Mixtape - The 20th Century Fox's Favourite Tracks

In no particular order and off the top of my head because I have cakes in the oven...

Kenny Loggins :: ‘I’m Free (Heaven Helps The Man)’ – from Footloose

‘Footloose’ would be the obvious track to put in a movie Top 10, but ‘I’m Free’ just pips it. It features in the climax of the movie, where the ban on music and dancing (yes, really – but it is set in Utah. John Lithgow is essentially the Taliban) is lifted, and the kids can hold their dance. Victory for Kevin Bacon.

M.I.A. :: ‘Paper Planes’ – from Slumdog Millionaire

I’m a fully paid-up member of the Slumdog bandwagon, but I liked this the first time round. And the second time. And now the third time.

The Who :: ‘Baba O’ Riley’ – from the trailer for Frost/Nixon

Musical wizardry from start to finish. It almost made me want to see Frost/Nixon, but then I remembered I can’t bear Michael Sheen.

Feist :: ‘We’re All In The Dance’ – from Paris, Je T’aime

Simple and sweet; I love Feist’s voice. I can't wait for New York, I Love You.

Sha Na Na :: ‘Born To Hand Jive’ – from Grease

We have a ban on Grease songs at Straight To Video because we don’t want it to sound like a hen night. But I like to sneak this one into every set. I defy anyone to listen to this song and not smile.

Cyndi Lauper :: ‘Goonies R’ Good Enough’ – from The Goonies

If my memory serves me correctly, you see Cyndi Lauper singing this on the TV while Josh Brolin works out in the living room. Plus she had a cameo role on Gossip Girl - what's not to love?

Rolling Stones :: ‘Gimme Shelter’ – from The Departed and Adventures In Babysitting

My favourite Stones track ever. I should probably act cool and say I love the way this track is used in the opening scene of The Departed… But it actually came to my attention when it was used in (the brilliant) Adventures In Babysitting.

The Smiths :: ‘Please Let Me Get What I Want’ – from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and Pretty In Pink

Ferris Bueller has a beautiful instrumental version of the song by The Dream Academy.

America :: ‘Horse With No Name’ – from Hideous Kinky

Hideous Kinky is the little indie film Kate Winslet chose to do after the mammoth success of Titanic. It’s an adaptation of my favourite book of the same name, by Esther Freud. I love the gentle, folky quietude of this song.

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers :: ‘It’ll All Work Out’ – from Elizabethtown

Worst. Film. Ever. Cameron Crowe is overrated, but as an ex-Rolling Stone writer, what he does know how to get right in his films are the soundtracks. And Elizabethtown is no exception.

We thought Awards Season was over...

But it ain't over till Katherine Jenkins sings.

The Classical BRITs had a glitzy ceremony to announce nominations in grotty London's posh Mayfair last night.

Up for Soundtrack Of The Year are:
I Am Legend - James Newton Howard
The Dark Knight - Hans Zimmer & James Newton Howard
The Other Boleyn Girl - Paul Cantelon

James Newton Howard won last year for his composing genius on the brilliant Blood Diamond, and our money's on him and Mr Zimmer scooping this year's gong for The Dark Knight at the Royal Albert Hall on 14 May.

Elsewhere, Jonathan Ansell (ex-G4 and last seen making a tit out of himself on Hell's Kitchen) scored an Album Of The Year nomination for Tenor At The Movies. As much as we love film music here at Straight To Video, we'll be giving this one a body swerve - soz Jonsy.

Hail Gallaxhar

It appears 3D movie technology has come on a bit since I saw Michael Jackson’s Captain EO at the Epcot Centre in 1987 (yep, The 20th Century Fox is late to the 3D party – soz).

Monsters Vs Aliens 3D is officially AMAZING. Well, the film itself would have scored a ‘pretty good’, but the 3D-ness turned it right up to 11.

As you know, Straight To Video is all about scores and soundtracks, so our favourite scene has to be this really, doesn’t it:

A bit of Williams and a bit of Faltermeyer. Amaze. In fact, ALL of the President’s scenes were amaze. He’s the most ridiculous - thus hilarious - political figure since Sarah Palin.

We don’t ever want to see a 2D film again now - sad face. But we draw the line at watching The Jonas Brothers Live in 3D. Thanks anyway though Jonaseseses.

Ummmmmm...

Why are you reading this when Monsters Vs Aliens 3D is currently showing at your friendly local multiplex?

While you're here, you may as well have a gander at this. It's kind of amaze:

Ps. Maurice Jarre (score maestro of Lawrence Of Arabia, Ghost (amazing), Cocktail (amazing), Dead Poets' Society) is brown bread.