I headed over to Regal Cinemas at West Manchester Mall on Friday to see "I Love You Man" with my husband. I agree with Ellen's review, except for I didn't think the movie was as predictable as she did. It was surprisingly sweet, but that's not what I'm writing about.
From the start of the movie we knew something wasn't quite right with the sound. We could hear all the dialogue, singing and sound effects, but the music was barely audible. It played softly in the background like music in a grocery store. It made the entire viewing experience very odd.
We let the usher know that the sound was off, he said he'd look into it. Unfortunately, it wasn't fixed until the credits were nearly on the screen.
Music can often make or break a movie or show. That's why so many musicians these days are clamoring to be heard on popular shows like "Grey's Anatomy" or "Gossip Girl." It's a symbiotic relationship, just as the artist gets a ton of exposure, the show gets cool points for discovering new bands, what's more scenes in the show are made all that more memorable and poignant by the songs playing in the background. See Denny's death scen in "Grey's Anatomy":
When the music is absent, it's just plain weird. Even weirder, are those "getting-to-know-you-and-love-you" montage scenes without music. Every romantic (or, in this case, bro-mantic) comedy has one -- usually accompanied by some upbeat love song. When there's no music, it's just a couple people not talking to each other, or laughing at each other, or smiling goofily. The significance of the montage is kind of sucked away without the music.
Having music is important. Having good music is even more important. Case in point, the DVDs for "Beverly Hills 90210". CBS bought the rights to create the DVDs, but didn't buy the rights to any of the iconic music that made the show so popular. The result? Bad, bad music created to sound like the originals. Gag.
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