Music changed forever when MTV launched in 1981 with its amalgamation of audio and visual mediums. Since then, the marriage of music and video production has continued to evolve. Indeed, there has been a steady increase in music-related films as of late with the best combining talented acting, compelling stories and top-notch soundtracks. Here is a list of the top three music films in the past five years.
1. A Star Is Born
A Star Is Born is interesting because it is a remake of a remake of a remake. There have been four versions of this movie, and every one has achieved a degree of success. Not only did this film mark Bradley Cooper’s directorial debut, but it was also produced by Heather Parry under Live Nation Productions, which Parry launched in 2015 and whose chief aim is to tell musically-driven stories. The movie garnered an Academy Award, a Golden Globe and a BAFTA for the original music, and its title track, “Shallow”, was one of the top songs of 2018.
2. Straight Outta Compton
Straight Outta Compton is the amazing music biopic of the trailblazing, gangsta-rap group, N.W.A., whose incendiary lyrics made waves from the FBI to the White House in 1986. N.W.A. changed the music industry thirty years ago as a group of young men from South Central, L.A. shared unapologetic, hard truths with the world. Interestingly, Ice Cube’s son played the role of his father. The movie also bravely intermixed original recordings with the actors’ rap voices.
3. Bohemian Rhapsody
Although critically reviewed, Bohemian Rhapsody was the most successful music biopic of all-time. Actor Rami Malek had to wear prosthetic teeth to achieve the Freddie Mercury look. The Live Aid re-enactment captured one of the best rock performances ever. But the best part of the movie was how it depicted Mercury’s humanity as much as his charisma.
Musically-driven content is on the rise with new material slated for release over the next year. The best music films are a blend of acting, story-telling with an angle and a great soundtrack. The films captured here are great recent examples of each of those characteristics.
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