When Popular Musicians Make Movie Soundtracks

There was a time when your favourite rock guitarist stayed exactly that, and when your dance music makers stuck to the dancefloor anthems. Not anymore, this is the 21st century, and huge amounts of equipment are available readily to even modest guitarists and songwriters, combine this with the fact that the movie industry holds much more authority (and cash) than the music industry, and you can see why more and more musicians are turning their hand to composing for the silver screen. This article explores some examples of movie soundtracks specifically made for films, and the glastonbury headliners and dancefloor fillers who created them. You might be surprised.

Jonny Greenwood - There Will Be Blood

The Radiohead guitarist was tasked with writing a score for Paul Thomas Andersson's Oil barron drama based on the novel by Upton Sinclair. The soundtrack was nominated for numerous awards and is a million miles away from 'Creep'.

Chemical Brothers - Hanna

The Chemical Brothers are more widely known for their hugely popular dance tracks, but in 2011 they composed the score for Joe Wright's action movie 'Hanna'. Full of synths and beats as you would expect, the twosome provide a great soundtrack to this thriller.

Mastodon - Jonah Hex

What better for a DC Comic based movie than heavy guitar riffs and rip-roaring beats. The film is far from a classic but Mastodon's brutal score is definitely one of it's highlights. Oh, and Megan Fox strutting her stuff in tight leathers, of course.

Daft Punk - Tron Legacy

A similar style to the Chemical Brothers' score already mentioned. Daft Punk were the first of the two groups of dance-mongers to take on a soundtrack, dropping their four to the floor beats in the cinema instead of the dancefloor. The electronic soundscape provides a perfect fit for this modern remake of an 80s sci fi classic.

Karen O - Where The Wild Things Are

More commonly known for fronting the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Karen O turned to movie soundtracks in 2009, composing for the visual spectacle 'Where the Wild Things Are'. A cutesy and pretty score for a film which wont go down in history as an all time classic, but made a load of kids (and some adults) very happy.

Trent Reznor - The Social Network and The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor put down the guitars and picked up some synths for this blazing soundtrack for "that Facebook movie". He teamed up with Atticus Ross here to create a soundtrack that was met with huge critical acclaim before taking on the English remake of cult classic The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo.

Movies to Get You In the Mood for Football Season

Football season is right around the corner. In fact, the pre-season is already underway. Get in the mood for the excitement of football season with these movies.

Little Giants
Football isn't just about professional players, it's also about the little ones just starting out and playing pee-wee football. A pair of brothers take their sibling rivalry onto the football field in this movie. The town's existing team, the Cowboys, battles it out with the newly formed Little Giants. Both teams learn that football is about more than winning; it is also about friendship and teamwork.

The Blind Side
In the Blind side, Michael Oher touches us with his kindness and his ability to rise above his difficult childhood with the help of a loving new family and his abilities on the football field. The Blind Side is based partially on the true story of offensive lineman, Michael Oher.

We Are Marshall
We are Marshall is based on the tragic true story of the plane crash that took the lives of most of the Marshall University football players and coaching staff in 1970. The movie is full of sadness and grief, but also a beautiful display of courage as a new team is formed with the few remaining players along with some new inexperienced players. Amazingly, after a crushing loss at the first game, this team wins at its first home game of the season. This movie is a wonderful example of the way football can bring people together, even following a terrible tragedy.

The Waterboy
The Waterboy will make you laugh, but you will also cheer for Bobby Boucher as he finally stands up for himself and finds success in college and on the football field. Bobby starts out as a water boy who dropped out of high school, but ends up earning his GED, starting college, and playing football after he is encouraged by the coach. He even finds the strength to stand up to his overprotective but well-intentioned mother.

Any Given Sunday
Anything can happen in football. As the name of the movie suggests, something miraculous can happen "any given Sunday". In this movie a team that is part of the Associated Football Franchises of America is struggling. Willie Beamen, the third string quarterback, is forced to play after injuries are sustained by both the starting and back-up quarterbacks. Beamen ends up surprising the team with his abilities, but his selfish attitude does not impress his coach or his teammates. Beamen is given the chance to prove himself again at the end of the movie, and he changes his selfish ways. This movie reminds us that the unexpected is always possible in football; watch it and get excited for the surprises to come this football season.