Generally when I’m doing my daily tasks like pulling out large clumps of hair from the shower drains near the resort pool or cleaning the perpetually filthy toilets I’m usually deep in thought. Categorizing all of my favorite things in sequential order. Day dreaming of a day someone will finally ask me, “Hey Periwinkle! What are your top five bands?” Or “Hey ultra cool guy. You’re so interesting! What are your top five favorite video games?” Thirty two years and thousands of cleaned toilet bowls later that day has never come. Until…now.
So this is a pretty big moment. I’d like to thank Mallow and Pinkie for the nomination. It’s nice to know that someone, somewhere out there cares enough to ask me, of all people, what my TOP FIVE FAVORITE MOVIE THEMES ARE. I appreciate it. All of this attention is already going directly to my head even as I type.
*NOTE* I’m going to try and limit the amount of Jon Brion soundtracks on here because he pretty much dominates my top ten.
PUNCH DRUNK LOVE
I have to start with this soundtrack because not only is it my favorite soundtrack from my favorite composer/songwriter/film scorer of all time (The man of unlimited musical prowess, Jon Brion) but also because PDL was written and directed by my favorite Writer/Director of all time, P.T. Anderson and thus naturally, Punch Drunk Love is my favorite movie of all time . It’s been that way for a long time and now into my thirties I love it more and more with each passing year. A quirky, fucked up little tale of a lonely loser who will face all of his anxieties and demons to keep the one woman who loves him. I know this movie gets a lot of hate but I will go to the grave defending Adam Sandler’s performance in this film. Probably the best acting of his career (just edging out Reign Over Me and in all fairness I haven’t seen Uncut Gems yet.) But still – a minimalist masterpiece from a legendary director with a charming soundtrack.
ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND
Another top five movie. Another Jon Brion soundtrack. While it’s the antithesis of the raw fury this Power Ranger banger my colleague prefers provides, it not only serves as a theme song to one of the greatest break up stories known to man but a soundtrack I would choose to dub my own thoughts to. A reluctant introspective with a constant sliver of optimism that the answer lay hidden in plain sight all along. Jon Brion masterfully crafts this warm, sad tune that can easily sum up the warmest of sun shower memory.
TRUE ROMANCE
Hands down the greatest Quentin Tarantino movie that QT didn’t direct himself. Even though I guess – from my knowledge that only leaves True Romance superior to Natural Born Killers which in my opinion is misunderstood. Even by me. It’s definitely not a favorite. But this star studded cast effortlessly carries a misfit love story that is a favorite of mine and the wife. I’m sure like many cult-film-lover-couples out there this is “our movie”. And while she never was a prostitute and I was never a quiet, shy and delusional comic book clerk capable of mass murder it doesn’t mean we still haven’t saved one another in our own ways. Hans Zimmer’s lighter than air theme encapsulates Clarence and Alabama Worley’s reckless abandon as two fugitive kids living and loving in the moment. You’re so cool, Hope.
LEON (“The Professional” in the US)
Jean Reno, Gary Oldman and a powerhouse debut by twelve year old Natalie Portman underscore this touching and gorgeous French action film by Luc Besson. From its exploration to adolescence to the solitude and loneliness of a professional hitman, Leon scores across the board for warm, human writing – bad ass action scenes and a gut wrenching finale. Topped off by Eric Serra’s perfectly crafted score and a lovely rendition of, “Shape of My Heart” by Sting this movie and its soundtrack can have your heart racing and aching at the same time. Bonus trivia: This movie inspired the song, “Matilda” by the band Alt-J on their 2012 release, An Awesome Wave.
THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS
I know, I know it’s not the actual theme. But a haunting classic to say the least. And it’s Danny Elfman. Do I really even need to say any more? Fiona Apple (who has a achieved Goddess like status in my book) took a stab at it herself. And it’ll send shivers down your undead-Christmas loving spine.
So there ya have it, folks. Those are the soundtracks that make me tick. Now if you’ll excuse me I have some rats that want me to teach them how to play harmonica. – PW
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Definitely not the reason I do this BUT if anything I write brings you joy and you felt like buying me a cup of coffee and/or grammar lessons I would wholeheartedly appreciate it.
Pinkie's Paradise 