The 2025 Oscars are just around the corner! Whether your favorite films from this year were nominated or not, here are three great underappreciated music-related movies to add to your watchlist. You may even find a new favorite.
Image from https://blurayauthority.com/criterion/inside-llewyn-dallection-blu-ray/.
“Inside Llewyn Davis” (2013), directed by Joel and Ethan Coen
Looking for something to fill the Bob Dylan-shaped void after watching “A Complete Unknown”? Check out “Inside Llewyn Davis,” directed by brothers Joel and Ethan Coen (of “No Country for Old Men” and “The Big Lebowski” fame). This movie is a biography of fictional folk singer Llewyn Davis, following him through the ups and downs of the music business as he tries to break through the Greenwich Village folk scene in the 1960s. Oscar Isaac plays the titular Davis; what makes his performance remarkable is that he was actually singing each of the songs featured in the movie live on set. Marcus Mumford of the modern folk band Mumford and Sons also supports Isaac on the outstanding original soundtrack. Don’t miss “Inside Llewyn Davis” if you’ve been searching for a character-driven drama that fully fleshes out a complex lead. And — no spoilers — Bob Dylan may make an appearance on the soundtrack, too.
Watch if you like: “A Complete Unknown,” Simon & Garfunkel
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Kneecap” (2024), directed by Rich Peppiatt
Northern Irish rap trio Kneecap has been gaining worldwide recognition with the release of their self-titled film debut. This semi-autobiographical comedy fictionalizes the group’s formation and rise to infamy. The group is vocal in their calls for a unified Ireland, which has mired them in controversies throughout the years. The film, like Kneecap’s lyrics, is spoken almost entirely in Irish Gaelic and carries the message of how important it is to keep indigenous languages and cultural traditions alive. It’s also special because each of the rappers plays themselves: The band members took acting lessons together to prepare for the movie. “Kneecap” is tongue-in-cheek and raunchy, but above all, it’s authentic. There’s good news, too — if you can’t get enough Kneecap, they’ll be performing at the Howard Theater in October. All the more reason to watch this fun and unique BAFTA Award-winning foreign film!
Watch if you like: “Derry Girls,” “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World”
Image from https://variety.com/2020/film/reviews/dinner-in-america-review-1203479953/.
“Dinner in America” (2020), directed by Adam Rehmeier
If you’ve been hearing the song “Watermelon” by John + Jane Q Public on TikTok and wondering where it came from, “Dinner in America” has your answer. “Watermelon” is an original song written for this quirky romcom following a punk rocker on the run from the law and the superfan who’s secretly sent him fanmail for years (à la “You’ve Got Mail”). This movie pays tribute to punk culture by following the duo’s hijinks in a rural Midwestern suburb and features some stand-out performances by our hero’s fictional punk band, PSYOPS. “Dinner in America” perfectly blends offbeat humor with an endearing storyline of two unconventional people loving each other for their authentic selves.
Watch if you like: “Napoleon Dynamite,” “Lars and the Real Girl”