Mike’s Favorite Original Songs of the Decade: #148 – “The Rules Don’t Apply,” from The Rules Don’t Apply
148. “The Rules Don’t Apply,” from The Rules Don’t Apply
This is about as pure as a movie song gets. This is exactly what original film songs are about. The movie itself is a throwback, and this song sounds like something they’d have sung in a 40s movie. It fits perfectly within the plot, too. It’s deceptively simple, lyrically, but this is a great, great song. And bonus points for having Lily Collins sing it. It works so much better with someone who isn’t a perfectly-trained vocalist. This is another movie that people have basically forgotten about, but this song really does stick out as one of the best of the decade.
Pic of the Day: “I live in the American Gardens Building on W. 81st Street on the 11th floor. My name is Patrick Bateman. I’m 27 years old. I believe in taking care of myself and a balanced diet and rigorous exercise routine. In the morning if my face is a little puffy I’ll put on an ice pack while doing stomach crunches. I can do 1000 now. After I remove the ice pack I use a deep pore cleanser lotion. In the shower I use a water activated gel cleanser, then a honey almond body scrub, and on the face an exfoliating gel scrub. Then I apply an herb-mint facial mask which I leave on for 10 minutes while I prepare the rest of my routine. I always use an after shave lotion with little or no alcohol, because alcohol dries your face out and makes you look older. Then moisturizer, then an anti-aging eye balm followed by a final moisturizing protective lotion.” (20th Anniversary)
Mike’s Favorite Male Supporting Performances of the Decade (10-1)
I make ‘favorite performance’ lists every year, and I get that these lists, more than the rest, are the most subjective one can make. Because it’s really about what you see in each performance and what you respond to; There’s no objective way to truly rate a performance as better than another. With whole films, it feels easier to make that distinction. So with these lists, I’m just gonna focus on some performances from the decade that I really, really enjoyed, and the goal here is just to shout them out and maybe get some people to watch the films if they hadn’t or reevaluate each of the performances the next time they watch the films.
These are my favorite male supporting performances of the decade: (more…)
Mike’s Favorite Original Songs of the Decade: #149 – “Moonshine,” from Live by Night
149. “Moonshine,” from Live by Night
I started compiling this list sometime over the summer. And I’ve gotta tell you… this song’s been on and off stuck in my head ever since. This is catchy as shit. Most people don’t even remember this movie, let alone this song. But it’s really good. On a pure song level, I’d put this higher. In terms of its use within the film… more of a cool end credits song than anything else. Which is what kept me from putting it higher. But man, what a cool song this is.
Pic of the Day: “Oh, Studs, let’s have those other four paintings.” “Here they are Nick.” “And, eh, tell them where you got them.” “Why, where you told me. At Anthony Kroner’s Art Gallery in New York.” “Anthony Kroner, known to his intimates as Tony.” (75th Anniversary)
Mike’s Favorite Male Supporting Performances of the Decade (20-11)
I make ‘favorite performance’ lists every year, and I get that these lists, more than the rest, are the most subjective one can make. Because it’s really about what you see in each performance and what you respond to; There’s no objective way to truly rate a performance as better than another. With whole films, it feels easier to make that distinction. So with these lists, I’m just gonna focus on some performances from the decade that I really, really enjoyed, and the goal here is just to shout them out and maybe get some people to watch the films if they hadn’t or reevaluate each of the performances the next time they watch the films.
These are my favorite male supporting performances of the decade: (more…)
Mike’s Favorite Original Songs of the Decade: #150 – “I Run, “from Chi-Raq
150. “I Run, “from Chi-Raq
I’ve already said once before on this list in so many words — if you wanna make a song sound better, put Jennifer Hudson on it. In the other case, it was a song that was just okay that she elevated. This is a good song that she makes very good. This is straight gospel and it’s hard not to be moved by this one. This is one of those songs where, if it were playing over the end credits of the movie (it doesn’t in this one), you don’t get up. You listen to it. That’s the power of Jennifer Hudson.
