Phil’s Top 5… Film Soundtrack Albums

Phil’s Top 5… Film Soundtrack Albums

by Phil Hobden Other Cr*p Top 5

Each week Phil, from Phil’s Quick Capsule Review, takes a look at a different movie or TV related Top Five.  This time out:Film Soundtrack Albums!

So to be clear here we are not talking actual film soundtracks but the released OST soundtrack albums that are related on iTunes and (in the old days) CD’s.

Close but no cigar:O Brother Where Art Thou?, Reservoir Dogs, Goodfellas, Fight Club, Saturday Night Fever, Drive, Guardians Of The Galaxy, Shooting Fish 


5 – Trainspotting
Danny Boyle’s stand out 90’s British film also delivered a stand out multi platinum selling soundtrack album.  From Iggy Pop To Pulp, it was as eclectic as they come and, as most great OST’s should, it stood alone from the film.  A perfect slice of 90’s British film.

 

4 – The Blues Brothers
One of the best musicals delivers a stand out soundtrack with classic after classic performed by the charismatic Jake & Elwood.  Add in Ray Charles, Cab Caloway, Aretha Franklin and James Brown and you have a perfect slice of Rhythm & Blues.

 

3 – Quadrophenia

One of my favourite albums of all time, Quadrophenia is a journey which stand alongside some of The Who’s best works as well as alongside some of the best concept albums of the 60’s & 70’s.  It’s just brilliant. 

 

2 – Pulp Fiction
Tarantino delivers yet another standout soundtrack after the delights of Reservoir Dogs.  It was an album that adorned the CD collection of almost ever 90’s student and even manages to transcend the film itself.  Continuing his trend for catchy rarely heard tracks with equally catchy dialogue snippets, Pulp Fiction is a slice of a genius director at his best.

 

1 – Natural Born Killers
Yup.  Controversial for some but the Trent Reznor produced album for the Oliver Stone film is like an audio version the film itself, weaving in music, audio and sounds to deliver what is essential an audio play of the movie.  From L7 to Dr Dre and almost everything in between it’s a pulse pounding concept album in it’s own right.  Essential.

 

 

Phil’s 5 Reasons To Watch: Shooting Fish (1997)

Phil’s 5 Reasons To Watch: Shooting Fish (1997)

by Phil Hobden Other Cr*p Quick Review

Phil’s Quick Review takes a look at a film that you may not have seen first time around and lets you know, in 5 concise reasons WHY it deserves your time!

The Plot: In their mid-twenties, Dylan (Dan Futterman) and Jez (Stuart Townsend) are two orphans who are over qualified and under employed. Dylan is a fast talking Yank. Jez is a tongue-tied technical genius with a bad haircut.  Tired of the “rich get richer” syndrome, they decide to exploit it. Their aim is to make a million pounds each and London is their oyster. They use every coupon, enter every free prize draw, and scam anyone who can afford it. But into their lives comes Georgia (Kate Beckinsale) who has her own mission, just as driving, just as inventive, but far more altruistic. She needs money – a lot of money…and in Jex and Dylan she’s struck gold!

 

#1:  It’s the One Of the best British films you’ve never seen
Seriously.  It’s funny, smart and well written and was a real gem of the booming Film4 generation of British films (before Film4 went American and overblown).

 

#2: It introduced the world to Kate Beckinsale 
Okay so it wasn’t her first film but it certainly was the film that started her trajectory to becoming one of the UK’s biggest female actresses.

 

#3: It’s got a great soundtrack!
Taking on the music of the day and following very much in the footsteps of Transpotting, Shooting Fish featured a soundtrack mixture of Brit pop and 60’s classics.  I still play it today!

 

#4: It also launched the career of director Stefan Schwartz
Who I hear you say?  Quite.  But since Shooting Fish Schwartz has worked on some of the best thing on TV – Luther, House, Walking Dead, The Bridge, Dexter, Spooks and Hustle

 

#5: It’s charming
Genuine charm is something rare in films but Shooting Fish and it’s young cast have it in spades. It’s also short, snappy and doesn’t hang around.

 

The Trailer

Phil Hobden