Looking for a movie recommendation - lots of specifics inside
June 21, 2018 10:35 AM Subscribe
I would like to find a third studio quality movie to screen together as a set, in chronological order (of the story), set a decade-ish either before Velvet Goldmine or after 24 Hour Party People.
Velvet Goldmine - 70's glam
24 Hour Party People - 80's punk to mid-90's club
The movie should be set in a well-established music scene, be fun (basically not too depressing/negative), based on a true story (or actual rumors, etc, but not a fictional story), and must have a great soundtrack specific to the era the story takes place in. It doesn't have to be set in Britain, but it must be about the scene as much as any specific character. As such, it should include an ensemble cast, and not say, a biopic about a specific musician/band, but could focus around one person's story. Big plus if the movie plays full songs, live or as videos, and not just in the background. Basically, I want Velvet Goldmine for the 60's or 90/00's.
Also, it would be great if the movie uses clever plot devices, like the two other movies in this triad. Velvet Goldmine is a journalistic investigation of a prior incident, but also told in flashback, with a "twist" ending. 24 Hour Party People is narrated by a 4th wall breaking character, who is also a key player in the scene.
Some no's would be... I didn't care much for Party Monster, plus it's just not a fun story. Also, I've seen Singles, but I can't remember much about it other than I was disappointed with it. Of course, I haven't seen it since it came out, so perhaps it may fit, and the soundtrack looks promising. And although I loved it, Control wouldn't fit because it's too centered on Joy Division/Ian Curtis.
Any suggestions?
Velvet Goldmine - 70's glam
24 Hour Party People - 80's punk to mid-90's club
The movie should be set in a well-established music scene, be fun (basically not too depressing/negative), based on a true story (or actual rumors, etc, but not a fictional story), and must have a great soundtrack specific to the era the story takes place in. It doesn't have to be set in Britain, but it must be about the scene as much as any specific character. As such, it should include an ensemble cast, and not say, a biopic about a specific musician/band, but could focus around one person's story. Big plus if the movie plays full songs, live or as videos, and not just in the background. Basically, I want Velvet Goldmine for the 60's or 90/00's.
Also, it would be great if the movie uses clever plot devices, like the two other movies in this triad. Velvet Goldmine is a journalistic investigation of a prior incident, but also told in flashback, with a "twist" ending. 24 Hour Party People is narrated by a 4th wall breaking character, who is also a key player in the scene.
Some no's would be... I didn't care much for Party Monster, plus it's just not a fun story. Also, I've seen Singles, but I can't remember much about it other than I was disappointed with it. Of course, I haven't seen it since it came out, so perhaps it may fit, and the soundtrack looks promising. And although I loved it, Control wouldn't fit because it's too centered on Joy Division/Ian Curtis.
Any suggestions?
Quadrophenia for the 60's mod scene.
posted by cazoo at 10:47 AM on June 21, 2018 [4 favorites]
posted by cazoo at 10:47 AM on June 21, 2018 [4 favorites]
Oh, sorry, maybe the fictionalized aspect doesn't fit your criteria.
posted by cazoo at 10:56 AM on June 21, 2018
posted by cazoo at 10:56 AM on June 21, 2018
I don't think this is quiiiite what you are looking for, but Kurt and Courtney is a really fascinating grunge-era hangover of a movie. It's a documentary, and it's sort of about the (preposterous) theory that Courtney Love put a hit on Kurt Cobain, but it features a true murderer's row of burnt out hangers-on eager to talk about the glory days of the Seattle grunge scene. (Obviously) no Nirvana music is featured, but some other great tunes from the period are.
posted by cakelite at 11:03 AM on June 21, 2018
posted by cakelite at 11:03 AM on June 21, 2018
Hmm, what about the other Cameron Crowe rock-n-roll flick: Almost Famous. It's semi-autobiographical so I think it fulfills the fictionalized-but-not-wholly-fictional wish.
posted by missmobtown at 11:04 AM on June 21, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by missmobtown at 11:04 AM on June 21, 2018 [2 favorites]
Almost Famous is Cameron Crowe's fictionalization of his early career as a music journalist, in the early 70s, so pre-glam.
posted by praemunire at 11:08 AM on June 21, 2018
posted by praemunire at 11:08 AM on June 21, 2018
What about 8 Mile for 90s/2000s?
I've never heard of Not Fade Away by David Chase, but it looks like the kind of thing you are looking for, for the 60s.
posted by He Is Only The Imposter at 11:14 AM on June 21, 2018 [1 favorite]
I've never heard of Not Fade Away by David Chase, but it looks like the kind of thing you are looking for, for the 60s.
posted by He Is Only The Imposter at 11:14 AM on June 21, 2018 [1 favorite]
Possibly Stoned, the bio pic about Brian Jones and (early) Rolling Stones might tick a few of your boxes.
Adantange: it has Ben Whishaw as Keith!
Disadvantage: it’s not very good (15 on Rotten Tomatoes, ouch). But it’s watchable?
posted by vunder at 11:14 AM on June 21, 2018
Adantange: it has Ben Whishaw as Keith!
Disadvantage: it’s not very good (15 on Rotten Tomatoes, ouch). But it’s watchable?
posted by vunder at 11:14 AM on June 21, 2018
Purple Rain?
posted by lovecrafty at 11:47 AM on June 21, 2018 [5 favorites]
posted by lovecrafty at 11:47 AM on June 21, 2018 [5 favorites]
10 years after 24 Party People, set in a music scene (and explicitly about that scene), fun, great soundtrack specific to the era, set in Britain, great ensemble cast, lots of clever bits and pieces of storytelling like 24 Hour Party People... Human Traffic!
posted by iivix at 12:02 PM on June 21, 2018 [4 favorites]
posted by iivix at 12:02 PM on June 21, 2018 [4 favorites]
I can't think of film that partners better with Velvet Goldmine and 24 Hour Party People than Human Traffic for stylistic, tonal, and thematic consistency.
posted by iivix at 12:07 PM on June 21, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by iivix at 12:07 PM on June 21, 2018 [2 favorites]
Sid and Nancy -- don't know if it's too depressing, but it's great.
posted by nantucket at 12:25 PM on June 21, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by nantucket at 12:25 PM on June 21, 2018 [1 favorite]
Maybe Backbeat? I can't remember how extensive the musical sequences were, though.
posted by Rube R. Nekker at 12:30 PM on June 21, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by Rube R. Nekker at 12:30 PM on June 21, 2018 [1 favorite]
Grace of My Heart is set in the 60s & early 70s and is centered on musicians operating out of the Brill Building in NY, and then later, the California sound in, natch, CA. Written and directed by Allison Anders, stars the fabulous Ileana Douglas, John Turturro, Matt Dillon, Bridget Fonda, Patsy Kensit, and Eric Stoltz. Always been one of my favorites.
There's also That Thing You Do, set in the 60s.
posted by ImproviseOrDie at 12:30 PM on June 21, 2018 [5 favorites]
There's also That Thing You Do, set in the 60s.
posted by ImproviseOrDie at 12:30 PM on June 21, 2018 [5 favorites]
It's been so long since I've seen it that I'm not positive it meets your criteria but perhaps It's All Gone Pete Tong? Roger Ebert's review even references 24-Hour Party People (which I loved). It's part mockumentary and part biopic.
posted by mireille at 12:32 PM on June 21, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by mireille at 12:32 PM on June 21, 2018 [1 favorite]
Not abusing the edit window: You asked for not-fiction. Grace of My Heart's main character was reportedly based on Carole King, and the Bridget Fonda character was modeled after Lesley Gore.
posted by ImproviseOrDie at 12:33 PM on June 21, 2018
posted by ImproviseOrDie at 12:33 PM on June 21, 2018
I'd remembered it as being set at Spike Island (I think there must be some footage earlier on in the film about it), but it turns out my memory's false, and The Stone Roses: Made of Stone follows The Stone Roses through their 2012 reunion gigs/tour. It's great, and genre-wise, it gloms pretty well to just after 24 Hour Party People, but obviously the actual time it's filmed is much more modern.
It's good, though. Very good, as the linked review says.
posted by ambrosen at 1:13 PM on June 21, 2018
It's good, though. Very good, as the linked review says.
posted by ambrosen at 1:13 PM on June 21, 2018
Oasis: Supersonic for the nineties. Lots of music, does some fun things visually, and it almost starts where 24 Hour Party People ends. Even though I was Team Blur back in the day, I really loved it.
posted by betweenthebars at 1:57 PM on June 21, 2018
posted by betweenthebars at 1:57 PM on June 21, 2018
I was trying to think about other musical genres and came up with Dreamgirls, based on the story of The Supremes and Motown. Fab cast and performances.
I also realized I don't know what "third studio quality" means so I inadvertently glossed over that -- not sure if my suggestions fit that category!
posted by missmobtown at 2:26 PM on June 21, 2018
I also realized I don't know what "third studio quality" means so I inadvertently glossed over that -- not sure if my suggestions fit that category!
posted by missmobtown at 2:26 PM on June 21, 2018
Just to be awkward I'm going to suggest Morvern Caller which is fictional and extraordinarily weird and has an amazing sound track and came out in 2002.
posted by glasseyes at 2:33 PM on June 21, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by glasseyes at 2:33 PM on June 21, 2018 [1 favorite]
This is really a left turn from the two films you mentioned, but.....Straight Outta Compton?
posted by kuanes at 2:52 PM on June 21, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by kuanes at 2:52 PM on June 21, 2018 [2 favorites]
Spinal Tap is probably one of the most accurate films about the rock music scene, set kinda between the two time frames mentioned.
posted by ovvl at 4:27 PM on June 21, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by ovvl at 4:27 PM on June 21, 2018 [1 favorite]
Almost Famous is 70s so I don't think it counts and would compete with Velvet Goldmine.
You could try The Boat That Rocked for 60s. Or the Hendrix biopic that came out a couple of years ago. The Uschi Obermaier biopic (forget the name) could be cool. If you want actual "scene" movies that were MADE IN the 60s, message me, because that shit is my specialty!
posted by ElectricGoat at 6:44 PM on June 21, 2018
You could try The Boat That Rocked for 60s. Or the Hendrix biopic that came out a couple of years ago. The Uschi Obermaier biopic (forget the name) could be cool. If you want actual "scene" movies that were MADE IN the 60s, message me, because that shit is my specialty!
posted by ElectricGoat at 6:44 PM on June 21, 2018
Response by poster: Such great suggestions, and I will watch all the movies suggested! I've added Grace of My Heart to my list, looks exactly like what I'm looking for.
Some suggestions don't really fit though... I'm specifically looking for true(-ish) stories, so i think Human Traffic, which looks amazing, but isn't a true story (right?)... or suggestions focused on a specific artist/band, like 8 mile and Straight Outta Compton don't fit. Both are amazing movies (I own both) but for this question, are too focused on the artists specifically. And That Thing You Do, I mean, who doesn't love the Oh-Need-Ders... but again, not a real story. And Spinal Tap. I mean, that's a class all by itself, but not what I'm looking for either :)
Oh, and Almost Famous, I think that's a great fit too, but, I'm looking for a soundtrack (which AF's is great) to be from the times. Stillwater (which I understand to be an analog for the Allman Brothers?) plays original music for the movie. I'm looking for music actually from the era. Please keep suggesting if you have more. I can't wait to watch all these movies.
BTW, if I'm wrong on any of these, like say, That Thing You Do is modeled off a real band, please correct me!
Thanks!
posted by Pig Tail Orchestra at 6:54 PM on June 21, 2018
Some suggestions don't really fit though... I'm specifically looking for true(-ish) stories, so i think Human Traffic, which looks amazing, but isn't a true story (right?)... or suggestions focused on a specific artist/band, like 8 mile and Straight Outta Compton don't fit. Both are amazing movies (I own both) but for this question, are too focused on the artists specifically. And That Thing You Do, I mean, who doesn't love the Oh-Need-Ders... but again, not a real story. And Spinal Tap. I mean, that's a class all by itself, but not what I'm looking for either :)
Oh, and Almost Famous, I think that's a great fit too, but, I'm looking for a soundtrack (which AF's is great) to be from the times. Stillwater (which I understand to be an analog for the Allman Brothers?) plays original music for the movie. I'm looking for music actually from the era. Please keep suggesting if you have more. I can't wait to watch all these movies.
BTW, if I'm wrong on any of these, like say, That Thing You Do is modeled off a real band, please correct me!
Thanks!
posted by Pig Tail Orchestra at 6:54 PM on June 21, 2018
Response by poster: Oh yeah, I started replying only to explain the phrase "third studio quality" and I completely forgot. How you should read that is:
I would like to find a studio-quality movie, to be an additional film (the 3rd movie) in a set of (2) movies I already have queued up. Does that help?
And missmobtown, I'm utterly embarrassed to say that I've never seen Dreamgirls. Thanks for reminding me!
posted by Pig Tail Orchestra at 7:02 PM on June 21, 2018 [1 favorite]
I would like to find a studio-quality movie, to be an additional film (the 3rd movie) in a set of (2) movies I already have queued up. Does that help?
And missmobtown, I'm utterly embarrassed to say that I've never seen Dreamgirls. Thanks for reminding me!
posted by Pig Tail Orchestra at 7:02 PM on June 21, 2018 [1 favorite]
Krush Groove is about the founding of Def Jam Records, staring Russel Simmons and most of the label’s original talent.
Cadillac Records about Chess Records staring Beyoncé as Etta James and Yasiin Bey (Mos Def) as Chuck Barry.
posted by chrisulonic at 3:42 AM on June 22, 2018
Cadillac Records about Chess Records staring Beyoncé as Etta James and Yasiin Bey (Mos Def) as Chuck Barry.
posted by chrisulonic at 3:42 AM on June 22, 2018
That Thing You Do is a low level Beatles parody, which is clear if you are really steeped in Beatles-lore. I think it does a good job of generally capturing the attempts of American bands to cash in on the Beatles' success, too.
The Rutles: All You Need is Cash functions similarly, as a commentary on the Beatles without being directly about the Beatles, though it's much closer and more clearly humorous, like Spinal Tap.
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 8:47 AM on June 22, 2018 [1 favorite]
The Rutles: All You Need is Cash functions similarly, as a commentary on the Beatles without being directly about the Beatles, though it's much closer and more clearly humorous, like Spinal Tap.
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 8:47 AM on June 22, 2018 [1 favorite]
Completely out of left field, but have you considered the reggae crime film The Harder They Come? It is loosely based on the brief real life of original rude boy Ivanhoe Martin.
posted by ivan ivanych samovar at 8:13 PM on June 22, 2018
posted by ivan ivanych samovar at 8:13 PM on June 22, 2018
How about something like The Boat that Rocked / Pirate Radio? Set in 1966, awesome Soundtrack, based on a true story. About the DIs rather than the artists though.
posted by DarthDuckie at 11:59 PM on July 1, 2018
posted by DarthDuckie at 11:59 PM on July 1, 2018
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Pig Tail Orchestra at 10:39 AM on June 21, 2018