Several years ago, I taught a class on science fiction films at a local university. On a whim, I decided to begin each session with a musical number relating to the subject we were discussing that week - and was pleased to find far more material than I expected: singing alien Muppets , the TV-controlled characters of "Shock Treatment,"  David Bowie performing "Space Oddity "  and the "Me and my Rhythm Box " song from "Liquid Sky."

In that same spirit, I'd like to offer something similar here on the lens, a Musical Clip of the Week.

And for our first selection, I'd like to make amends to a film that has received far too little attention. A few weeks ago I mentioned that many of my favorite films in 2007 were musicals, but I neglected to mention among then John Turturro's wonderful "Romance and Cigarettes," a film about ordinary people living ordinary lives, but also in part about how music - in this case, mostly pop hits from the 1960s - has infiltrated our subconscious, adding a personal background score to our world. If you haven't seen it, check it out.

Here's what to expect:

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