Jon Bon Jovi is one of the greatest stage performers of all time, and Mick Jagger is a seminal frontman in one of the biggest bands of all time. I’ll tell you what though: they can’t act. Released this week, THIS MUST BE THE PLACE stars Sean Penn as a retired rock star; so to celebrate we’ve compiled a list of the greatest musician-starring films and TV programmes of all time – and even the worst – so grab a groupie settle down with a crack pipe and enjoy.
5. THE SOPRANOS (1999-2007)
Bruce Springsteen has written some of the greatest rock music of all time (refer to his 1975 album ‘Born To Run’) but none of this would have been possible without Steve Van Zandt on lead guitar; with riffs you could set your watch by he’s one of the greats and is also a damn fine actor. As Silvio in mob drama THE SOPRANOS Van Zandt arguably steals the show often loitering in the back ground with that unmistakable bottom lip.
4. FIGHT CLUB (1999)
‘Then there was Bob, Bob had bitch tits.’ And so we are introduced to one of the best performances of Meat Loaf’s career; even better than his on-stage theatrics. Much better in fact. The greatness in the performance is the way in which Bob grows during the film; starting off as a shell of a man and growing into an integral part of the – admittedly terrorist – organisation Project Mayhem. Brilliant stuff and much better than ‘Bat Out Of Hell.
3. REQUIEM FOR A DREAM (2000)
This is admittedly a bit of a cheat as star Jared Leto later gained fame with 30 Seconds To Mars, but it’s our list so tough. As junkie Harry Goldfarb Leto gives his greatest screen performance and encapsulates a heroin addict perfectly. Based on Hubert Selby Jr’s novel of the same name Darren Arnofsky direction is a triumph and the film – whilst tough going – is essential viewing.
2. THE MAN WHO FELL TO EARTH (1976)
Idol is a strong word but David Bowie is mine. He has created some of the greatest music of any decade; his acting isn’t quite up to the watermark though… except for in this masterpiece. Playing an alien from another land in search of water for his home planet, THE MAN WHO FELL TO EARTH tracks Bowie as he submits to temptation and indulgence on earth all the while building a business empire. Nic Roeg’s film is sublime and Bowie is perfect as the alien.
1. DANCER IN THE DARK (2000)
You remember that woman who turned up at the Oscars in a swan dress? Me too. That was Bjork: she’d been nominated for Lars Von Triers’ classic DANCER IN THE DARK. Starring as a single mother who is gradually losing her sight we follow Selma’s (Bjork) life after emigration to America from Eastern Europe to save her sons sight (the disease is hereditary) by working…lots. It may not sound like much fun – there are some soul crushing moments – but the film is a joy to behold and is Von Triers’ premier work; plus for those who like that kind of thing there’s a bit of a song and dance.
and the worst…
SWEPT AWAY (2002)
Madonna is rubbish – well has been for the last 15 years – and there have been a lot of low-points for her: getting off with Britney, her disco album, and, of course, SWEPT AWAY, her ill-fated collaboration with then husband Guy Ritchie – it’s little wonder they divorced. To find a film so devoid of even a morsel of talent is quite rare but the terrible twosome managed it here it’s bloody terrible and is a benchmark for terrible; so if you fancy watching SUCKER PUNCH (2010) or THE WOLFMAN (2009) watch it after this and you’ll find yourself saying ‘Well it was bad, but it’s no SWEPT AWAY’.
THIS MUST BE THE PLACE is released in theatres 6th April you can read our verdict here and the trailer below.
