5. Across 110th Street Bobby Womack Jackie Brown
Ill admit the previous entry is more iconic, though that doesnt necessarily mean its a greater use of music. Across 110th Street by Bobby Womack is the soundtrack not only to the wonderful title sequence, but also plays over the final scene and end credits of Jackie Brown, bookending the film. The song was used in the 1972 Blaxploitation film of the same name and although Tarantino denies Jackie Brown is a Blaxploitation movie itself, the use of Across 110th Street is a not so subtle nod to the genre. Tarantino uses the song almost like a theme tune for the film. The lyrics concern someone doing what they have to, to survive, but the use of this song for the films title sequence and credits mean so much more than that. As with the previous Jackie Brown entry, it is really the atmosphere the song helps to create that makes it a great choice. Jackie Brown, more than any of Tarantinos movies before or since, uses music in a far more emotive way. Jackie Brown is Tarantino turned down a notch, although it can be entertaining when he shows off, he doesnt have to show off all of the time. Jackie Brown opens against a pale blue mosaic wall, as Pam Griers Jackie Brown slides in from the right the camera follows her. Dressed in blue, she stands out against the pastel-coloured world around her. As yet we dont know a lot about Jackie, but she appears in control, even as the titles finish the camera is only interested in her. At the end of the film, as Robert Forsters Max Cherry fades into a blur, Tarantino again focuses on Jackies face as she drives away. When Tarantino uses music, be it diegetic or otherwise, hell often let the music do the talking, his music is intentionally prominent, hes has decided to use music for a scene and he wants you to hear it. Here Tarantino just leaves the camera on Jackie and lets the song play. Jackie, surely an emotional mess yet, as always, maintaining her ice-cool exterior, mouths along to the second chorus of the song before the credits role in one of the most beautiful moments from any of Tarantinos movies. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OObFFe6yfgg