ned. Detrimental as it is to the students Math’s grade, they all begin to learn new skills and overcome various insecurities in their lives thanks to Dewey’s teachings, gaining newfound confidence through the band. Though it remains to be seen if the band have what it takes to win the competition, their journey to get there is one hell of a ride itself! School of Rock was an unprecedented success, becoming the highest-grossing music-themed comedy of all time (disregarding inflation), before ironically being dethroned by Pitch Perfect 2! Owing to its ever-increasing popularity, it has since inspired a stage musical that opened on Broadway in 2015 and a short-lived but fun TV series the following year with continuous talks of a possible sequel. You can get rocking along with these youngsters now with the DVD available for loan only in the Library. See the band come together in this clip by clicking the link below:
So why not start the year by watching the music filled hits! Whether its soothing classical or Jazz music or pumping Pop or Rock, we have it all in these must-see movies in the Library. Come and watch then now!
Not sure how to access e-stream? Then simply click on the link below…
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