Yesterday, waiting in line in the self-scanning aisle at the A&P, I distracted myself by flipping through a bargain bin of CDs. Just to the left (to the left) of Maria Conchita Alonso’s Mirame, I found Milla Jovovich’s The Divine Comedy. I had totally forgotten the Resident Evil actress ever had a singing career, but seeing the disc brought back memories of her weird little video for "Gentleman Who Fell," which was a staple on The Box when I first moved to New York City back in 1994.
Maybe it was nostalgia for a time when you could actually find videos on TV 24-7. Maybe it was the unbeatable price — just a dollar or so more than the combined cost of a mango, a 12 oz. bottle of orange juice, and a container of Epsom salts. (Seriously!) Maybe it was the fact that there was no cashier to judge my questionable taste in music. But The Divine Comedy is now part of my varied, scary music collection.
Oh, and before you leave a comment below, check out Jovovich’s video. Because, really, here at PopWatch, we strive to make sure all mockery is informed mockery.
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Well at least it is better than Tyra Banks’ music video, I like the homage to Maya Deren’s Meshes of the Afternoon
Aww, I have the CD and think it’s pretty listenable. No shame there, Michael!
On another note, aren’t you so excited for Blake Lewis’s CD next Tuesday?
Wow, that is a strange and not-so-great video! I have this CD and I still listen to it, she’s actually quite a good singer. She also did some good singing in that movie The Claim, but I don’t think the soundtrack included it.
Yikes! Though I do remember her singing in “Dazed and Confused.” Speaking of singing actors, how on earth could EW leave Zooey Deschanel off its list of favorites??!! Criminal.
Yikes! Though I do remember her singing in “Dazed and Confused.” Speaking of singing actors, how on earth could EW leave Zooey Deschanel off its list of favorites??!! Criminal.
The video may be freaky, but the album is actually quite good. It’s one of the only CD’s (out of thousands I own) I’ve listened to consistently since it came out, and it has a permanent place in my iPod. Which is weird, because I really can’t stand her as a model, actress or fashion designer…
I have it and still like it – every time I see her in a movie, I wonder if she’ll do another one.
One of my all-time favorite songs… seriously.
You can still buy Epsom salts?
This is so funny, because I was driving back from my Grandma’s after Thanksgiving with the iPod on shuffle, and one of the songs from this album came on. I’ve been convinced I was the only one who owned it! Good stuff, in my opinion.
I bought the CD when I thought ALL she did was music and waited a few years before I realized Loreal and Resident Evil tore that little dream away.
My old roommate was (is?) a HUGE fan of this album. You two actually have a lot in common Slezak
Seriously, I don’t know which was worse; the singing or the video. I want those four minutes of my life back.
I have the CD too—actually searched it out about a year ago and found it at FYE. A friend had me listen to it years ago and some of the songs are really, really good. I think it was hearing “Gentlemen Who Fall” either in a supermarket, drug store or some such place got me interested in it again.
The video was, um, different.
The song was not exactly my cup of tea, but she’s actually not a bad singer. Many mainstream recording artists are much worse. She’s got some vocal ability.
her voice isn’t bad, but the background music and video made me want to Run Away from Lola
Holy crap. I thought I was the only one who still listened to this CD. Milla needs to stop making rubbish horror/sci-fi/action movies and instead devote her time to recording a new album. Like ASAP.
The cinematography on that video was terrific.
I bought that cd when it originally came out and actually still listen to it every once in a while. Good stuff.
OMG, I loved the Box! We couldn’t get cable in our dorm rooms, but somehow, this gem of a channel always got reception. And the songs… I believe my all time fav was “That’s Just My Baby’s Daddy.”
I’d forgotten all about this! Considering the dreck that other Hollywood singer wannabes put out there, this isn’t half bad. And the video, while derivative, is at least kind of bad Bunuel instead of usual half-clothed on a beach hooey.
I remember this song. It actually wasn’t bad at all.
I also remember The Box, a channel that actually showed videos, not pointless reality shows starring nobodies no one will remember in 10 years, if not sooner. Ah, the good ole days…
“The Gentleman Who Fell” is on the soundtrack to “The Rules of Attraction.” I love that soundtrack and I actually love that song. I went to Milla’s website after hearing the song and listened to a few others. Not bad, not bad. I have no idea what the song is about or what it means, but whatever!
I love this song, too!!! I have the CD somewhere in a box in my apartment… I need it on my iPod now!
You know, maybe we need a new edition of the PW confessional: Albums I secretly love that I didn’t think anyone else owned (non-hipster-posing edition).
I remember seeing that video on an episode of Beavis and Butthead.
I love that cd and still listen to it without any shame whatsoever!
I’ve always loved that song…still do.
This video seems to be heavily influenced or a direct homage to the Salvador Dali / Luis Bunuel collaboration “Un Chien Andalou.”
own that CD and always liked it. Didn’t even know who she was when I got it, just dug a song I heard on Triple A radio. She has 2 out I believe, plus her website has some musical musings. She should do another one. Got more talent than most plasic divas these days!