A Little Bit of Soundtrack Lovin’: Dirty Dancing

One thing I have noticed about myself is that I really LOVE discovering new music through movies. There’s something about it that makes me really happy, especially if the movie becomes a favorite of mine. Actually, my first post for BU Central was about The Perks of Being a Wallflower (*cough* posted on October ninth) soundtrack. It’s really awesome, by the way. On account of that initial post, I decided that I would make a series of some of my favorite movie soundtracks, starting with Dirty Dancing, my favorite movie.

I’ve literally seen Dirty Dancing a gazillion times. I know the words. I know the dance moves. I know the scenes. My sisters get really annoyed with me when I watch it because I jump around, dancing and singing, and ultimately, creating a huge ruckus because I just really love the movie, especially its soundtrack. I definitely have to credit some of my love for 50s and 60s blues music to Dirty Dancing. The music is so…original and I wish current musicians made more music like it. Here are my favorite songs from the movie. I hope you like them as much as I do.

Enjoy,

Ayolah

P.S. Stay tuned for my next post in the Soundtrack Lovin’ series. I don’t know when it’s coming – could be weekly or every other post – but just know it’s in preparation. Also, know that not every full song is shown. Most parts are scenes from the movie. They’re arranged in no particular order, regarding the movie.

“Do You Love Me” – The Contours

Great music. Nothing more, nothing less.

“Love is Strange” – Mickey & Sylvia

Okay, you don’t really don’t even need the whole song for this. You just need to know this scene. It’s so timeless. Watch it. Love it. Learn it. Eat it.

“Love Man” – Otis Redding

In which Baby “dances dirty” for the first time and I have a really good laugh at her first attempt.

“Hungry Eyes” – Eric Carmen

I used to hear this song on the radio so much, but until I realized Dirty Dancing was my favorite movie, I never really paid much attention to it. I love it now.

“Cry to Me” – Solomon Burke

Viewer discretion advised: This scene is a bit racy for the most part, but the mushy part at the beginning kind of cancels it out in my opinion. With the thought of seeing a shirtless Patrick Swayze, I can forgo the sentimental crap.

Yummy.

“She’s Like the Wind” – Patrick Swayze

Yes, ladies, Patrick could sing. Rest in peace, man.

“(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” – Jennifer Warnes and Bill Medley

It’s right after the whole “Nobody puts baby in a corner” situation. This dance scene is so lovely, so epic, so amazing. What girl didn’t want to dance dirty with Patrick Swayze? Good gosh. And you can’t forget the old biddies dancing 4:05 into the video. Priceless.

“Stay” – Maurice Williams & the Zodiacs

I’ve heard a ton of renditions of this song, but this is by far my favorite one of all. I wish the song was longer.

Other songs I really like from the soundtrack: “Be My Baby” by The Ronettes, “In the Still of the Night” by The Five Satins, “Hey Baby” by Bruce Channel, “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” by The Shirelles, and “Some Kind of Wonderful” by The Drifters.

Four days later and I’m still fangirling about The Perks of Being a Wallflower.

So, this weekend, a friend and I went to see The Perks of Being a Wallflower. Considering how long we’ve been waiting for it to come out, we were pretty excited. Okay. Truth is, I only had the pleasure of reading it this summer while everyone else I know read it years ago, but that doesn’t decrease from the excitement I felt. Of course, I was a bit worried about the movie doing the book justice because typically movies aren’t comparable to the actual book. But the movie did not disappoint, let me tell you! Everything was perfect. * cough cough* I cried like a little baby….The movie was so accurate (for the most part), the actors were great for their characters, the cinematography was lovely, and the musical selections were so incredible. Which leads me to this blog post. The soundtrack. It is….

 Freaking FUCKING AMAZING!!!

Let me just say that Perks has one of the best movie soundtracks I’ve ever heard, if not the best. And I’ve heard my fair share of movie soundtracks, I assure you. Some of the songs I was already pretty familiar with (thanks to my eclectic, yet amazing taste in music), but most of them I had never had the chance of hearing before the movie. Anyway, I’ve taken the time to put my favorite songs from the soundtrack  into this entry. I hope you love them as much as I do.

Enjoy,

Ayolah

“Asleep” - The Smiths

I’m still trying to figure out how to describe this song in words. In all honesty, it’s a bit  depressing when you know the lyrics to the song. And yet, it’s so beautiful and poetic. I feel like it’s one of those songs that stops you in your tracks and forces you to sit and delve into its lyrics, its melody, everything about it. Though its an 80s song, I think any young person can relate to it – it tells the story of being lost in a world that you don’t want to live in anymore so instead you just want to sleep until you wake up in a new, better world. I don’t know about you guys, but with everything that happens around the world today, I can definitely relate to the meaning of this song.

“Come On Eileen” - Dexy’s Midnight Runners

I’m having serious trouble trying to choose between this track and “Asleep” as my favorite song from Perks. “Come on Eileen” is so happy and teen-sy and upbeat! It’s the only dance number on the soundtrack as well. The carelessness of the song and its scandalously-sneaky lyrics are so fun and reminiscent of the 80s. The dance scene in the movie was wonderful.

“Teenage Riot” - Sonic Youth

“Something” - The Beatles

This song isn’t on the soundtrack, but it is mentioned in the novel. And I think it’s such a relevant song when it comes to how Charlie felt about Sam.

“Landslide” - Fleetwood Mac

“Landslide” actually isn’t featured on the soundtrack, but the song is so important in the book that I featured it here. In the book, this is the real “tunnel song,” not “Heroes” by David Bowie as the movie depicts it. Just a penny for your thoughts.

“Heroes” - David Bowie

The “tunnel song” from the movie. There’s been a bit of distress over the switch for the “tunnel song.” Personally, I think that “Heroes” is a bit more befitting for the movie. The book had an underlying dark, tragic tone that “Landslide” worked well for while “Heroes” is a bit more upbeat and, honestly, feels more “infinite” in my opinion.

“Tugboat” - Galaxy 500

“Where Eagles Dare” - The Misfits

I HAD TO. How rude would it be of me to leave out this song when it is so perfect for the movie? If you’ve witnessed the movie, then I hope you remember when Sam welcomes Charlie to the gang and says, “Welcome to the island of misfit toys.”

These are the other songs from the soundtrack:

“It Could Be Another Change” - The Samples

“Temptation” - New Order

“Evensong” - The Innocence Mission

“Low” - Cracker

“Dear God” - XTC

“Charlie’s Last Letter” - Michael Brook

“Pearly Dewdrops’ Drops” - Cocteau Twins

And even still…there are songs that the book references, but the movie does not include:

“Nights in White Satin” by The Moody Blues, “MLK” by U2, “Daydream” by Smashing Pumpkins, “Vapour Trail” by Ride, “Dear Prudence” by The Beatles, “Time of No Reply” by Nick Drake, “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana, “Gypsy” by Suzanne Vega, “Another Brick in the Wall (Part II)” by Pink Floyd, “Scarborough Fair” by Simon & Garfunkel, “Dusk” by Genesis, “Autumn Leaves” by Nat King Cole, and “Broken Wings” by Mr. Mister.

I’m sure that I’m missing a few or so, but these are the songs that I’ve taken a liking to and I hope you do too!

(My) Most Anticipated Movies of 2012

Bonjour mes amis,

Lately my senioritis has really kicked in, and I’ve found myself watching a unhealthy amount of TV and movies. I’m super excited for this summer, because a ton of excellent movies are supposed to come out this year. So today, I bring you my TOP 6 MOVIES TO LOOK FORWARD TO IN 2012 LIST OF EPICOSITY! So lets begin…

1) The Avengers (May 4th)

What it is: When supervillain Loki reemerges with a plan that threatens the fate of the Earth, S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Nick Fury assembles a team of the world’s most powerful heroes to fight back.

Why you should care: Iron Man , The Incredible Hulk, Thor, Captain America… it’s all been leading to this. Marvel has spent the past few years individually building up each of its franchises for this superhero smorgasbord, and based on the film’s impressive trailer – which showcases great-looking action and convincing chemistry between the many leads – the effort was worth it. Some Marvel films (Iron Man) have been better than others (Iron Man 2), but it’s hard to imagine how director Joss Whedon could drop the ball this close to the end zone.

Watch the trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPoHPNeU9fc

2) Prometheus (June 9th)

What it is: A team of explorers fights a battle at the edge of the universe in order to save the human race.

Why you should care: With both Alien and Blade Runner under his belt, Ridley Scott is one of the undisputed kings of Hollywood sci-fi, and lingering rumors that Prometheus will somehow cross paths with the Alien franchise have fans champing at the bit. The screenwriting presence of Damon Lindelof—one of the minds behind TV’s Lost—doesn’t hurt either.

Watch the trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sftuxbvGwiU

3) Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (June 22nd)

What it is: Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, discovers vampires are planning to take over the United States. He makes it his mission to eliminate them.

Why you should care: It’s freaking Abraham Lincoln, murdering the crap out of freaking vampires! What could possibly be better than watching the greatest president of all time killing the sparkles out of Edward Cullen? Nothing – that’s what.

Watch the Trailer Here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34x6m-ahGIo

4) Dark Knight Rises (July 20)

What it is: Eight years after the events of The Dark Knight, Gotham City is threatened by the menacing terrorist Bane, forcing Bruce Wayne to put on the cape and cowl once again.

Why you should care: Christopher Nolan’s third and final entry in the Batman franchise, which started with Batman Begins and set the gold standard for superhero films with The Dark Knight, has already amassed a deafening level of hype, and rightly so. Though The Dark Knight’s terrifyingly amoral Joker will be impossible to replace,The Dark Knight Rises comes loaded with potential, including villain Bane (Tom Hardy) and antihero Catwoman (Anne Hathaway). Though much of its storyline remains shrouded in mystery, the film’s “prologue,” which is currently airing before select IMAX screenings ofMission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, features a tense, gripping airplane stunt that’s as thrilling as anything we’ve seen in the series. Trust Nolan to bring his franchise to the definitive ending it so richly deserves.

Watch the Trailer Here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GokKUqLcvD8

5) The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (December 14th)

What it is:Hobbit Bilbo Baggins joins a group of dwarves to reclaim treasure stolen by a fearsome dragon.

Why you should care:Peter Jackson set the template for the modern blockbuster franchise, pleasing Lord of the Ringsvirgins and superfans alike with his stunningly well-realized adaptations of J.R.R. Tolkien’s beloved trilogy. Though The Hobbit is a lesser book than any of the Lord of the Rings novels, it’s hard to resist another invitation to Middle-Earth. And with Jackson at the helm once again, and the promise of returning cast members like Elijah Wood, Andy Serkis, and Sir Ian McKellan, this adaptation (and its sequel, coming next year) should flow perfectly into theLord of the Rings trilogy.

Watch the Trailer Here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0k3kHtyoqc

6) Django Unchained (December 25th)

What it is: A former slave attempts to rescue his wife from a Mississippi plantation.

Why you should care: Quentin Tarantino’s Oscar-nominated Inglorius Basterds was a thrilling, audacious revenge flick cleverly disguised as a World War II film. Django Unchained applies the same methodology to the Civil War era, with Leonardo DiCaprio playing against type as a barbaric villain. Like most of Tarantino’s films, many of Django Unchained’s details are still being kept quiet, but we can expect the usual: great acting, sharp dialogue, and a killer soundtrack.

Watch the Trailer Here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqjie7dpwoI

Happy movie watching everyone!