Great soundtracks to movies NOT from the 80s

Sometimes, given my resistance to most music recorded after the arrival of "grrrrunge," I forget that there are some great movie soundtracks beyond the 80s. Of course, they're full of '80s music anyway.

Are any of these great soundtracks better than their epic forefathers from the '80s themselves? Tough question. But it's really a no-lose scenario. Just enjoy the tunes.

Five great post-'80s soundtracks featuring '80s music:

GROSS POINTE BLANK (1997)
Totally awesome: "Blister in the Sun" (Violent Femmes), "Rudie Can't Fail" (The Clash), "Under Pressure" (David Bowie and Queen)
Gag me: "Live & Let Die" (Guns N' Roses)
Cool factor: Any movie with John Cusack is cool by definition. "I'll see you at the "I've peaked and I'm kidding myself" party."

THE WEDDING SINGER (1998)
Totally awesome: "Everyday I Write the Book" (Elvis Costello), "White Wedding" (Billy Idol), "Video Killed the Radio Star" (President of the United States of America)
Gag me: "Pass The Dutchie" (Musical Youth)
Cool factor: Adam Sandler loves the '80s as much as I do. But not everyone loves Adam. "Now let's cut the stupid cake because I know the fat guy's gonna have a heart attack if we don't eat again soon."

200 CIGARETTES (1999)
Totally awesome: "Our Lips are Sealed" (Go-Go's), "Just What I Needed" (The Cars)
Gag me: "Ladies' Night" (Kool & The Gang)
Cool factor: A Blondie medley is a plus, but Dire Straits isn't. "Throwing a party it's like... it's like an invitation for abuse. It's like the last desperate act of someone who hasn't had a lasting relationship since Junior High."

DONNIE DARKO (2001)
Totally awesome: "The Killing Moon" (Echo & The Bunnymen), "Under the Milky Way" (The Church), "Stay" (Oingo Boingo)
Gag me: "Notorious" (Duran Duran)
Cool factor: It has Boingo. It's plenty cool. " 'No duh' is a product of fear."

SLC PUNK (1998)
Totally awesome: "Sex and Violence" (The Exploited), Kiss My Deadly (Generation X), "Kill The Poor" (Dead Kennedys)
Gag me: "Hot for the Teacher" (Van Halen)
Cool factor: A soundtrack with bands like the Kennedys and Camper Van Beethoven -- fantastiche! "I didn't sell out, Son, I bought in. Keep that in mind."

Comments

[Trisha]

check out the soundtracks of Velvet Goldmine and Rock Star.

[Six]

Bassnote, definitely check out SLC Punk the movie. I've seen SLC Punk about ten times already, and I never get tired of it. It's funny-as-hell, and the soundtrack truly is awesome!

[Douglas Arthur]

Klaus famously showed up with David Bowie on SNL to sing a few songs, and was a subject of a recent documentary, too. Interesting character for sure.

BTW, why does that scary looking guy on the cover of SLC Punk look like Danny Elfman??

[Spears]

I have a copy of Urgh! A Music War. Great stuff. Just love the Klaus Nomi number. You can always tell the '80s phonies if they can't appreciate Klaus.

[Douglas Arthur]

I am thinking that in about 10 years, quentin Tarantino will be using 80's music on his soundtracks, since he will have used up all the cool 60's and 70's stuff. I have to agree with Sky High as a sleeper soundtrack pick. I got it for the They Might Be Giants cover of Devo's Through Being Cool, but was won over by the rest of it. Very nice indeed.

One 80's soundtrack you never mention is Urgh! A Music War which is most likely the coolest concert film ever. The list of bands reads like Live Aid, if Live Aid were actually cool: Oingo Boingo, Wall Of Voodoo, The Police, Steel Pulse, OMD, Gary Numan, Echo and the Bunnymen, Klaus Nomi, Joan Jett, The Cramps, The Go-Go's, XTC, Toyah Wilcox, Magazine, Gang of Four, X, and more! Joe Bob says check it out!

[Tonianne]

I love the cover of "Mad World" from Donnie Darko.

I was pleasantly surprised by the soundtrack to History Boys - New Order, The Smiths, The Cure, The Clash, Echo and the Bunnymen...

[bassnote]

Steve, great choices. I'll have to check out the SLC Punk soundtrack. Grosse Pointe Blank has a second volume with "GO" by Tones On Tail.

I would also recommend the Sky High soundtrack. It is all remakes of 80's songs, but don't let that fool you, it's pretty good.