Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Best Original Song - 1987

"Shakedown" from Beverly Hills Cop II sung by Bob Seger 


Movie Synopsis: Axel Foley returns to Beverly Hills to help Taggart and Rosewood investigate Chief Bogamil's near-fatal shooting and the series of "alphabet crimes" associated with it. 


Does it appear in the movie (i.e. other than the end credits)? I don't know...it seems possible. 
Is it important to the plot? Eh...? 
Is it pleasing to the ear? D+.


"Cry Freedom" from Cry Freedom sung by George Fenton and Jonas Gwangwa 


Movie Synopsis: South African journalist Donald Woods is forced to flee the country after attempting to investigate the death in custody of his friend the black activist Steve Biko. 


Does it appear in the movie (i.e. other than the end credits)? N/A.
Is it important to the plot? Still don't know.
Is it pleasing to the ear? D.




"(I've Had) The Time of My Life" from Dirty Dancing sung by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes 


Movie Synopsis: A girl on vacation at a resort in the Catskills falls in love with a dance instructor. 


Does it appear in the movie (i.e. other than the end credits)? Yes. 
Is it important to the plot? It is the soundtrack for the final, climactic dance. 
Is it pleasing to the ear? B+.


"Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now" from Mannequin sung by Starship 


Movie Synopsis: A man falls in love with a mannequin who comes to life only when they're alone. (No, I'm not kidding). 


Does it appear in the movie (i.e. other than the end credits)? N/A.
Is it important to the plot? Um...it's probably played during some montage or something. 
Is it pleasing to the ear? A-.


"Storybook Love" from The Princess Bride sung by Willy DeVille 


Movie Synopsis: A woman, engaged to an evil prince, is rescued by her lover long thought dead. 


Does it appear in the movie (i.e. other than the end credits)? End credits and as score. 
Is it important to the plot? No 
Is it pleasing to the ear? D-.




So what won?
"(I've Had) The Time of My Life" from Dirty Dancing
What would I have voted for?
  "(I've Had) The Time of My Life" from Dirty Dancing  


Even though I like Mannequin's song more, this one is more important to the overall film. Dirty Dancing gets it.


Analysis
Oh the 80's. What a weird mix. In the midst of these pop songs, they tried to be profound with "Cry Freedom. Tsk, tsk, tsk. On what planet would that song win? Well, I guess this one if it was the 2000's.

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