Films are audio-visual experiences. Both sight and sound have to progress along with the sensations a film offers for it to entertain to the utmost.

But there are rarities when a film’s sound is simply perfect for its sights, and the audio leaves a mark on moviegoers minds more than the video.

1. The Hunger Games


“Horn of Plenty,” the Panem national anthem is an ideological apparatus utilized by Capitol to continue the subjugation of the 12 districts. Tailor-created for the film by indie artists Arcade Fire, the song is both the film and the band’s most recognizable tune. The band has only gained more following with their venturing into mainstream but staying true to form.


2. Bad Boys


Before Will Smith became one of the most bankable Hollywood stars, he equally shared the screen with Martin Lawrence. Some would even argue that Lawrence was the more famous of the two when low-budget and surprise hit Bad Boys was released. The film’s title is the namesake of reggae artists Inner Circle’s song which then skyrocketed the band to recognition. “Bad Boys” has also since been used in the long-running television program COPS.

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3. Southland Tales


Southland Tales was a Cannes Film Festival-screened film by Richard Kelly. A satiric commentary on the military-industrial complex and the infotainment industry, Kelly considers the scene wherein Pilot Abilene (Justin Timberlake) repeatedly mouths “I’ve got soul, but I’m not a soldier,” as the heart and soul of the film. The lines were taken from indie artists The Killers’ “All These Things That I’ve Done,” and have only increased the band’s renown even after “Mr. Brightside.”


4. Juno


Protagonist Juno MacGuff (Ellen Page) enjoys listening to Kimya Dawson and her two bands Antsy Pants and The Moldy Peaches, as per Page herself. Dawson’s sweet yet melancholic voice helped set the tone for the coming of age and taking responsibility-themed indie hit.



5. Once



Lead actors Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova composed and performed all original songs in this critically-acclaimed indie musical. Highlighting the inspirational motif of the film, feature song “Falling Slowly” won the Academy Award for Best Original Song. Since then, Hansard and Irglova’s collaboration has been referred to as The Swell Season, and the duo has released three albums which have all charted in Billboard.

Hansard, considered the wordsmith in The Swell Season, has now also released a solo album. “Rhythm and Response” stays true to the reputation of Hansard’s lyrics to be real and grounded to life.


6. 500 Days of Summer


“We won’t stop till it’s over. Won’t stop to surrender,” from The Temper Trap’s “Sweet Disposition” encapsulates Summer (Zooey Deschanel) and Tom’s (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) 500 days of encounter, romance, end, confusion, and closure. As “Sweet Disposition” helped gain renown for 500 Days of Summer, so has the film pushed The Temper Trap to be certified platinum recording artists. “Sweet Disposition” is also the lead single from the band’s critically-acclaimed debut “Conditions.” Their self-titled sophomore effort is also now out.


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