Ed. Note: Updated to include scenes from Set It Off and Big Bad Mama.
It's been quite a summer for bank robberies in the Bayou City. It seems like more banks are being plundered than ever before by a rogue's gallery that includes the XXXL Bandit, the "Master of Disguise" and the Bicycle Brigands. Whether coincidence or felonious response to a dismal economy, the situation reminds Rocks Off of those heady lawless days of the Old West.
Okay, not really. The recent explosion of bank jobs haven't exactly been high-intensity affairs: A note is passed, money is handed over, and the perpetrator(s) shamble off to disappear into the Houston summer.
Pretty boring. Even worse, there's no music. Maybe we've seen too many heist flicks, but in our opinion just about any crime can be spiced up by a little dramatic musical accompaniment. Especially bank robberies. Don't believe us? Check out this selection of a few of our favorite scenes.
The lively accompaniment to the activities of Los Bandidos Yanquis as they pillage most of the wealth of Bolivia would be the last light-hearted portion of the movie. Darker times, in the form of a botched payroll delivery and an...unpleasant encounter with the Bolivian Army were just around the corner.
The execution of the obnoxious American hostage in Roger Avary's debut film serves as a positive counterbalance to the unfortunately similar fate that befalls Ron Jeremy earlier in the scene.
This isn't an actual robbery soundtrack so much as it is a medley of unfortunate circumstances, providing a backdrop to the unhappy fates that befall would-be armored-car thieves Cleon, Skip, Kirby and Anthony. And while the Vietnam War and the difficulties facing returning veterans are all well-worn themes, better to listen to Curtis Mayfield and Al Green than "Paint It Black" for the 100th goddamn time.
