Skip to Content
Talkhouse home
Talkhouse home
Film

Video: Now That’s What I Call Rushmore!

Kentucker Audley is a huge fan of Rushmore, but has found a cool way to make Wes Anderson's breakthrough hit even better.

Over the festive break, Talkhouse Film is revisiting some of its most read (or listened to) pieces of the year, including this one. Happy holidays! – N.D.

The 1998 movie Rushmore is a good flick as is, but it could have attracted a much bigger audience using the pop hits of the day for its soundtrack instead of some random old songs. With this in mind, I thought I would go ahead and demonstrate. You see, barely anyone has ever heard of songs by Unit 4 + 2 or the Faces. Have you ever heard of a band called the Creation? Me neither. But you've heard of Smash Mouth so that's gonna be better to hear on the soundtrack without a doubt. This is a great rule to go by for young filmmakers when making musical decisions about their movie. Make sure everyone knows the songs you put in by listening to the top radio stations. Some of the best songs of the 1990's were expertly catalogued in a series of invaluable mix CDs called Now That's What I Call Music! Luckily, they are still making them today (I just picked up #63 at Best Buy) so that takes out a lot of the guess work for you. Just use any of those songs because they are guaranteed to be the hottest tracks of the day. Look no further than how much hotter these tunes make Wes Anderson’s Rushmore.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Film

Explore Film

Three Great Things: Kyra Sedgwick

The award-winning actress, director and producer, who can currently be seen in Carolina Caroline, on her love of family, food and hiking.

June 5, 2026

That Girl in My Films

Documentary filmmaker Ruth Leitman, whose classic Wildwood NJ is back in theaters in a new restoration, examines the dark comedic thread that connects all her work.

June 3, 2026

Nobody’s Ever Asked Me That: Zia Anger

The trailblazing filmmaker behind My First Film opens up about everything from first love to what she'd do in a nuclear holocaust.

Forastera: Shape-Shifting Through Language

Writer-director Lucía Aleñar Iglesias on how growing up bilingual hugely impacted her complex debut feature, out now in theaters.

Being The Breadwinner

Director Eric Appel on his surprisingly personal connection to the new Nate Bargatze family comedy, which hits theaters today.

May 29, 2026

My Little Irene

Filmmaker Chie Hayakawa shares some of the childhood stories that inspired her ’80s-set Cannes hit Renoir, which hits theaters tomorrow.

May 28, 2026