crocodile 9,724 Posted July 2, 2011 Posted July 2, 2011 I know we had a similar thread lately, but this is about his entire output this time, not only Tim Burton's movies. I think he composed some of his strongest stuff elsewhere.I want to know which ones do you like and why.Well?Karol
Romão 2,473 Posted July 2, 2011 Posted July 2, 2011 1 - Sleepy Hollow2 - Batman Returns3 - Hulk4 - Nightbreed5 - Edward Scissorhands
Ollie 1,375 Posted July 2, 2011 Posted July 2, 2011 BatmanEdward ScissorhandsSommersbyMidnight RunPlanet Of The Apes
QMM 4 Posted July 2, 2011 Posted July 2, 2011 HulkMission ImpossibleBlack BeautyBatman ReturnsNightmare Before Christmas
Xander Harris 9,674 Posted July 2, 2011 Posted July 2, 2011 I feel I've outgrown much of Elfman's stuff, at least 80s and 90s output. I can still appreciate scores like Batman and Pee-Wee, but his methods and orchestrations (that wacky circusy type of sound) just wear thin on me. His music gets SO wild and kind of grating I wish he'd just calm down.
Koray Savas 2,260 Posted July 2, 2011 Posted July 2, 2011 The Nightmare Before ChristmasBeetlejuiceMen In BlackEdward ScissorhandsBig Fish
FilmComposer518 2 Posted July 2, 2011 Posted July 2, 2011 1. Beetlejuice - simplicity and insanity all in one...love it.2. Batman - THE perfect Batman score3. Batman Returns - THE perfect Batman as a tragic opera score. This score truly does not get as much credit as it should4. Pee Wee - Come on...it's so stupid it's fun. Much like the character of Pee Wee5. Edward Scissorhands - The cross between cheesy 50's American Suburb music and beautiful lullaby are wonderful. There is a reason everybody rips this off to this very day.Runner Up: Nightmare Before Christmas - I find that I can't really listen to this as much anymore. I tend to only listen to "This is Halloween" and "Making Christmas" and the rest annoys me.Wow, my answers are so cliche...but I think it's obvious that although I was born in 1984, I'm a big 80's Burton fan!!
Koray Savas 2,260 Posted July 2, 2011 Posted July 2, 2011 Only 84, eh? Might not be that hard to figure out who you are.
Thor 9,362 Posted July 2, 2011 Posted July 2, 2011 My second favourite composer after Williams!1. THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS2. EDWARD SCISSORHANDS3. STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE4. SOMMERSBY5. ALICE IN WONDERLANDVery difficult, though. Except for the first two, these things are always in constant flux. If you had asked me next week, the list might look differently.
Demondm810 473 Posted July 2, 2011 Posted July 2, 2011 Batman ReturnsAlice In WonderlandThe Wolfman Edward ScissorhandsNightmare Before Christmas
crocodile 9,724 Posted July 2, 2011 Author Posted July 2, 2011 My second favourite composer after Williams!I'm becoming more and more fond of him as the time goes by. His range is much wider than people give him credit for. I watched a featurette in Hulk today where he said Ang Lee didn't want "Danny Elfman in Danny Elfman" and that this made him very happy.OK then it's time for mine:Batman Returns: One of the scores responsible for me being a film music fan. The first one is great too, but more as a pure music than a film score (I feel it fails here a bit). The second one I consider it to be a pinnacle of Danny's classic period. Marvelous themes. It is a very present score in the film, not a background music at all. I like how it humanizes the villains, while making us uncomfortable at the same time. And how it adds to the whole "silent cinema-German expressionist" feel.Standard Operating Procedure: It's pretty unusual score for this documenatary. Not what I expected. It makes the whole thing very sardonic. Compassionate and mechanically cold at the same time. Elfman explores his love for Philip Glass. But adds so much of his own to that style. Sommersby: His very own Dances with the Wolves. Unlike anything else he's done, but at the same time, if you listen closely, it is pure Elfman. The way he treats strings, toys around with the colours and all that. But what's different about this score is how serious it is. No quirkiness. Melodrama at its best.Mission: Impossible: I'd like to hear a composer have as much fun as Elfman seemed to have on this one. It is playful, funny and develops loads of thematic material throughout. Just listen to something like Train Time where he plays around simulaneausly with 3-4 ideas. Besides, I love how he incorporates bits and pieces of Schifrin into his very unique whole. Not the kind of thing you hear in a thriller.The Wolfman: It uses Kilar's Dracula as a basis for the main theme, but from there it goes into entirely different direction, having more in common with the older horror scores (like John Williams' Dracula, for exmaple). This is a true gothic material, restrained, very brooding and almost classically sounding. It is not Burton-esque at all. It's amazing how far Elfman has come as a composer.So in the end you might say I like the guy because he at least tries (not always suceeds) to give his films another layer that wasn't necessarily needed. But what in the end makes them so much more special.Karol - who, of course, likes plenty of other scores as well
fommes 165 Posted July 2, 2011 Posted July 2, 2011 1. Mission: Impossible2. The Nightmare before Christmas3. Serenada Schizophrana4. Batman Returns5. Edward Scissorhands
crocodile 9,724 Posted July 2, 2011 Author Posted July 2, 2011 Serenada is not a film score. It appears in two films, but... you get the idea.Karol
fommes 165 Posted July 2, 2011 Posted July 2, 2011 I know; I just couldn't leave this one unmentioned!
crocodile 9,724 Posted July 2, 2011 Author Posted July 2, 2011 It is one of my favourite CD's so I completely understand. But I mentioned SOP, which contains excerpts from the first two movements. So it sort of counts. I feel I've outgrown much of Elfman's stuff, at least 80s and 90s output. I can still appreciate scores like Batman and Pee-Wee, but his methods and orchestrations (that wacky circusy type of sound) just wear thin on me. His music gets SO wild and kind of grating I wish he'd just calm down.You seem to mostly referring to the Elfman/Burton collaborations. Check this out: Karol
Shane 0 Posted July 2, 2011 Posted July 2, 2011 Sommersby - My favourite Elfman score and the one that finally pushed me over the edge to becoming a serious score enthusiast. Before this I'd mostly only paid attention to blockbuster scores like Star Wars and Indiana Jones.BatmanEdward ScissorhandsThe Nightmare Before Christmas.Spider-Man - Especially fond of some of the quieter parts of this score.
Incanus 5,890 Posted July 2, 2011 Posted July 2, 2011 1.Sleepy Hollow2.Edward Scissorhands3.Batman4.Sommersby5.The Wolfman
tharpdevenport 4 Posted July 2, 2011 Posted July 2, 2011 Very hard to narrow it down to five, but (in no special order):1. "Mission: Impossible"2. "Black Beauty"3. "Amazing Stories: Family Dog"4. "Edward Scisorhands"5. "Pee Wee's Big Adventure"
Jeshopk 8 Posted July 3, 2011 Posted July 3, 2011 Must choose 6BatmanPee Wee's Big AdventureDarkmanEdward ScissorhandsDick TracyNightbreed
Dean1700 5 Posted July 3, 2011 Posted July 3, 2011 Out of all of his scores I am kinda surprised no one has mentioned Mars Attacks.
King Mark 3,975 Posted July 3, 2011 Posted July 3, 2011 I rend to like a few tracks in each scores, not the whole of it
indy4 160 Posted July 3, 2011 Posted July 3, 2011 1. Nightmare Before Christmas2. Edward Scissorhands3. Big Fish4. Pee-Wee5. Corpse BrideHis collaborations with Burton are my favorite.
Trent B 354 Posted July 3, 2011 Posted July 3, 2011 In no particular order....BatmanSpider-ManSpider-Man 2BeetlejuiceTerminator Salvation
Demondm810 473 Posted July 3, 2011 Posted July 3, 2011 Really? Terminator Salvation? I haven't listened to it much at all. What are your best recommended cues?
Koray Savas 2,260 Posted July 3, 2011 Posted July 3, 2011 Out of all of his scores I am kinda surprised no one has mentioned Mars Attacks.It's good, but Top 5 material?This thread reminded me of my Top 5 series from back in the day. Maybe it's time to bring it back on the air!
Jill Sandwich 11,166 Posted July 3, 2011 Posted July 3, 2011 Forbidden ZoneWisdomHot to TrotArticle 99To Die For
crocodile 9,724 Posted July 3, 2011 Author Posted July 3, 2011 I rend to like a few tracks in each scores, not the whole of itOK, what it would be then?Karol
Richard P 5,303 Posted July 3, 2011 Posted July 3, 2011 Sleepy HollowThe WolfmanA Simple PlanWantedAlice in WonderlandThose last 2 or 3 are replaceable - maybe Big Fish or Black Beauty could take their place. I've only got a few absolute favourites.
Koray Savas 2,260 Posted July 3, 2011 Posted July 3, 2011 Forbidden ZoneWisdomHot to TrotArticle 99To Die ForHey I like To Die For!
crocodile 9,724 Posted July 3, 2011 Author Posted July 3, 2011 I'll never know when the guy is joking.Karol
Koray Savas 2,260 Posted July 3, 2011 Posted July 3, 2011 Whenever there's a Top 5 thread, he puts the composer's (generally believed) worst 5.
Koray Savas 2,260 Posted July 3, 2011 Posted July 3, 2011 To Die For = MilkBoth Van Sant, so no surprise.
Thor 9,362 Posted July 4, 2011 Posted July 4, 2011 Actually, all of those scores that Drax mentioned are great, except maybe ARTICLE 99, which never did anything for me. FORBIDDEN ZONE is the most wacked-out album I've ever heard (and crazy film too!). It just has to be heard and seen to be believed. TO DIE FOR is an eclectic score that includes everything from hard metal to playful pizzicato strings, for a wonderful satire film. HOT TO TROT is a fun, unpretentious comedy score that should get its own soundtrack (perhaps coupled with something else), even though the film is crap (a talking horse gives stockmarket tips....COME ON!). WISDOM is one of my favourites, Elfman's singular synth-only entry, and much of it reminds me of Jean Michel Jarre's ZOOLOOK. It's incredibly cool. Pretty good, underrated film too, a contemporary BONNIE & CLYDE.
Jay 46,244 Posted July 5, 2011 Posted July 5, 2011 Very hard to narrow down to 51. Mars Attacks!2. Batman Returns3. The Nightmare Before Christmas4. Batman5. Mission: ImpossibleGuess I need to check out more of his non-Burton work
Matt C 605 Posted July 5, 2011 Posted July 5, 2011 BatmanAlice in WonderlandThe WolfmanSpider-Man 2Sleepy Hollow
crocodile 9,724 Posted July 5, 2011 Author Posted July 5, 2011 Very hard to narrow down to 51. Mars Attacks!2. Batman Returns3. The Nightmare Before Christmas4. Batman5. Mission: ImpossibleGuess I need to check out more of his non-Burton workYou definitely should. Even if he's doing a similar thing, there is a slightly different feel to it.Karol
fommes 165 Posted July 5, 2011 Posted July 5, 2011 Can't believe I didn't mention Dolores Claiborne! Well, if Schizophrana can't be in the list, put that one instead. It's really weird, I adore the Elfman works for Burton films, but somehow his really interesting stuff is often for non-Burton films.
Thor 9,362 Posted July 6, 2011 Posted July 6, 2011 Can't believe I didn't mention Dolores Claiborne! Well, if Schizophrana can't be in the list, put that one instead. It's really weird, I adore the Elfman works for Burton films, but somehow his really interesting stuff is often for non-Burton films.Yes, it's a fantastic work, even though you have to be in the mood for it. It's very bleak. Some superb string writing. It came out just as Elfman was "changing styles" (the crossover score to more contrapuntal material is usually held to be MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE, but DOLORES had some elements of it too).
crocodile 9,724 Posted July 6, 2011 Author Posted July 6, 2011 Never heard it, to be honest. I'm curious now.Karol
whoopiecat 0 Posted July 7, 2011 Posted July 7, 2011 1. Edward: As a young man of 23 in 1990, I was moved to tears by the haunting melodies and lilting beauty found in this score. It still has that effect on me. 2. Pee-Wee: That same year, a co-worker turned me onto film music with a comp. tape of Williams and a copy of 'Music For A Darkened Theater', which started me on the path of appreciating film music. Breakfast Machine alone is not only a lovely piece of work, but also tons of fun. 3. Beetlejuice: Again, the suite on MFADT caused me to pursue the full album for this zany piece of work, which turned out to be well worth my time. 4. Dick Tracy: A film maligned by the critics, though I think it's great, with a score to match. I have a love for the WB Gangster films of the golden age anyway, so this score was right up my alley. Elfman's effort was a fine mix of action and romance. 5. Darkman: Another score reminiscent of Hollywood's golden age: equal parts hard boiled crime, blood and thunder action and monster flick. Another sleeper, but a killer just the same. Honorable Mention - Scrooged: One score I'd love to hear the rest of. We get just under nine minutes from the suite included on MFADT, I believe Danny recalled in the liner notes that he wrote around twenty minutes or so of music before the film execs thought the film was too dark, and lightened the tone. What we got was certainly sinister in tone...and I liked it. Someday I'd like to figure out how to rip audio from DVD, so I can have this score in full. ~T.
Thor 9,362 Posted July 7, 2011 Posted July 7, 2011 Honorable Mention - Scrooged: One score I'd love to hear the rest of. We get just under nine minutes from the suite included on MFADT, I believe Danny recalled in the liner notes that he wrote around twenty minutes or so of music before the film execs thought the film was too dark, and lightened the tone. What we got was certainly sinister in tone...and I liked it. Someday I'd like to figure out how to rip audio from DVD, so I can have this score in full.There's isn't MUCH more in the film that isn't already covered in the suite (and that is of any particular musical interest), but there is SOME. I'd certainly buy an expanded release of this (yeah, you heard that right) that adds some more cues, although not necessarily C&C. There are a lot of short, stinger-type tracks that I could be without. Would be a perfect score to couple with something else that is unreleased and that is relavitely short.
Naïve Old Fart 13,023 Posted July 7, 2011 Posted July 7, 2011 Out of all of his scores I am kinda surprised no one has mentioned Mars Attacks. (*)"Batman Returns", and "Mars Attacks!". I love the cross-pollination of Herrmann and Prokofiev on the latters' main title. Also "Martian Lounge" is gtreat.(*) There, I mentioned "Mars Attacks!".
Thor 9,362 Posted July 7, 2011 Posted July 7, 2011 I never connected to MARS ATTACKS, to be honest. Too much screaming brass going on. I prefer the more mellow Elfman. But the main theme is smokin' hot!
crocodile 9,724 Posted July 7, 2011 Author Posted July 7, 2011 I'm thinking of getting La-La Land's Mars Attacks very soon.Karol
whoopiecat 0 Posted July 7, 2011 Posted July 7, 2011 LLL did a great job with the expanded Mars Attacks score, I picked that up last year and was glad for it.
Demondm810 473 Posted July 8, 2011 Posted July 8, 2011 I'm thinking of getting La-La Land's Mars Attacks very soon.KarolDo it!
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