A Taste:

Eminem, Danzig, Neil Young

Director Todd Phillips is the man.

There’s really no other way to say it. This is the guy that gave us Old School and Road Trip. He’s a defining voice in 21st century comedy and a true maverick. His latest comic masterpiece, The Hangover, kicks everything up a notch. Set in Sin City, the jokes are raunchier, the situations are crazier and the dialogue is sharper than anything else in the multiplex at the moment.

Phillips laughs, “This movie was about as much as fun as I’ve ever had on a movie set. I don’t know if they can ever shoot another movie in Vegas quite honestly [Laughs]. I think The Hangover is the last word on Vegas.”

That last word comes with some great tunes. Phillips’ soundtrack choices—including Danzig—fit the film’s vibe perfectly. For the director, music is crucial. He continues, “I have a very eclectic taste in music, but it doesn’t necessarily get reflected in my movies. I take music super seriously, and I think, outside of casting, it’s one of the biggest brushes you have to paint with as a director. It sets up tone easier than 15 pages of a screenplay can.”

Phillips shared his playlist with us in this exclusive feature. Check it out below and catch The Hangover this Friday!

1. Eminem — Relapse

Honestly, I’ve been listening to the new Emimen stuff that’s been coming out on the Internet. He consistently blows my mind!

2. Neil Young

I also listen to Neil Young. I go all over the map.

3. Danzig

We put Glen Danzig’s “Thirteen” on the opening scene. You see those shots of Vegas with that song playing, and it tells you right away it’s going to be a fucked up Vegas movie. It’s not your typical bachelor party movie. It’s not what you think it is. It’s a little bit dark, and it’s not going to be as sentimental as some of the male comedies of the past few years. Danzig’s got the best voice in music. Just listen to “Mother” and “Thirteen.”

—Rick Florino
06.03.09