For this very merry installment of Music Movie Video, we will be taking a look at Annie Lennox and Al Green's cover of Jackie DeShannon's 1968 hit "Put a Little Love in Your Heart" that was recorded for the soundtrack to the Bill Murray Christmas comedy Scrooged. The movie is a comedic riff on Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol that stars Murray as a humbugging TV exec who is visited by three ghosts who help him rediscover his long-hidden humanity and feelings for old flame Karen Allen. Because Scrooged has both darkly comedic scenes and an uplifting finale straight out of It's a Wonderful Life, it has been criticized and wrongly dismissed by some as an uneven farce that is tonally schizophrenic. The film was originally planned to be a much darker affair, and the taming of the screenplay by studio execs and director Richard Donner resulted in bitter feelings from co-writer Michael O'Donoghue (best known for his work on Saturday Night Live and the uniquely oddball Mr. Mike's Mondo Video). Read More »
If there's one thing missing from contemporary movies, it's bombastic soundtrack songs. When was the last time you watched a film that featured a ditty that made you want to pump your fists and start some serious aerobics training? It just doesn't happen anymore. In my opinion, no other band could craft a rocking soundtrack tune better than Survivor. Back in the 1980s, the band's music was seemingly in every film after "Eye of the Tiger" rocketed them to the top of the charts. So for this installment of Movie Music Video, we turn our eyes to the group's most notable soundtrack contributions. Above you see the clip for their Rocky III megahit. It comes complete with the most laughable self-seriousness this side of Billy Squier's epic "Rock Me Tonite" and plenty of determined walking. And if there's one surefire way to master the art of becoming a music video tough guy, it's finely crafting a walk of determination.
Although 1986's Big Trouble in Little China underperformed at the box office during its theatrical run, the film has deservedly gone on to become a huge cult success. The film's enduring appeal can be credited to John Carpenter's taut direction, Kurt Russell's blustery performance as the John Wayne-esque Jack Burton and a smart script that mixes elements of comedy, kung fu schlock and sci-fi. Upon viewing this flick, only the most unreasonable amongst you would deny that Carpenter is a masterful director. But a decent singer? Not so much. Just take a look at this video from his band/vanity project The Coupe de Villes:
As impossible as it seems, The Goonies turns 25 this month. To commemorate this milestone, Movie Music Video takes a look at "The Goonies 'R' Good Enough"--Cyndi Lauper's theme song from the film. Loud, over-the-top and completely self indulgent, the video (directed by Richard Donner, who also helmed the movie) features Lauper teaming with the Goonies to stop some creditors/pirates from wreaking havoc upon her family's gas station. Or something. There is so much going on here that the video had to be split into two parts, with the first helping to build excitement for the film's release and the second hitting MTV shortly after the flick premiered in theaters. (Both parts are mercifully edited together in the above video). Joining Lauper are her mom and boyfriend at the time, as well as Captain Lou Albano, Andre the Giant, a pre-They Live Rowdy Roddy Piper and various other professional wrestling greats of the 1980s. There's even an appearance by an octopus, referencing one of the film's infamous cut scenes.
Movie Music Video is a an occasional look at, well, notable music videos from film soundtracks. This debut column examines an obscure (yet totally amazing) clip from the mid-1980s.
Eddy Grant's 1982 hit "Electric Avenue" may have told us all how to rock down and take it higher (oh no!), but it was hardly his best song. That honor goes to "Romancing the Stone," the title track from the popular Michael Douglas, Kathleen Turner and Danny DeVito action comedy. Although a staple on radio stations in the summer of 1984, the song itself only appears in the film for a few seconds -- odd given the fact that it could very well be the greatest tune ever written. Okay, I'm exaggerating slightly, but there's no arguing that it is a jaunty little rocker that brings to mind the wacky antics of Robert Zemeckis' film.
For this very merry installment of Music Movie Video, we will be taking a look at Annie Lennox and Al Green's cover of Jackie DeShannon's 1968 hit "Put a Little Love in Your Heart" that was recorded for the soundtrack to the Bill Murray Christmas comedy Scrooged. The movie is a comedic riff on Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol that stars Murray as a humbugging TV exec who is visited by three ghosts who help him rediscover his long-hidden humanity and feelings for old flame Karen Allen. Because Scrooged has both darkly comedic scenes and an uplifting finale straight out of It's a Wonderful Life, it has been criticized and wrongly dismissed by some as an uneven farce that is tonally schizophrenic. The film was originally planned to be a much darker affair, and the taming of the screenplay by studio execs and director Richard Donner resulted in bitter feelings from co-writer Michael O'Donoghue (best known for his work on Saturday Night Live and the uniquely oddball Mr. Mike's Mondo Video). 
Tags: christmas movies