Friday, September 5, 2008

Music Videos Part 1: Movies

One of my favorite things to do on the internet is to watch music videos on youtube. I think this is because I did not grow up in a household with cable television, which meant no MTV. No MTV meant no music videos (even though MTV doesn't play music videos anymore). To my delight, it is always fun when I find a music video that pays homage a film that I enjoy. Some might think it lacks new creativity, but I find it cool if the memembers of I band I like also like the same movies I do.



The Decemberists, "Sixteen Military Wives": Rushmore
The Decemberists + Rushmore + a political message = epitomy of awesome. I believe I first saw this music video on Pitchforkmedia.com 'Best Music Video' lists. It's an obvious rip off of Rushmore. I remember the writer for the article's response to that was, more things should rip-off Rushmore. I couldn't agree more.





Chris Walla, "Sing Again": The Life Aquatic
Like many people, I absolutely love Death Cab for Cutie. With that said, I do NOT like Chris Walla solo. This song does not sit with me well, and this music video is extremely annoying. I think part of it is the obvious homage to the Life Aquatic Team Zissou costumes, but what made the Team Zissou uniforms so interesting is that they were all subtely different to fit each character. It is obvious in this video that it's the same stupid had and ugly blue shirt. I understand they don't have a large budget, but then they shouldn't have even tried. Ugh, just ugh. I also don't like the concept of everyone singing. Am I overreacting? This is the only video that I'm going to talk about that I don't like. Moving on...




The Shins, "Phantom Limb": Rushmore

These plays are directed by Max Fischer. Seriously!




Stars, "Your Ex-Lover Is Dead" - Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

Sigh, I love Stars. I love Eternal Sunshine. People laying down on cracked ice, definitely Eternal Sunshine. Stars' song could have very easily been in the soundtrack to the movie, but they did the next best thing and put the movie into their song. And that time you thought I was sad, I was trying to remember your name.

3 comments:

natatat said...

I commenting this because it is so lame, but I've given it: the only music video I could think of to contribute was that yellowcard Ocean Avenue video. I can't be sure but I'm PRETTY certain that it is at least BASED on run lola run. The first time I saw it I was like, wait, what? Because there are these references but they dont hit you over the head with it like they do with a lot of allusions.
i'd seen the decemberists video before i saw rushmore and, needless to say, i was very confused.

natatat said...

wow lots of typos. that should be : I refrained from commenting this for so long because it is so long, but i've finally given in.

yeah. i know. i dont know how it got that way either.
in my defense there was a lot of cut and paste in the beginning of that comment.

natatat said...

WHOA! another typo in my correction. 'because it is so lame'. wow. i should really start proofreading.