We’re taking a short break from our Industry Series to pull together one of our favorite annual events—the summer movie soundtrack playlist! It’s also the one where we invite our friend (?) Jordan to join in given his deep love of movies and their music. And true to form he’s warring with our staff and provoking our readers, so I can only encourage people to please @ him for his ridiculousness.
Three years in and movies are back, theaters are open, and ComicCon left us deep in our feelings. It’s a far cry from where we started when we put out our first Blockbuster playlist in 2020, and being back in a theater is a gift and the anticipation of settling in and going someplace totally new for a few hours is something we’re so grateful to do again. (Even if it means paying to see a Minion movie three times over.)
Courtney’s Picks
I’ve been accused of wasting lives on questionable movies because I fell hard for a trailer. But here’s the thing—trailers are good y’all! It’s a skill to sell a movie in under two minutes, and so often that’s done through the music. Whether it’s that first fat low C on the “Top Gun Anthem” or Tem’s cover seamlessly blended into Kendrick Lamar’s “Alright”, music moves you to action.
Top Gun Anthem (Top Gun), Harold Faltermeyer, Steve Stevens
Come A Little Bit Closer (Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2), Jay and the Americans
Shelter from the Storm- Take 1 (Jerry Maguire), Bob Dylan
No Woman No Cry (Black Panther: Wakanda Forever), Tems and Marvel
Sam’s Picks:
Some may disagree with my song selections being from Blockbusters but to me the music makes the movie! What is a movie without a great soundtrack? I hope you enjoy the wide variety I have chosen.
Hold On (Bridesmaids), Wilson Phillips
Can’t Fight the Moon Light (Coyote Ugly), Leann Rhimes
Gangstas Paradise (Dangerous Minds), Coolio
This is Me (The Greatest Showman), Keala Settle
Kelsey’s Picks:
How is it already our THIRD edition of the #Blockbuster playlist? As a frequent movie watcher (and yes a movie theater goer), this playlist is always difficult for me to narrow down. These four songs were the first ones to pop into my head and I would appreciate some grace when it comes to the third movie on my list.
Look What I Found (A Star is Born), Lady Gaga
There She Goes (The Parent Trap), The La’s
Turning Page (Breaking Dawn), Sleeping at Last
Hungry Eyes (Dirty Dancing), Eric Carmen
Rochelle’s Picks:
When summer is in full swing, I can’t help but to morph into a binge-watching, popcorn-eating, sponge of the popular culture that is a great movie. The only thing that’s better than getting lost in the cinematic gold of a great story is re-living some of my favorite moments through the music. That is what Blockbuster means to me. Here are some of my favorite songs and artists from recent films.
Happy ("Despicable Me 2"), Pharrell Williams
Comfortable ("The Photograph" Original Motion Picture Soundtrack), H.E.R
What It Feels Like ("Judas and the Black Messiah"), Nipsey Hussle & JAY-Z
Shea Butter Baby (Creed II: The Album), Ari Lennox & J. Cole
Jordan’s Picks:
As a reminder for those Revenge of the Sith fans deeply insulted here, we tolerate this Jordan guy for a few reasons. He’s aways down to support our ridiculous notions (if you see him this summer, that Captain’s hat is courtesy of the SJVCEO!), he’s always answers our calls and is only annoyed about half the time, and he’s the guy behind one of the most effective energy code programs in California! So, while he’s a bonafide cinephile, Jordan’s expertise goes beyond movies. Be sure to check out all the great work he is doing with the Tri County Regional Energy Network (3C-REN) https://www.3c-ren.org/on-demand-trainings/
So excited to be asked to participate in this again! Since this is “Part 3”, my selections this go around are “trilogy” themed. Movies and their music are funny. You don’t realize how embedded they are in your psyche/daily life until you hear them again for an exercise like this. Nevertheless, some beautiful scores from some beautiful films for you all to enjoy!
Also, per Courtney from a previous blog post… Don’t @ me. There is only one Star Wars Trilogy – Episodes IV-VI. Or, you can @ me all you want. It will be a lively discussion. See what happens.
The Godfather Waltz (The Godfather), Nino Rota and Carlo Savina
Back to the Future (Back to the Future), the Outatime Orchestra
Rise (The Dark Knight Rises), Hans Zimmer
Main Title: The Story Continues (Star Wars: Episode 6 Return of the Jedi), John Williams