My prime example of this (which will probably grossly offend someone, sorry) is La Bamba, which I have never been able to watch for more than 20 minutes at a stretch due to the sometimes grotesque overacting and unrealistic scenes. But it does have an excellent soundtrack, thanks largely to Los Lobos. A couple of other guest numbers are also worthwhile, including Brian Setzer’s uncanny impression of Eddie Cochran (“Summertime Blues”) and a pretty good cover of Buddy Holly’s “Crying, Waiting, Hoping” by Marshall Crenshaw (if you throw out the "do-do-do"s).
By carefully scouring the used music bins, I have found quite a few soundtracks from mediocre to atrocious movies going for a buck or so, that contain at least a few good songs (Ry Cooder hasn’t let me down yet).
Other suggestions for good soundtrack material from B (or worse) movies?
I think a soundtrack by Queen elevates just about any movie. FWIW, I liked Flash Gordon and Highlander, but if you didn’t, the soundtrack might do it for you – rocking, but with an epic scope, almost orchestral, but without and orchestra, or actively trying to fake it.
I suppose a separate debate/thread would be needed to determine whether the movie is “crummy” or not. (70% approval rating on Rottentomatoes) but the soundtrack is unquestionably kick-ass.
You’ve got genuine hits from the Police, the Cars and Journey. There’s Devo, early U2 and Human League and some slower R & B numbers from Lionel Richie/Commodores and James Ingram.
My wife really digs the sound track to the first movie (maybe the second?). She also loves the sound track to Queen of the Damned, which was not a very good movie…
I Heart Huckabees was a complete waste of my two hours and eight dollars, but the soundtrack was enjoyably quirky. I still listen to it when I’m doing art.
Batman & Robin sucked balls, but the soundtrack was pretty good - Smashing Pumpkins, Goo Goo Dolls, REM, etc. (though R. Kelly’s Gotham City, in retrospect, is pretty cheesy).
I’ve always thought the standard-bearer for this is Cutthroat Island, which has an absolutely brilliant orchestral score by John Debney, easily some of the best film music of the 90s anywhere. Amazing stuff to listen to on CD, over and over.
But the movie? Beyond horrible, which mutes the effect of the music substantially.
Jerry Goldsmith also wrote a ton of great film music for not-so-good films, from The Swarm to Medicine Man. Often low-grade action and genre stuff that he managed to single-handedly elevate.
Dead Presidents. This movie wasn’t *that *bad, but it wasn’t good, and its soundtrack rocked my face.
Walk On By - Isaac Hayes
Payback - James Brown
Get Up & Get Down - The Dramatics
Tired of Being Alone - Al Green
If You Want Me To Stay - Sly & The Family Stone
Never Never Gonna Give You Up - Barry White
Some people don’t like Joe vs the Volcano (I loved it), but the soundtrack is one of the best I’ve ever heard. Includes the Elvis version of Blue Moon, which is pure musical heaven.
