About Kira Canny

Kira Canny can’t remember the days before TV on DVD. Or maybe it’s just too painful to think about. She possesses a serious weakness for all teen-centric episodic television, in particular the deeply missed My So-Called Life and Freaks and Geeks. She also passes the time watching far too many bad (great) horror films and believes that sketch comedy should be as silly and irreverent as possible (Stella, anyone?). Kira would like to one day be able to call the entire Criterion Collection her own, and lately has been watching as much mumblecore as possible, because what’s more exciting than watching your own life?

About Shauna Furbush

Shauna is a part time stand-up comic, holder of a useless but fantastic drama degree and has a penchant for sarcasm and loudness. She is known in some circles as the 'walking IMDb' for her ability to answer questions like, "what's that movie with that guy who dies and comes back to find that one chick?" (It’s called Made in Heaven, in case you were wondering.) She is an equal-opportunity watcher when it comes to television and movies. Just because it's an extremely stupid reality show, doesn't mean she won't give it a shot. Judge if you must. But, she also loves a good action flick, a gritty indie film or a sweeping drama.

Posts by Kira Canny & Shauna Furbush

Friday Face Off: Soundtracks - Hughes vs. Crowe

on October 31, 2008

Welcome to what will hopefully become a regular feature here at armchaircommentary - the Friday Face-Off. Shauna and I recently got into a discussion (heated argument) about the use of music in movies. We both have our favorites and decided the best way to settle it would be to hash it out the old fashion way - via email and YouTube. See for yourself and weigh in if you think one of us is clearly the winner (me!) or maybe you think we're both way off base....

From: Furbush, Shauna
To: Canny, Kira
Subject: Soundtrack Face Off!

John Hughes was not just the king of the 80's teen flick. He was also the Sultan of the Soundtrack. Not only did he have great artist selection, he was masterful at placing the perfect song in the perfect place to make you remember it for the rest of your life.

Example 1: Sixteen Candles: at the very end when Jake Ryan goes to the church to get Sam and she walks out of the church. All of the cars part and as the they slowly drive away, the music slides in with the Thompson Twins, If You Were Here, the drums kick in right as she looks up to see the HOTTEST guy on the planet leaning against his beautiful red Porsche. Judge for yourself(sigh)...

Sixteen Candles - Final Scene - Movie Ending - The best video clips are here

From: Canny, Kira
To: Furbush, Shauna
Subject: RE: Soundtrack Face Off!

Sure, that's an amazing moment and I swooned along with every other pre-teen girl the first time I saw that (who am I kidding, I swoon every time I see that) and the Molly Ringwald coy look behind and mouthing of "me?" - Kills me! The man knew what he was doing when it came to the soundtrack. But I stand firm in my opinion that Cameron Crowe does it better. It seems like he finds that one song in every movie to provide the absolute heart of the story. Let's think for a moment about Say Anything, shall we? That image of John Cusack with the boombox and the determined look - holy hell! - it gives me chills just thinking about it. I'm not sure I know anyone who isn't totally affected by that scene. It solidified John Cusack as the prototype sensitive-punk-dork heartthrob that every girl worth her Lisa Loeb glasses and One Star Chuck Taylors will worship until the end of time (including this one).

From: Furbush, Shauna
To: Canny, Kira
Subject: RE: Soundtrack Face Off!

LOVE that scene. I think the world fell in love with John Cusack at that moment, giving every slightly dorky guy hope. But let me say this: don't you think it could have been any touching/emotionally driving song on that boom box? It was Cusack that sold that moment with his determined look, as you said, and the song just came along for the ride. AND - In Your Eyes was already a hit song from Gabriel's 1986 album "So". What makes John Hughes soundtracks superior is his ability to match the character action with the song itself and to pick unique and not necessarily popular songs that are perfect for the moment. Case in point: The scene in Some Kind of Wonderful when Eric Stoltz & Mary Stuart Masterson kiss in the garage -