The Movie Scene That Changed Your Perception Of “These Eyes”
After Matt Cord played “These Eyes” on 102.9 MGK, he mentioned the unforgettable scene in Superbad when Michael Cera sings the Guess Who classic. When a great song is used…
After Matt Cord played “These Eyes” on 102.9 MGK, he mentioned the unforgettable scene in Superbad when Michael Cera sings the Guess Who classic.
When a great song is used in a movie scene, it becomes difficult to associate it with anything else. Hearing “Tiny Dancer” makes some listeners think of the tour bus ride from Almost Famous. “Stuck in the Middle with You” similarly reminds people of the famous scene in Reservoir Dogs.
The scene in Superbad isn’t exactly the same type of classic cinema, but it’s a much funnier way to use a classic rock song.
"These Eyes" in Superbad
Michael Cera plays Evan, a hilariously awkward teenage boy just a few weeks ahead of his his high school graduation. He lands in the wrong place at the wrong time during an outrageous sequence of events in the movie.
After he wanders off at a house party and accidentally stumbles into a back room, some guys taking the party a little too far confuse him for someone else.
He’s Jimmy’s brother, the guy, the singer! He’s the guy with the beautiful voice I was telling you about!
My brother came all the way from Scottsdale, Arizona to be here tonight, and you’re not going to sing for him?...You sing, and you sing good!
Poor Evan doesn’t want to accuse them of being "ill-informed,” so he turns the clock back to 1969 for a hit by the Guess Who from Wheatfield Soul.
Michael Cera isn’t bad at certain points in “These Eyes,” and the reaction in the room is priceless at one point in the song.
You gave a promise to me, yea, and you broke it
You broke it
However, he doesn’t quite match up with the excellent vocals of Burton Cummings during the chorus of the Rock & Roll classic.
These eyes are cryin'
These eyes have seen a lot of loves
But they're never gonna see another one like I had with you
Cera told Vanity Fair that he originally hoped the directors would use 'The Thong Song" for the scene instead.
I recall that we did several different versions [of the song he sings during the party sequence]. One where I’m just dancing, one where I’m singing “The Thong Song,” and then this version with “These Eyes.” I was personally very hopeful “The Thong Song” would make it into the movie, but now it feels undeniably right that it should be “These Eyes.”
It was a good call to stick with the Guess Who.
Jack Black is one of the best, most charming creative forces in entertainment. Seriously, there's seemingly nothing he can't do.
He's a very talented musician and musical performer, as seen in his work with Tenacious D and in films like School of Rock. He even created a viral hit with "Peaches" as Bowser from The Super Mario Bros. Movie. He can also do drama, as seen in 2005's King Kong. He can even be an adorable leading man, like in 2006's The Holiday, which is a far superior holiday rom-com compared to Love, Actually. (Yes, we said!)
However, to celebrate the actor's birthday today (August 28), we can't help be take a look at music movies. In addition to School of Rock, Black is known for his hilarious comedic work in another music movie. (We won't name it here, but we'll see if you can guess it now before scrolling through our list.)
From major hits to lesser-known titles, here are 12 music movies everyone should watch.
'School of Rock'
ParamountIt's the movie that made you wish your substitute teacher was Jack Black and also a reminder of the power of music education.
'Empire Records'
New RegencyA band of misfits at an independent record store that's dealing with drama AND trying to prevent the store from being bought by a major corporate chain AND the soundtrack is incredible? Damn the man, indeed!
'Almost Famous'
ParamountEasily one of the most iconic music films of all time, 'Almost Famous' earned writer/director Cameron Crowe an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay and rightfully so.
'High Fidelity'
Touchstone PicturesA music movie for music nerds by music nerds. Plus, Barry, played perfectly by Jack Black, has one of the best monologues ever when describing Stevie Wonder's "I Just Called To Say I Love You."
'Rock Star'
Warner Home VideoLoosely inspired by Tim "Ripper" Owens who replaced Rob Halford in Judas Priest after he left the band in 1991, 'Rock Star' has an inherent cheese-factor, but it's undeniably entertaining with a stellar soundtrack to boot.
'Airheads'
20th Century FoxThree not-so-bright musicians hold a radio station hostage (with plastic guns, no less) in order for their demo to get played on the air. Surprise! Wackiness ensues! Also, it's just a fun and funny movie that features the best cop joke of all time.
'Sing Street'
Artisan/LionsgateBased in 1980s Dublin, a teenage boy starts a band to win over a pretty girl. Add in a wise older brother to help guide the musical way, and you have one of the best music movies released in the past decade.
'Hedwig and the Angry Inch'
Criterion CollectionThe film adaptation of the hit off-Broadway play that eventually made it to Broadway and was a massive success, 'Hedwig and the Angry Inch' follows the story of a trans frontwoman on a quest for fame after all of her songs were stolen to launch the career of a former musical partner and boyfriend.
'Once'
20th Century FoxIt's the classic tale of an Irish street performer meets a classically trained musician and discovers electric chemistry. The film features an incredibly beautiful original soundtrack and won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2007.
'Velvet Goldmine'
LionsgateIt's like a glam version of 'Eddie and the Cruisers' but way better! Characters are definitely inspired by David Bowie and Iggy Pop, and the film features the incredible cast of Ewan McGregor, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Christian Bale, Toni Collette and Eddie Izzard.
'The Blues Brothers'
Universal Pictures Home EntertainmentAn obvious choice for this list, but there has to be at least one obvious pick on this list. Frankly, if you haven't seen 'The Blues Brothers,' stop reading this list and find a way to watch it.
'The Commitments'
RLJ EntertainmentThis is the third film on this list that's based in Ireland, and while 'Sing Street' and 'Once' are incredible films, they may not have happened without 'The Commitments,' which follows the formation of a soul band in the working-class neighborhoods of the northside of Dublin. (Side note: Glen Hansard who stars in 'Once' is in 'The Commitments' as lead guitarist "Outspan" Foster.)
