Nick Parker 3,040 Posted July 10, 2018 Share Posted July 10, 2018 By popular vote, here's our first composer roast on JWFan! The recipient... the singular Danny Elfman! Before this begins proper, I'll get housekeeping out of the way: Here's the parent thread so you can get an idea of how this is going to work: Some highlights: this should be fun and good-natured: regardless of their reputations, these are talented dudes we're roasting here! Please feel free to either deliver a more "speech" like roast, or more compact roastings, including riffing on others' roasts. In addition to this being Elfman's roast, there is also a poll above for #2, if you're interested in this series to continue. People voted to focus more on younger composers, so most of the choices in each poll will be from composers who got big from the 80's on: James Horner is right on the precipice of that, so I included him on the poll! Also, feel free to suggest any dark horse candidates in this thread: the poll closes this Saturday, July the 14th. With that said, let's get our coals raking! I figured I would begin this roast with some short opening thoughts about Danny Elfman, a hero of mine when I was a teenager. One of the reasons I really looked up to him was he was a man who overcame many odds to become one of the most successful, popular composers of the last 50 years. The guy started out as a nerdy ginger in LA, formed a band, then became the composer for some of the world's most iconic titular characters in all of cinema. Seriously, they're all are right in the name! In The Simpsons, he wrote the theme for the Simpsons, for Edward Scissorhands, he scored Edward Scissorhands, for Spider-Man, he scored Spidey, for Batman, he scored the Caped Crusader, and in Planet of the Apes, he scored Mark Wahlberg. But it wasn't smooth sailing for him to get to that illustrious point in his life. For example, as any film score fan knows, he got a lot of flack in his earlier years, being accused of having ghostwriters responsible for his music. Fortunately, as the years went by, that criticism began to die down: I think after hearing all of his music for Tim Burton after Big Fish, people realized Danny was his own ghostwriter. In all seriousness, though, I'm glad those accusations went away: Danny truly deserves recognition as a supremely skilled, singular, and dedicated artist. Like any respectable artist, he started out with all kinds of colorful, fresh, and new sounding ideas, full of vigor and creative imagination, then upon maturing, became complacent in turning out work that's bland, uninspired, and a pale shadow of his older work. In fact, when Danny Elfman was first offered Fifty Shades of Grey, he refused because he thought it was going to be a documentary on his career! The last great score Danny made was 1998's A Simple Plan: there, he scored Bridget Fonda! Seriously, what a class act she is: at a rising career on the heels of cinematic royalty, she stepped away from the spotlight to stay home and take care of the kids while her husband could focus on his career. I'd need to be taken care of, too, if I had to hear demos for crap like Justice League at home all day...preferably with a 9mm! I mean I'd try to shoot Danny, but my shot would probably miss him like an Oscar at the Academy Awards. I really can't diss the man too hard, though: he's a self-taught composer, and I have a lot of respect for that. He found his own way, his own path...ya know, Danny Elfman is often associated with magic: the films he's worked on, his name, his music...really, his music is like alchemy: it's like it was materialized by gathering the pubic hairs of Bernard Herrmann, Dmitri Shostakovitch, and Philip Glass and grinding them on a keyboard. Regardless of how you feel about him and his work, though, or his growth as a composer: it's impossible to deny his place as one of the great film composers in American history, a rare person who embodies both a composer for film and composer of music. He'll always have my deep admiration, and when I see a movie marquee with his name on it, I'm always a little more curious about the project itself, and how he'll utilize his skills to adapt to it: he's been known to still throw surprises in his career, even after decades of success. Kudos, Danny Elfman! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
publicist 4,643 Posted July 10, 2018 Share Posted July 10, 2018 He was called 'The Hummer' back in the 80's. While he has his moments, and a sizeable amount of great movie music under his belt, i just don't care that much for his voicings and other harmonic/thematic choices which often come off as one-note and boring. I liked him more when his music was more naive (from Pee-Wee to Hulk) but nowadays he's a more polished (read: more boring) composer with too many inconsequential scores that do nothing and even surefire assignments like 'Tulip Fever' somehow never come off as particularly inspired. For a roast, i just lack the passion. Sorry. James and Gruesome Son of a Bitch 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Parker 3,040 Posted July 10, 2018 Author Share Posted July 10, 2018 10 minutes ago, publicist said: For a roast, i just lack the passion. So you have a lot in common with Elfman, then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
publicist 4,643 Posted July 10, 2018 Share Posted July 10, 2018 He probably disagrees. And i'm not fair-haired. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Illustrious Jerry 3,356 Posted July 10, 2018 Share Posted July 10, 2018 A while back I roasted Hans Zimmer for not being able to write a score on his own. It was in the thread about a man named John Williams getting arrested: On 4/30/2018 at 10:34 AM, Josh500 said: A man accused of killing a sheriff's deputy was held in the state's maximum-security prison Sunday pending his initial court appearance. John Williams was transferred to the Maine State Prison in Warren after his arrest Saturday, the fourth day of a massive manhunt in the central part of the state. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/john-williams-suspect-held-maximum-security-prison-maine-deputy-eugene-cole/?ftag=CNM-00-10aab5i&linkId=51117337 Discuss! To which I commented: On 4/30/2018 at 5:00 PM, Jerry said: In other news, Hans Zimmer shot a guy in Northern Kentucky. We're not sure but we think it may have been a group effort 😝! And in fact @Nick Parker you actually replied with: On 4/30/2018 at 5:17 PM, Nick Parker said: Man, that's clever! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Parker 3,040 Posted July 10, 2018 Author Share Posted July 10, 2018 Uhhh, about that, Jerry...let's just say Zimmer wasn't the only one roasted in the posts you just quoted.... Holko 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Illustrious Jerry 3,356 Posted July 10, 2018 Share Posted July 10, 2018 Oh, the John Williams wasn't the John Williams, if that's what you mean... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Parker 3,040 Posted July 10, 2018 Author Share Posted July 10, 2018 .... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
publicist 4,643 Posted July 10, 2018 Share Posted July 10, 2018 RIP Elfman thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco Stu 15,495 Posted July 10, 2018 Share Posted July 10, 2018 Just please don't let this become the "Unpopular Opinions: Danny Elfman" thread Nick Parker 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kasey Kockroach 2,343 Posted July 10, 2018 Share Posted July 10, 2018 Darkman and The Frighteners need more love. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveMc 2,674 Posted July 10, 2018 Share Posted July 10, 2018 John Williams made Superman fly. Elfman, what exactly did you do for Batman, eh? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Illustrious Jerry 3,356 Posted July 10, 2018 Share Posted July 10, 2018 3 minutes ago, Nick Parker said: .... Who did I roast exactly? Correct me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
publicist 4,643 Posted July 10, 2018 Share Posted July 10, 2018 Brought Herrmann to comic book movies? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco Stu 15,495 Posted July 10, 2018 Share Posted July 10, 2018 1 minute ago, Jerry said: Who did I roast exactly? Correct me. Dude. He was just trying to imply that his reply with the laughing emoji was sarcastic. Nick Parker 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Parker 3,040 Posted July 10, 2018 Author Share Posted July 10, 2018 3 minutes ago, publicist said: RIP Elfman thread. Gotta prioritize between this and quick-draw clickbait crap threads that extend to 3+ pages, I guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Illustrious Jerry 3,356 Posted July 10, 2018 Share Posted July 10, 2018 2 minutes ago, Disco Stu said: He was just implying that his reply with the laughing emoji was sarcastic. I guess I didn't realize. Darn you @Nick Parker it was a good joke! I guess I should've been thrown off by all those spinning heads! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
publicist 4,643 Posted July 10, 2018 Share Posted July 10, 2018 2 minutes ago, Nick Parker said: Gotta prioritize between this and quick-draw clickbait crap threads that extend to 3+ pages, I guess. Gotta admit defeat with this composer. He's lost his mojo too long ago. My advice: rename it 'random rambling discussion about fucking boring recent comic book score nobody really likes but pretends to because it's...well, it's new'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Parker 3,040 Posted July 10, 2018 Author Share Posted July 10, 2018 5 minutes ago, Jerry said: I guess I didn't realize. Darn you @Nick Parker it was a good joke! I guess I should've been thrown off by all those spinning heads! Yeah I'd hope between all of them and yours, the joke wouldn't go over at least one of them. 1 minute ago, publicist said: Gotta admit defeat with this composer. He's lost his mojo too long ago. My advice: rename it 'random rambling discussion about fucking boring recent comic book score nobody really likes but pretends to because it's...well, it's new'. The people voted! JWFan is a democracy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco Stu 15,495 Posted July 10, 2018 Share Posted July 10, 2018 Elfman drifted away from his super circusy, Nino Rota inspired sound. But he's doing Dumbo so I don't see how he could get away from it there. I'm so sorry this wasn't a joke. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
publicist 4,643 Posted July 10, 2018 Share Posted July 10, 2018 Which looks like a twisted parody of a Tim Burton movie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Illustrious Jerry 3,356 Posted July 10, 2018 Share Posted July 10, 2018 Danny Elf Man Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco Stu 15,495 Posted July 10, 2018 Share Posted July 10, 2018 2 minutes ago, publicist said: Which looks like a twisted parody of a Tim Burton movie. Well yeah it goes without saying that a new Burton movie looks like garbage. But, just as a trip down memory lane, I'd be interested to hear Elfman try on that funhouse mirror version of Rota sound again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Nick Parker 3,040 Posted July 10, 2018 Author Popular Post Share Posted July 10, 2018 8 minutes ago, Disco Stu said: Well yeah it goes without saying that a new Burton movie looks like garbage. But, just as a trip down memory lane, I'd be interested to hear Elfman try on that funhouse mirror version of Rota sound again. So would you compare Elfman to a plump middle-aged lady who still has her wardrobe from the days when she was hot in her 20s? "I used to pull off this Nino Rota so well, maybe I can still make it fit...maybe if I just suck my gut in a little...." James, Disco Stu and Holko 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco Stu 15,495 Posted July 10, 2018 Share Posted July 10, 2018 But also I'm not nearly as down on his recent work as pub! At least his concert work. Really looking forward to the recording of his violin concerto. I promise I'll post a joke when I think of a good one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kasey Kockroach 2,343 Posted July 10, 2018 Share Posted July 10, 2018 While I'm not as compelled by his resume as I'd like to be, I intend to keep ill speak of him to a minimum seeing as how Batman Returns is the only superhero score I really truly love. Not to mention doing the theme music to my favorite TV show. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
publicist 4,643 Posted July 10, 2018 Share Posted July 10, 2018 My name is Danny Elfman. Hire me for your paycheck work on the strength of my long-faded glory. I'm probably overpaid but sincerely hope you don't mind. I have large mansions and expensive luxury hobbies to accommodate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Parker 3,040 Posted July 10, 2018 Author Share Posted July 10, 2018 7 minutes ago, Disco Stu said: But also I'm not nearly as down on his recent work as pub pub is so down on everything he's practically been going down on Korngold's buried corpse for years now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
publicist 4,643 Posted July 10, 2018 Share Posted July 10, 2018 It's worse, i never cared for the guy in the first place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kasey Kockroach 2,343 Posted July 10, 2018 Share Posted July 10, 2018 Honey, I'm home. Oh, I forgot. I'm not married. Disco Stu 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Parker 3,040 Posted July 10, 2018 Author Share Posted July 10, 2018 3 minutes ago, publicist said: expensive luxury hobbies to accommodate Considering his main hustle has been royalties from selling Jack Skellington merchandise to reclusive teens in Hot Topic for years, I'd say composing's been a good hobby for him! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kasey Kockroach 2,343 Posted July 10, 2018 Share Posted July 10, 2018 YOU ONLY HAVE SO MANY TRICKS NO ONE LIVES FOREVER LET'S HAVE A PARTY, THERE'S A FULL MOON IN THE SKY IT'S THE HOUR OF THE WOLF AND I DON'T WANT TO DIE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
publicist 4,643 Posted July 10, 2018 Share Posted July 10, 2018 Sadly it doesn't translate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Parker 3,040 Posted July 10, 2018 Author Share Posted July 10, 2018 5 minutes ago, publicist said: Sadly it doesn't translate. Is there a "counter-culture" store in Germany? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
publicist 4,643 Posted July 10, 2018 Share Posted July 10, 2018 Don't get carried away here or i let your rotten corpse of a DOA thread die on the spot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Parker 3,040 Posted July 10, 2018 Author Share Posted July 10, 2018 5 minutes ago, publicist said: Don't get carried away here or i let your rotten corpse of a DOA thread die on the spot. Didn't know if the "doesn't translate" comment was in reference to the Hot Topic line or not, so I asked if there was a similar equivalent in Germany. Cute that you see yourself as the lifeblood here, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
publicist 4,643 Posted July 10, 2018 Share Posted July 10, 2018 Roast, Roast, Roast!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kasey Kockroach 2,343 Posted July 10, 2018 Share Posted July 10, 2018 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crocodile 7,973 Posted July 10, 2018 Share Posted July 10, 2018 Karol Kasey Kockroach 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Parker 3,040 Posted July 10, 2018 Author Share Posted July 10, 2018 2 minutes ago, crocodile said: Karol Croc, you're one of Elfman's biggest fans here. Do you have any dishonorable words to honor this thread's subject? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crocodile 7,973 Posted July 10, 2018 Share Posted July 10, 2018 He's spreading himself too thin over too many less-than-perfect projects. The result being that his most interesting work is being written...away from films. He wrote Justice League. While it isn't horrible, it's a score that tries to please everyone and ends up being for nobody. Is he bad? No, not at all. But it has been a while since a really fine Elfman score. Like...a decade? Karol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Parker 3,040 Posted July 10, 2018 Author Share Posted July 10, 2018 Just now, crocodile said: He's spreading himself too thin over too many less-than-perfect projects. A man to truly take the baton from where Goldsmith left off! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crocodile 7,973 Posted July 10, 2018 Share Posted July 10, 2018 Just now, Nick Parker said: A man to truly take the baton from where Goldsmith left off! Not in that sense even. It's just that the projects he selects don't offer much excitement. Karol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kasey Kockroach 2,343 Posted July 10, 2018 Share Posted July 10, 2018 Nah, Powell gets the worst movies. He took Illumination's The Lorax, and lived to tell the tale! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
publicist 4,643 Posted July 10, 2018 Share Posted July 10, 2018 2 minutes ago, Nick Parker said: A man to truly take the baton from where Goldsmith left off! Scoring multiple billion dollar franchises? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Parker 3,040 Posted July 10, 2018 Author Share Posted July 10, 2018 Just now, crocodile said: Not in that sense even. It's just that the projects he selects don't offer much excitement. Karol Considering some of Goldsmith's last projects were stuff like The Sum of All Fears, I feel comfortable standing by my statement! On a more earnest note (I'm starting to feel dirty just offering mean zingers), I was actually deeply impressed with how colorful Tulip Fever was. Elfman had a great ear for interesting woodwind timbres, and I was glad to hear him use those in a film recently. 1 minute ago, publicist said: Scoring multiple billion dollar franchises? Oh and that too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crocodile 7,973 Posted July 10, 2018 Share Posted July 10, 2018 2 minutes ago, Nick Parker said: Considering some of Goldsmith's last projects were stuff like The Sum of All Fears, I feel comfortable standing by my statement! On a more earnest note (I'm starting to feel dirty just offering mean zingers), I was actually deeply impressed with how colorful Tulip Fever was. Elfman had a great ear for interesting woodwind timbres, and I was glad to hear him use those in a film recently. I've never heard that one. The thing about Elfman he seems to be like a battery that you observe running out over several projects. Then he recharges himself and you feel aftershocks in several works after. And so on and so on. I don't think he distributes his energy wisely. Karol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
publicist 4,643 Posted July 10, 2018 Share Posted July 10, 2018 It' miles better than anything Elfman recently came up with, i. e. 'Tulip Fever' which made me yearn for 'Sommersby'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crocodile 7,973 Posted July 10, 2018 Share Posted July 10, 2018 Someone needs to give him a period costume drama. Give him a Jane Eyre remake (another one!) or something. Karol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco Stu 15,495 Posted July 10, 2018 Share Posted July 10, 2018 I like that wackadoo arrangement of “Simple Gifts” from The Circle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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