Suggestions?
I hear the new Twilight movie has quite a stunning main theme, for example.
I happen to really like Carter Burwell's whimsical theme to Being John Malkovich. I'm always on the lookout for quirky themes like that.
Standout main themes in otherwise uninteresting scores
Started by Quint, Dec 04 2009 06:30 PM
151 replies to this topic
#1
Quint
-
- Members
-
- 21151 posts
Let's cook
- Gender:Male
- Location:The Black Lodge
Posted 04 December 2009 - 06:30 PM
#2
Charlie Brigden
-
- Members
-
- 7322 posts
Huge Member
- Gender:Male
- Location:Wales
Posted 04 December 2009 - 06:34 PM
Does 'Across the Stars' count? It's not necessarily a main theme, but it's the major theme of the film, and a lovely piece in an otherwise okay but not fantastic score.
Repeat the JWFan pledge after me: 'I hereby recognise John Towner Williams' place in the world as the great composer there has ever been, and I therefore renounce the works of Rozsa, Korngold, Herrmann, Horner, Kamen, Giacchino (unless the prophecy is fulfilled and he becomes the heir to JTW) and Goldsmith, especially Goldsmith. I understand that if I ever refer to Jurassic Park as anything less than "a masterpiece sixty-five million years in the making" I will be resigned to living out my days at the Zimmershrine.'
#3
E.T. & Elliott
-
- Members
-
- 5857 posts
SUPERVISED AND APPROVED BY JOHN WILLIAMS
- Gender:Male
- Location:Amazing Stories neighborhood, CA
Posted 04 December 2009 - 06:38 PM
JFK
#4
Quint
-
- Members
-
- 21151 posts
Let's cook
- Gender:Male
- Location:The Black Lodge
Posted 04 December 2009 - 06:39 PM
@Charlie
Well yes it does count, of course. But not all movies are afforded the pleasure of having the Lord of Themes himself, do their music. Most movies are lucky to have even one good theme, let alone two or three, as JW has been known to provide.
Well yes it does count, of course. But not all movies are afforded the pleasure of having the Lord of Themes himself, do their music. Most movies are lucky to have even one good theme, let alone two or three, as JW has been known to provide.
#5
Mark Olivarez
-
- Members
-
- 30305 posts
Speechless
- Gender:Male
- Location:Deep In The Heart O' Texas
Posted 04 December 2009 - 06:41 PM
Now for those who will start complaining, this in no way means the following scores suck.
The Last Starfighter
The Terminal
Ice Station Zebra
Spacecamp
Star Trek Insurrection (Ba'ku theme)
Signs
The Last Starfighter
The Terminal
Ice Station Zebra
Spacecamp
Star Trek Insurrection (Ba'ku theme)
Signs
#6
Charlie Brigden
-
- Members
-
- 7322 posts
Huge Member
- Gender:Male
- Location:Wales
Posted 04 December 2009 - 06:43 PM
Star Trek Insurrection (Ba'ku theme)
Great example. I'd possibly even go so far as to mention the First Contact theme, since I don't think that's a particularly great score either (but a lovely, lovely theme).
Repeat the JWFan pledge after me: 'I hereby recognise John Towner Williams' place in the world as the great composer there has ever been, and I therefore renounce the works of Rozsa, Korngold, Herrmann, Horner, Kamen, Giacchino (unless the prophecy is fulfilled and he becomes the heir to JTW) and Goldsmith, especially Goldsmith. I understand that if I ever refer to Jurassic Park as anything less than "a masterpiece sixty-five million years in the making" I will be resigned to living out my days at the Zimmershrine.'
#7
Quint
-
- Members
-
- 21151 posts
Let's cook
- Gender:Male
- Location:The Black Lodge
Posted 04 December 2009 - 06:45 PM
First Contact's main theme is absolutely beautiful, I adore it. I'm gonna check out Ba'ku theme on iTunes, along with one or two of the others Mark just mentioned.
#8
Mark Olivarez
-
- Members
-
- 30305 posts
Speechless
- Gender:Male
- Location:Deep In The Heart O' Texas
Posted 04 December 2009 - 06:47 PM
I was tempted to include Nemesis because of the lovely rendition of the main theme Goldsmith uses in the end credits.
#9
Stefancos
-
- Members
-
- 53413 posts
The Road Goes Ever On And On
- Gender:Male
- Location:Hoorn, The Netherlands, Europe, Planet Earth
Posted 04 December 2009 - 06:48 PM
Congo.
Executive Descision.
Star Trek: First Contact
Executive Descision.
Star Trek: First Contact
#10
Mark Olivarez
-
- Members
-
- 30305 posts
Speechless
- Gender:Male
- Location:Deep In The Heart O' Texas
Posted 04 December 2009 - 06:53 PM
Seven Years In Tibet
Powder
Forever Young
Powder
Forever Young
#11
Wojo
-
- Members
-
- 17755 posts
Grand Master
- Gender:Male
Posted 04 December 2009 - 07:05 PM
The Emperor's Death
*ducks*
*ducks*
@Wojo: stop being facetious.
#12
Charlie Brigden
-
- Members
-
- 7322 posts
Huge Member
- Gender:Male
- Location:Wales
Posted 04 December 2009 - 07:11 PM
I was tempted to include Nemesis because of the lovely rendition of the main theme Goldsmith uses in the end credits.
That is a stunning theme, although I think NEMESIS is a generally underrated score.
Repeat the JWFan pledge after me: 'I hereby recognise John Towner Williams' place in the world as the great composer there has ever been, and I therefore renounce the works of Rozsa, Korngold, Herrmann, Horner, Kamen, Giacchino (unless the prophecy is fulfilled and he becomes the heir to JTW) and Goldsmith, especially Goldsmith. I understand that if I ever refer to Jurassic Park as anything less than "a masterpiece sixty-five million years in the making" I will be resigned to living out my days at the Zimmershrine.'
#13
Quint
-
- Members
-
- 21151 posts
Let's cook
- Gender:Male
- Location:The Black Lodge
Posted 04 December 2009 - 07:14 PM
Some good suggestions here, I'll check 'em out.
#14
king mark
-
- Members
-
- 24107 posts
Supreme Priestmaster of JWfan
- Gender:Male
- Location:The Ethereal Plain of Shadows
Posted 04 December 2009 - 07:28 PM
Back to the Future
Airport
Almost every Ennio Morricone score has a great main theme and incredibly boring underscore
Airport
Almost every Ennio Morricone score has a great main theme and incredibly boring underscore
#15
Quint
-
- Members
-
- 21151 posts
Let's cook
- Gender:Male
- Location:The Black Lodge
Posted 04 December 2009 - 07:37 PM
TGTBATU's underscore is heavenly to this ear, at least.
#16
Maxxie
-
- Members
-
- 1147 posts
Captain Slow
- Gender:Male
- Location:North Yorkshire
Posted 04 December 2009 - 07:45 PM
Back to the Future
I wondered when this was coming.
No surprises it came from you KM.
Music From The Motion Picture
#17
Koray Savas
-
- Members
-
- 27763 posts
Grandest Master
- Gender:Male
- Location:Maryland
Posted 04 December 2009 - 07:47 PM
The Good, The Bad And The Ugly is a masterpiece from beginning to end. Navajo Joe and The Five Man Army are better examples of superb themes with boring underscore.
In 50 years Herrmann will be forgotten.
#19
Wojo
-
- Members
-
- 17755 posts
Grand Master
- Gender:Male
Posted 04 December 2009 - 08:31 PM
Star Trek IV. I like the main title a lot, but don't find the rest of the score to be that great.
@Wojo: stop being facetious.
#20
Luke Skywalker
-
- Members
-
- 19555 posts
This is an anatomically correct Black-throated Magpie-Jay
- Gender:Male
- Location:Germany
Posted 04 December 2009 - 08:39 PM
Back to the Future
same here.
the rest of the score is not bad average, but compared to its main theme, it pales.
I hope Episode III is Called 'Revenge of the Sith'
#21
Red Rabbit
-
- Members
-
- 10548 posts
Youngster
- Gender:Male
- Location:The Future
Posted 04 December 2009 - 09:43 PM
I would go with this. There are a few other highlights though, like "Love Pledge/The Arena".Does 'Across the Stars' count? It's not necessarily a main theme, but it's the major theme of the film, and a lovely piece in an otherwise okay but not fantastic score.
Do you like John Williams? His early work was a little too jazzy for my taste, but when Jaws came out in '75 I really think he came into his own, commercially and artistically. The whole album has a clear, crisp sound, and an air of consummate professionalism that really gives the pieces a big boost. He's been compared to Jerry Goldsmith but I think John has a far more leitmotif-driven style of composing. In '82 John composed this, E.T., his most accomplished album to date. I think his undisputed masterpiece is "The Magic of Halloween", a theme so catchy most people don't listen to what it means. But they should, because it's not just about the pleasures of childhood and the importance of friendship, it's also a personal statement about the man himself. Hey Paul!
- Patrick Bateman on the Maestro
- Patrick Bateman on the Maestro
#22
Musica42
-
- Members
-
- 121 posts
Regular Poster
Posted 04 December 2009 - 09:52 PM
Alamo: Price of Freedom, Merrill Jenson
Cliffhanger, Trevor Jones
Drag Me To Hell, Christopher Young
Last of the Dogmen, David Arnold
Cliffhanger, Trevor Jones
Drag Me To Hell, Christopher Young
Last of the Dogmen, David Arnold
#23
king mark
-
- Members
-
- 24107 posts
Supreme Priestmaster of JWfan
- Gender:Male
- Location:The Ethereal Plain of Shadows
Posted 04 December 2009 - 09:54 PM
AotC is really above average most other composer's scores
It's only below average compared to the other SW scores but still has it's importance
It's only below average compared to the other SW scores but still has it's importance
#24
Stefancos
-
- Members
-
- 53413 posts
The Road Goes Ever On And On
- Gender:Male
- Location:Hoorn, The Netherlands, Europe, Planet Earth
Posted 04 December 2009 - 10:19 PM
AotC is really above average most other composer's scores
No, not really, there are hundreds of scores better then it.
#25
Quint
-
- Members
-
- 21151 posts
Let's cook
- Gender:Male
- Location:The Black Lodge
Posted 04 December 2009 - 10:21 PM
Musically, AotC is a superior piece of work, but as a film score it is predictable and in places - really dull.
Forget average-ness - AotC is a lacklustre JW score. But I still don't blame him for it.
Lee - realising that KM is truly JWFAN's biggest fanboy and NOT Luke Skywalker.
Forget average-ness - AotC is a lacklustre JW score. But I still don't blame him for it.
Lee - realising that KM is truly JWFAN's biggest fanboy and NOT Luke Skywalker.
#26
Luke Skywalker
-
- Members
-
- 19555 posts
This is an anatomically correct Black-throated Magpie-Jay
- Gender:Male
- Location:Germany
Posted 04 December 2009 - 10:24 PM
AotC is really above average most other composer's scores
No, not really, there are hundreds of scores better then it.
and thousands worse.
I hope Episode III is Called 'Revenge of the Sith'
#27
Stefancos
-
- Members
-
- 53413 posts
The Road Goes Ever On And On
- Gender:Male
- Location:Hoorn, The Netherlands, Europe, Planet Earth
Posted 04 December 2009 - 10:28 PM
Unlike you and KM, i prefer to judge a score at how good it is, not on how bad others are.
#28
Datameister
-
- Members
-
- 9862 posts
Stab me with socks in Chicago
- Gender:Male
- Location:Southern California
Posted 04 December 2009 - 10:50 PM
Me, too. That's why I enjoy AOTC.
#29
Stefancos
-
- Members
-
- 53413 posts
The Road Goes Ever On And On
- Gender:Male
- Location:Hoorn, The Netherlands, Europe, Planet Earth
Posted 04 December 2009 - 10:53 PM
Oh I enjoy it, but it´s not a great score.
#30
MissPadmé
-
- Members
-
- 2260 posts
Can it be done?
- Gender:Female
Posted 04 December 2009 - 10:53 PM
Presumed Innocent..
The Main Theme is hauntingly beautiful... but that's it for that score
The Main Theme is hauntingly beautiful... but that's it for that score
________________________________________________________________________________
Brink: I don't care if you have to cut off my hand, just don't leave me to die here!
Maggie Robbins: Don't be so dramatic Brink; nobody is going to cut off your hand.
Boston Low: Don't make promises you might not be able to keep Maggie
Brink: I don't care if you have to cut off my hand, just don't leave me to die here!
Maggie Robbins: Don't be so dramatic Brink; nobody is going to cut off your hand.
Boston Low: Don't make promises you might not be able to keep Maggie
#31
Datameister
-
- Members
-
- 9862 posts
Stab me with socks in Chicago
- Gender:Male
- Location:Southern California
Posted 04 December 2009 - 11:03 PM
Oh I enjoy it, but it´s not a great score.
As a whole, probably not. It doesn't have that indisputable quality of world-class-ness the way some scores do. But it's got a lot of moments I consider great, both on the album and otherwise.
#32
Quint
-
- Members
-
- 21151 posts
Let's cook
- Gender:Male
- Location:The Black Lodge
Posted 04 December 2009 - 11:08 PM
That is not in dispute. This thread was designed to hopefully highlight the less obvious works out there, in movie music land.
#33
Mr. Breathmask
-
- Members
-
- 17542 posts
Grand Master
- Gender:Male
- Location:Enschede, The Netherlands
Posted 04 December 2009 - 11:16 PM
Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
Vrrrroooooommmmm!
#34
Quint
-
- Members
-
- 21151 posts
Let's cook
- Gender:Male
- Location:The Black Lodge
Posted 04 December 2009 - 11:23 PM
^Perfect example.
Speaking of Kamen, The Iron Giant is another score which has a good, solid theme, but unfortunately there does not a exist a decent presentation of it, outside of the movie - often the case, with lesser known soundtracks. 'Tis a shame.
Speaking of Kamen, The Iron Giant is another score which has a good, solid theme, but unfortunately there does not a exist a decent presentation of it, outside of the movie - often the case, with lesser known soundtracks. 'Tis a shame.
#35
Datameister
-
- Members
-
- 9862 posts
Stab me with socks in Chicago
- Gender:Male
- Location:Southern California
Posted 04 December 2009 - 11:28 PM
That is not in dispute. This thread was designed to hopefully highlight the less obvious works out there, in movie music land.
Fair enough. Now I just gotta think of one...
#36
John Crichton
-
- Members
-
- 16472 posts
The Doctor in America
- Gender:Male
- Location:West Texas
Posted 04 December 2009 - 11:50 PM
The Last Starfighter
Star Trek Insurrection (Ba'ku theme)
Great examples, especially The Last Starfighter. Would Robin Hood be a great theme or just a great main title piece?Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
First Contact is a great score throughout, I wouldn't put it in this category.
What about Indy 4? Call of the Crystal and the Russian theme are both damn fine themes in a meh score.
The First Question. The Oldest Question in the Universe, hidden in plain sight...
#37
JanBing
-
- Members
-
- 340 posts
Regular Poster
Posted 05 December 2009 - 12:07 AM
I'd say that "Prince of Thieves" has actually two very nice themes... the main theme and Marian's theme (which was basically "Everything I Do", which Kamen composed with Bryan Adams).Would Robin Hood be a great theme or just a great main title piece?
#38
Mr. Breathmask
-
- Members
-
- 17542 posts
Grand Master
- Gender:Male
- Location:Enschede, The Netherlands
Posted 05 December 2009 - 12:23 AM
Yes, the love theme is very nice as well and the rest of the score is quite alright too.
It's just that the Main Titles tower over everything else, they're just insanely good.
It's just that the Main Titles tower over everything else, they're just insanely good.
Vrrrroooooommmmm!
#39
indy4
-
- Members
-
- 16708 posts
Grand Master
- Gender:Male
Posted 05 December 2009 - 12:29 AM
Jingle All the Way
Recently Purchased CDs:
1. Nightwatch/Killer By Night - Johnny Williams and Quincy Jones 2. Diamond Head/Gone with the Wave - Johnny Williams/Lalo Schifrin 3. Mass - Leonard Bernstein 4. Bernstein with the New York Philharmonic - Leonard Bernstein
1. Nightwatch/Killer By Night - Johnny Williams and Quincy Jones 2. Diamond Head/Gone with the Wave - Johnny Williams/Lalo Schifrin 3. Mass - Leonard Bernstein 4. Bernstein with the New York Philharmonic - Leonard Bernstein
#40
Datameister
-
- Members
-
- 9862 posts
Stab me with socks in Chicago
- Gender:Male
- Location:Southern California
Posted 05 December 2009 - 12:43 AM
I like the main theme to 24, but the rest of the show's scoring tends to be merely functional to my ear.
0 user(s) are reading this topic
0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users
