Tag Archives: Dan Aykroyd

Sound & Motion Pictures: great character introductions

Gentle readers, here’s another post on amazing combination of music and film. This time it’s about how characters (mostly, lead characters) are introduced to the audience and songs that helped making them emblematic and enduring in our collective memory. The following is a top 5 of my favorite intros.

1. Jake and Elwood, The Blues Brothers –  She Caught the Katy, The Blues Brothers (1980)

From a cult movie, this intro to both the film and the characters is iconic. It was James Belushi’s favorite blues song.

 

2. Harmonica – Man with a Harmonica, Ennio Morricone (1968)

Charlie Bronson shows who’s boss from the get-go on the unforgettable notes of Morricone’s music.

Did you bring a horse for me?

Looks like we are shy one horse.

You brought two too many.

Absolute badass!

 

3. Jesus Quintana, The Big Lebowski  – Hotel California, The Gipsy Kings (1988)

Nobody fucks with the Jesus!

Do I really need to add any word to this?

 

4. John Connor, Terminator 2 – You Could Be Mine, Guns ‘N’ Roses (1991)

Sulking teen with a penchant for motorcycles… and future legendary leader of the human resistance against the machines… What can I say? It works very well with the energy and grit of Guns ‘n’ Roses.

 

5. James Bond, Dr. No – James Bond theme, Monty Norman (1962)

That’s how it all began! Suave and wordly Mr. Bond’s first appearance is both charming and intriguing. The memorable theme plays softly in the background. Sean Connery will always be my favorite incarnation of 007.

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Filed under Odds and ends, Sound & Motion Pictures

Behind the Candelabra

Director: Steven Soderbergh, Main Cast: Matt DamonMichael DouglasRob LoweDan Aykroyd

It’s the story of the turbulent relationship  between an aged Liberace and a much younger man, Scott Thorson. It is based on the latter’s autobiographical novel: all the glitter and glamour of fame and money, living the life in Las Vegas as, basically, a boy toy. It is a honest telling showing both lights and shadows of Scott’s life with Liberace. Michael Douglas does a pretty impressive job as Liberace, he’s also helped by the outrageous costumes and setting. Matt Damon is quite good, though he lacks the ability for a truly nuanced performance. The use of bright, happy colours for the first part of the film and then a more subdue light is spot on, a trademark of Soderbergh, to get the audience more involved in the story.  Enjoyable and unconventional. —7.5/10

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Filed under Seen at the cinema