Movie Recommendations for Your Music Taste

late night cigarette:

This music taste includes artists such as Lana del Rey, Mazzy Star, Alexandra Savior and The Marías. It’s all about insomniac nights, 3 A.M. drives and cigarette smoke. Prepare to be hit by a wave of melancholia and nostalgia when you listen to this type of music. Of course, the subject of the songs vary greatly according to the band or artists, but they often revolve around violence, romance, sadness, heartbreak and grief. It’s the kind of songs that would play in an indie film when the protagonist drives along the beach at night, kisses their soulmate after secretly running away from their house or is trapped in that time when “lost love feels like one of Dante’s circles of hell”.

Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/53irUMN18aB9S933gXclE7?si=ciMjoFXIRaOKwAbhxpoN-A

The movies:

The Virgin Suicides, 1999

No other movie best recreates the ambiance of 70s melancholia. The film follows the lives of five mysterious sisters who live with their strict, religious parents in a 70s suburban city while being obsessively watched by a group of male friends. The movie is based on the book of the same name written by Jeffrey Eugenides. Some of the main themes explored in the story include the tragedy and boredom of mundane life in typical suburban America, and the superficiality of the American Dream. This is one of the most beautiful films I have ever watched- it has amazing art direction, set and costumes design that perfectly recreate the era portrayed. It can be very dark, mysterious and nostalgic and therefore perfectly fits this type of music.

The Dreamers, 2003

The Dreamers isn’t like anything you would expect. It’s set in the late 60s and follows a young American studying in Paris as he becomes friends with a French brother and sister. Set to the backdrop of the '68 Paris student riots, the film portrays the political activism of this era. Bernardo Bertolucci's passion for cinema is reflected in his many references to the French New Wave throughout the movie. The film is very controversial due to its provocative sexual themes. I included this movie because these are also recurrent themes in this type of music. Sex, violence, and more generally controversy, all have a place in most of the song lyrics, not to mention 60s nostalgia.

Lolita, 1997

Talking about controversy... Lolita is one of the most controversial movies- and books- of all time. The film is an adaptation of the 1955 novel of the same name written by Russian-American novelist Vladimir Nabokov. It depicts the story of an English professor who becomes infatuated with a minor and has to face the consequences of his actions. I couldn’t mention Lana del Rey without listing this movie. Apart from the obvious thematic similarities- predatory relationships, daddy issues, forbidden love- the film relates to Lana’s songs through its summery feel, portrayal of sexuality, and, its glamorization of abusive relationships. It is therefore important to experience the movie with an awareness of the issues it presents.

Young and Beautiful, 2013

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Another risqué film. Young and Beautiful- or Jeune et Jolie- is a 2013 french movie that follows Isabelle, a 17-year old student who, after losing her virginity during a holiday romance, begins a secret life as a prostitute for a year. Criticized for his shallowness and the lack of character development, French director Francois Ozon offers yet another provocative film about sexual and emotional awakening. While the movie’s troubling storyline leaves many questions unanswered, its underlying themes allow for deep reflection about the societal pressure that exists on young girls. The overall tone of the movie is very dark and taboo, perfectly matching the feel of this music.

coming-of-age

More conventionally known as a literary or film genre, I’ll use “coming-of-age” as a term to describe the music taste for this section of the article. Coming-of-age is usually about first times, new experiences, romances and the unavoidable hardships of life. Translating this into music, I would qualify “coming-of-age music” as any song that reminds us of the nostalgic sounds of our adolescence, whether it’s a happy memory or a depressing one. It’s all about how music helps us explore the intensity of our most memorable feelings as teenagers or young adults. It could really be any type of music, but I think modern indie music (most likely from the 2010s) best fits the overall feeling. This includes bands like Her’s, Beach Fossils, Crumb, and Current Joys.

Spotify playlist:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/62cqHsYoOdsIQOOMjdcSmA?si=zlqaZTsMSgCbW9P3GGuqKg

The movies:

Submarine, 2010

Submarine is a 2010 comedy-drama (and obviously coming-of-age) film directed by Richard Ayoade and adapted from the 2008 novel Submarine by Joe Dunthorne. It’s about a 15-year-old high school student, Oliver Tate, who decides to set himself two objectives: losing his virginity before his next birthday, and ending the relationship between his mother and an ex-lover who came back in her life. The movie deals with themes such as mother-son relationships, romance, teen angst, anxiety and high school, all the while avoiding cheesy and annoying coming-of-age plot elements. Ayoade artistic sensibility allows for a visually stunning, sometimes almost Wes Anderson-like, experience. With a soundtrack by Alex Turner, it is not surprising that the auditory experience is just as good as the visuals.

Juno, 2007

Juno is also another comedy-drama coming-of-age film from the 2010s. The plot follows Juno, a 16-year-old high school junior in Minnesota, whose unplanned pregnancy brings her more involvement in the lives of her baby's adoptive parents than she had expected. Juno has one of the most relatable personalities I have ever seen in a film. Her charisma is expressed through her quirky, tomboyish behavior, hilarious personality, and, of course, her mistakes which make her feel so real and likable. Admittedly, this movie is not for everyone; it has some flaws and some people might even find it boring. Personally, I think that it’s one of the rare films that portrays teenagers in a non-stereotypical and authentic way. Both the soundtrack and the visuals take the viewer on an enjoyable journey as they experience the emotional highs and lows of teenagehood.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower, 2012

This film is to be expected, but I think it should be mentioned anyway because I know for a fact that there are still thousands of teenagers (and adults) who still haven’t seen it. It would be an understatement to say that I loved this movie. The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a 2012 film written and directed by Stephen Chbosky, and is an adaptation of his own 1999 novel of the same name. It follows Charlie, an introverted high school freshman, as he navigates his school year after meeting two seniors who encourage him to experience the “real world”. This film is not just another cheesy and shallow high school movie; it’s real and moving, dealing with important issues such as social anxiety, PTSD, homosexuality, drugs and even death. No matter when you watch it, it will stick with you for your entire life.

Moonlight, 2016

While Moonlight certainly doesn’t hold the same cheerful tone as some of the other movies featuring on this list, it nonetheless exhibits the essential elements of the coming-of-age film genre. Moonlight depicts the life of a young African-American man, Chiron, as he struggles with his identity and sexuality while living through the everyday experiences of childhood, adolescence, and soon adulthood. Instead of focusing on simply portraying issues such as poverty, queerness, masculinity, or blackness, individually (as many other movies have), this film ingeniously ties all these themes together in a heart-wrenching, complex and honest story. Moonlight sheds light on a different perspective of the coming-of-age experience that should be heard. The technical level of the film’s artistic aspects allows for a visually stunning result, not to mention the beauty of the musical score.

90s Chaos

This type of music consists of 90s punk rock, indie rock or alt metal bands like Deftones, Nirvana, Pixies or Sonic Youth. The essence of this music is chaotic, dirty violence, bloody noses and rebellion against social norms. It’s about doing the opposite of what everyone is doing and consciously choosing to ignore the real life consequences of our actions. This isn’t simply the type of music you listen to out of anger, it’s the type of music you hear in a bar when it’s 4 A.M. and no one knows where you are. It’s the type of music you blast in your car after you realize you deserve better.

Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1nVPaHmloJYqFjaEi1p64a?si=FG5x5cECSHWZlY-wAPY2eQ

The movies:

Fight Club, 1999

I couldn’t make this list without including Fight Club. However, I didn’t include it simply because Pixies plays in the soundtrack: the movie as a whole deeply connects with this type of music. Fight Club is a 1999 thriller movie that explores the relationship between an insomniac office worker and a reckless soapmaker who decide to create an underground “fight club” that eventually grows to be something much bigger than anticipated. The movie presents the universal theme of the search for identity in a desensitized and passive society. If you listen closely to the original score by The Dust Brothers, it purposely reflects the film’s brutal realism that mocks the superficial nature of our society.

Trainspotting, 1996

Trainspotting is a film about addiction and violence. More specifically, it follows the life of Renton, a man deeply invested in the drug scene of Edinburgh, as he tries to escape his situation despite his dependence on drugs and the influence of his friends. I would recommend this film because its message aligns with the overall theme of the music, as the film explores the dullness of ordinary life through Renton’s monologue and the pointlessness and futility of the movie. It lacks a moral lesson, or a happy ending. Instead it offers a neutral portrayal of the situation without taking a pro-drug or anti-drug stance. The movie defies conventions in every way possible and offers a raw and brutal depiction of life without superfluous embellishments.

American beauty, 1999

American Beauty is a 1999 film directed by Sam Mendes. It revolves around a seemingly typical American family as each member navigates through their lives. The protagonist, a sexually frustrated suburban father, has a mid-life crisis after becoming infatuated with his daughter's friend. The movie explores a multitude of themes about human nature and behavior as the story unfolds, but essentially is a dissection of society and the “American Dream”. It touches on drug abuse, sex, homosexuality, even suicide, and is full of irony and cynicism. Most importantly, it’s about “being different” in a polished, idealised society: one of the main topics explored in the songs that are part of this type of music.

Donnie Darko, 2001

Donnie Darko isn’t your typical violent film. It’s slow and dives deep into the characters’ minds. The film follows Donnie, a troubled teenager who, after escaping a bizarre accident, experiences visions of a man in a large rabbit suit who encourages him to commit a series of crimes. Although it is a 2000s film, it still presents elements of the 90s, such as its dream-like feeling and confusing ending that leaves you pondering the possibilities voiced by the characters. A thought-provoking cult film, Donnie Darko is unlike anything I've ever experienced in a film before. Its eerie and haunting tone is definitely something that is present in this type of music.

70s euphoria

The title gives it away: this one includes bands like Led Zeppelin, Fleetwood Mac, Earth Wind and Fire, and The Rolling Stones. It’s about nostalgia and the good old times. But more importantly, it’s about people’s quest for freedom through revolutions, psychedelic adventures and dancefloors. It’s when the world stopped and life was so much simpler and easier in many ways. Social movements, cultural change, and technological innovations all contributed to this decade of freedom and euphoria. Anger at the current state of the world, nostalgia for the 60s, eagerness to dive into the future, and overall recklessness towards life were all feelings that dominated the minds of people in the 70s. These ideas can undeniably be felt when listening to the immense amount of music this decade has offered to the world.

spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6YNpSXzS0ch9D4E526Yg2W?si=_kxz3Y8KTAykpGxO9DLM8g

The movies:

Dazed and Confused, 1993

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One of the most iconic movies about the 1970s, Dazed and Confused, directed by Richard Linklater, portrays the lives and adventures of high school and junior high students on the last day of school in May 1976. Linklater’s documentary-like filmmaking style allows the viewers to go back in time and experience life as a student in the Texas Summer Of ‘76. From the soundtrack, to the natural dialogue and authentic performances, the movie perfectly captures the euphoric feelings of the decade. As well as authentically reproducing the aesthetic of the 1970s, the movie is also thought-provoking on many levels. For instance, it portrays teenagers as actual people, discusses their political beliefs and considers the universal experience of adolescence.

Almost Famous, 2000

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Almost Famous tells the story of a high-school journalist who, after getting the chance to write for Rolling Stone magazine, decides to write a story about an up-and-coming rock band as he accompanies them on their concert tour. The story isn’t necessarily unique: multitude of films have alsready explored the “rock and roll lifestyle”: the drugs, the sex, the fights. However, the way the story is built and conveyed sets this film apart from the others: real character depth and development, life lessons and eternally quotable moments all figure along the journey.

The Diary of a Teenage Girl, 2015

Another coming-of-age story, The Diary of a Teenage Girl follows the life of a 15-year-old artist as she enters into an affair with her mother's boyfriend. The film revolves around the protagonist’s sexual awakening and unapologetically details her experiences, actively defying society's most serious taboos. One thing that I personally really appreciate about the movie is that it’s able to capture the turmoil of teenage years without sugar coating or embellishing any of it. And of course, the visual aspects of the film (mise-en-scene, set and costume design) do a wonderful job at recreating the ambiance of the 1970s.

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, 1998

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is arguably the most iconic psychedelic comedy film to this day. Adapted from Hunter S. Thompson's 1971 novel of the same name, the film depicts a journalist and his psychopathic lawyer as they travel to Las Vegas and explore the city under the influence of psychedelic substances. While some criticize the movie’s pointlessness and lack of soul, others argue that the underlying message of the film is expressed in its very lack of purpose, intended as a “metaphor for the pointless pursuit of the American Dream”. I can understand why so many people had mixed reactions at first: this film is like a fever dream, actively portraying the horrors of excessive drug use through a very unbiased approach. It is nonetheless an extremely enjoyable movie, offering amazing visuals and hilarious performances.

European Summer

This one is not really a music taste and more of a feeling: sunburns, crickets, eternally long beach afternoons, the foreign sounds of an exotic language. European summers ironically aren’t necessarily about Europe itself but more about the experience of being away for the summer. The feeling of being somewhere far from home, experimenting with new food, new places, new sensations…meeting people that we know we won’t see again. There are an infinite number of music genres that could go with this theme but I think old jazz is an undeniably good fit. This includes artists like Billie Holiday, Duke Ellington, Dean Martin or Ella Fitzgerald. Most of the songs, like the movies, revolve around topics such as romance, sensuality, elegance and mystery.

Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/73gyNoqpx2yrKV5UOQSuAQ?si=mwWRwY_HT36gYEiZ7JFuqQ

The movies:

Stealing Beauty, 1996

Stealing Beauty is a 1996 drama film directed by Bernardo Bertolucci set in the Tuscany region of Italy during the summer of 1995. The movie tells the story of Lucy Harmon, a nineteen-year-old American, who, after her mother commits suicide, decides to travel to Italy in search of love, truth and finding herself. Apart from capturing the beauty of the Italian countryside and hot summer nights, Stealing Beauty also celebrates the beauty of youth through its charming story filled with longing and bitter-sweetness. The film also feels very European in the way the characters interact with each other, which can sometimes be confusing for an American audience. I learned that Bertolucci’s films are not for everyone. That won’t stop me, however, from recommending this film to any hopeless romantics out there.

The Talented Mr. Ripley, 1999

Also taking place in Italy, The Talented Mr. Ripley is a 1999 American thriller film written and directed by Anthony Minghella. Like the 1960 French film Purple Noon starring Alain Delon, the film is an adaptation of Patricia Highsmith's 1955 novel The Talented Mr. Ripley. The story takes place in late 1950s in New York. Tom Ripley, a young American, is sent to Italy to persuade Dickie Greenleaf, a rich and spoiled millionaire, to return home. But as Ripley struggles to accomplish this goal, he begins to employ extreme measures.The film is shot in stunning Italian locations and doesn’t fail to capture the beauty of the country. Once you begin watching the film, you’ll soon realize that behind this charming facade is something much darker and more mysterious. The story has a very Hitchcock-esque atmosphere, and the layered plot reveals each of the character's motivations and internal thoughts.

Call Me By Your Name, 2017

Italy… Again. Call Me By Your Name conveys the beauty of an Italian summer like no other film. The film is an adaptation of Andre Aciman’s novel of the same name. The story takes place in the 1980s in northern Italy. It follows the romance that blossoms between seventeen-year-old Elio and a student, Oliver, who visits for the summer, hired as Elio’s father's research assistant. The film is about romantic melancholy and loss as a crucial element of maturation and self-discovery alongside erotic exploration, fulfillment, and first love. Director Luca Guadadigno’s artistic sensibility enables the audience to completely immerse themselves in the audio-visual experience that the film offers. Tenderness and intimacy find their refuge in sound design; the whispers, the crickets, the wind and the sighs. The warmth of summer nostalgia is captured in each frame; the sun through leaves, the hiss of insects beside a hidden pond, the storm clouds, the echoes of nighttime filtering in through large open windows that all call to mind the grace of European summer.

The Swimming Pool, 1969

The Swimming Pool, or La Piscine in French, is a 1969 Italian-French psychological thriller film directed by Jacques Deray, starring Alain Delon, Romy Schneider, Maurice Ronet and Jane Birkin. It tells the story of two lovers, Marianne and Jean-Paul, who spend their vacation in a villa on the French Riviera. When Marianne decides to invite her former lover, Harry, and his teenage daughter to stay, tension increases between all of them. The film is a drama about sexual jealousy and possessiveness. It also touches on loneliness, anxiety, love and freedom. As the film is a part of the French New Wave film movement, a little bit of existentialism is unavoidable. More specifically, the movie also explores the absurdity of being and the meaninglessness of life. In addition to the big thematic qualities of the film, La Piscine offers a beautiful visual experience.

sources:

https://www.stereogum.com/1400291/the-10-best-beach-house-songs/lists/

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0137523/