This is part 2 of my recent post, "2 very different movies, 1 similar result." If you haven't yet, please take a look at the first part of this post which was an in depth look at the film "Juno" along with its soundtrack.

If you're in the market for a combination of a great film with great, original music there are 2 that I would highly recommend, one in theaters and one recently released on video.

The second of these films, which was recently released on DVD, is "Once," directed by John Carney, and starring Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova. Having recently heard alot about this film with its awards season buzz both at the Grammys and Academy Awards to name a few I decided to check it out after it caught my eye at Walmart of all places. I didn't buy it, but rather rented it on Netflix, because I figured, if an indy movie is filling a shelf at Walmart, it's got to be worth a look.

Another thing that drew me to this movie was the music, which I heard was amazing. I don't know where I heard this from, I must have seen a commercial for it somewhere or read something online because no one I know has seen it. From the start, "Once" has a very independent feel to it, with a lot of handheld camera use, merged with the live music performed in the film that gives it almost a documentary feel. This was the aspect of the film that I enjoyed most and what ultimately gives the greatest stakes in the two main characters. Another key point this film made, either for reason of convenience or authenticity, was using musicians, rather than actors in the 2 main roles.

Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova don't even have names throughout the film, but the bond that their characters forge through their common passion for music, along with the backdrop of beautiful Dublin, Ireland paint a picture perfect narrative music video. The 2 musicians wrote and performed all the music in the film, which is what probably made them so believable in their task as actors as they had invested their given talents to their roles.

The stout, occasionally raspy singing voice and guitar work of Hansard radiates his character's yearning for success as a musician who's got a chip of lost love on his shoulder. Accompanied by the angelic voice of Irglova, whose voice can be best characterized as a more polished version of British singer Dido, and who handles a piano like Tori Amos, the two shine brightest in the songs they sing together in the film.

While watching "Once" I realized why I haven't been so overtly impressed by musicals such as "Rent" or "The Producers," as this film has created an identity for a modern musical. Think less "West Side Story" more "Singles." The people making the music become the story in this film, which gives their performances more of a connection to the audience as they are a neccessity to the story rather than just a choreographed number supplemental to the story in traditional musicals.

Listening to the soundtrack after watching the film, only makes you appreciate it more and think more about the film and why it was so simple yet absolutely impressive. You'll find yourself reimagining those scenes in the film, where you saw what the characters went through on their road to this music, which gives each song great emotional power. This is comparable to being a fly on the wall when the Rolling Stones recorded "Gimme Shelter" with the Nightmare at Altamont looming over their heads or when Eric Clapton wrote "Tears in Heaven" with the heartbreak of his lost child and clawing addictions on his mind.

In simpler terms, "Once" is probably as good a film out there as you'll find that will be a shot to the chest of any film and music enthusiast. Even without seeing the film, the album stands well on its own, but seeing the film is like being there.

Please let me know what you think of my posts, or if there's any topics you'd like me to cover. I've seen a ton of movies and listen to just as much music, so I can go on about most anything if you get me started. It's greatly appreciated, keep on the lookout and please read my future movie/music/book/anything blurbs.