Dr. Know

I just received the latest catalogue of Movie Boulevard, and under "new releases" -- July -- they list 'Fury (Original Tracks)/Ltd Edition/J. Williams/Varese' and 'Great Train Robbery (Expanded)(Ltd Edition)/J. Goldsmith/Varese).

Our firworks display, which we watched from the closed KMart parking lot, was decent this year, but no music. How about a discussion of music written specifically to accompany fireworks? My favorites are Jerry Goldsmith's Fireworks, and Gavin Greenaway's Reflections of Earth from EPCOT's Millennium Celebration. Anyone else have some favorites? I might try this topic over at one of the general filmmusic sites.....

Gamecube -- if you email the poster over at movie music, he will email you back the url where you can find a Ross sampler. There are several sections from T-Rex, including the stirring finale.

I think its a snoozer.

Go here for some highlights: http://www.moviemusic.com/mb/Forum1/HTML/009660.html

All I can tell you is that the train is not an option -- you will need to take the bus from NYC. It is a long ride, so leave as early as possible. What bus lines have you tried?

T-Rex is an abysmal Imax film. The script and acting are amateurish, to say the least. It was *painful* to watch. The special effects were not in the same class as JP. The only thing worthwhile is the score, available on a hard to find promo. Sweeping themes, lush orchestration, everything you would want in an Imax score.

As a father's day gift, my wife bought us tickets to the two concerts in early August. I can't wait. We live in Berkshire County, and are regulars at Tanglewood. Here are some tips: (1) arrive early. Parking is spread out, and traffic is heavy throughout Lenox prior to a concert, especially a popular one. (2) Bring a picnic, blanket, etc., and find a nice spot on the grounds to have dinner. You can safely leave your stuff when it comes time to take your seats in the shed. Bring bug spray. (3) You do have shed tickets, right? The acoustics outside are very bad. The shed itself is ok, but the floor is flat, so sightlines are terrible. Don't expect to be able to see anything. (4) After the concert, JW may sign autographs -- if he does, line up to the right and behind the shed. I haven't done this, but might do it this time. (5) Exiting: Getting out is much worse than getting in. Be patient. We once sat in gridlock traffic in the parking lot for an hour. (6) Berkshire Record Outlet in Lee is a fantastic source of cutout cds. Although their stock is mainly classical, they also have an interesting selection of soundtracks -- lots of Intrada titles, some out of print Williams titles. BRO is located 15 minutes from Tanglewood. Usually they are open on Saturdays, but they may have expanded days/hours in the summer. Go to their website, search their database, and print out your list; they will pull your order while you wait. (www.berkshirerecordoutlet.com) Enjoy!

What cues are included in the lengthy end credits, and in what order? Anyone?

You've already heard from everyone else, but you would be out of your mind not to pick these up. A Few Good Men is a terrible score, by the way (IMHO). Cheers!

Strange... over on Moviemusic.com's message boards, there seems to be dancing in the aisles over this news...

Now that it has had time to sink in, it seems like a number of people on this board are willing to see the glass half full (including myself). If the Williams/Ross collaboration makes it possible for Williams to score Catch Me, and perhaps even make progress on some new concert works, then more power to him! I'm sure the themes will be pure Williams, and Ross will undoubtedly do a serviceable job mickey-mousing the action. Let's hope for a good album. I'm willing to be optimistic!

Next thing you know, the album will turn into one of those "music from and inspired by HP: Chamber of Secrets" :cry:

So Ross, you're no relation?

Whoops, somehow I missed the other thread below, in which everyone is already whining and moaning. Oh, well. Let's hope for the best!

What do you all think about the news that JW will collaborate on HP: Chamber of Secrets. I have long been an admirer of William Ross's scores -- especially T-Rex (Imax), My Dog Skip and Tin Cup. Nevertheless, it is a bit of a disappointment to hear that Ross will be collaborating with JW on this project. Any other thoughts on Ross and what he will bring to this collaboration?

Yes, Morn, that security clearance issue bothered me too. So did the low-tech search warrant presented at the beginning of the movie, on a folded piece of paper --- And, while we are at it, why did the precogs even see Anderton's crime 36 hours in advance -- it certainly wasn't pre-meditated: it was a crime of passion. I've got to stop now -- I still thought the film was terrific, and the score, simply amazing!

I loved the movie, but one thing bugs me.... why do the precogs only see murders in the District of Columbia? When the program "goes national," how will the three precogs suddenly expand their powers to cover the entire country? Will there be more precogs?? Any thoughts on this...?

Didn't Spielberg at one time say that he regretted that he didn't do 1941 as a musical? (or am I making that up....?)

I'm nitpicky about prices too, and I hate FYE, but I don't have many options where I live and I HAVE to get every new John Williams cd on the day it is released. We will have a Best Buy soon, though, and I'm looking forward to the music section. The prices at FYE are incredibly inflated!

I got mine at FYE -- where it was on sale for $16.99 (by no means a bargain, but its normal price at FYE is $19.99 !?!) I just assumed that Walmart wouldn't carry it because it is a pure score album and NOT Harry Potter or Star Wars.

Well, I'm back from lunch, and now up to track 12. Obviously, it will take me a while to digest this very complex score, but I have to say that so far I am really blown away by it. Picked up the Scorpion King (Debney) too, another new release today, and will get to it later. Needless to say, it will be a letdown from Minority Report, but I'm a Debney fan, and am crazy about Goldsmith's and Silvestri's Mummy scores. Back to work...

Yes, and I still love it!

I'm pretty much in agreement with Jonfal. The McNeely music is vastly superior to the Rosenthal, especially McNeely's score to The Phantom Train of Doom, in which he shows himself a chip off Williams's block.

Also, the Samuel Barber violin concerto is not bad (actually, its also stunningly beautiful!)