# Crummy movies with good soundtracks **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 14, 2011, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crummy-movies-with-good-soundtracks/602871 "2011-11-14T05:41:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2011, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crummy-movies-with-good-soundtracks/602871/1 "2011-11-14T05:41:30Z")
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? ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2011, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crummy-movies-with-good-soundtracks/602871/2 "2011-11-14T05:43:28Z")
_Footloose_. _Earth Girls Are Easy_. _Rocky Horror Picture Show_. ---
**Author:** ![drastic\_quench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e36b37/32.png) [@drastic\_quench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drastic_quench)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2011, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crummy-movies-with-good-soundtracks/602871/3 "2011-11-14T05:58:05Z")
Escape from LA For 1996, it was [unexpectedly good](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Escape_from_L.A.#Soundtrack). It was something of a nu-metal landmark. ---
**Author:** ![Arkcon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/96bed5/32.png) [@Arkcon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arkcon)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2011, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crummy-movies-with-good-soundtracks/602871/4 "2011-11-14T11:50:34Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2011, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crummy-movies-with-good-soundtracks/602871/5 "2011-11-14T12:16:17Z")
I’ve always wanted a soundtrack for **Wilder Napalm**. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2011, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crummy-movies-with-good-soundtracks/602871/6 "2011-11-14T14:21:00Z")
The David Niven version of Casino Royale. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2011, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crummy-movies-with-good-soundtracks/602871/7 "2011-11-14T14:47:10Z")
Shaft’s Big Score. ---
**Author:** ![well\_he\_s\_back](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/3ab097/32.png) [@well\_he\_s\_back](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/well_he_s_back)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2011, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crummy-movies-with-good-soundtracks/602871/8 "2011-11-14T14:49:40Z")
The Twilight movies (which I won’t go near with the proverbial 10-foot pole) have interesting soundtracks with some good music. ---
**Author:** ![minlokwat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/minlokwat/32/2844_2.png) [@minlokwat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minlokwat)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2011, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crummy-movies-with-good-soundtracks/602871/9 "2011-11-14T14:59:13Z")
**The Last American Virgin**. 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. See for yourself [here](http://www.fast-rewind.com/music_lamericanvirgin.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Aeris](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a183cd/32.png) [@Aeris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeris)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2011, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crummy-movies-with-good-soundtracks/602871/10 "2011-11-14T15:30:01Z")
> [@well\_he\_s\_back](#): > > The Twilight movies (which I won’t go near with the proverbial 10-foot pole) have interesting soundtracks with some good music. I second that emotion. To me the music from those movies is really good chill mood music. ---
**Author:** ![Meatros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Meatros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meatros)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2011, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crummy-movies-with-good-soundtracks/602871/11 "2011-11-14T15:54:13Z")
> [@well\_he\_s\_back](#): > > The Twilight movies (which I won’t go near with the proverbial 10-foot pole) have interesting soundtracks with some good music. 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… ---
**Author:** ![Greg\_Charles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/839c29/32.png) [@Greg\_Charles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greg_Charles)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2011, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crummy-movies-with-good-soundtracks/602871/12 "2011-11-14T15:54:53Z")
Pretty in Pink – The Smiths, Suzanne Vega, Echo and the Bunnymen, INXS, and of course The Psychadelic Firs. Terrible, terrible movie. ---
**Author:** ![Small\_Hen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ad7895/32.png) [@Small\_Hen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Small_Hen)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2011, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crummy-movies-with-good-soundtracks/602871/13 "2011-11-14T16:02:19Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2011, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crummy-movies-with-good-soundtracks/602871/14 "2011-11-14T16:20:49Z")
I nominate [Crossroads](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090888/soundtrack), which you should endorse, **Jackmannii** with your love for Ry Cooder. Steve Vai, as usual, burns down the house. ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2011, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crummy-movies-with-good-soundtracks/602871/15 "2011-11-14T16:22:16Z")
> [@Greg\_Charles](#): > > Pretty in Pink – … The Psychadelic Firs. You have given me a fabu idea for decorating my Christmas tree this year. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![joebuck20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/74df32/32.png) [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2011, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crummy-movies-with-good-soundtracks/602871/16 "2011-11-14T16:54:07Z")
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). ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2011, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crummy-movies-with-good-soundtracks/602871/17 "2011-11-14T16:57:25Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2011, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crummy-movies-with-good-soundtracks/602871/18 "2011-11-14T18:11:41Z")
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 This soundtrack just will not quit. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2011, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crummy-movies-with-good-soundtracks/602871/19 "2011-11-14T18:48:11Z")
A lot of people would say the “Cat People” remake was crummy (I liked it, though it was flawed) but the Giorgio Moroder soundtrack rocked. Also, “Sorcerer” a remake of “The Wages of Fear,” also not so popular and for good reason, had a great soundtrack by Weather Report. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2011, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crummy-movies-with-good-soundtracks/602871/20 "2011-11-14T18:56:40Z")
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. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/crummy-movies-with-good-soundtracks/602871.md?page=2)