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Kinda like the Eagle Rescue

You can catch the first glimpse of the clavicord at the very end of Thrice Welcome, even though it's basically just a blop in the audio. It will be interesting to hear how it's used.

As flawed as the film was though, I can't help but appreciate the level of work and attention to detail put into this while watching the appendices. Yes, stuff like the location shoots and models may have been abandoned in favour of the green screen, but still, its an impressive, challenging venture for any film-maker. I think its easy for some of us to assume that this project was half-assed in some parts. But looking at these documentaries, its clear that Peter Jackson was so heavily involved into perfecting even the smallest details according to his vision. It's kind of what sets him apart from some directors, because ultimately he really puts his all into every component of the film (writing, set design, makeup, sword designs and perhaps regrettably, the music). It's just that some of it happened to be misguided for AUJ, especially with the time restraint. - KK, whose feeling strangely optimistic today, probably because of the DoS samples

Let's hope you get depressed very soon then. But don't worry, most people don't like it. This place is becoming HSFan these days and Williams is passé already, it would seem... Karol - who gave it another spin earlier today.

If a composer orchestrates a certain way, then it's not because he can't do it differently, it's because he doesn't want to do it any other way unless he is required to. Shore talks about orchestrations frequently I think, and his point is something that pertains to all composers who orchestrate their own work; it's a matter of your own inner musical voice. You orchestrate in the way that feels and sounds right to you. And why not? Why would you suddenly tamper with your voice if it doesn't feel right for you? Once you do that, I think it's very easy to lose your musical instinct because you're dealing with something you're not used to. And I don't think a film composer, where time is usually short (unless your name is John Williams), can afford that.

There. You answered your own question! Just finished watching the film with the audio commentary. I have to say, it's still as interesting as ever. PJ's audio commentaries are amongst the bests I've listened to. He goes into great detail about each aspect of the film, how they approached each scene, why they changed stuff from the book, etc. You're never bored one minute. The only thing I find to be slightly disappointing in this commentary is the absence of Fran Walsh. Apart from that, this was a great commentary track from start to finish.

Well that's completely fair, yes, but I just don't understand the notion that he is a weak orchestrator, which I haven't only seen expressed here. It's obvious to me that he orchestrated these scores in a very specific way, to sound a certain way, and it seems like some people interpret that as being the "wrong" way.

Why, because the prologue of The Dark Knight was influenced by Heat? There is very little comparison between to the two directors. Mann is a very average filmmaker. Collateral is his only film that I really liked. No love for The Insider? Terrific film.

The boy sopranos must go! It makes me think of Justin Bieber!

The brass is really annoying, makes me think of an orchestra!

Middle-Earth has used the Hardinger fiddle, African Rhaita, bodhran drums, tin whistles, pan flutes, bagpipes, taiko drums, Tibetan bowls, spoons, etc in its colourful musical palette. And they've all worked perfectly in context. I don't doubt that the clavichord will be effective in Laketown as well. That bit is part of the Laketown theme.

Yes the initial introduction is quite well done and goes right to the heart of what kind of character he is, concerned for the nature and animals in such a big way and being a very eccentric hermit, who still can mean business when he has to. The documentaries actually made some of the film makers' choices more understandable. E.g. Armitage's apology for the small but significant detail of Thorin's beard being so short but he had come up with an explanation for that, keeping his beard short in memory of his slain kin after Smaug's attack.

I think Radagast would have gone down better had they omitted the stick insect 'gag' and edited the warg chase better. I think that initial hedgehog/spider attack scene is fine, no problems there.

Yeah it did.

For some reason, that bit makes me think of William's PoA.

A lovely piano solo by Johnny T. Williams on the 1956 album "The Johnny Ever Green's Played by Russel Garcia"

You know, there is a ton of overtly wintery music that comes to mind, mostly in the vein of carols/hymns/sacred music, but I'll eschew that in favor of something perhaps slightly less obvious. Jeremy Soule's score for Skyrim is probably my go-to music for this time of year. Wintery associations are owed partly to the fact that it was released around, and played relentlessly by me during, winter. But there is also something inherently chilly about this music, brilliantly crafted to fit the environment of the game. The whole score is highly recommendable, but as it reaches nearly four hours in length, here are a few specifics. These two are very evocative pieces, conjuring up images of nighted snowscapes and auroras. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qeiLt2WSkw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOVWjb1WZI0 This is somewhat different, written as source music for taverns/inns etc., but equally suggestive of the season in its own way. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4eAM7QvzUw Something more straightforwardly melodic. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6SjvpFBe3M And the highlight of the whole score for me, with a thrilling climax that is doubly flooring when it happens to appear in-game at appropriate moments. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tP4VtM-bTXQ

The Wolverine: Everything felt tired, old and joyless. Meh ... It made me wonder if the X-Men franchise can at all be saved. Good luck, Singer! 4/10 Alex