Film scores can help or harm a movie. It's there to heighten suspense, to ensue emotion, or help create the grandiose of a setting. Now this list, isn't the ultimate best list out there, I assure you. All these movies are ones I've seen, and I'm confident that there are plenty of fantastic scores that aren't on this list.
Two things before I begin. First, this list isn't in any order except for the last 10. Those are my all time favorites. Second, this is a list of scores, not soundtracks. Soundtracks are typically including music that was initially created before the film was made. Ok here we go!
Part 1:
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (Nick Cave & Warren Ellis)
This score I had only recently listened to again, and it has become one of my favorite Western style scores. The movie is an art film, and the music matches it on every levels. The violin playing by Warren Ellis gives the feeling of regret from the lead Jesse James, as though his heart is cry out. By my all time favorite track would have to be the final piece "Song for Bob". Please check out the movie and please check out this score. It is truly something to experience.
Back to the Future (Alan Silvestri)
Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale both said that as soon as the score was put into place, the movie shot up into an epic type of sound. The main theme is recognizable still today by most movie goers.
Batman (Danny Elfman)
When Danny Elfman created the theme to Batman, he defined who Batman was. Dark, powerful, and mysterious. It is the only thing in the 20 years of Batman movies that I consider to really represent this Dark Knight.
Braveheart (James Horner)
Scots, brothers, freedom. All can be heard in the 1995 score of Braveheart. This film score helps the viewer to travel back to the early centuries of Europe, and experience the struggles of the Scotish. The music matches the epic battles, and enormous landscapes.
Coraline (Bruno Coulais)
Going into seeing Coraline I did not expect the music that I heard, and because of this it completely altered my perception of the film for the rest of the film. It is dark, and wonderous at the sametime. I think it should be a contentor at next years Oscars.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (Tan Dun)
With the help of Yo Yo Ma on the cello, we were brought back to ancient China, and sent on an adventure. After this movie came out, many copycats of the music were made, but in the end, CT, HD really stands out as the greatest modern Kung fu film.
Day the Earth Stood Still (Bernard Herrmann)
Theremins, before Day came out the musical instrument Theremin was never heard of. But when Bernard Herrmann took on the score for the science fiction classic, he defined what a real science fiction score should sound like.
Edward Scissorhands (Danny Elfman)
Quiet and beautiful, Edward Scissorhands is a fairy tale with Avon. Danny Elfman who is a long time collaborator with Tim Burton helped create a very peaceful world.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (Jon Brion)
Not only one of my favorite scores, but films as well from the last 10 years. Jon Brion doesn't play by the rules of classic composing. Instead chooses to write pieces for out-of-tune instruments, and having random pucks on the string. This is indeed out brains represented in music.
Fahrenheit 451 (Bernard Herrmann)
The movie, IMO isn't great. I liked the book enough, but it hasn't aged well. However, what has remained as fantastic work is the music. The theme represents a longing for knowledge for more than what the world gives. It also represents hope, and that is something we all should cherish.
Expect the next part sometime in mid of next week. Please comment and share your favorite film scores.
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