Film and Music

Been trying to avoid writing this Blog entry cause it's a dangerous one for me where I could wander around in circles and blabber wasteful nonsense, so i'll try keep it under control and just do a simple Top 5 of my personal favorites and a couple lines about why. This is not Soundtracks as in various artists compiled together to make a soundtrack but original compositions written specifically for the film in context.

In at 5 we have the amazing talents of Max Steiner and the film 'Gone With The Wind'





The reason for this I don't really know, it just seems to hit a nerve in my body and makes me smile when I hear the compostions from this film, it was however a tough call between this and 'Casablanca' which was also scored by Max Steiner.

And at 4 we have Ennio Morricone and 'The Good, The Bad and The Ugly'





Mainly for this one song but amazing overall, Ennio Morricone is one of my idols and this is some of his best stuff, sampled at various points across time including Gorillaz on Clint Eastwood, which is good enough for me

Number 3 is Max Richter and 'Waltz with Bashir'





The whole soundtrack wasn't all Max Richter it included OMD and PiL but it's the original compositions that make me stand in awe beautiful soundscapes which complement the beauty of this film perfectly. The definition of 'awe' somes up everything about this one - noun, an overwhelming feeling of reverence, admiration, fear, etc., produced by that which is grand, sublime, extremely powerful

Number 2 is headed up by Clint Mansell and 'MOON'





Now this was a tough one cause it could have easily been 'Requiem for a Dream' headed up by 'Lux Aeterna' which is a beautiful piece of music however as an overall package 'MOON' just slightly takes the gold.

And last but no least

Number 1 is the most electronic and still astounds me with the complexity of it, The Dust Brothers and 'Fight Club'





Never have I felt so strongly that a soundtrack can seriously influence a film than this example, this is probably very biased from my point of view but then again this is my list and not yours, thats why there is a comment box at the bottom !

Dust Brothers made this film for me with the subtle ambient tracks and the up tempo tracks when required, the scene in which Ed Norton is browsing the Ikea catalogue whilst one the toilet then the Ikea Scene shows that music can influence how you are being led through a scene. Can't find a good copy, go watch the DVD enjoy it and enjoy the music throughout !

There is alot of other artist who were close to this list but just didn't make it on, here's a few if you wish to check them out.

Hans Zimmer - Gladiator
Massive Attack - Danny the Dog(Unleashed)
Curtis Mayfield - Superfly
Danny Elfman - Beetlejuice
Simon & Garfunkel - The Graduate
David Holmes - Original Compositions on Oceans 11/12/13

there is probably many more feel free to suggest and get angry with me about my choices !

Scotty