"You don't come out of the cinema humming the scenery" - that's what one wag said when trying to emphasize the importance of music to the cinematic experience. And then, of course, there are those films that are best enjoyed with a great sound system and a blindfold. Movies such as...
Judgment Night (1993) - A fair enough action movie about a bunch of guys who get caught up on the wrong side of the tracks, Judgment Night is notable for i) being among the last movies Emilio Estevez made while he was still a bona fide star, and ii) featuring a trailblazing soundtrack which combined rock, metal and indie with rap and hip hop. Cue Sonic Youth teaming up with Cypress Hill, Mudhoney taking on Sir Mix-A-Lot (and winning!) and Faith No More going toe-to-toe with Samoan behemoths Boo-Yaa T. R.I.B.E.
Trespass (1992) - A remake of The Treasure Of The Sierra Madre set in a run-down district of St Louis, Walter Hill's action drama pits firemen William Sadler and Bill Paxton against gang-bangers Ice-T and Ice Cube. The movie itself isn't unspeakable but while watching it you often wish the guys would set their weapons down so we can properly enjoy the musical stylings of Public Enemy, Gang Starr, Black Sheep, co-producer Ry Cooder, plus the brothers Ice on the tremendous tittle track.
Party Party (1983) - This long-forgotten BritCom mightn't have made stars of Daniel Peacock, Karl Howman and Perry Fenwick, but it did allow the top acts of the time to cut loose on a bunch of covers. Not that the world really needed to hear Bananarama taking on - and losing to - the Pistols' ‘No Feelings’, but Bad Manners (‘Yakkety Yak’), Altered Images (‘Little Town Flirt’) and Dave Edmunds (‘Run Rudolph Run’) are all good value, as is Elvis Costello on the hungover-sounding theme song.
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