Music vids as movies?

Music videos have always been an underappreciated artform.  MTV, which launched the medium into the mainstream, doesn't even play them anymore.  But I've always been a big fan of music videos and always felt like I was watching a tiny, little movie.  Considering some music video directors have gone on to great things in cinema (Spike Jonze, David Fincher, et. al.), that's not surprising.

Considering we've had TV series, video games, comics, musicals, toys and board games all adapted for movies, why not music videos?  OK that probably wouldn't work but here are 10 music videos that should have been movies.  I tried to avoid the obvious like "November Rain," "Thriller" and "Sabotage" and go with some out of the box choices.  If I'm forgetting anything, feel free to strike back below!

"Just" - RADIOHEAD

Directed by Jamie Thraves

One of the best endings in music video history deserves a longer prelude.  There's obviously a million questions (or at least one BIG one) after watching this video and I'm not sure I'd even want a movie to explain it all.  I can imagine it being like PHONE BOOTH but without Colin Farrell hamming it up.

"Closer" - NINE INCH NAILS

Directed by Mark Romanek

One of the classic music videos needs to be expanded just so I can figure out what the f*ck is going on here.  Who are those dudes?  Why is there a pig head rotating on a spindle?  Why has that monkey been crucified?  Not sure I want to know the answer to all those questions but morbid curiosity is getting the best of me.

"Turn The Page" - METALLICA

Directed by Jonas Akerlund

Perhaps the most depressing of our entries - OK, definitely the most depressing - but the story of a stripper/prostitute and her young daughter trying to make ends meet has Oscar bait all over it.  As it is, there's already some great acting going on in that clip.  Give me Gwyneth Paltrow in the starring role and I'm there.

"Weapon of Choice" - FATBOY SLIM

Directed by Spike Jonze

Not sure what the plot of this movie would be but Christopher Walken as a bored businessman who passes the time by dreaming of dancing and floating around hotels is just too good to pass up.

"Rabbit In Your Headlights" - UNKLE

Directed by Jonathan Glazer

There are some clips where knowing more would ruin the whole premise (see "Just" above) but I think with this video, knowing more would raise the impact of the finale ten fold.  The ending doesn't even have to be the ending.  What happens afterwards? 

"Devil's Haircut" - BECK

Directed by Mark Romanek

At first glance, it doesn't seem like the kind of video that would make much of a movie.  But stick around to the end.  This could just be the first five minutes of a nasty, paranoid thriller.

"It's Oh So Quiet" - BJORK

Directed by Spike Jonze

Movie musicals aren't really my thing but a Spike Jonze-directed musical starring Bjork would be right up my alley.  Dancing mailboxes, flying Icelandic singers and a used car shop.  Doesn't sound like your ordinary musical and that's precisely why I love it.

"Hot For Teacher" - VAN HALEN

Directed by Pete Angelus & David Lee Roth

So far we've got some serious, dramatic entries on the list but "Hot For Teacher" would make a great Apatowian comedy.  Four elementary school kids and their nerdy friend all drool over the incredibly hot teacher and all try to woo her in their own awkward ways.  Who wouldn't have loved to see Waldo on the big screen?

"Glosoli" - SIGUR ROS

Directed by Arni & Kinski

Not sure what it is about this movie that floats my boat so, but it touched me in ways that most kid-centric videos don't.  You think you're going one way but it kinda takes a turn in a different direction.  But what are these kids running from and where are they going?

"Coffee & TV" - BLUR

Directed by Garth Jennings

Here's one for the kids.  I'd love to see the continuing journey of Milky, the walking milk carton.  He's just as cute as Wall-E and could find all kinds of new adventures in the world.  A kids movie that's not just another CGI cartoon - I can dig that.

BONUS VIDEO - Because 10 is never enough, here's a bonus video:

"Separate Ways" - JOURNEY

Directed by I Have No Idea But Whoever It Is Is A Genius

Do I even need to explain?  I could easily watch 90 minutes of this.  Even just a documentary on the making of this video would be heaven on Earth.

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29 discussions Expand all

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+0

martinphipps
11:50PM on 06/19/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile

Almost forgot...

Mariah Carey's "Honey". Mariah Carey would have been better than Drew Barrymore in Charlie's Angels. It would have negated the need for a plot.

Paula Abdul's "Cold Hearted Snake", although come to think of it that video was just a rip off of "All That Jazz", wasn't it?

Martin

Mariah Carey's "Honey". Mariah Carey would have been better than Drew Barrymore in Charlie's Angels. It would have negated the need for a plot.

Paula Abdul's "Cold Hearted Snake", although come to think of it that video was just a rip off of "All That Jazz", wasn't it?

Martin

 

+0

martinphipps
11:46PM on 06/19/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile

Still Thinking

Britney Spear's "Hit Me Baby One More Time" would make a good premise for a porno. :)

Diana Ross' "Swept Away" --oops Madonna already did that and it flopped.

Any old Duran Duran video because none of them made sense and you're left wondering what it was all about.

Martin

Britney Spear's "Hit Me Baby One More Time" would make a good premise for a porno. :)

Diana Ross' "Swept Away" --oops Madonna already did that and it flopped.

Any old Duran Duran video because none of them made sense and you're left wondering what it was all about.

Martin

 

+0

martinphipps
11:26PM on 06/19/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile

Tough call

This is going to take a bit of thought. Note that I'm not talking about my favorite videos but the ones that could be made into movies.

One would be Avril Lavinge's "I Could be your Girlfriend". It looks like a mini teen movie. I hate the video because basically Avril is a bitch who doesn't like someone so she tries to destroy her. A movie would have established the victim as...

This is going to take a bit of thought. Note that I'm not talking about my favorite videos but the ones that could be made into movies.

One would be Avril Lavinge's "I Could be your Girlfriend". It looks like a mini teen movie. I hate the video because basically Avril is a bitch who doesn't like someone so she tries to destroy her. A movie would have established the victim as the real villain. Oh and Lindsay Lohan would replace Avril. Wait. That's already a movie. It was called "Mean Girls".

Martin

[+] Full Comment

 

+0

MyOwnConviction
11:19PM on 06/19/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile

greedy fly!!!!

What about "Greedy Fly" by Bush? That video kicked ass. Also for honorable mention "Shame" by Stabbing Westward...

What about "Greedy Fly" by Bush? That video kicked ass. Also for honorable mention "Shame" by Stabbing Westward...

 

+0

ettiquette
9:59PM on 06/19/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile

I think i'd be happy if i were sitting in a theatre and saw "Soundgarden presents David Fincher's Black Hole Sun".

Yes, that would make me happy

I think i'd be happy if i were sitting in a theatre and saw "Soundgarden presents David Fincher's Black Hole Sun".

Yes, that would make me happy

 

+0

cupajoe
8:27PM on 06/19/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile

smack my bitch up is the one video I feel should be made into a movie.

Turn the page is a close second. Well all of Jonas Åkerlund videos are fantastic.

smack my bitch up is the one video I feel should be made into a movie.

Turn the page is a close second. Well all of Jonas Åkerlund videos are fantastic.

 

+0

lalex81
6:30PM on 06/19/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile

keeping up the Sigur Ros love

Hoppipolla by Sigur Ros, has a very "Cocoon" feel to it that would make a good movie.

Hoppipolla by Sigur Ros, has a very "Cocoon" feel to it that would make a good movie.

 

+0

goatlve
6:01PM on 06/19/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile

What about Metallica's "Unforgiven" That would be sweet!!

What about Metallica's "Unforgiven" That would be sweet!!

 

+0

DeejayForte
5:01PM on 06/19/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile

ps-- sigur ros is amazing, im happy there finally getting attention

ps-- sigur ros is amazing, im happy there finally getting attention

 

+0

Rasporange Pant
5:00PM on 06/19/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile

[link]

Linky link to Saeglopur. Watchy watch.

[link]

Linky link to Saeglopur. Watchy watch.

 

+0

DeejayForte
4:53PM on 06/19/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile

Music Videos that should have been video games
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Californiacation

Music Videos that should have been video games
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Californiacation

 

+0

Rasporange Pant
4:53PM on 06/19/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile

Saeglopur by Sigur Ros. Best music video I have ever seen. I think I spelled it right...

Glosoli is almost as good; I just love Saeglopur as a song more, and the videos content is way more powerful.

Saeglopur by Sigur Ros. Best music video I have ever seen. I think I spelled it right...

Glosoli is almost as good; I just love Saeglopur as a song more, and the videos content is way more powerful.

 

+0

damien6
4:43PM on 06/19/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile

a few more popped into my head!

the chemical brothers - believe
the chemical brothers - let forever be
the chemical brothers - the test
the prodigy - breathe
system of a down - spiders
rammstein - amerika
marilyn manson - the beautiful people
marilyn manson - the nobodies (would make a super horror flick)
r.e.m - everybody hurts (the happening 2 anybody??? :P)

the chemical brothers - believe
the chemical brothers - let forever be
the chemical brothers - the test
the prodigy - breathe
system of a down - spiders
rammstein - amerika
marilyn manson - the beautiful people
marilyn manson - the nobodies (would make a super horror flick)
r.e.m - everybody hurts (the happening 2 anybody??? :P)

k im done! :D

[+] Full Comment

 

+0

damien6
4:23PM on 06/19/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile

my list...

pearl jam - jeremy
tool - parabol/parabola
metallica - until it sleeps
guns n roses - november rain (cheeky i know, but kinda like a drama thing maybe??)
blind melon - no rain
seether - driven under
white stripes - blue orchid
sepultura - ratamahatta (id love to see a movie with those characters in it!! :D)
slipknot - vermillion 1 and 2

pearl jam - jeremy
tool - parabol/parabola
metallica - until it sleeps
guns n roses - november rain (cheeky i know, but kinda like a drama thing maybe??)
blind melon - no rain
seether - driven under
white stripes - blue orchid
sepultura - ratamahatta (id love to see a movie with those characters in it!! :D)
slipknot - vermillion 1 and 2

i could go on forever!!!! :D XD

great post!!!!!!

[+] Full Comment

 

+0

spiderswims
4:19PM on 06/19/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile

Kid Rock - Cowboy. Just becuase Gary Coleman could have used the money.
Eminem - Stan could be a cool movie though in my opinion.

Kid Rock - Cowboy. Just becuase Gary Coleman could have used the money.
Eminem - Stan could be a cool movie though in my opinion.

 

+0

damien6
4:16PM on 06/19/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile

my list...

pearl jam - jeremy
tool - parabol/parabola
metallica - until it sleeps
guns n roses - november rain (cheeky i know, but kinda like a drama thing maybe??)
blind melon - no rain
seether - driven under
white stripes - blue orchid
sepultura - ratamahatta (id love to see a movie with those characters in it!! :D)
slipknot - vermillion 1 and 2

pearl jam - jeremy
tool - parabol/parabola
metallica - until it sleeps
guns n roses - november rain (cheeky i know, but kinda like a drama thing maybe??)
blind melon - no rain
seether - driven under
white stripes - blue orchid
sepultura - ratamahatta (id love to see a movie with those characters in it!! :D)
slipknot - vermillion 1 and 2

i could go on forever!!!! :D XD

great post!!!!!!

[+] Full Comment

 

+0

Benj
3:46PM on 06/19/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile

The Heart Gently Weeps - Wu-Tang Clan
Sabotage - Beastie Boys
Smithereens (Stop Cryin') - El-P
My (Fucking) Deer Hunter - Fear Before The March Of Flames
Be A Nigger Too - Nas

The Heart Gently Weeps - Wu-Tang Clan
Sabotage - Beastie Boys
Smithereens (Stop Cryin') - El-P
My (Fucking) Deer Hunter - Fear Before The March Of Flames
Be A Nigger Too - Nas

 

+0

silentbobtheGOD
3:30PM on 06/19/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile

should be in top 10

Cosmopolitan bloodloss by glassjaw.....vicent gallo is crazy!

Cosmopolitan bloodloss by glassjaw.....vicent gallo is crazy!

 

+0

THE SLACK PACK
2:43PM on 06/19/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile

This was a great topic! I heard that the Radiohead "Just" video was based on a scene from (or part of the book) Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, when they all put bags over their heads and lie on the ground when they're told the world is coming to an end. Maybe?

That Sigur Ros video's pretty amazing too! Already looks like a film.

This was a great topic! I heard that the Radiohead "Just" video was based on a scene from (or part of the book) Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, when they all put bags over their heads and lie on the ground when they're told the world is coming to an end. Maybe?

That Sigur Ros video's pretty amazing too! Already looks like a film.

 

+0

beatrixkiddo
2:37PM on 06/19/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile

I'm so loving this post. This are all good choices, especially sigur ros. I would like to see, Radiohead- Karma Police, Damien Rice- 9 crimes, A Perfect Circle- 3 Libras...any tool video as a full length trip ass claymation. This list could go on.
OH YEA! Sabotage- Beastie Boys. I'm seconding that.

One thing I do know, is I'd like to re-soundtrack a crap load of movies.

I'm so loving this post. This are all good choices, especially sigur ros. I would like to see, Radiohead- Karma Police, Damien Rice- 9 crimes, A Perfect Circle- 3 Libras...any tool video as a full length trip ass claymation. This list could go on.
OH YEA! Sabotage- Beastie Boys. I'm seconding that.

One thing I do know, is I'd like to re-soundtrack a crap load of movies.

 

+0

Johnny Moreno
2:14PM on 06/19/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile

November Rain is a pretty good one too.

November Rain is a pretty good one too.

 

+0

SkyNet
2:02PM on 06/19/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile

and Separate Ways is the shit! We dont see enough Air Electric Piano playing any more!

and Separate Ways is the shit! We dont see enough Air Electric Piano playing any more!

 

+0

SkyNet
1:55PM on 06/19/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile

awesome topic Sampson!

To keep with my favorite band (Great idea with Metallica's Turn The Page (Which is a remake of a Bob Segar song))

i'd got with Unoforgiven

that video is awesome.. about a person kept in captivity their entire life, trying to claw his way out of that cave/ dungeon whatever it was... i think that would work!

awesome topic Sampson!

To keep with my favorite band (Great idea with Metallica's Turn The Page (Which is a remake of a Bob Segar song))

i'd got with Unoforgiven

that video is awesome.. about a person kept in captivity their entire life, trying to claw his way out of that cave/ dungeon whatever it was... i think that would work!

 

+0

Hunglowman
1:41PM on 06/19/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile

Public Enemy- Black steel in the hour of chaos
Michael and Janet Jackson- Scream
Slipknot - Duality
Beastir Boys - sabotage

Public Enemy- Black steel in the hour of chaos
Michael and Janet Jackson- Scream
Slipknot - Duality
Beastir Boys - sabotage

 

+0

Netforce
1:21PM on 06/19/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile

"Weapons of choice" is my fav here. Walken was superb in that video. "Stan" by Eminem should have been movie too; the ending kinda creepy.

"Weapons of choice" is my fav here. Walken was superb in that video. "Stan" by Eminem should have been movie too; the ending kinda creepy.

 

+0

DrkBlueXG
1:15PM on 06/19/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile

Enrique Iglesias - Hero
should definitely be one of them!
That video was well shot and explained a interesting and sad story in just a few minutes.

Enrique Iglesias - Hero
should definitely be one of them!
That video was well shot and explained a interesting and sad story in just a few minutes.

 

+0

Racci
1:02PM on 06/19/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile

Muse - Knights of Cydonia

Muse - Knights of Cydonia

 

+0

sheezyneezy5123
12:57PM on 06/19/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile

And Another...

Hoppipolla by Sigur Ros is another great video that could be a movie.

Hoppipolla by Sigur Ros is another great video that could be a movie.

 

+0

RoneStar
12:45PM on 06/19/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile

Another one...

... could definitely be 'Back At One' by Brian McKnight. It's probably one of (if not THE) most cinematic videos that I've seen. Considering it came out 2 years before 9/11, it's gained a new resonance.

See it here: [link]

... could definitely be 'Back At One' by Brian McKnight. It's probably one of (if not THE) most cinematic videos that I've seen. Considering it came out 2 years before 9/11, it's gained a new resonance.

See it here: [link]

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