Geekshow

The Big 10: Musical Numbers

Thursday, May 31st, 2007

The second installment of “The Big 10″ is all about Musical Numbers. I don’t mean the specific genre of musicals, but rather select titles from both TV and Film that happen to have one or more song and dance performances in them. A few of these selections are undoubtedly Musicals, but most of the offerings here do not generally qualify in such a category. Just as before, this list is not in any ranking order. It’s not a Top Ten, just my personal favorites that mean something special to me.

WARNING: Contains Brief Language And Minor Spoilers:

Right off, I’m going to go on record and state that I don’t particularly care for musicals. Everyone breaking out into song for no damn reason tends to kind of annoy me, especially when the characters happen to over-dramatize the mundane. Joss Whedon believes that if you express a dislike of musicals, you’re actually lying to yourself and the world, but you secretly love them. So far, this is the only time I’ve ever disagreed with the man, and quite strongly, in fact.

First off, if I did love musicals, I’d be proud of that fact and would have no reason to hide it. I would joyously share my passion for musicals with others, in the hopes of finding like-minded individuals. Second, why lie about something like that? It’s absurd. I mean, bending the truth about the time you may or may not have killed a guy with a rubber band, I get that. But, being dishonest when it comes to a penchant for musicals? Really? As if someone’s going to tar and feather you if you occasionally hum the soundtrack to West Side Story in the shower.

Musicals, I can take or leave. I don’t hate them, nor do I love them, and I’ve never been known to go out of my way to watch them. However, there are a few instances where a musical moment in a film just grabs hold of me and puts a big, stupid grin on my face. Every once in a while, everything just seems to fit. The sound of the instruments, the melody, the movement of the performers, their voices, I’m sometimes in the right mood for all of it.

So, with that in mind, I present to you some of my favorite Musical Numbers:

1. Moulin Rouge (Elephant Love Medley & Come What May)

If I may, I’d like to go slightly off topic for a moment, and vent some frustrations I had when I first saw Moulin Rouge at the cinema. It’s not regarding the film itself. I enjoyed it quite a bit. No, this has to do with the PG-13 rating. You see, down in the first row of seats at the theater, there were several kids. They couldn’t have been any older than 13, maybe 14. Also, they were alone. The entire front row showed no signs of adult supervision, whatsoever.

Why do I tell you this? Because, these kids would not shut up! They seemed to talk throughout the entire film. They weren’t loud enough to be coherent, mind you, but I was constantly aware of their presence, except for two scenes within the film. The Elephant Love Medley was seamless in the way it moved from one contemporary classic tune to the next. The voice work was exceptional, save for Nicole Kidman’s obvious straining during the high notes of “I Will Always Love You”. The two actors were especially harmonic during David Bowie’s “Heroes”, may favorite moment of the piece.

Come What May shortly follows this scene, but I didn’t get the true sense of its beauty until the reprise at the end of the film. Christian and Satine had endured the cruelty of show business, and I firmly believed the characters were quite in love by now, so when she collapsed into his arms, and Ewan McGregor began to sob his heart out, I was right there with him. The tears were pooling from my eyelids, all I had to do now was blink.

And then, the heartless little bastards in the front row laughed. They laughed! Here was a multi-award winning and nominated actor bearing his soul for an audience’s entertainment, and the snot-nosed maggots were laughing at him. The subject matter was too mature for them, I guess. The film should’ve been rated R. Let them laugh all they want at Pokemon, I say. The good news in all of this? Moulin Rouge was still a fun experience, and the manager gave my friends and I free tickets to see Shrek!

2. Little Shop Of Horrors (1986) “Dentist!” and “Feed Me (Git It)”

A musical about a giant, man-eating plant monster? Hell yeah! While the original film is delightful, the 1986 musical rendition of Little Shop of Horrors is a riot! Dare I say, it’s the musical for people who don’t like musicals. Instead of the generic and tired song stylings found in most efforts of the genre, the tunes here are consistently rockin’, with a toe-tapping doo wop sensibility mixed in for good measure.

Steve Martin and Rick Moranis are the standout performers here, reminding us of their comic genius from Saturday Night Live and SCTV, respectively. Martin especially showcases his inspired, manic energy during “Dentist!”, while Moranis does surprisingly well holding his own alongside legendary Four Tops frontman, Levi Stubbs in “Feed Me (Git It)”. The film is too hard not to love, with cameos aplenty (James Belushi, John Candy, Christopher Guest, Bill Murray, etc.), top quality work by The Jim Henson Creature Shop and a wicked sense of humor. Also, did I mention the wonderful music?

3. Family Guy: Road To Rhode Island (”Rhode Island Bound”)

There seems to be a musical gem of some sort to be found in almost every single episode of Family Guy. For me, the more impressive songs happen to be coincidentally when show creator Seth MacFarlane seamlessly harmonizes with himself! In episode 13 of the second season, Stewie and Brian have not one but two show stopping numbers. My favorite line involves Stewie comparing Brian’s penis to a Christmas Tree light. If just reading that doesn’t make you giggle, then this show is probably not for you. That’s fine, more for me. :)

4. Not Another Teen Movie: “Going To The Prom”

Not Another Teen Movie has its moments, but too often, it feels as though the film is simply reimagining teen comedies instead of adding something genuinely funny to them (American Pie). There are also some teen films lampooned here that have no business being mentioned alongside true classics, mainly because they were forgetable and seldom seen (Jawbreaker). However, the film does manage to accurately make fun of impromptu musical numbers by having, you guessed it, an impromptu musical number.

The scene only lasts for a couple of minutes, but I laughed out loud at least twice. First, when Mia Kirshner (playing the incestuous character portrayed by Sarah Michelle Gellar in Cruel Intentions) proclaims loud and proud that she will definitely get into her Brother’s pants before the night is through, except with fewer and dirtier words. :) The second chuckling moment happens merely seconds later, when a Fry-Cook joyously informs a customer that he’s “spent himself” onto a plate of French Toast. The song ends as all musical numbers should, with the cast trying to maintain a big finish pose while breathing hard. Not at all high brow comedy, I know, but it cracked me up.

5. Late Last Night: “Somebody To Love”

Admittedly, I don’t remember much happening in this made-for-cable movie, Late Last Night. The movie’s not without its charm and it’s fun to see Emilio Estevez back in full swing, but it’s Steven Weber who has all the best lines of dialogue. He’s really the reason to watch here, since much of the film kind of meanders from one whacky mishap to the next. It’s easy to compare it to Swingers (the box art is even very similar), but then again, I never really liked Swingers. According to everybody else and their dog, I’m probably the only one.

Luckily, there’s at least one scene that is completely worth the price of admission. As I’ve stated above, I’m often annoyed when characters break into song for no reason. This is the one exception where the randomness and comedic timing actually works in favor of the film. The two men are at a party, surrounded by people. Estevez is bummed because he’s recently been dumped by his wife. To cheer him up, suddenly out of nowhere, Weber starts singing Queen’s “Somebody To Love”.

Without warning, the crowd of onlookers magically join in, providing the chorus. Then, Weber pauses briefly. Just when you think he’s done, the A cappella jumps right back in with rhythmic clapping and a bit of choreography to bring it all home. As abruptly as it began, it ends with everyone going back into their conversations as if nothing had happened. The best part? That’s Steven Weber’s actual singing voice, and he’s damn good!

6. Pete’s Dragon: “Passamaquoddy”

Two words: Jim. Dale.
‘Nuff said. :)

7. Singin’ In The Rain: “Singin’ In The Rain

I suppose this could be considered an obvious given, but I can’t help it. Gene Kelly is one smooth criminal. The man moves so gracefully, you’d think he was on roller skates. His gleeful, lamp post twirling number from Singin’ In The Rain is simple, but memorable. The man is a fluid combination of precision and agility. Quite frankly, he is to song and dance what Bruce Lee is to the martial arts. So much so, that he’s got a beautiful and unique style all his own. Even more, Gene Kelly shares a Director credit on this classic work.

8. Annie: “It’s The Hard-Knock Life”

Annie was and is one of those movies linked to my childhood. Long before I developed distinct tastes for particular genres, this movie was one of the few musicals that was in my regular rotation of viewing. It was my first example of what it means to be a true performer. I’m almost certain this is where I was first exposed to Carol Burnett, Albert Finney and Tim Curry. “It’s The Hard-Knock Life” is a song with so much pluck and spirit to it, I never tire of hearing it.

Come to think of it, this very well may be the film that began my long-standing affection for redheads. :)

9. South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut (”La Resistance”)

There’s nothing I love more in a musical than when two or more songs come together to form a fresh, new track. It’s like a musical magic trick. The ingredients were there in plain sight all along, but it’s not until you actually hear them combined that you realize just how much careful mastery went into the work. “La Resistance” is the medley to end all medlies. Somehow, Trey Parker manages to weave together everything we’ve heard before into the perfect balance of form and melody. Nothing is overpowering, and the whole thing has a giddy flow to it that makes for good, solid ear candy.

10. Buffy The Vampire Slayer: Once More, With Feeling

I struggled long and hard in trying to decide which track was my absolute favorite. Was it the bittersweet medley (there’s that word again) of “Under Your Spell” and “Standing”? The heartbreaking revelations in “Something To Sing About”? The big, broadway feel of “Walk Through The Fire” and “Where Do We Go From Here”? Ultimately, I couldn’t decide, so I went with the whole damn episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, “Once More, With Feeling”.

Some folks say that Sarah Michelle Gellar isn’t a good singer. Of course, some folks pay $300 or more for a pair of sunglasses. Also, some folks voted for George Bush, not once, but twice. All kidding aside, I think most people don’t know what to listen for. Their ears have been spoiled and ruined by Diva-style singing and recording studio audio glitter, so they think that everyone is supposed to sound a certain way. I’m of the belief that in the specific range of a theatrical production, Sarah does quite well for herself, particularly in “Going Through The Motions”. Her voice is distinct and unique, and I guess people aren’t used to that. Me, I dig it.

From Joss Whedon’s character-expanding lyrics to the vibrant, widescreen picture, “Once More, With Feeling” is a standout production in every aspect. It’s the only musical CD I currently own. The best element of the entire episode? There’s actually a legitimate reason for all the singing and dancing, for once, and it even fits in the context of the series!

Honorable Mentions:
The Nightmare Before Christmas: “Kidnap The Sandy Claws”
Stuck On You: “Summertime”
Magnolia: “Wise Up”
The Simpsons: “Checkin’ In”
The Rocky Horror Picture Show: “The Time Warp”

That’s it for this edition of The Big 10. Got a list of your own? Go forth and get posty with it.

-John Pavlich
www.sofadogs.com