The Wasteland Reviewer

The Wasteland List; Music Culture Films

How often do you sit there thinking about what to watch? You might have an endless watchlist that keeps piling up (I certainly have one myself). Sometimes you are just in the mood for a type of film or a certain filmmaker or actor and want to take yourself into a deep dive. As someone who watches so many movies, I have people asking me for recommendations all the time. One of the best feelings as a cinephile is recommending a film and that person loves it. Take this wealth of cinematic knowledge and experience and enjoy some recommendations on me. Genre. Subgenre. Filmmaker. Actor. Composer. Writer. Genre. Story. Trope. Cliché. Any other cinematic elements or them. Here is The Wasteland List:   

Music Culture Films

Woodstock (1970)

What is the most influential concert and concert film of all time? Woodstock captures a culture moment that encapsulates the shift of the Hippie Movement and a cultural revolution that is reflected in music. Director Michael Wadleigh captures amazing performances by Joan Baez, The Who, Sha-Na-Na, Santana, Joe Cocker, and so many more iconic performers in this documentary/concert film.

Amadeus (1984)

What is the most powerful musical rivalry captured in film? Milos Forman’s Amadeus captures the classical period of opera with the presence of Mozart and Salieri and the disruptive talent of Mozart. F. Murray Abraham and Tom Hulce deliver a pair of incredible performances in front of grand filmmaking, production design, costumes, and the recreation of Mozart’s legendary music.

This is Spinal Tap (1984)

What is the most metal of metal movies you are going to find? The musical mockumentary found its origins in Rob Reiner’s incredibly funny and authentic This is Spinal Tap. The trio of Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, and Harry Shearer capture the spirit of the band life, especially as they are past their prime and living up to the shenanigans of the road.

Velvet Goldmine (1998)

Are you ready to get some British glam? Todd Haynes captures a specific time, place, and music movement with Velvet Goldmine which follows a journalist capturing the musical and cultural shifts that happened in 1970s England. Ewan McGregor, Johnathan Rhy Meyers, Christian Bale, and Toni Collette breathe so much personality into this sharp and engrossing film.

Almost Famous (2000)

What is THE on the road music movie? Few films have been able to capture a musical moment and the experience on the road with a band quite like Cameron Crowe’s Almost Famous. With Kate Hudson at the core, this impressive ensemble breathes life into the iconic mixture of journalism, music, and human connection (and that “Tiny Dancer” scene is a showstopper).

A Mighty Wind (2003)

What do you get when Guest takes the reins from Reiner and makes his own music mockumentary? Guest’s A Mighty Wind channels the comedic brilliance of Reiner’s film, but it shifts its focus to the folk musical scene with this engaging musical retrospective concert on display. This unique perspective captures the tensions, collaborations, and musical magic of the genre, the community, and all the little elements that go into putting on such a retro concert show.

Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny (2006)

What is the most aggressively fun love letter to the metal music community? Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny is a bonkers film that mixes horror/fantasy, metal music, and a make-it-or-break-it story about a music duo. Jack Black and Kyle Gass are joined by plenty of amazing cameos to deliver a unique musical with all types of dark humor and a passion for the metal music community.

Once (2007)

What is the most raw and indie music film to make it big? Once was a moment when John Carney’s film captured the love and passion of cinematic audiences. Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova craft the most tender connection and most beautiful music with all the emotions and power you could want out of it.

Inside Llewyn Davis (2013)

What is the most popular music culture in film? Folk has received so many different spotlights over the years and the Coen Brothers captured that folk scene of the 1960s so vividly in Inside Llewyn Davis. Oscar Isaac leads a fantastic ensemble that highlights the magic of folk music and the harsh reality of an artist’s journey to live, thrive, and break out.

Whiplash (2014)

What is the best representation of musicians at the school level attempting to breakthrough? Damien Chazelle captures the cinematic zeitgeist and internet film community’s attention with Whiplash. The tension is so powerful as we witness in the collision of a talented young narcissist in Miles Teller and the cruel and abusive teacher in J.K. Simmons.

Echo in the Canyon (2018)

What is one of the most dynamic documentaries out there capturing a specific place that represents a moment in music history? Echo in the Canyon captures the late 60s music community out in California that featured some of the most iconic musical acts of a generation. The inspired choice to have Bob Dylan’s son Jacob (of The Wallflowers) take us on this engaging journey while covering some of the best songs of that time.

A Complete Unknown (2024)

What is the greatest achievement of James Mangold’s A Complete Unknown? This is a film that, on the surface, tells the story of Bob Dylan (with a committed performance by Timothee Chalamet) but it tells the story of a mega force of musical creation who sends a seismic shift inside a music community. This tells the game changing effect on a community while capturing incredible performances of the most iconic songs in folk and Dylan’s career.