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I was at the Sunday concert and it was a lot of fun. Of course, since I have finished my podcast, I knew there would be no new film music for me to hear, but that was fine. The Overture to the Oscars was new, I think? I have to look it up, but it sounded like the music that opened the 2002 Oscars when he was co-musical director. I enjoyed seeing JW looking so lively at 89 years old. I spoke with a woman after the show, and after I told her John Williams was five months away from turning 90, she said, "He looked like he was in his 70s!" But the highlight of the show was meeting Eduardo Victoria, who was a cohost on my podcast for the "War of the Worlds" episode. It was the first time meeting one of my cohosts in person, and we had a wonderful pre-show conversation.

I don't know if the things Bespin and Jurassic Shark said about MKW are technically against the rules or not, but geez guys, talk about gross and pointless posts that many people using our forum don't want to see here. Read the room and maybe find another place online to share these kinds of thoughts would be my advice.

I saw John Williams at a grocery store in Los Angeles last year. I told him how cool it was to meet him in person, but I didn’t want to be a douche and bother him and ask him for photos or anything. He said, “Oh, like you’re doing now?” I was taken aback, and all I could say was “Huh?” but he kept cutting me off and going “huh? huh? huh?” and closing his hand shut in front of my face. I walked away and continued with my shopping, and I heard him chuckle as I walked off. When I came to pay for my stuff up front I saw him trying to walk out the doors with like fifteen Milky Ways in his hands without paying. The girl at the counter was very nice about it and professional, and was like “Sir, you need to pay for those first.” At first he kept pretending to be tired and not hear her, but eventually turned back around and brought them to the counter. When she took one of the bars and started scanning it multiple times, he stopped her and told her to scan them each individually “to prevent any electrical infetterence,” and then turned around and winked at me. I don’t even think that’s a word. After she scanned each bar and put them in a bag and started to say the price, he kept interrupting her by yawning really loudly.

By Jerry Gulpsmith?

I've told this story before, but back in the Summer of 2010 my wife and I spent several weeks in the US. We started of in San Francisco, went to LA, Vegas, the Grand Canyon and we drove as much as we could of the historic Route 66 to Chicago. From there we flew to Florida and after a week or so took a plane to New York. Just before heading out to Washington DC, we -on August 3- drove to Tanglewood for my first -and only- John Williams concert. Now I knew it is quite rare to get an autograph at Tanglewood, let alone have the chance to share a few words with John Williams, so therefore I was very content with the prospect of 'just' seeing the maestro conduct. Upon arrival, I got my first chance to see the program of the evening. To my slight disappointment, I saw that Williams would only conduct the second half of the concert and that Keith Lockhart would conduct until intermission. Just before the concert started, my wife whispered: 'Isn't that John Williams?' I wanted to respond with something like: 'No, that is Keith Lockhart...', but I noticed she was pointing at someone in the audience. And there he was, sitting about 20 meters away from where we were seated: John Williams (can you spot him?) He wasn't backstage waiting for his moment to shine, no: he was sitting enjoying the concert like anyone else attending that day. At the start of intermission, I expected Williams to make his way to the dressing room or whatever, but I noticed he stood up and amicably talked to some people around him. With my heart pounding I slowly approached John Williams and from there things start to get blurry. I know I got to shake his hand and he signed the program booklet I got at the entry point. I know John Williams was the one who suggested signing it on the upper left corner since there is would be most visible. And I know I said I came all the way from The Netherlands and he said: 'Oh, that's wonderful! Enjoy the rest of the concert my friend!' 'My friend.' Wow. Williams conducted the rest of the program, but I was in a completely different world at that time. In a way, I still am. It was a true highlight in my life and a memory I will cherish forever.

Saw the film last night and loved it! Loved the CGI-heavy third act a little less than the compelling and visceral first two acts, but it was all very well done. Loved all the actors, loved the characters, was impressed by how emotionally resonant the relationships were and how compelling the villain was. The score was generally quite good and aided the film well, although I wish there'd been a more memorable main theme. The Chinese flavor was well integrated with the western orchestra. I highly recommend everyone go check out the film in theater, and maybe sample the score on Spotify before purchasing digitally. Yavar

I assume you're trying to be edgy here but this is a seriously ugly comment, even without factoring in the actor's tragic death.

According to a RCP insider, it usually works like this: 1. Zimmer writes the suites and themes (WW and Dune sketchbook) 2. With cue by cue scoring, Zimmer works during a certain part of the day and then one of his assistant takes over when Zimmer retires for the day/night and then he returns to see what has been done and make corrections.

I've never met him, and do not need to. He's got better things to do than meet people like me! Plus, I know him via his work. Good enough.

I voted for Timeline. As you can tell I am a huge Crichton-related fan, even though the movie was a travesty. But it was around this time I started looking into film music, realizing this was my insane "music of choice" compared to the Top 40 world around us, haha. So it was funny that it was around this time that I got wrapped up into the drama of this score, since I had been following the film's unfortunate production. While I was a fan of Brian Tyler's take on it (and also Bill Brown's for the game adaptation that actually preceded the movie by like a couple years!), I had been so curious to hear the original Goldsmith version! I believe the sessions bootleg actually leaked a while before Varese had their album release, so that was actually how I originally heard it first. While it isn't the greatest score ever made by any stretch, I still think its action finale is such a fun and propulsive listen. I think it is the nostalgia of this score for me personally that wins me over more than anything. I did end up buying Varese's original release, but I found it somehow was damaged a few years back. Now I believe it is pretty hard to get for cheap, so any kind of re-release would be great. To have the rest of the music from the session files would be great though, because there definitely were a few gems that were left off.

After years of blockbusters filmed in studios with green screens (thanks a lot, Zack Snyder), it's refreshing to see a big budget movie being filmed in location. Up until the fourth movie, one of the great things about the Indy movies is to put him in adventures around the world.

Yes, very nice roster of locations so far, with Italy and Morocco to come. Great to have an actual globe-trotting Indiana Jones adventure after the uninspired studio backlots of KOCS.

So do I, but somehow the iso score tracks for Rudy/Hollow Man/L.A. Confidential, even though lossy, still make them somewhat lower priorities for me personally, in terms of what I want expanded. Same with The 13th Warrior, which doesn't have an iso track but does have a good sounding unofficial release in complete form... but I don't think Varese is really taking that sort of thing into account in terms of what they expand, because they put out Air Force One and Executive Decision. Yavar

Ah, Sicily. but for real, loving these on-location shoots for this film already.

For what it's worth (which, coming from me, is not much, I know, but...) I read @Jurassic Shark's comment as a jibe against the cinematography of SOLO, and certainly not as a comment on the colour of a deceased actor's skin. The fact that Howard et. al. wanted him back seems to indicate their willingness to, somehow, right a wrong. One can only reach out to the Williams family, in whatever way that one can, and hope and pray that they will be able to find a way through this most saddest of occurrences.

He knows they are (compared to him).

"You know you didn't even give them a good *bang* at the end of songs, to let them know when to clap" - Salieri

In 'The Force Awakens Suite for Orchestra' [John Williams Signature Edition] there are two options at the end of the 'Jedi Steps and Finale' Concert Ending Film Ending That recording above they opted for the concert version.

Two sad news in one day. To me Belmondo was Le Magnifique, it was the first time I saw him in a movie and he was so great I've mostly seen Michael K. Williams in his small cinema apparences like Twelve Years a Slave, Kill the Messenger, Brooklyn's Finest in which he was always great. But to me he'll always be the greatest Biology teacher for his apperence in Community RIP both of you and thanks for your art

Because they changed directors (Lord & Miller, to Ron Howard), and had to rework and refilm things, and he was doing Red Sea Diving Resort by then.

There was a guy here at the forum that claimed he had dinner with John Williams' doctor. However, things escalated and the thread quickly became an all out war with FSM. Sometimes I check this thread when I want to have a good laugh, it's hysterical.

I’ve met him twice, they aren’t terribly interesting stories but here is the first time meeting him: I flew to Boston to see Williams conduct the Boston Pops in 1996, I was 20 years old. It wasn’t a film music concert or anything and he didn’t conduct any of his own music. I asked the Pops staff if it would be possible to meet him, and they let me go backstage to meet him (I can’t even remember if it was before/after the concert or during intermission). Keith Lockhart was back there too, though he wasn’t conducting that night. I said hello and shook his hand. I got to spend a few minutes with JW, I can’t even remember what I said, probably just fanboy gushing. I was nervous as hell. Williams was very nice and thanked me for coming all the way from Baltimore to see him. He signed my Star Wars Anthology disc 4, which I then got framed. I didn’t get a picture with him, but I would on my next meeting…

But he didn't technically "kill himself". He was battling drug addiction for the past few decades and likely accidentally overdosed. There is some speculation that it might be related to an incident (I believe at a party or some event) where drugs secretly laced with fentanyl were being shared, multiple celebrities died from it over the weekend. And this is in no way "glorifying". He was a well-known actor and likely has many fans on this site. No matter the cause, it's still a sad situation.

Dude... not cool.

What film?

I REALLY hope that Amistad gets the remastered and expanded treatment, if not before the end of this year, then definitely sometime in the beginning or middle of next year to commemorate the film’s 25th anniversary.

A wonderful experience of a lifetime it was for me. Still processing it, can't quite believe it. I saw John Williams at the Hollywood Bowl! I love how in tune the orchestra was with JW on selections like Olympic Fanfare and The BFG. It's like, David Newman is a very competent conductor, and the orchestra sounded great under his baton (especially Sabrina, which is a lovely score to hear live), but when John got warmed up, it was just electric. There were moments where you felt he was getting exactly what he wanted, just the right balance during the high points of the Olympic Fanfare, clarity in the rapid intricate wind passages in The BFG (it was astonishing to see how vigorous he got at that point), and the rousing and precise end to Adventures of Han. I love how he seemed to want the audience to really like BFG, he appears proud of the work. Of course the encores were incredible. The music itself was very familiar, but the way he drew on the crowd's excitement and love and infused that energy into the orchestra was just thrilling to be part of.

Perfume, Cloud Atlas, Run, Lola, Run... these composers have more than proven themselves. We don't know how the world of the Matrix has changed and what we know about the Matrix, it's all about perspective. It will definitely be interesting to see what colors and filter they bring to this world. I'm curious how melodic it is going to be. On one hand, more difficult music would be interesting to hear from the composers of Perfume & Cloud A and then on the other hand, more melodic music would be interesting to hear within the Matrix. Either way, it is going to be an exciting release.

Worth noting that Williams wrote both versions for the film itself: the loud version is an insert that replaces the quiet ending called 'Finale Tag', but it's not yet known if it got recorded. As for why: pops concert selections tend to go for flashy endings over subtle ones, so a lot of conductors will appreciate the option, especially for outdoor venues where a quiet ending like that can easily get swallowed up.

Don't you ever say my name! I'm The Fart, or His Fartness, or Farter, or El Farterino, if you're not into the whole "brevity" thing.

With the exception of the Matrix sequels which I was hot and cold on at the time (and haven’t rewatched), I’ve strongly liked everything the Wachowskis have done since The Matrix.

I'd never noticed 13th Warrior was 55 mins... I'd put it down as one of their 45 minuters. I thumbed through all of the unreleased cues and found one that was kind of nice (The Search). The rest of it was just really more of what's already on the album. It definitely is a superbly produced album.

Voted for Timeline. It was his very last score. Even if it’s not his most classic composition. Let’s get all of it if it’s available:)

I've just got the OST, which flows really well. The unreleased music on YT is nice I guess, but I'm not sure it's interesting enough for me to need it on a release.

I almost voted Damien but I don't know if there is a chance of finding better elements for it. If so, that would be my number one. Instead I voted Timeline. I really like Jerry's dark action at the end of his career. I am always singing the praises of Nemesis. I've only recently discovered just how similar the action music for Timeline is so I want more of that. If I can't have The Boy Has to Die in high quality that is. I also didn't vote Medicine Man because even though it is one of my favorite Jerrys, a) I knew others would pick up the slack and b) the album is so memorable to me that I think other scores need an expansion first. It should have already been expanded already anyway and then it wouldn't even be on the list

Not sure how many Italian residents we have on JWFan (paging @TownerFan) but production has released a casting call for a shoot in Sicily next month: https://www.castingnews.eu/news/news.asp?id_news=9070&id_cat=2 Imagine being an extra in an Indiana Jones film! Would be an amazing experience... good luck to anyone who can apply!

I must admit that Breathless is the only Jean Paul Belmondo movie that I've seen, but what an iconic performance. RIP.

I rented and skimmed through that years ago, and extracted one single unreleased cue - the sprinkler fight at the end. Pretty much that, and the elevator sequence are enough for me from this score. Interesting tidbit: right at the end of his commentary, he says "I don't think there will be a sequel, but if there is, I hope I do it". Clearly he had a good experience doing that score.

I find Wingard's reasoning for asking Junkie XL to do it perplexing as well. "Well, the original music was meant to highlight the Japanese Godzilla and the tragedy around it, so we won't use it. But, can you make your theme sound like it?" If you're going that far, then just use the original themes. McCreary proved that they can be updated faithfully. If you want original music, then do original music without having to make it sound like a bootleg of a past composer. I literally got told 'well, other composers in the franchise also didn't use Ifukube' when I expressed this. Yeah, but the key there is they wrote their own material that didn't sound like a rip-off. Takayuki Hattori, for example, came up with an entirely original score for the much-maligned Godzilla Earth trilogy. He wrote an entirely new theme for Godzilla. Not one note sounded like anything Ifukube wrote. Same goes for Michiru Ōshima, the composer of Godzilla Against Mechagodzilla and Tokyo SOS. And of course, as previously mentioned, Desplat's score for the 2014 film.

Not much? It's still too much for me to choose one -even though many of the titles listed aren't a priority for me.

The Burbs

Because then Anne Sophie would stop sending him cookies.

This thread made me make a playlist based on playcounts so I didn't keep answering "Star Wars. Star Trek: The Motion Picture. The Rocketeer. Etc." I keep forgetting about this one. And it always makes me say "Wow".

And I'm sure they'll leave out JW's original composition.

It was a marvelous performance!! 10/10 would definitely do again. After he finished his set he walked away 3 times before returning each time to an encore. Just seeing him on stage was magical. At one point he roasted BFG. He was talking about how he was going to perform a piece from it and he goes “it was a movie not a lot of people went to see” and everyone laughed. At one point my wife, upon seeing him walk around as he does, goes “he’s a cute old man” haha. At the end Newman brought him a lightsaber and he practiced his golf swing with it. The entire night was a blast and I’d love to do it again!

My sister, cousin and 6-year old niece went to the performance last night. My niece has been to the bowl before, but not to see John Williams. Her review is succinct: ”I had no idea idea this would be so magical. I wish this night would never end.”

JW looked spry and anticipating the orchestra and music rather than following. (I last saw him in Chicago and Boston about 3 years ago and he looked fatigued/distracted.) Typical recent concert fare. Three encores. The highlight of the evening was the ‘84 (?) Olympic theme set to recent highlights of winter and summer games. This was truly phenomenal video editing and synchronization. The audience loved it. I would love to see it released.

Nice to see Adventures of Han getting another run!

I will donate my CD collection to the Jurassic Shark Museum, and top researchers will use it as a basis for their Jurassic Shark related research for centuries to come.