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Movie Music: What's Your Favorite?
Written By Gnorb on Feb. 8, 2007.
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I put up a post about this on my own site, but thought it prudent to ask about it here as well:
1) Do you pay attention to the music in movies? Why or why not?
2) If you do, which are some of your favorite movies, insofar as the music is concerned?
3) Who are some of your favorite movie music composers?
4) Do you listen to the scores or own any soundtracks?
And of course, you knew this one was coming:
5) Which is the worst movie you can think of, musically speaking?
To address some of these points myself:
1) Yes: because the music can often break an otherwise good movie, or make an otherwise bad movie.
2) These are too many to name, but the Star Wars series, the Pirates of the Caribbean series, Lord of the Rings, the Matrix trilogy, A Clockwork Orange, The Nightmare Before Christmas -- just to name a few. (The TV shows Firefly and Battlestar Galactica get honorable mentions. Not movies, certainly, but great music in both.)
(For the record, I'm talking about the score here, not necessarily about the pop music also often featured)
3) Danny Elfman, John Williams, Don Davis, Rob Dougan, Juno Reactor. (Honorable mentions go out to Hans Zimmer, Jerry Goldsmith, and Ron Jones.)
4) Yes.
5) Anything featuring a cheap copy of Mars from Gustav Holtz's The Planets. (In case you're wondering, think of tanks. Now, think of preparing for war. Now, militaristically, think of the following beats: papapa pa. pa. papapa papapa pa. pa. papapa papapa pa. pa... you get the drift.) This is painfully prevalent during almost any battle scene in any movie made during the 80's and early 1990's.
Now, why do I bring this up? It seems to me that the overall quality of music in television and films is actually going up. (Or maybe my tastes are being dulled). The use of atonal music and genre crossovers often adds a level of complexity which allows the music to stand well on its own. True, most movies and television still feature clichés in their music, which makes it easily forgettable (and usually regrettable), but I'm finding that unlike before, I now enjoy listening to the movie soundtracks by themselves, sometimes more than while watching the actual movie.
While it is common for movies to come out with their scores, these aren't normally advertised very well (or at all). Frankly, I think this is a shame, since studios are missing out on a golden opportunity to tie the two together, save themselves money in advertising, and make more money from the sale of not only their show, but the soundtracks.
Thoughts?
Griffin
Written Feb. 8, 2007 / Report /
I think I don't tend to notice movie music unless it stands out for me, either grotesquely bad or surprisingly good. Suppose you could make the argument that this is how it should be. Music should compliment the narrative, not take the spotlight.
I'm not to familiar with film composers but I think Tarantino does a great job of picking music to compliment his films. The Halloween soundtrack always comes to mind as far as movie music goes. Think John Carpenter himself created the score, a perfect fit for thatmovies mood. The Last of the Mohicans score I thought was terrific. My favorite movie soundtrack of all time may very well be The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
And I think you're right Gnorb. I think film music is getting better or people seem to be spending more time thinking about how it can impact their creation, not to mention the bottom line.
arwen54
Written Feb. 10, 2007 / Report /
1)absolutely
2)The Lord of the Rings
3)Howard Shore
4)yes
5) None comes to mind at the moment.
anotherstory
Written Feb. 10, 2007 / Report /
I do because it obviously sets the tone for the film or scene, and it also adds depth and emotion to the acting on screen.
Musicals, classic Disney, Kill Bill is one that I enjoyed musically.
John Williams, Alan Menken, and Danny Elfman
I usually listen to soundtracks of musicals (most recently, Dreamgirls) and soundtracks that feature various artists (Marie Antoinette).
None that come to mind.
Rich
Written Feb. 10, 2007 / Report /
I don't pay attention to the music so much. I think bad film music makes you pay attention because it just doesn't work. I've always believe the sign of great film music is that you don't have to pay attention, it just does its job - building suspense, setting a scene, whatever. For the same reason, most soundtracks - scores, in particular - really don't work outside the movies.
That said, the American Beauty score (Thomas Newman) was on repeat in my house for weeks. As was Michael Andrews' Donnie Darko score - there were also some great tracks in that: Echo and the Bunnymean, INXS, Duran Duran... awesome!
One of the other soundtracks I loved is Nobuo Uematsu's FFVI:AC soundtrack. Some of the tracks just send a tingle up your spine. He also did the music for most of the Final Fantasy games and it's all beautiful, FFIX in particular.
My favourite soundtracks from last year, off the top of my head were Lady int he Water, composed by James Newton Howard, and the Da Vinci Code, by Hans Zimmer. Also two of my favourite composers when it comes to movie music.
Honorable mention goes to Abominable's soundtrack too, composed by Lalo Schifrin.
Danny Elfman would be a glaring omission from anyone's best list, too.
Written Feb. 10, 2007 / Edit / Report /
I'm a huge fan of Thomas Newman, although his stuff can be both repetitive and sparse at times. The latter I like, especially if it is repeated again and again. ;)
Rich
Written Feb. 10, 2007 / Report /
Oh, I forgot the Virgin Suicides by Air. That gets regular play here too.
sparklette
Written Feb. 10, 2007 / Report /
1) Do you pay attention to the music in movies? Why or why not?
Yes. It makes the difference between a good and a great movie. Applies for TV shows too.
2) If you do, which are some of your favorite movies, insofar as the music is concerned?
50 First Dates, The Lake House, The Devil Wears Prada, um Happy Feet, and those listed in #4.
3) Who are some of your favorite movie music composers?
James Horner
4) Do you listen to the scores or own any soundtracks?
Just for the scores: Brokeback Mountain, The Skeleton Key, Titanic
chris
Written Feb. 10, 2007 / Report /
I pay attention to music, but wish it wasn't so overly abused, especially in television.
I really dig the Requiem for a Dream soundtrack and the Fight Club soundtrack.
Gnorb
Written Feb. 14, 2007 / Report /
@Rich: I'll take some of your suggestions there. While I hated the move "American Beauty", the music for it was pretty good. I'm also 100% with you on Nobuo Uematsu, although I didn't want to introduce video game music into the conversation, since that opens up a whole new can of worms. Still, his stuff in FFVII:AC is pretty good stuff.
By the way, Here's some major geekage for you: the music from the wedding ceremony -- where the bride and groom walk down the isle -- actually came from the "Sky Theme" of FFVIII, played with live piano. (It was an outdoor wedding and the music set the mood perfectly, with a few modifications. I might as well use my music composition degree for something, right?) "Suteki Da Ne" and "Aerith's Theme" also played during the reception.
jensized
Written Feb. 14, 2007 / Report /
I only notice the music when it's good.
I liked Tim Delaughter's score/soundtrack for "Thumbsucker,"
"The Virgin Suicides," "Little Miss Sunshine's" music which turned me on to DevotchKa... I gave the American Beauty score as Xmas gifts the year it came out.
stefani
Written Feb. 14, 2007 / Report /
Absolutely.....I have Chemical Method on my mp3, the James Bond themesong. I know they didnt write it but it sounds damn good. I also love Toy Story music.
I dont buy any of the soundtracks cuz I burn what I want to hear.
Worst one? no clue...