Best Movie Musicals Since 2002

The American Film Institute (AFI) released an article in 2006 listing the greatest musicals of all-time. While the films on there are fantastic, some I would even call must watches, the most recent films on there are Moulin Rouge (2001) and Chicago (2002). Surely there have been some good musicals since then right? Here are some musicals released since 2002 that the AFI should consider adding to their greatest musicals list (their IMDB links will also be included). In addition to explaining why the movie is great I will also include which song is the must watch performance of the entire film, along with a link to a YouTube video showcasing the performance.

Dreamgirls. Based on the Broadway musical, this 2006 film was a huge success upon its release. Staring Jamie Foxx, Beyoncé, Eddie Murphy, Anika Noni Rose and the acting debut of Jennifer Hudson Dreamgirls follows a girl group as they try to making it big during the 60’s to 70’s. There is a lot of drama, romance and show-stopping performances to satisfy any musical fan. Hudson would win multiple awards, including an Oscar, for her part while Dreamgirls was nominated for others, including three for Best Original Song. Performance to watch: Jennifer Hudson steals the show with the show stopping climatic number “And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going”. Many often say that was the moment Hudson earned her Oscar win.

School of Rock. While this 2003 Jack Black film may be considered more of comedy than musical it doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be considered; it was the highest grossing musical comedy for nearly 12 years. Nominated for a Golden Globe for his performance Black stars as Dewey Finn a wannabe rock star who takes up a substitute teacher at a prep school. Upon discovering his students are musically gifted Finn decides to turn them into a rock group for the upcoming Battle of the Band contest. Black gives one of the best performances of his career whilst also showcasing the incredible young talent of the students. The film was also turned into a Nickelodeon TV series and a Broadway musical. Performance to watch: “The School of Rock” by Black and the kids during the contest. After everything the bad went thru to get to that point it was a rocking number, pun intended.

Once. One of the best reviewed musicals on this list this 2007 film proved that sometimes the unexpected can lead to something wonderful. Staring Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová as people only addressed as Guy and Girl the two of them make beautiful music together. It is obvious how drawn they are to each other, but sadly they cannot be together. The film won the Oscar for Best Original Song whilst inspiring a Tony award winning musical. Performance to watch: the Oscar winning duet “Falling Slowly” often described as “moving” “touching” and “romantic.”

Rent. Most musically adapted films very rarely cast Broadway, but this 2005 adaption of one of the most beloved shows on Broadway proved that Hollywood should take a second look. With Broadway veterans Jesse L. Martin, Idina Menzel, Anthony Rapp and Taye Diggs reprising their roles from the original movie as well as Rosario Dawson the film follows a group of New Yorkers as they live their Bohemian lifestyle: including paying their rent, sexuality and AIDS as they celebrate a new decade. Critics were mixed on the film, but fans of the musical loved it. Performance to watch: with so many incredible performances it is hard to decide, but the opening number “Seasons of Love” featuring the entire cast leaves audiences with goosebumps wanting more.

The Greatest Showman. If there is a soundtrack on here that can leave audiences inspired it might be this 2017 musical. Hugh Jackman stars as P.T Barnum a family man who starts a museum and later brings in people considered to be “freaks” to make it more alive; calling it a circus. Also featuring wonderful performances by Zac Efron, Michelle Williams, Zendaya, Keala Settle and Rebecca Ferguson (who doesn’t do her own singing) the movie leaves audiences with warmth in their hearts and songs that will be stuck in their heads for weeks. Performance to watch: while the romantic duet between Efron and Zendaya is beautifully choreographed the must listen too song has to go to “This is Me.” Settle’s voice is not only mesmerizing but the message of being true to oneself is inspiring.

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. Inspired by the 1979 Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler Broadway show this 2007 Tim Burton film was one of the most critically acclaimed films of the year, and showed that musicals have a dark side. Starring Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter and Alan Rickman the film follows Depp’s Sweeney Todd as he takes swears revenge on the man who took him from his family; killing anyone who stands in his way with the help of a widowed pie-maker enamored with him. Audiences thought Depp was perfect as the insane Todd and his singing voice surprised many. The film won an Oscar for its Art Direction and was nominated for two Oscars including one for Depp as Best Actor; it did win two Golden Globes for Depp as Actor in a Comedy/Musical and for Best Comedy/Musical. Performance to watch: “Not While I’m Around” is easily the most famous number in the show and the performance by Carter and the young Edward Sanders can give anyone chills.

La La Land. With so many adaptions out there it seemed that original ideas for musicals had died out, until this 2016 film. Staring Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone in their musical debuts and a soundtrack mostly written by Pasek and Paul the movie focuses on a jazz singer and actress trying to make it big in Hollywood and fall in love. Those who have watched golden age of Hollywood musicals may see similarities in the dancing, singing and love story, but it doesn’t mean the film isn’t original in its own way. Critics and audiences loved it, with many saying the film brought musicals into a light that hadn’t been seen in many years. It cleaned up at the Oscars, even with the Best Picture screw-up, winning for Best Actress for Stone, Cinematography, Director, Production Design, Score and Song. Performance to watch: Ryan Gosling might not be the best singer in the movie, but the duet he has with Stone “City of Stars” is so beautiful it can easily be forgiven.

Les Misérables. After years in developmental hell the long awaited adaption of the 1980 musical of Victor Hugo’s 1862 novel was released in 2012. The film follows a prisoner Jean Valjean as he breaks parole and goes on the run whilst taking care of the young Cosette. To say it was a huge hit would be an understatement with incomparable performances (acting and singing) by Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway (who won an Oscar for her role), Amanda Seyfried, Eddie Redmayne and more. While some singing wasn’t fantastic (Russell Crowe) the fact that the vocal were recorded on set really sets the film apart from other musicals. The story keeps audiences on the edge of their seat and tears in their eyes. Performance to watch: considering the whole movie is the cast singing it would have been difficult to pick one song, but an absolute must watch has got to be Hathaway as Fantine singing “I Dreamed a Dream”; if one doesn’t cry or feel sadness when Hathaway sings this melancholy number they may want to check their pulse.

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast live action adaption. The original AFI list had the 1991 animated film so why shouldn’t a possible expanded list have the 2017 live action version as well? With veteran Broadway/musical actors such as Ewan McGregor, Josh Gad and Audra McDonald performing, as well as surprising singing from Emma Watson, Dan Stevens, Emma Thompson Luke Evans and Ian McKellen the adaption of one of Disney’s most beloved movies was embraced by audiences and critics; it currently holds the position of highest grossing musical of all time (animated and live-action). Performance to watch: with many favorites from the original movie returning it is hard to decide what the best song is. However the number audiences might remember the most is Emma Thompson’s take of “Beauty and the Beast”; it is not as well delivered as the Angela Lansbury one we know and love but it is closer to the original than the version sung on the soundtrack by Ariana Grande and John Legend.

The Pitch Perfect franchise. This film series which began in 2012 and has two sequels in 2015 and 2017 respectively gave a whole new perspective to a Capella singing. Each film follows a group called The Barden Bellas as they struggle for redemption and their friendships are tested. With spectacular performances (comedic and singing) by Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Brittany Snow, Anna Camp, Ester Dean, Skylar Astin, Ben Platt, Adam DeVine in the original film and Hailee Steinfeld joining in the sequels the franchise has left a huge mark in the comedy/musical genre; the second film is currently the highest grossing music comedy of all-time, surpassing School of Rock. Performance to watch: regardless if it is the first, second or third one the most entertaining number is usually “The Riff-Off” when the Bellas, their main opposition and other groups singing songs that have to do with a randomly picked category.

Is there a musical missing from this list? Could a yet to be released musical this year (Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga’s version of A Star is Born) or in the future (the planned adaptions of Wicked and remake of West Side Story) might be included in a revived list? Please comment below, and get your singing voices ready.

Image courtesy of Pixabay.

Films Perfect for Back to School

It is almost time to hear the bells ring, pack up backpacks and hit the books. School will be starting up again soon for many students: elementary, high school and even college. Many films have been made depicting school life: students, teachers, and even parents, as either paradise or an absolute nightmare depending on the parties involved. Here are some films, which can be explored more on their IMDB pages, involving school in a way: student life, extracurricular activities, gifted students, caring teachers and even parents getting involved in their kid’s lives that are fantastic to watch; some films might not be appropriate for all ages. The picture is courtesy of Pixabay

Dead Poets Society. This 1989 film is perfect for those who love English and reading. Robin Williams (in one of his most memorable roles) stars as Mr. Keating an English teacher at an all-boys prep school.  He teaches his students about living their lives to the fullest; telling them to carpe diem Latin for “seize the day.” Some of the boys even restart the unauthorized Dead Poets Society: reading poems and verses. However the new rebellious natures of the boys might cost them everything. The film also stars Ethan Hawke, Robert Sean Leonard and Josh Charles as some of the students influenced by Keating.

Regarded as one of the best school movies or all time, Dead Poets Society shows how one teacher can change a school and open some student’s eyes to not obey rules but to enjoy their life. On a side note if one of the required readings for English is J.D Sallinger’s Catcher in the Rye this is a good match to understand what the students are going through.

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Not encouraging students to do exactly what this classic film character did, but sometimes we all need a day off. Starring Matthew Broderick, Alan Ruck, Mia Sara, Jennifer Grey and Jeffrey Jones, this 1986 John Hughes film has a high school student faking being sick to spend the day in the city with his friends. Meanwhile his high school principal and sister don’t buy it and try and expose Ferris for the fraud he is. It might not be the most in school nor the most modern film on here, but it is still a classic high school film no matter how old it gets.

Mean Girls. High school can be scary for many entering for the first time; some may even worry about fitting in with the many cliques there. This 2004 cult classic comedy shows that despite the facade of being perfect most cliques are not what they appear to be. Lindsay Lohan is Cady a former home school student entering high school for the first time and gets caught up in the top group of the school: The Plastics. Cady soon clashes with queen bee Regina George (Rachel McAdams) and decides the best way to fight is to become friends. While high school can be described in so many horrible ways just remember this: it will soon be a distant memory.

Old School. Definitely more for college rather than high school students. Released in 2003, Will Ferrell, Luke Wilson and Vince Vaughn star as 30 something men that create a fraternity just so they can continue their partying ways. However when it looks like they may lose the house unless they pass several academic and athletic tests the guys are gonna have to grow up fast. Many critics and viewers have said this film has never done the college party scene better, but through the comedy, alcohol and so much profanity there is heart.

Lean On Me. The first film to be based on a true story on this list. Released in 1989 Lean On Me stars Morgan Freeman as Joe Clark, aka “Crazy Joe” who takes over a New Jersey high school raided with drugs and gangs. Joe makes it his mission to turn the school around for the students, but the teachers and parents have trouble with Joe’s radical measures. Morgan Freeman as always delivers a spectacular performance as “Crazy” Joe; he may not be the most conventional person to run a school, but the students grow to love their principal.

Bad Moms. While this 2015 movie doesn’t take place in school many parents (not just moms) with kids can completely relate to Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell and Kathryn Hahn’s characters. The trio are portrayed overworked moms finally fed up with trying to lead perfect lives for their kids. Deciding to be “bad” the ladies let loose and have fun with their kids; at the same time they must handle the wrath of the school PTA president Gwendolyn (Christina Applegate). The reason why the film was a success is not just because the women are hysterical but every single person with school age children have felt exactly like the main characters did at least once. While parents probably shouldn’t go as extreme as the moms in here, it does show how much work happens before and after school for everyone involved.

The Perks of Being A Wallflower. One of the most recent coming of age movies. This 2012 film stars Logan Lerman as Charlie a young man recently released from a mental hospital after suffering from depression. Enrolled into a new school Charlie has trouble making friends until he meets Sam (Emma Watson) and her step brother Patrick (Ezra Miler) who invite him into their own little circle. Charlie soon struggles with his growing feelings for Sam as well as coming into the young man he is meant to be. Two of the three leads were well known for other films prior to this one (Lerman as Percy Jackson and Watson as Hermione Granger) but this film helped launch them in addition to Miler into more adult roles in their career. It also shows that while there may be darkness in the past and school may stink, with the right people there will always be a bright future.

Stand and Deliver. Math; you are either good at it or you are not, but in this 1988 film it isn’t just calculus the students are struggling with. Based on a true story Edward James Olmos stars as Jamie Escalante, a new math teacher at an East Los Angeles high school begins teaching students from working class Hispanic families with multiple problems (academic and social). Realizing the school has given up on them Escalante sets out to prove his students are not only smart but can pass the toughest AP Calculus tests. It is rare on film to see a teacher that cares so much for their students; seeing the dedication Olmos’s character has towards his job and his fight for the kids is something to admire.

Easy A. In what has been called Emma Stone’s breakout role, this 2010 movie shows how a little white lie in high school can go a very long way. Told over a webcam Stone’s character Olive Penderghast helps out a gay friend by claiming she slept with him. When word spreads out about it other guys who could never get a girlfriend ask for Olive’s help in increasing their reputation. Olive becomes labeled as the school tramp and several students, led by the queen Christian bee Marianne (Amanda Bynes), want Olive gone. It will probably be remembered as one of the best high school comedies of the 2010’s and the beginning of Emma Stone’s young successful career

Animal House. Be honest when someone says college movies this is the first one to pop into mind. Starring the hilarious John Belushi, Kevin Bacon, Tim Matheson and John Vernon among so many other funny stars this 1978 movie is all about a fraternity all about partying must go up against the school dean who wants them all gone. While most college parties at fraternities are probably not as insane it is still an absolutely side splitting hysterical movie.

Sixteen Candles. John Hughes sure knows how to write and direct movies about high school. In this 1984 coming of age tale staring the likes of Molly Ringwald, Michael Schoeffling, Anthony Michael Hall and Paul Dooley the film follows newly sixteen Sam Baker as she gets through her birthday which her family has forgotten due to her sister’s wedding the next day. To make matters worse her crush Jake Ryan finds out about her feelings for him and school geek Ted will not leave her alone. While other films had come out about teens acting out, nothing like Sixteen Candles had teens portrayed as those who love to party and drink (among other things).

Pitch Perfect. Not many modern musicals really captured high school and college students quite like this 2012 musical comedy, and its two sequels. With an all-star young cast including Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Britney Snow, Anna Camp, Adam DeVine, Skylar Astin, Ben Platt and Elizabeth Banks, Pitch Perfect made being involved in a capella cool once again. It may not have focused on actual classes, but it doesn’t mean the girls didn’t learn a lesson or two about life.

The Breakfast Club. This is the last John Hughes movie on here I promise. Taking place on a Saturday detention this 1985 comedy/drama focuses on five high school students: bad boy John Bender (Judd Nelson), princess like Claire Standish (Molly Ringwald), jock Andrew Clarke (Emilio Estevez), nerd Brian Johnson (Anthony Michael Hall) and oddball Allison Reynolds (Ally Sheedy). On the outside they have nothing in common, but as the film progresses the teens soon begin discussing their lives at home; growing closer along the way. This is one of the few films showing how students of different lifestyles and high school cliques are not as different as they originally thought. This is a must watch for students in high school.

21 Jump Street. There have been many adaptations about adults being undercover in high school, including the television series this 2012 film is based on, and its sequel involving college. No one quite expected Channing Tatum or Jonah Hill to be mistaken as high school students; yet that is what happened as the two bumbling police officers are on the hunt for a drug dealer selling to kids at a local high school. There are many who do not even want to think about going back to high school, nor could probably get away with it, but it will always play a major part of our lives. Just don’t let be the only good thing looking back.

Clueless. Sometimes being pretty and popular can get you far in high school, but it won’t always work. This 1999 high school comedy focuses on Cher (Alicia Silverstone) who is the queen bee of her school. Discovering how much she likes helping people she takes new girl Tai Fraiser (Britney Murphy) to be groomed to be just as popular as her. However when her project works too well Cher realizes being popular doesn’t mean much if there aren’t people who you love standing beside you. It does poke fun at the supposed lifestyle of Beverly Hills, but it also shows behind all the money and glamour they are people too.

The Edge of Seventeen. In the most recent coming of age film on this list this 2016 film takes a real good look at growing up in high school. Staring Hailee Steinfeld, Woody Harrelson, Kyra Sedgwick and Blake Jenner we take a look at the life of Steinfeld’s character Nadine as her life begins to change: from her best friend dating her brother, her feelings towards an older student, the friend completely in love with her and overall struggling to open herself back up to friends and family after the death of her father. Hailee gives one of the best performances of her young career and shows that high school as insane as it is can be the place to find who you are meant to be.

Legally Blonde. If you looked up “never judge a book by its cover” in films you might see a picture of Reese Witherspoon as Elle Woods. In this 2001 comedy Elle decides to follow her ex-boyfriend to Harvard Law School despite being seen as a ditsy blonde. Determined to prove him and others wrong about how serious she is Elle works hard to earn her place as a lawyer. Audiences adored the film with many praising Witherspoon’s performance as the perky Woods; they also loved the message about how not to let people’ opinions about how one looks stop you from reaching your goals.

Romy & Michele’s High School Reunion. The story may have not taken place in school, but it doesn’t mean it’s not relevant. Released in 1997 the film stars Mira Sorvino and Lisa Kudrow as Romy and Michele traveling to their high school reunion. Wanting to stand out for their former classmates, including their enemy Christie Masters, the women claim they are successful business women; in fact they are anything but. The overall lesson for the film: while high school will be an important part of our lives, don’t live life like you’re still in it. Just because someone was a queen bee or nerd in school doesn’t mean they stayed that way for the rest of their lives.

Is there a school movie missing from this list? Please comment below your favorite high school or college movie. Do it before the bell rings!

Movie Review: Pitch Perfect 2

Apparently yesterday was the five year anniversary of Pitch Perfect when I made my blog, total coincidence I swear, so I am doing the second movie today. Once again spoilers will be ahead. I DO NOT OWN THE PICTURE.

Our favorite Barden Bellas are back: Becca (Kendrick), Chloe (Snow), Fat Amy (Wilson), Stacie (Knapp), Cynthia (Dean) and Lily (Lee) along with new singers: Flo Fuentes (Chrissie Fit), an immigrant from Guatemala who often shares stories about her time there and Emily Junk (Hailee Steinfeld) a freshman whose mom Katherine (Katey Seagal) was a Barden Bella. Once again the Bellas are at the center of controversy and have been banned from competition. However through a loophole they are able to be in the international championships with the promise to be reinstated if they win, much to amusement of Smith (Higgins) and Gail (Banks). However the competition is very stiff which includes the tough German group Das Sound Machine, led by Kommissar (Birgitte Hjort Sorensen) and Pieter Kramer (Flula Borg), who just may give the Bellas a run for their money. Chloe, who has intentionally failed classes to stay as a Bella, wants everyone to focus, but Becca has started an internship at a music studio, headed by Sammy (Keegan-Michael Key) and starts to realize just how tough the music business is. Meanwhile Fat Amy and Bumper (DeVine) continue their relationship from the previous film, but it soon has commitment problems. Also returning to the movie are Aubrey (Camp), Jessie (Astin) and Benji (Platt), who has a crush on Emily.

Now if I may be honest story wise the second film is not as good as the first with the drama between the girls. However song wise I loved them. Again I love mash-ups so watching the competitions and riff-off was fun, but what I enjoyed the most was the original song in the film. Emily had written a song called “Flashlight” and it was a really good one. The Bellas did the song at the end of the movie while Jessie J did the song on the soundtrack. One of the girls Ester Dean (Cynthia) has a song during the end credits called “Crazy Youngsters” that I also enjoyed, doesn’t surprise me since Dena has written several hit songs, including a few Rihanna songs.

Overall this film did live up to the first and I cannot wait to see their third, and possible final, film this Christmas. I will defiantly be standing in line for that. Last call pitches!

Movie Review: Pitch Perfect

For a while musicals seemed to just be for adults or those with old souls, until this movie came out. If I may be honest the last musical I’m pretty sure teens would have watched was High School Musical 3, and then we graduate to college with this film and into the world of acapella. Once again spoilers will be ahead. I DO NOT OWN THE PICTURE.

After a more memorable than it should be performance at the national competition, the fictional Barden University acapella female group, The Barden Bellas, are desperate for a comeback. Leaded by the headstrong and controlling Aubrey (Anna Camp) and sweet and eccentric Chloe (Brittney Snow) the search begins for finding their voice. Enter the rebellious Becca (Anna Kendrick) arrives at Barden with no desire for school, she wants to be a music producer but her estranged father wants her to get an education. Chloe hears Becca singing and invites her to audition. She then joins along with other interesting women: the soulful Cynthia Rose (Ester Dean), the overtly sexual Stacie (Alexis Knapp), the quiet Lily (Hana Mae Lee) and comical Fat Amy (Rebel Wilson). The girls are competing against fellow Barden acapella troupe, The Treblemakers an all-male group which features arrogant male lead Bumper (Adam DeVine), total sweetheart Jesse (Skyler Astin), Becca’s love interest and acapella lover Benji (Ben Platt). Other characters in the film are acapella commentators John Smith (John Michael Higgins) and Gail Abernathy (Elizabeth Banks).

If I may be honest I wasn’t too sure about this movie when I first saw the trailer, given how musicals were back then. However when I saw the movie I couldn’t have been happier. With most comedies there is usually one stand out, but in this film every single character stood out in their own way. While she was already well known before this movie, Anna Kendrick’s career skyrocketed after. I was pleasantly surprised that she could sing, and at how funny she could be. Rebel Wilson had me practically rolling on the floor laughing; she was so weird but it was what made her memorable especially her scenes with DeVine, who in his own way stood out. The rest of the cast did their part, which I know I say frequently on here but in this case every character did their own thing and were very memorable.

Thanks to “Glee” I have become a fan of mash-ups so it was very easy for me to love the songs done by the Bellas or by the Treblemakers. However my favorite part of the movie was the Riff-Off. If you haven’t seen the movie and are wondering what the heck that is, I’m sorry but you are going to need to see the movie to find out. The film did spawn two sequels, one in 2015 which I will review later and one coming out this Christmas Until then see you pitches!