Rock and Roll All Night

#5. “Freebird” in ELIZABETHTOWN (2005)… I should preface this by saying that ELIZABETHTOWN is underwhelming at best, but this sequence is pretty funny. A has-been band named Ruckus (perhaps better labeled as a “never-was” band), reunites to play at a funeral. Being the proud southern rockers that they are, they kick right into Lynyrd Skynyrd’s classic “Freebird”. Better yet, they plan to proudly send a giant paper mache bird soaring over the audience mid-song. The bird is waiting a bit too close to the lights…but the band plays on. The bird catches fire…but the band plays on. The flaming bird sends the audience running…but the band plays on. The growing fire starts the sprinkler system…but the band plays on…

#4. “My Sharona” in REALITY BITES… I have to wonder how much extra royalty money The Knack earned after this love letter to Generation X disenchantment. There have been moments where I’ve felt like joining Jenanne and Wynnona as they bounce along merrily in that 7-11, but more often than not I tend to be more like Ethan and shake my head at such antics in disbelief. Now where did I put that Big Gulp I’ve been nursing since 9 a.m.?

#3. “Superfreak” in LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE… Here we have the misfits getting their moment in the sun, so in a way, the song choice is appropriate. However, when you get a little girl writhing and crawling to Rick James, it all just becomes so. very. wrong. But what really solidifies the scene is the way the entire family jumps in to support little Olive. More than any other song on this list, this is the song I can’t hear anymore without picturing the movie it’s related with.

#2. “It’s Raining Men”/”I Believe In a Thing Called Love” in BRIDGET JONES/THE EDGE OF REASON… I’m really not a fan of these movies, but even I will admit that these scenes are pretty damned funny no matter how many times you’ve seen them. In each case that driving, uptempo, soundtrack leads you to expect a quick-cutting montage of a testosterone-fueled scrap. Instead we get a lingering, awkward, sissy bitch-slap-fest. And then, just for kicks, they do it again in the sequel. They’re perhaps the greatest cinematic tribute to any guy who’s ever wanted to kick another man’s ass…but really doesn’t know how.

#1. “A Town Called Malice” in BILLY ELLIOT… A long dance sequence is hardly a new thing, but there’s something about the angst in this one that gives it that makes it stick in your brain. After a harsh argument with his family over his desire to dance, Billy tears off and begins to tap his anger away to The Jam. I think it’s because Billy seems to be so connected to this song that he’s hearing in his head that makes me put it at the top of the list, or perhaps it’s because it actually makes me want to get up and dance (and I can’t really dance!). All in all, it’s just a great sequence to a fun upbeat song that makes you want to go jumping and running through your neighbourhood…well…until the first person stares at you. Then you might stop and think better of it. Perhaps it’s best to just leave the jumping, skipping, dancing, and tapping to Billy.