Top Ten Gift Ideas for Music Movie Fans

There are a great many music movies out there for your viewing enjoyment. The great thing about music movies is that they can and do appeal to non-musical types. These movies have become famous not just for their music, but often times for their message and its ability to reach across boundaries. Here are ten films that are available on DVD and would make a fine addition to your Christmas gift list this season.

1. Mr Holland’s Opus (1995) – This film starring Richard Dreyfuss as a composer/pianist who reluctantly takes a gig teaching high school music in 1965 to settle down and gain some income. Slowly over the years, his dreams of composing one memorable piece of music go by the wayside, as the challenges of teaching and real life crowd his time. Eventually in the mid-1990s, the music program is cut due to funding issues (often a common problem in real life), and Mr. Holland receives a special surprise from his students. Also starring Glenne Headley, Jay Thomas, and William H. Macy

2. That Thing You Do (1996) – Tom Hanks directs and stars in this picture. The film is set around The Wonders, a fictional band from Erie PA who in 1964 is cast as an amalgam of early 60’s rock (Beatles, Beach Boys, Brill Building, etc.) The band is headed by Jimmy Mattingly (Jonathan Schaech) who writes a song entitled “That Thing You Do!”. When their drummer gets injured, local beatnik/jazz drummer Guy Patterson (Tom Everett Scott, who is a dead ringer for a young Hanks). They play a local Erie talent show, where Guy takes the tempo of TTYD way too fast. The new version is a huge hit. They get signed to the fictional label Play-Tone under the auspices of Mr. White (Hanks). Also starring Steve Zahn, Ethan Embry, Liv Tyler, and Charlize Theron. A highly enjoyable film for the whole family.