"Falling Slowly"- Snubbed at Grammys, Triumphs At Oscars

I saw two movies at a theatre last year, and one of them was Once, and it still resonates with me when I think about it or listen to the amazing soundtrack. Last night, while we were all at the Casbah, Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova took home the Oscar for best original song. Below is their performance and their acceptance speech, which certainly makes me love Jon Stewart even more than I already did.

Tuesday Recap: Once, The Movie

Back in May, I posted this about the movie Once and have been meaning to see it ever since. The desire to see the film only increased after getting the soundtrack. Last night, I finally saw the movie and it lived up to and exceeded my expectations. It's a film about a troubadour in Ireland who meets a Czech woman and how they help each other out of the kinda funk that both their lives have fallen into, primarily due to lost loves in each of their pasts. The film is described as a musical, but it's not a musical in the traditional sense of the word. The lyrics of the title character's (played by Glen Hansard of The Frames) music pull the story along, and instead of a traditional soundtrack where pieces of music are inserted, this film does play every song on the soundtrack in its entirety. I laughed, and I sniffled a little, but no major tears. Most of all, though, I grew an even deeper appreciation for the amazing soundtrack.



“Falling Slowly” audio
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“If You Want Me” audio
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“When Your Mind's Made Up” audio
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I will say for the record, that I really don't imagine myself going to the movie theatre EVER AGAIN, or at least not for a long time. I went to a 10 pm showing, the theater was empty except for two girls sitting toward the back. I sat more in the middle. 3 of us in the theatre, watching the previews, when a group of three people sits in the row in front of me, chomping their food like cattle on cud, talking, laughing, and text messaging throughout the movie. Moving wouldn't have been an option because they were audible throughout the theatre. Would you tell them to stfu? I didn't. They even got up and left halfway through only to return about 10 minutes later. I'll stick to my noisy bars and shows, thanks. The assholes with their snack buffet and chatter and cellphones can have the theatres. Even at Landmark.

ONCE, the movie

I typically go to the movies less than 5 times a year. This film just might get me out:

Sundance Film Festival World Cinema Audience Award winner ONCE is the inspirational tale of two kindred spirits who find each other on the bustling streets of Dublin. One is a street musician (played by Glen Hansard of The Frames) who lacks the confidence to perform his own songs. The other is a young mother (Marketa Irglova) trying to find her way in a strange new town. As their lives intertwine, they discover each other's talents and push one another to realize what each had only dreamt about before. ONCE is their inspiring story.

The film opens May 18 at select cinemas, check the website here. Special bonus: on the site if you find the "attend a free screening" link, you'll see there's a screening tomorrow night at Landmark Hillcrest tomorrow night. How can you not go?
official site
MySpace




The ONCE soundtrack hit stores today!
Artist: Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova
Album: ONCE soundtrack
Label: Columbia Records
Release: May 15, 2007

This is a perfect soundtrack for fans of Damien Rice with Lisa Hannigan, with a touch of Cat Stevens.

“Falling Slowly” audio
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“If You Want Me” audio
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“When Your Mind's Made Up” audio
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