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Rise of the Guardians by Alexandre Desplat Just heard some fragments before, now that I have the actual album I can say what I think of it all. First thing out of the way, I don't like this type of music anymore. For some reason cute, suger-coated children music doesn't appeal to me (no matter the composer). There is something too calculated about it and my mind tends to wander away. Having said that, Desplat really knows how to orchestrate. Even when he's working with big orchestra you clearly hear every detail. It requires a really good composer to do that. And while very is plenty of busy music in this album, the best material is the tender and quiet stuff. I kind of like that theme he used as a song. Overall, it's entertaining and proves that Desplat is indeed one of the best at the moment. But I can't say I'm all that inclined to listen to it non-stop. The Golden Compass, while more sterile and cold, offers more delights. Still, definitely above his Potter music. Karol

if she were beautiful she'd be Emma Watson.

Well, after the Indy box and the Hitchcock set I finally gave in and just ordered the Bond set as well, for GBP 75 (plus shipping). Turns out the UK version does indeed have the uncut CR, so everything should be fine. Come next week I'll have about 50 unwatched Blu-rays... should last for a while.

What you mean is it's just easier to make shit up than it is to actually have to elaborate properly on something when speaking in broad generalisations. Apparently I'm one of the seemingly few to really get into S2 - to the point it kindled my addiction of the show in general after the faltering first season (I actually abandoned the series completely; eventually bothering to watch S2 almost a year after it first aired). For me season two was quite brilliant in its quieter, character moments. Season 3 will have to keep its extremely high quality so far throughout the remaining episodes if it's to better it.

I thought all three Home Alone pieces were great. The orchestra really seemed to enjoy playing this one and the choir singing it; I noticed that right at the very end of Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas the choir shouted an extra "Yes!", Macaulay Culkin-stylee, as the last chord was played. Ken Bruce announced beforehand that the programme would be broadcast close to Christmas, so it did not sound at all incongruous. Believe it or not this was the fourth all John Williams concert I had attended this year, but all four had something different to enjoy and included Williams pieces that I had never heard played live in concert before. I was very pleasantly surprised at the inclusion of Call of the Champions, for example, which I really wasn't expecting - I had to stop myself from singing "citius! altius! fortius!" along with the London Voices. Can you guys outside the UK listen to BBC Radio broadcasts on the internet, either live or on the BBC iPlayer? I think that Lockhart sometimes conducts sans baton. No idea why. As for the "extra" yes on "Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas", that's how the concert version ends.

This concert was so fantastic! I live in the Netherlands and unfortunately, hardly any film music (left alone John Williams) concerts are performed, so I really wanted to visit a John Williams concert in the UK. Actually, I intended to visit the RPO concert in the Royal Albert Hall, but sadly I couldn't make it that date, so I was happy to find that the BBC Concert Orchestra was going to perform a Williams concert too! I booked a ticket and travelled all the way to London to see and listen to the beautiful music played by the orchestra and the London Voices. The selection of musical pieces was great, and I was thrilled to hear the Home Alone music too I also adored the performance of the Schindler's List Theme - it's such beautiful music, and I think I'm a fan of violinist Charlie Siem too now haha, he played with such great emotion! I'm so happy I went and I can't wait to hear the concert again on the radio on December 14! I recommend everyone to listen!

Thanks for the correction, Miguel. Lockhart must have to do a lot of travelling now that he is also the BBC Concert Orchestra's principal conductor (maybe he couldn't get his baton through customs?). I thought all three Home Alone pieces were great. The orchestra really seemed to enjoy playing this one and the choir singing it; I noticed that right at the very end of Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas the choir shouted an extra "Yes!", Macaulay Culkin-stylee, as the last chord was played. Ken Bruce announced beforehand that the programme would be broadcast close to Christmas, so it did not sound at all incongruous. Believe it or not this was the fourth all John Williams concert I had attended this year, but all four had something different to enjoy and included Williams pieces that I had never heard played live in concert before. I was very pleasantly surprised at the inclusion of Call of the Champions, for example, which I really wasn't expecting - I had to stop myself from singing "citius! altius! fortius!" along with the London Voices. Can you guys outside the UK listen to BBC Radio broadcasts on the internet, either live or on the BBC iPlayer?