10 Movies With Unexpectedly Brilliant Soundtracks
Hate the movie, LOVE the soundtrack.
When you watch a movie, you often think that you already know what kind of music you're going to be hearing. And sometimes audiences set their expectations pretty low. Maybe the movie's part of a genre that you're not into, or caters to a certain demographic that you're not a part of.
Or maybe you just expect the movie to suck.
But when the protagonist in that tacky romcom you're watching hits their play button on his/her iPod, it isn't always right to assume that some sugary pop dross is going to burst out of the speakers. Sometimes, it can be your favourite band. And when you reluctantly take your little brother or sister to see the latest kiddie flick, it doesn't mean you're going to have to temporarily surrender your good music privileges.
Some movies actually prove that soundtracks aren't necessarily always in line with their films. And just as you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, you shouldn't just a soundtrack by its movie. Soundtracks can surprise by containing songs that are unexpected, odd or just way better than the movie they're made for...
10. The Devil's Rejects
The soundtrack to Rob Zombie's carnival-horror film House of 1000 Corpses wasn't bad by any means. Tonally, it suited the film perfectly, as if it was recorded by the satanic Firefly Family themselves. But, with Zombie performing the majority of the tracks himself, the album only had limited appeal. Occult-themed alternative metal just isn't for everyone.
But the film's sequel, The Devil's Rejects, marked a huge tonal shift from its predecessor, moving away from exploitation horror into what was basically a horror Western/road movie. And the soundtrack followed, covering everything from Southern rock, to Delta Blues and country classics.
One of the most remarkable things about the film is how emotional the demise of the Firefly Family is. You watch them do all manner of horrific things to others. And yet, when it's their turn to suffer, it doesn't feel as gratifying as you know it should. And the soundtrack plays a major role in this. How could you not find watching them drive into a sea of police gunfire to the tune of Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Free Bird" emotional?
With so many vintage tunes, spliced with hilarious dialogue snippets from the movie, it plays like a Tarantino soundtrack and is just as excellent.