Unlike the original film score, “needle drop” is when the film uses a pre-existing recording of the song, either as background music or as diegetic music in the scene itself. The film is made up of many aspects; after all, it’s an audiovisual medium, and drops of a needle are behind some of the most memorable movie scenes.
Paul Thomas AndersonHis filmography is known for its distinctive features - flawed and desperate characters, carefully choreographed long takes and an unforgettable soundtrack. Anderson imbues each of his films with his characteristic rhythm, where the elements of the scene harmonize (or disharmonize) in a beautiful unity. Thanks to Anderson’s deliberate choice of music, the needle-falling moments create memorable scenes and reveal much about what the film is conveying.
1 “Magnolia” (1999) - “One” by Aimee Mann
The opening credits slowly fade in and out of the black screen, and soft, repetitive piano tapping Amy Mann”One” Creates Anderson’s Ensemble Film Magnolia. During the first seven minutes, we are introduced to each of the Magnoliacharacters - Frank TJ Mackey (Tom Cruise), pick-up artist and motivational speaker; Claudia (Melora Walters), a woman struggling with addiction; Jimmy (Philip Baker Hall), an aging quiz host; Donnie (William H. Macy), former quiz champion; Linda (Julianne Moore) and Phil (Philip Seymour Hoffman), the wife and nurse caring for Linda’s husband; and Jim(John S. Reilly), the policeman is trying his best.
As the song says, “one is the loneliest number,” but as we get to know each of the symbols that make up MagnoliaAnderson emphasizes separate lives that will soon intersect unexpectedly.
2 “Boogie Nights” (1997) - “Boogie Shoes” by KC and the Sunshine Band.
Due to his success in the adult film industry, young star Dirk Diggler (Mark Wahlberg) revels in his newfound fame. His success lies in his spending money on Italian reptile shoes and shirts made from imported Italian nylon with limited edition silk prints, a fact he tells everyone he comes across.
In a 1970s setting, the soundtrack to the film boogie nights takes viewers back to the disco era. With KC and the Sunshine Band’s “Boogie Shoes” playing over the stage, she highlights the material joys that Dirk enjoys through his newfound success.
3 “Love Drunk Down” (2002) - Shelley Duvall “He Needs Me”
Following her to Hawaii, BarryAdam Sandler) is trying to get through to Lena (Emily Watson) a hotel room from a phone booth during a street parade. When his call finally gets transferred to the right room, the phone booth lights up and they make plans to meet. Barry reaches out for a handshake and Lena pulls him in for a kiss against a sunny Hawaiian backdrop.
Anderson’s out of the box romantic comedy. drunken love emphasizes the romantic meeting of two social outcasts with Shelley Duvall”He Needs Me” from Popeye. The scene is full of quirks and hope as two lonely people finally find each other.
4 “Licorice Pizza” (2021) - “Let Me Roll It Up” by Paul McCartney & Wings
Reconciled after narrowly avoiding a horrific motorcycle stunt, Gary (Cooper Hoffman) and Alana (Alana Chaim) walk to the waterbed store. Lying side by side on a waterbed, “Let Me Roll It” performed Paul McCartney and the Wings begin to play as the tension between them builds.
The action takes place in Los Angeles in the 1970s. licorice pizza follows the development of a young couple’s unconventional relationship. As Gary looks longingly at Alana, respecting her distance, the song’s message echoes across the stage as Gary mourns his unrequited love.
5 “Inherent Vice” (2014) - “Journey into the Past” by Neil Young
After receiving a postcard from Shasta (Katherine Waterston), Doc (Joaquin Phoenix) recalls how they once used a ouija board, hoping to find the next result. How Neil YoungIn the Journey to the Past plays, we are transported to a time when Doc and Shasta ran hand in hand through the rain, lit by streetlights, carefree.
birth defect is a neo-noir mystery about Doc trying to find his missing ex-girlfriend, Shasta. With memories reminiscent of a distant and serene past, Neil Young’s song captures the sense of beauty and loss found in nostalgia and the pain of holding on to a past that is no more.
6 “Master” (2012) - “Let Me Satan” by Ella Fitzgerald
How Ella FitzgeraldIn the plays “Get Away From Me, Satan” we are introduced to the luxurious world of the post-war department store. Women, businessmen, young couples and families pose for the camera under Freddie’s restaurant (Joaquin Phoenix) direction. Everything is calm and well managed. Meanwhile, a saleswoman in a luxurious coat walks through the department store, showing off her outfit.
Master follows Freddie, a World War II Navy veteran trying to adjust to post-war society. When Fitzgerald’s song plays during our first meeting with Freddie in a post-war setting, we feel the weight of Freddie’s violent past hanging over him.
7 Boogie Nights (1997) - “Do Your Thing” by Charles Wright and The Watts 103rd St Rhythm Band
At a 1979 New Year’s Eve party, Bill (William H. Macy) breaks into the event in search of his wife. In one continuous camera shot, Bill makes his way through the party with “Do Your Thing” performed by Charles Wright and The Watts 103rd St Rhythm Band playing in the background. He finds his wife in the room, who cheats on him again. As the New Year’s countdown approaches, Bill pulls a gun from his car, goes back inside and shoots his wife, the man she was with, before shooting himself just as the song ends and the clock strikes midnight.
Anderson’s use of “Do Your Thing” to highlight this scene in particular disrupts the lighthearted disco-loving 1970s that was the first half boogie nights. He abruptly and unexpectedly opens a new era.
8 Boogie Nights (1997) - “Jessie Girl” by Rick Springfield
Dirk (Wahlberg) and Reed (John C. Reilly) approach local drug dealer Rahad (Alfred Molina) in times of need, as they hope to swindle supplies from him. The couple enter a chaotic scene while Rahad’s bodyguard examines the fraudulent drugs provided by Dirk, Rahad sings and dances to “Jessie’s Girl” Rick Springfield while fireworks go on in the background. When the bodyguard catches on to the scam, in an explosive turn of events, the stereo fades into Not on”99 Luftballons” when the firefight starts.
Disastrous drug deal scene from boogie nights signifies the moment of Dirk’s coming of age. Not one, but two needle drops in this scene alone, Anderson uses the soundtrack to create havoc through an outburst of unnecessary violence.
9 “Licorice Pizza” (2021) - “Life on Mars?” David Bowie
During the 1973 oil crisis, Gary needs gas and runs to a gas station. WITH David Bowie”Life on Mars?” Accentuating the scene, he winds through a long line of cars stuck on the road, signs indicating that there is no gas, and children on bicycles who do not care about the world.
licorice pizza unconventional relationships are also portrayed in unconventional ways, with the desperate pursuit of gasoline becoming a romantic gesture. The youth of the 1970s are surrounded by turmoil and turbulent times, and Bowie’s iconic song in this moment helps to capture the youth’s sense of helplessness in the midst of world events and the carefree joy that comes with it.
10 “Magnolia” (1999) - “Wise Up” by Aimee Mann
As Phil injects a powerful drug into his elderly patient, Claudia returns to her addiction by listening to Aimee Mann’s “Wise Up”. Her voice trembles as she sings along to Mann’s emotional song. As the scene cuts to a melancholy Jim, a defeated Jimmy, a lonely Donny, a remorseful Phil, Linda and Frank, each singing the same song in different times and places.
Anderson perfectly captures all the characters from his ensemble film. Magnolia together in one scene of shared sadness. While not all stories intersect, this scene, along with Mann’s song, allows the characters to relive a shared moment of emotional pain in a haunting way.
Source: Collider
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