The new remake of ‘A Star Is Born’ hits theaters this
Friday, October 5. A retelling of the classic film, Bradley Cooper plays
Jackson Maine, a seasoned musician who discovers up-and-comer Ally (played by Lady
Gaga), making music and falling in love. The film is Cooper’s directorial (and
musical) debut. Early reviews are positive, with critics raving about both the
film and its music.
Of course, ‘A Star Is Born’ is not the only film in history
to base its storyline around the musicians. There have been plenty of movies
portraying the ins and outs of music and the music industry. Some of these films take a comedic approach
to the topic while others head in a more dramatic direction.
With ‘A Star Is Born’ ready to hit movie screens, Vinyl Bay777, Long Island’s music outlet, is taking a look at some of the other films based
around music. Here are nine that feature fictional musicians as the main
protagonists.
1.
‘Singles’:
‘Friends’ before ‘Friends’ even existed, ‘Singles’ was the quintessential early
1990s young adult story, centering on a group of friends (some of them
musicians) trying to make it in Seattle. Director Cameron Crowe based the film
off the real life artists in the scene and how they worked to finance their music.
Not only was ‘Singles’ about creating music, but it featured artists from the
Seattle scene as well, including members of Soundgarden and Pearl Jam.
2.
‘8
Mile’: ‘8 Mile’ is the story of a white rapper trying to make it in the predominantly
black Detroit underground hip-hop scene as he tries to clean up his life. Based
loosely on the career of Eminem, who also makes his acting debut in the
starring role, the film was a massive success. The lead single from the film’s
soundtrack, “Loose Yourself,” went on to win both Grammys and Academy Awards.
3.
‘This
Is Spinal Tap’: A comedy about a fictional metal band reuniting for an
American tour, ‘This Is Spinal Tap’ became a cult hit following its release.
The film has been lauded for its realism, with many people (including rock stars)
believing that the band was real. Of course, the band did become real,
releasing a handful of records and performing live together.
4.
‘Almost Famous’: Less so about the bands
performing and more about what happens behind the scenes, ‘Almost Famous’ comes
at you from the perspective of a young reporter tasked with going on tour with
a national headlining band. Based off director Cameron Crowe’s own experiences
writing for ‘Rolling Stone,’ the film gives a real, if exaggerated, view of the
1970s rock scene.
5.
‘Hustle & Flow’: ‘Hustle & Flow’ tells
the story of a man trying to find a new life for himself as a rapper. The film
shows the power of music to save people and change lives, as well as the
struggle to be heard.
6.
‘Blues
Brothers’: Started as a ‘Saturday Night Live’ skit, ‘Blues Brothers’ finds
brothers Jake and Elwood Blues (the classic comedic duo of Dan Aykroyd and the
late John Belushi) reuniting their old blues band to help raise money to save
the orphanage where they grew up. Based on Aykroyd’s love of blues, the film is
mired in it, featuring appearances from legends like Ray
Charles, Cab
Calloway, James
Brown, Aretha
Franklin and more. Like with ‘Spinal Tap,’ the Blues Brothers become an
actual band, releasing a handful of albums and playing live.
7.
‘School of Rock’: ‘School of Rock’ is a comedy
about a former rocker who impersonates a substitute teacher and drafts his
class into becoming his new band. In the end, the class learns about working
together towards a common goal. The story has become a modern classic, spawning
a short-lived television show and a very well-received Broadway stage
adaptation.
8.
‘Tenacious
D and the Pick of Destiny’: ‘School of Rock’ isn’t Jack Black’s only
musical foray. He and real life music partner Kyle Gass also starred in their
own musical film, ‘Tenacious D and the Pick of Destiny,’ a fantasy about a
musical duo (Tenacious D) that goes on a “quest” to obtain a mystical guitar
pick that will increase their skills. Tenacious D has released a couple of
albums in the intervening years since the film and currently have a new
animated YouTube series and album on the way (the first episode is out now).
9.
‘Once’:
The little indie film that could, ‘Once’ featured two artists who met while the
male musician was busking and end up making music together. ‘Once’ stars Glen
Hansard and Marketa Irglova, who performed together as The Swell Season before
disbanding a couple years later. The film’s signature song, “Falling Slowly,”
also became a minor hit.
Over the years there have been a lot of films where music
and musicians take center stage as the main characters. Musicians have been
portrayed in both comedic and dramatic lights, in love stories and in epic
adventures, all dealing with the music as a unifying theme. The latest remake
of ‘A Star Is Born’ joins the pantheon of these films, hopefully doing the
subgenre proud.
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Find music from these films and more at Vinyl Bay 777, Long
Island’s top new independent record shop. From soundtracks to rock, jazz,
hip-hop and more, we have thousands of titles in stock. Browse our wide
selection of new and used vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, music DVDs and
memorabilia in store at our Plainview location or online at vinylbay777.com.
With more titles being added to our selection all the time, you never know what
you might find at Vinyl Bay 777.
