In an interview, the Bonnie one says Anderson has a “completely cancerous approach to using music,” likening the filmmaker’s vision to “‘Here’s my iPod on shuffle, and here’s my movie.’” Adding insult to insult, Oldham has to be reminded of the “Darjeeling guy”‘s name before he begins dissing him. Read more at A.V. Club.
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This presents a conundrum of authenticity. Whose side to I take?
I’m taking will oldham’s side just so he doesnt fuck me and call me a pussy…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSdZ_yZP8bk
Get off my lawn!
Unfortunately no one knows who Will Oldham is. Wes Anderson could get any college age girl he wants. Sorry, Bonnie Prince. We know you’re jealous.
yes. because that’s why they’re feuding. Oldham was all like, “I can get SO many more college age girls than you.” And Wes Anderson was like, “No way, dude. I’ve been banging sorority sluts since RUSHMORE.”
actually they’re not feuding. Bonnie Butt Billy dropped a new album and wants some publicity.
well, anderson wasn’t exactly taking an active part in the feuding. why would he? he probably was too busy bangin’ them ol’ college girls anyway. full circle.
Yeah, but Bonnie gets waaaayyy more cougar action!
Oh, this is true!
ughhh…if wes anderson is only making shitty movies to score college girls that really says a lot about the content being so vapid. i think yr on to something mr. frost.
I enjoy Wes Anderson’s movies a lot, but i can’t say i have ever really paid that much attention to the music in them. I certainly never thought the music was taking away from the film. Mr. Oldham’s sweeping condemnation of almost all the music used in (mainstream, at least) movies seems a bit harsh but somewhere in there i guess he has a point:
“That?s all I ask for, that a little bit of time and respect is given to the musical part of filmmaking.”
I can support that
Think about Sigur Ros’s Staraflur being played over the end of the Life Aquatic. The words are irrelevant (partially because they’re in another language), but the emotion that song provokes fits perfectly with the emotion Zissou must have been feeling after catching the elusive beast that destroyed his closest friend.
So, BOOM, bonnie whatever guy.
i totally agree with you on that one. i think that sometimes Wes Anderson gets a little out of control with his “it” music selections, but the Life Aquatic did a great job of using original Seu Jorge tunes made specifically for the film. Unfair attack on Wes, IMO.
The idea of never using established music is crazy, many films do a fantastic job of incorporating existing music, it can totally change the way i view a particular scene.
Unfair attack and unrealistic opinion.
Boo.
how many f’in times is this movie gonna slow down to the kinks? i get it, its bittersweet.
Well I’ve never listened to anything Will Oldham has ever made but anyone who disses Mark Mothersbaugh of Devo (Yeah, the guy who’s done the most scoring for Wes Anderson) wont be garnering any of my attention/$$$. What a freaking idiot?
He wasn’t dissing the Devo guy, IanisRad. If anything, he was sticking up for him. If you read the whole interview, Will says movies should have music that is specifically scored for them, not pop songs that are about different things. He was criticizing Anderson’s use of his Ipod to soundtrack his movies, not the original scores he uses. Not saying I agree with Oldham on this point (though I love his music), just giving you some context.
I read the entire interview before anyone here. Go check.
If that was his point he should have chosen a much better example. Cameron Crowe maybe? Martin Scorsese (whom I think he’d pardon)
Wes Anderson’s films are so TIED with the sound of the Mothersbough scores that its absurd to attack him for this. So what if he chooses to use some pop music? The original scores come from a very specific authorial voice. I’ve seen interviews with Mothersbough about the process they use to find the sound for each film. Its very genuine and supportive of the narrative.
There are a million reasons to dis Anderson, but this shit is weak.
To a degree, I agree with is point, but thios example is just really silly.
I guess Oldham skipped the Michel Foucault and Postmodernism class whilst at school.
you accidentally put a question mark after the statement where you called someone else an idiot.
yea I am positive Oldham cares what you really think.
Will Oldham is sad nobody really cares about his albums anymore. Keeps releasing an album a year to dwindling excitement. It’s ok Will, there there….
Martin Scorcese might disagree, but I’m sure Will Oldham knows more than Scorcese or Wes Anderson about making movies. Because he can play the guitar.
I dug the soundtrack to The Life Aquatic, especially the David Bowie covers by Seu Jorge in Portuguese. If the director has a specific idea concerning the movie’s soundtrack, he has the right to dictate what is used. Nothing but love for Will Oldham though.
Owls are assholes! “Yellow in a Coma” wasn’t Wes”s best but the guy may have demonstrated perfect pitch with music once or twice…
what’s “yellow in a coma”?
Something Nick Drake had a lethal dose of,,,
Couldn’t he have gone after Zach Braff instead?
Or scorsese? Or Cameron Crowe?
There are a lot of better examples than a guy who is very intense about his original scores which almost all come from a specific musical voice that supports the film.
BTW, Hes fucking wrong about Something about Mary.
1. There’s Something About Mary – Jonathan Richman [1:47]
2. How To Survive A Broken Heart – Ben Lee [2:47]
3. Every Day Should Be A Holiday – The Dandy Warhols [4:02]
4. Everything Shines – The Push Stars [2:27]
5. This Is The Day – Ivy [3:33]
6. Is She Really Going Out With Him – Joe Jackson [3:36]
7. True Love Is Not Nice – Jonathan Richman [2:13]
8. History Repeating – Propellerheads [4:04]
9. If I Could Talk I’d Tell You – The Lemonheads [2:51]
10. Mary’s Prayer – Danny Wilson [3:54]
11. Margo’s Waltz – Lloyd Cole [4:01]
12. Speed Queen – Zuba [3:44]
13. Let Her Go Into The Darkness – Jonathan Richman [1:19]
14. Build Me Up Buttercup – The Foundations [2:59]
Seriously, did he not even see the ending where they all sing and dance to “Build me up Buttercup”? lol
I love Will Oldham but I think he’s being really unfair to Anderson here. Wes Anderson obviously carefully chooses the songs used in his movies to convey a feeling or an emotion that the characters can’t. Other directors may do that, but he definitely doesn’t throw those soundtracks together or hit shuffle on his ipod, in my opinion, the songs are used like another voice in his movies.
Exactly.Wes Anderson’s films may be somewhat stiff and overly self aware. You could even say that he is a one trick pony.
This however, is false. He has made exactly half onf ONE movie that sounds like an iopd on shuffle.
Agree with Matthew here, Zach Braff is the real cancer. How many mediocre Snow Patrol songs do we have to put up with during mopey scenes between a shlub and some girl that’s outside of his league? Anyway, I like BPB, but I also love Wes Anderson’s movies, so I’m not going to take sides or anything. But I feel his spite is misdirected.
seriously? the music is a key element is all of his films. He uses music better than most any other current filmmaker out there. Aside from the Mothersbaugh scores, some of the placements are perfect. Life Aquatic for example: Sigur Ros near the end in the mini-sub…and Queen Bitch to close out the movie…both Classic.
And the way the original Bowie version is followed immediately by Seu Jorge’s cover during the credits was amazing.
what a coincidence that will oldham is playa hatin when his new album just dropped. PUBLICITY FOR THE INDIES! Hi! I’m Will Oldham buy my albums so I don’t have to work in a grocery store.
Especially since Touch and Go is scaling back so much, the distributor, as I understand it, for Drag City-Home to Will.
at least – if Wes Anderson had a new album entitled ‘Beware’ – it wouldn’t suck balls.
Everybody’s latching onto this quote but it bears mentioning that Will says a lot of really interesting, illuminating things in this interview about his career and his approach to music. (Not that Wes deserves this shit given Life Aquatic’s Bowie use, but Darjeeling’s soundtrack use is admittedly random and insufferable ["Hey look, a Kinks song!"])
It is a good interview. even if he comes off bad. thats part of the good…
I read somewhere the soundtrack to Rushmore would entirely consist of Kinks songs.
Not kidding.
Uhh, did anyone see my performance in “Old Joy?” I was the shit! I understand that it is like a must for all indie kids to love Wes Anderson movies, but, you should be loving me too. Did I mention that I’m the shit! Go listen to “I See A Darkness” and try and tell me otherwise. Need I even mention the awesomeness of my beard? The Best!!!!!
Don’t post here anymore
Remember when Margot gets off the bus in “The Royal Tennenbaums” and “These Days” starts? Amazing.
will oldham’s music is soooo boring.*
*except for “i see a darkness” of course. but we all know someone else did that better…
the bottom line is will oldham likes fish sticks in his mouth. He will have to collab with Kanye soon or he will sink into indie obscurity.
He’s already been involved in a Kanye project, actually: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSpCf8-AE94
Seek & Destroy in the pirate scene of Life Aquatic ftw.
*Search & Destroy, woops.
The last two Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy albums have been fantastic, and well pretty much all of his albums before that (under any monicker) have been pretty damn good. I don’t really agree with ol’ Bonnie in this instance, but I see his point. What is sad, however, is the number of Wes Anderson fanatics who have something to say, but have never listened to any of Oldham’s music. Maybe these haters should stop posting comments on the internet, and get back to their film class so they can continue to rip Wes and PT Anderson off like all their classmates.
Who cares how great Oldham’s music is when the point is that he’s wrong. It doesn’t make up for his asshatery.
It’s just plain wrong (and, um, asshatery) to dislike Anderson’s use of music in his film?
I like Anderson as much as the next dude but that is kind of fucking creepy.
Not to get too into film theory but there is a valid point that Oldhamn brings up. I know quite a few people, film snobs, that have issues with the way Anderson uses music in his films. The arguement presented is that he uses a particular song to create a certain emotion instead of actually doing it through his writing or direction. I personally like Anderson’s films and musical choices but it is an issue to people who take this kind of thing seriously.
I think the criticism has a point too. By the fourth time around with Darjeeling, while there were some new approaches in technique, Anderson was becoming a little too dependent on certain filmmaking moves (slow motion shots, set design). The most egregious is his use of very good pop songs to elicit emotion, when it would be more impressive if the story / characters did this by themselves.
No.
I’m a film snob and I know what your talking about. That CAN be an issue with Wes Anderson films, but your snobby friends would proabably take issue with is Something about Mary soundtrack too.
Although, so should he if he’s ever seen the fucking movie.
The example is terrible and sounds like some video clerk. Is Wes Anderson the only director who’s name he knows? Why him? Is he even CLOSE to being mention-worthy in this context?
At least Oldham doesn’t pass off daddy issues and slow motion Brit-pop as art.
In closing,
APPLEJACKS!
Wes Anderson has made the same movie over and over. The only change has been the set design. He needs to seek therapy to work out his issues and make a different kind of movie. Which I hear his next project will be. His last two movies were terrible.
Totally. I didn’t even finish Darjeeling. Stuff was terrible. I just kept on snorting pills and passed out. Much more positive experience.
congrats to wes he has attained the precious moment. getting a reaction is what art is supposed to do… my reaction, your reaction; at least people are paying/spending attention. bonnie is unique, and is entitled to his own opinions. i think both are great and should continue doing what they do best! yea!
You’re wrong about what art is “supposed to do.” Okay? You’ve described one narrow ,division of art, and a pretty weak category too. While there are many types of art, the highest sorts glorify God and His creation, while the next highest embrace and cultivate man’s creative abilities. After these two levels, I don’t really care, but I don’t bother to seriously argue over the merits of these lower arts. Anyway, Wes Anderson is in neither the first category or the second. But Bottle Rocket was funny.
supposed to do… was a dead giveaway of me giving a subjective answer. as was your reply. and i believe that it is infact possible that wes anderson personifies both categories of your definition of art. Who’s Strawberry?
My response isn’t subject to anything but the truth, my own feelings on the matter have absolutely nothing to do with what’s what. There’s no reason to refute a subjective opinion, but the quality and value of art isn’t a matter of subjectivity. I’m strawberry.
I think Will is just mad that he is bald like an old man, and Wes has long flowing locks.
I love Oldham’s music, and he was even good in his little cameo in Wendy & Lucy, but he sounds like a little prick in that interview.
Oh God, you blogosphere pieces of shit, you know nothing. Wes Anderson is a one-trick pony, and a shitty one at that. How fey and precious can one man be? Will Oldham has put out some fucking amazing albums, and though that’s irrelevant here, he’s right.
Using music PERFECTLY…seeing into the soul of Bill Murray…these things register with me. Garden State, Zooey…Bedford Ave…I understand the backlash,,,I don’t even hold it against Wes that he stole all my ideas telepathically somehow…The first cuts the deepest…
if your comment were to be soundtracked with pop songs it would be done by sheryl crow.
Will is a weird bald old man that lives with his parents. He’s only known because some dbag at a label advertises him everywhere. it’s like exploitation in a way. Look at the creepy old guy who thinks he can sing. then everyone laughs.
Wow!
You nailed the image Oldham has been trying to meticulously cultivate since 1992. He’s spent almost 17 years shooting for it, and you’re the first person who “like” gets him.
Maybe you should be his agent.
Kill yourself.
Will Oldham is probably right here. As much as I love Anderson’s movies, often the music seems like a ploy to attract people to the film. When he puts a popular song into his movie, it’s almost like a cameo appearance. He knows people will recognize the song, and he knows that it’s an awesome song, but it often doesn’t serve the film. Like what does Scott Walker have to do with Steve Zissou? Nothing at all, it just sounds pleasant. I’m not saying that there isn’t room for a well-placed popular song in a movie, but not every other fucking scene. At that point you’re just pandering to people’s musical tastes. I expect to hear my Sigur Ros in car commercials, not in art-house films, thank you. That being said, I still gobble up Anderson movies like fast food, so fuck me too, I guess.
Yeah, I’m sure you were listening to Mattew and Son WAY before Rushmore…go back to watching “Friends”or “Family Guy” and destroying society…
Yeah man, you nailed it. I’m really sorry. Keep up the awesome posts!
I completely disagree with you here, Jeff. The songs that Wes Anderson puts in his films are hardly EVER popular. That’s the whole point. They’re almost always underrated/unheard pop songs from the 60′s. Emmitt Rhodes? songs from an out of print Kinks album? These are not popular songs by ANY MEANS, and probably don’t persuade even one person to see the movie for the music.
Wes Anderson just picks excellent music for his films, and I don’t know why it pisses everyone off so much.
The original scores in his films are such a large part of what gives them life that I can’t imagine I’m seeing the same films as you kids. His movies don’t have any more or less poular music than most other major motion picture comedies.
That may hurt his cred, but it doesnt make him the poster-child for this.
Considering his original scores are BETTER than most its even more ludicrous.
I guess ‘popular’ isn’t the best choice of words, even though most of the songs he uses are fairly popular, or at least on popular albums (Bowie, Lennon, THe Who, Paul Simon, Iggy Pop, Ramones, etc..). Really, it comes down to this: Anderson puts songs he really loves into scenes that have similar moods. Like when Gwenyth Paltrow walks off the bus to Nico’s “These Days” in Royal Tenenbaums, it’s really pretty and it easily draws you in. But even though the mood or tone of that song fits the mood of the scene, the actual lyrics tell an entirely different story. So it’s like throwing a completely different narrative into your movie for 30 seconds, and if people listen to the lyrics then that is really jarring. If you don’t listen to the lyrics, then it’s like “Sweet. Awesome scene, awesome song, I feel good.” I guess it’s not a big deal, because they ARE great songs, and on the surface it makes you feel good about the scene. But if you are paying close attention, then it sometimes seems like a cheap way of drawing people into the movie,(although that’s probably not Anderson’s intention). And I know that tons of other major motion pictures do the same thing by having popular songs in the soundtracks, we just happen to be talking about Wes Anderson here. And I think Bonnie ‘Prince’ BIlly brought up Wes Anderson because Anderson does pick great songs in his soundtracks, and he is sort of known more than any other artsy filmmaker as having a great, diverse musical taste and applyig that to his films. I’ve read tons of CD reviews that mention such and such song belongs in a Wes Anderson film. Also, I don’t think people go to see his films for the music, but while they are watching it the music makes the film more attractive. Vanilla Sky is a horrible movie but its soundtrack makes the film slightly more appealing(not that I am comparing Vanilla Sky to Wes Anderson). Also, I’m not pissed about the music Wes Anderson picks for his films. Also, I don’t watch Friends or Family guy, and I did hear Matthew and Son before Rushmore, not that it matters, and so it’s really fucking weird to say I’m destroying society. Very long post – sorry.
this debate reminds me of that Williamsburg Will Oldham Horror song/video…
And on the L train in the morning, I was pretty sure I saw Will Oldham,
He was wearin’ the same sunglasses he had on stage at the Bowery Ballroom
Had he come to walk among the Williamsburgers of his kingdom
And like the burghers of Calais will a sacrifice be demanded?
To offer up our dreams and beg for mercy empty-handed?
And hapless in our hipness crowded 5 to an appartment
Relegate our dreams to hobbies and deny our disappointment
Cause The Stones in ’65 want total satisfaction, kid
But The Stones in ’69 see grace in just getting what you need
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSdZ_yZP8bk
i kind of see where will oldham is coming from, but Wes Anderson is not a good target for this attack. not at all. boo billy, boo.
This is dumb. I want to know what is *really* going on between these guys. Too much creative judgement here…The only way we can get to the point is if we ask a deaf person who needs subtitles if the movies have any cred. Done.
I can’t believe I like something that’s come out of Will Oldham’s mouth.
It strikes me as odd that he picks on Wes Anderson of all people? I’ve seen that many people have already mentioned some great auteurs that use music as a narrative benchmark or tone enhancer in their films (Martin Scorsese, Robert Altman, Danny Boyle, Michel Gondry, Paul Thomas Anderson, etc.) As much as I admire Mr. Oldham, i think he provides another fine example of most music majors I met in college (i.e. they’re so fixated on their chosen aesthetic that they’ve unintentionally ignored the intricacies of others).
I thought the use of Lola vs. Powerman and The Moneygoround (Pt 1) was excellently used. I loved how he used their songs as a motif of departure, ‘This Time Tomorrow’ getting on the train, ‘Strangers’ at the funeral, and ‘Powerman’ getting back on. What was really random, however, was the use of Champs-Elysses. As much as I absolutely adore that song, I was taken aback (Really? A french standard in a movie about India?)
dummbbbb!!, he was in Paris with Natalie Portman in the first part of the movie, the song is supposed to connect you to that memory, so next time know what your talking about please
I agree that pop music is too loosely used in American cinema, so I see Oldham’s overarching point (regardless of whether Anderson is really the right target).
Kubrick was one of the real masters of allowing a soundtrack to enhance the ambience of the film. I’d also argue that Lynch (who has admitted he takes a lot of his music/film-related influence from Kubrick) is also successful at this.
I love Oldham’s music and I think he’s a good actor.
That’s all I have to say.
I’m actually a fan of Wes Anderson, Life Aquatic in particular, but BPB is exactly right. Anderson’s use of music is garish, distasteful and superficial. I love the Kinks as much as the next guy, but it ends up being distracting and ultimately a disservice to the films.
Please refer to the attempted suicide scene in Tannenbaums (with the Elliot Smith song) It’s laughable.
It’s spelled ELLIOTT SMITH, two T’s…… When will people learn already. -_-
And I stop respecting Will Oldham… now.
Wes should totally pull a scoreless film next time around. It worked for the Coen bros.
You are a genius!
Will Oldham has a sweet cul-de-sac haircut, and his nickname should be Bonnie Prince Boring.
more like will oldballz.
Wes Anderson and the Royal Tenenbaums were the reason I started listening to Elliott Smith, and thus began my appreciation for indie music. That must be the “good cancer” Larry David talked about.
Oh please, how was that laughable? I thought the use of Needle In The Hay was perfect.
Did Oldham send Anderson ‘Old Joy’ as an audition tape and get turned down? That happens when you star in a craptacular movie, Will.
But I won’t hate on either. They both do good (and bad) work. No one’s ‘art’ is perfect.
the use of music in rushmore is pretty amazing. i’m less concerned about wes anderson’s soundtrack choices than the huge drop-off in quality of his past few movies.
martin scorsese definitely wins my award for most distracting, self-indulgent use of music by a major director.
If I were to list out my top 10 ‘music in movie moments’ I think at least half would be Wes Anderson’s (with some of the others coming from the Coens).
Alone again Or in Bottle Rocket
Pretty much any song in Rushmore
Needle In The Hay in Royal Tenenbaums
These Days in Royal Tenenbaums
Life on Mars in Life Aquatic
Where Do You Go To (My Lovely) in Darjeeling Limited
Ahhh I can just imagine every scene by thinking of the music that goes along to it. Looks like I’ll be having a Wes Anderson marathon this weekend. Will Oldham can suck it.
I HATED “Darjeeling Express” and I feel like if you think about “Slumdog Millionaire,” the contrast in energy and joy between the movies shows how racist and lazy “Darjeeling” was. I find Wes Anderson’s movies more and more anemic and excruciatingly solipsistic. This interview was a really interesting–and inside–take on music in movies. Film students should take note (and it takes one to know one)–it’s true that with the success of Josh Schwartz TV shows and the rise of indie rock driven soundtracks, more and more often songs get slapped on top of images in totally sloppy ways, by people who could give a fuck about how the music was made. I think it’s cool that Oldham is so opinionated. Think about movies with great music where there are themes–or where one song in particular plays a big part, like “Chungking Express” or “Breakfast At Tiffany’s.” So much more heartbreaking than piling twee shit on all over the place.
“I HATED “Darjeeling Express” and I feel like if you think about “Slumdog Millionaire,” the contrast in energy and joy between the movies shows how racist and lazy “Darjeeling” was.”
Not as racist or lazy it is to compare the two movies simply because they both take place in the same HUGE ASS country. Those movies are not about the same things at all. Also, going on to speak about how great ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ is when you’re so concerned with racism in movies is hilarious.
Will Oldham suddenly appears to be quite a wanker. A talented wanker. But still… a wanker.
seriously though, when was there a rule on how to use music in your own movie, you old loser Will Oldman……obviously jealous about the fact that he is was more popular and accreted film maker than you are, how incredibly lame
Who is Will Oldham?
He’s absolutely right though! Wes Andersons movies can be completely simplified to a statement such as “here’s my ipod on shuffle and here’s my movie”.
Ignoring the writing, casting, cinematography, etc. is a completely legitimate thing to do when you’re going to criticize someones filmmaking.
Because, in movies, it all boils down to the kind of music you use.
No, but seriously, who is Will Oldham?
Ok. listened to some of his music.
I liked it better when he used to go under the name Damien Rice.
Boring and unimaginative acoustic whining. But that’s my subjective opinion, right?
Actually, I can compare two movies that take place in the same huge ass country–I am unaware that there is an art rule against simple comparison. “Slumdog Millionaire” made me think of “Darjeeling” because of the way the country was used–in the most literal way– in “Darjeeling” as an inert, colorful backdrop–for inert, claustrophobic characters.
The racism in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” is lamentable, and outdated. But I was talking about the use of music in the movie–specifically, the use of a single song. If you have some argument against “Moon River” or its effect in the movie–please advise.
Okay, It’s just discourteous to slam someone unprevoked. and secondly, if I was to make a movie I would want what ever music i wanted in it. It’s a character in films like his. There is also this thing called, don’t watch something just so you can bitch about how it’s not how you would have done it. instead go out and make a better movie.
If the film exists, then it is automatically subject to being ‘slammed’. The fact that it exists is the provocation. You CAN make a movie with whatever music you want in it, and your movie will suck too. The music is definately not a character. Can you imagine if some character walked into the middle of a scene and said lines that had nothing to do with the film. That’s what the songs in Anderson’s movies do. You are absolutely entitled to watch something just so you can bitch about how you would do it better. And finally, he did make a better movie. It’s called “Old Joy”. You will hate it.
1. Wes Anderson is the Dane Cook of indie film makers.
2. Mr. Oldham merely stated an opinion about the way he feels music should be used in film.
3. There is no such thing as “don’t watch something just so you can bitch about how….” Films are made to be watched, the people who watch said films are supposed to have a reaction, and while most filmmakers would probably like for everyone to have a positive reaction, you can’t please everybody.
And what the fuck is wrong with -here’s my Ipod shuffle…heres my movie. Here…Dylan’s “Abandoned Love” Bill Murray…bing!…already you”re on your way!
“Santa Fey”…Robert Altman…Leonard Cohen…learn your shit skippy.
I love Anderson’s music selection. The Royal Tenenbaums score accompanied the movie so well. Not to mention the Darjeeling Limited and The Life Aquatic. The only soundtrack that I thought was off key to the film was Rushmore but I still loved the movie nonetheless (and subsequently purchased the soundtrack anyways). Granted a lot of you are saying “It’s just Oldham’s opinion, he has a right to be a whiny bitch!” True enough but he argument is so simplistic, “The song’s lyrics do not it in the scene, they shouldn’t use it.” Meh.
will oldham is a pretentious douche that takes himself way to seriously
I can’t speak to Will Oldham’s pretentiousness or to his similarity to female hygiene products, but the notion that he takes himself way too seriously is kind of silly. I mean the man appeared in ‘Trapped In The Closet’, a Kanye video, and on the Wondershowzen Hee-Haw parody ‘Horse Apples’. These aren’t really signs of someone who is devoid of a sense of humor.
will oldham > life in general
the usage of elliot smith’s “needle in the hay” during the suicide scene in royal tenenbaums is proof of wes anderson’s skill in using music to improve the film.
great point
how exactly does putting a sad sounding song over a sad scene prove skill. If that’s proof of skill, then the people making ‘One Tree Hill’ must be geniuses. his use of ‘needle in the hay’ in no way improves that scene, he could have used a million other songs and gotten the same effect.
who gives a fuck?
Obviously you do because you commented.
I think this is a good place to ask where in the hell do i find “In my mind” by wil Oldham? I’m prepared to buy music for once. I love how everyone has a voice on the internet, but seriously, there has to be something more important to argue about other than what song Wes Anderson puts in a movie. Certain songs have different meaning to each person and can’t be a blanket emotion for everyone. What would American Psycho be without that Huey Lewis Louis and the News song? I’m sure there are many other examples of this, but it’s late and my mind grapes hurt. Lighten up and find the good in things; FInding negatives are easy.
Chilcoat, you can find traders for In My Mind at The Royal Stable. Here’s the address: http://users.bart.nl/~ljmeijer/oldham/
Ah, isn’t it exhausting deciding which parts of Indie fandom are acceptable? You can’t just like or dislike something. I bet The Fray fans don’t pick apart Coldplay fans like this.
1.) Matewan is better than the movies you people watch.
2.) Viva Last Blues is better than the music you people listen to.
downvote it!
By “you people” do you mean black people?
will oldham is a douche. I saw him live and he was terrible. his music is pretty lame and way overrated, not really sure why anyone acts like he is such a good musician. there is nothing special about what he does, but for some reason wannabe hipster faggots have to act like they love him and he is the second coming of christ or something. wes anderson however makes excellent movies and his soundtracks are arguably the best in recent film. is bonnie prince sad because his songs weren’t used in one of his movies? stop bitching and die already oldham.
I don’t understand where watching rich people make out to “ruby tuesday” is “excellent” while someone who has been covered by johnny cash is “for wannabe hipster faggots”. Please elaborate?
I believe that it’s because when we watch the rich people making out to “Ruby Tuesday” we are supposed to go ‘Wow! I love that song! If I were making out with rich people that is totally the song that would be playing in my head,” and that banal connection is “excellent”
best case scenario: will oldham criticizes the music in CHRISTMAS ON MARS. he asks wayne coyne why CHRISTMAS ON MARS couldn’t be more like the trailer for WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE.
actually… he didn’t know Wes Anderson’s name. “That Darjeeling guy”, remember?
What an ASSFACE! Of course his music would be innappropiate for any decent movie because of his screeching whiney ass voice would ruin any good dialogue! The music for Royal Tennenbaums matches up perfect for the mood and actions of the movie! And WTF is he thinking about the cancerous name he chose for himself, Mr. Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy????? Please!
most ridiculously narrow understanding of film i’ve ever heard. utter moron.
i know from a reliable source that Will Oldham is lashing out at Wes Anderson because Will Oldham found out from someone close to Wes Anderson that Will Oldham is a jerkoff.
“the way i feel inside” playing during the funeral in Life Aquatic is one of the most memorable scenes in any movie i’ve ever seen, for me. the song fit perfectly and the scene wouldn’t have been the same without it. and there’s countless other scenes in his movies where there is a deeper/hidden-ish reason for the song choice (ie. Bill Murray’s diving board scene in Rushmore, in connection with The Graduate).
i think there are a million other directors who could be criticized for this before Wes Anderson… he should put one of BPB’s songs in his next movie, i wonder what he’d say then. haha
No one cares about Will Oldham/ “bonnie ‘prince’ billy’ and his neurotic music