Cinematic Riffs I

Movies and rock, two things I enjoy watching and listening to. Blogging about these two topics would take more pages than George R. R. Martin's latest book.  So I opted to try to structure them into topics that can span several blogs.  I clarify that I voluntarily leave films about blues, jazz and other genres related to rock, documentary and biopics.

The first one chosen was , the influence of rock music on cinema in the 20th century.  Fortunately I have seen several films where rock is the predominant theme or where the situations shown have a strong relationship with it.  Ordering them chronologically, we have:

JAILHOUSE ROCK (1957). Featuring Elvis Presley as the main character, it is considered the first film that reflects the rebellious and defiant attitude of rock and is about an impulsive young man who does not conform to social norms. His music and style represent an alternative form of expression that appeals to young people looking for a way out of conformity.

HEAVY METAL (1981). The film is an anthology of five short stories, each of which is accompanied by a song from a heavy metal band of the time. Each story is set in a fantastic and surreal world, and the music helps create an atmosphere of adventure and danger.

THE WALL (1982).  Directed by Alan Parker with script and music by Pink Floyd himself. The protagonist is a rock singer who is affected by a series of traumas that lead him to build a psychological wall around himself. The film uses a variety of innovative cinematographic techniques for its time, such as animation, special effects and editing, to create a unique audiovisual experience.

AIRHEADS (1986). The plot centers on the fictional band "The Lone Rangers," who hijack a radio station to forcefully broadcast their demo in hopes of gaining recognition. The film combines elements of comedy, music and satire about the music industry and rock culture of the 1990s.  

WAYNE'S WORLD (1992): the film follows the adventures of two friends, Wayne Campbell and Garth Algar, as they host their own cable television show called "Wayne's World." The film is filled with references to rock culture, from greetings to discussions about music, bands and topics relevant to fans of the genre.

TRAISPOTTING (1996). The film follows the story of a group of young friends in Edinburgh who embark on a series of nihilistic and self-destructive adventures. The main characters are rock fans and music is an important element of their lives. It also features a series of musical numbers that showcase the actors' talents as singers and musicians. The main characters are young people who do not conform to social norms. Their hedonistic lifestyle and drug addiction are a way of rebelling against the status quo.

There are many more, but as I wrote at the beginning, these are the ones I have seen and were released before 2000.   

"¡Let´s Rock!"