If you're a pop culture junkie, you're most likely obsessed with both movies and music. And when those two elements intersect, it's a beautiful thing! That's why this crop of films, which revolve around both fictional and real musicians, is a special one (plus, it goes without saying that the soundtrack is always a winner). Inspired by this week's release of Country Strong, we've made our own list of the most memorable music movies.
Jason Segel became friends with the Swell Season — the duo behind the music in Once — when he sent them wine in an LA restaurant. So last night when the band played in LA, the members asked him to write and sing a song for his audience. "Advice?" he asked. "Give as much personal information as possible," they said. And so he did, by giving out his phone number and asking disease-free ladies who liked what they saw in Forgetting Sarah Marshall to give him a ring. So I did! The number rang a few times and went to a voicemail with Jason asking callers to email him. You know what? Forget it, Jason Segel.
Variety has issued its annual Women's Impact Report, highlighting women who have made an impression at all levels of entertainment. Just like last year, the list includes executive powerhouses, household-name performers, and lesser-known talents. Over the next couple of weeks, I'll be spotlighting some of the women whom I find particularly noteworthy. Today's pick: musician and actress Marketa Irglova.
Irglova made her grand entrance as a performer in Once, the 2006 film starring her and Glen Hansard as a pair of musicians who spent a week writing their own love story in song. But she made an even bigger splash at the Oscars, when she and Hansard won the award for Best Original Song. Hansard got to speak, but Irglova didn't, and she was initially ushered offstage. But then, in a moment that several of you called an Oscar favorite, Jon Stewart brought her back onstage, where she delivered a brief speech on the nature of hope and art.
Variety didn't get to speak with Irglova for the Impact Report story, but that one speech was enough to earn her a mention, so it's worth reproducing part of it here:
This is such a big deal, not only for us, but for all other independent musicians and artists that spend most of their time struggling, and this, the fact that we're standing here tonight, the fact that we're able to hold this, it's just to prove no matter how far out your dreams are, it's possible. And, you know, fair play to those who dare to dream and don't give up.
Irglova and Hansard, who play music together as The Swell Season, are currently touring and are reportedly at work on another album. In the meantime, I highly recommend checking out this NPR interview with the two of them, which left me with an even greater appreciation for their music and their own love story.
You can watch Irglova's entire acceptance speech and a video of the two of them performing "Falling Slowly" live if you read more
Even if the film Once didn't win you over to the music of Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova, the Oscars just might have. Not only did the two deliver a well-received performance of their song "Falling Slowly," they also won the Best Original Song award — not to mention some hearts after after Irglova was cut off at the microphone and then brought back out by Jon Stewart to accept the award with a touching and gracious speech.
Shortly before the Oscars, the pair stopped by the Spinner studio at AOL to perform several of their songs and talk about their partnership. The two had been making music together for years before Once came up, and now the film has gotten them a new, big time record deal. While we're waiting for a follow-up to their film and debut album, the Spinner podcast has much to tide us over — including an mp3 download and cool video of their studio performance of "Falling Slowly." To check out another of the videos, for the song "When Your Mind's Made Up," just read more
The movie Once won for best song last night at the Oscars. When Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova got up to accept the award, though, Glen did all the talking, and by the time Marketa got a chance to speak, the mic was turned off. Ouch! But Jon Stewart saved the day. He invited her back on stage to say what she wanted to say. How can you not love this guy? Swoon.
All of the new DVD releases hit stores (and Netflix) on Tuesdays. So each week in What to Netflix: New DVD Tuesday, I sort through the best of the batch and tell you what to add to your queue. In addition to these titles, you can now find the five-disc collector's edition of Blade Runner.
The Simpsons Movie
In case you missed one of the biggest movies of the summer, you can now enjoy The Simpsons Movie in your very own home. In the movie, one of TV's favorite bumbling dads accidentally contaminates Springfield's water supply, and the town is placed under a giant dome by the government. The Simpsons then need to figure out a way to save the day.
The extras feature an assortment of goodies, including audio commentary by various voice actors and the directors, extended and deleted scenes, and a collection of the promotional stuff they did to generate buzz for the summer release. One of these is Homer's guest monologue on The Tonight Show. Woo-hoo!
Two more titles, so read more
Photo courtesy of CBS
