Back to reviews index

Musical Movies

These are not all traditional "musicals." I have also included movies for which music is a central concern or element, like biographies of or fictional stories about musicians. After each title is a note describing the type of music featured in the movie and other explanations where appropriate, in addition to my star rating for the film.

(NOTE: Dates covered are mid-1983 through 1996. I didn't start using stars until late 1989, so ratings for movies older than that have been added after the fact. Also, I did not write as many reviews as Siskel & Ebert. These are definitely NOT the only musical movies, or the best musical movies, to come out during this period; they're just the ones I have reviews for.)

ALADDIN. Traditional musical, but animated. 4 stars
AMADEUS. Classical; fictionalized biography of Mozart. 5 stars
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. Traditional musical, but animated. 4 stars
DOORS, THE. Rock. 2 stars
EDDIE AND THE CRUISERS. Rock; fictional band. 3 stars
FABULOUS BAKER BOYS, THE. Pop standards, lounge music. 3 stars
HEARTBREAK HOTEL. Rock; fictionalized episode about Elvis. 2 stars
LA BAMBA. 1950's rock. 4 stars
LITTLE MERMAID, THE. Traditional musical, but animated. 4 stars
LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, THE. Traditional musical in form, if not in content. 3 stars
MR. HOLLAND'S OPUS. Variety of types of music; story of high school band director. 4 stars
NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS. Traditional musical, but animated. 3 stars
SISTER ACT. Oldies girl-group rock. 4 stars
STAYING ALIVE. Disco dancing, Broadway music (original, Saturday Night Fever, was better). 2 stars
SWEET DREAMS. Country; biography of Patsy Cline. 3 stars
TAP. Dancing (tap, of course) 3 stars
UNFAITHFULLY YOURS. Classical; story of symphony musicians. 4 stars
WHITE KNIGHTS. Ballet. 3 stars

Back to reviews index