Sunday, March 7, 2010

S02 E09: We're Oscar Wild(e)






Oh, puns...

You're probably reading this after the Academy Awards, and so this Oscar-themed episode won't seem nearly as timely or as clever as it was when we first conceived the idea, but then again, when have we ever lived up to our own expectations? Enjoy!

PLAYLIST

The Way You Look Tonight - Swing Time (1936)
Over the Rainbow - The Wizard of Oz (1939)
Swinging on a Star - Going My Way (1944)

Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah - Songs from the South (1947)
Que Sera Sera - The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956)

Moon River - Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961)

Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head - Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)

Theme from Shaft - Shaft (1971)

Flashdance (What A Feeling) - Flashdance (1983)
I Just Called To Say I Love You - The Woman In Red (1984)

Beauty and the Beast - Beauty and the Beast (1991)

Streets of Philadelphia - Philadelphia (1993)
Loose Yourself - 8 Mile (2002)

Al Otro Lado Del Rio - The Motorcycle Diaries (2004)

Falling Slowly - Once (2007)


LINKS

Disney Sweep
Under the Sea - The Little Mermaid (1989)
Beauty and the Beast - Beauty and the Beast (1991)
A Whole New World - Aladdin (1992)
Can You Feel the Love Tonight - The Lion King (1994)
Colors of the Wind - Pocahontas (1995)
You'll Be In My Heart - Tarzan (1999)
If I Didn't Have You - Monsters, Inc (2001)

The Way We Were - The Way We Were (1973)
(I've Had) The Time of my Life - Dirty Dancing (1987)
My Heart Will Go On - Titanic (1997)
Jai Ho - Slumdog Millionaire (2008)

Is Lost running out of time?

4 comments:

MissWitczak said...

Hello PJs... again.

As I begin listening to this episode, I am inspired to look up the winning songs from this award category over time. And as I was watching the Oscars last night (nothing else on) I remarked to myself "When did they stop having live performances of the nominated songs?" That made the Oscars WATCHABLE. And how come some years have three nominees and others have six?

I agree, Alyssa. "Over the Rainbow" is beyond classic.

You have really chosen some great tunes to play. But you have also chosen some that are among the most horrible songs ever. Namely one. "Que Sera Sera". Probably due to my time at the Festin. (Also "I Just Called to Say I Love You". Horrible.)

Moon River? Beautiful. (And you chose the best version to play. It isn't Moon River without it being sung in Audrey Hepburn's pretty but imperfect little voice.) Shaft? Glorious. Streets of Philadelphia? So moving. Lose Yourself? Catchy, catchy, catchy. Falling Slowly? Gorgeous.

In 2003 all the nominated songs were amazing. The Cold Mountain soundtrack is SUPER good.

My beef? 2005. The winning song was "It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp". Not only is it a horrible song, but it's also so... RACIST.

Did I explain exploitation? Good on me. That sounds like something I would say, although I honestly can't remember the conversation. Although maybe I can.

Shaft is such a catchy song. You can't not smile and feel the funk when that song plays.

Sex is biological. Gender is sociological.

Tyler, you need to get your bad 80's movies in order.

Did you know that the Lion King is a reworking of Hamlet? It is.

Oh no. WE, THE AUDIENCE, are being asked to provide next week's content? I need to sleep on this.

And actually, I will ask my students for some suggestions tomorrow as well. Sometimes they have very interesting things to say.

So,... another comment soon.

Great show, PJs.

Brutus said...

I have to agree with Alissa and "Miss" that "Over the Rainbow" is probably the most famous and recognizable movie theme released to date.

One tune that could be added to the list of great movie songs that you played would be the theme from "Chariots of Fire". It is "Jerusalem" by Vangelis. It suited the movie so well - moving.

While none of his songs ever won an Oscar, Ennio Morricone did win an Honourary Oscar for lifetime contributions. Everyone recognizes the theme from "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly". However, for me his best work was "The Ecstasy of Gold". The woman's voice is so incredibly beautiful. If you have never heard it, definitely worth a listen. Hard to believe it was used in a spaghetti Western film.

Who doesn't like Isaac Hayes? Right On! I was 16 when "The Theme from Shaft" was released, and synthesizers were arriving on the scene. (yep - no digital enhancements.) But everyone seemed captivated by the breakthrough "Wah-Wah" guitar of C. Pitts. Still enjoy that song. Thanks for including it.

Eminen's rap song to Eight Mile certainly suited the film.

On behalf of Tyler's family, we apologize (at long last) for having subjected him to the traumatization of Splash Mountain.

Brutus

p.s. to the tune of "The Maple Leaf Forever"

O, land of blue unending skies,
Mountains strong and sparkling snow,
A scent of freedom in the wind,
O'er the emerald fields below.

To thee we brought our hopes, our dreams,
For thee we stand together,
Our land of peace, where proudly flies,
The Maple Leaf forever.

Chorus:
Long may it wave, and grace our own,
Blue skies and stormy weather,
Within my heart, above my home,
The Maple Leaf forever!

From East and West, our heroes came,
Through icy fields and frozen bays,
Who conquered fear, and cold, and hate,
And their ancient wisdom says:

Protect the weak, defend your rights,
And build this land together,
Above which shine the Northern Lights,
And the Maple Leaf forever!

(Chorus)

Sur mers sauvages ou glaciers durs,
Tant d'héros se sont suivis,
En conquérant la peur, le froid,
Et les tempêtes de leurs vies.

Et tant de braves, rouges ou blancs,
Reposent ici ensemble,
De noble sang, de tant de neige,
Est née la feuille d'érable.

Refrain
De leurs exploits, de leurs travaux,
Et leur courage sublime,
Dans leurs vieux rêves réunis,
Puisons nouvelles racines.

Refrain Reprise
Sur nos montagnes, dans nos prairies,
À travers temps et sable,
Aimons toujours la fleur de lys,
Toujours, la feuille d'érable.

Oh, Maple Leaf, around the world,
You speak as you rise high above,
Of courage, peace and quiet strength,
Of the Canada I love.

Remind us all our union bound,
By ties we cannot sever,
Bright flag revered on every ground,
The Maple Leaf forever!

(Chorus)

Brutus said...

Sorry, I should have prefaced the p.s...

Those are not the original lyrics to "The Maple Leaf Forever", but a more modern rendition.

Brutie

Michael said...

Best intro ever!

Quite enjoyed the oscars this year, i keep watching the bit that ben stiller did and it both freaks me out and makes me laugh like crazy!

I'm also in total agreement about last week's Office. I felt it had some of the best moments of year but it just felt to piecemeal and lacked the fluidity that we're all accustomed to (unlike ASR).

peace, love and baguettes!