Best JN Howard Score for Shyamalan Film

[David Coscina 3]

I searched to see if someone had done a poll on this but could not find one so I figured I would start this. It's no secret that some of JN Howard's best music has come out of his collaborations with director M Night Shyamalan even if the general quality of the filmmaking has diminished with every successive film. This is actually a tough poll because I think Howard's BEST score is Signs. It works so well with the film but I would still defer to Unbreakable or Lady in the Water as my favorite score because I really only enjoy the first and last tracks from Signs.

What do you guys and gals think?

[publicist 4,484]

This is actually a tough poll because I think Howard's BEST score is Signs. It works so well with the film but I would still defer to Unbreakable or Lady in the Water as my favorite score because I really only enjoy the first and last tracks from Signs.

I find it tough enough without even including 'Signs'.

So it's a battle between 'Unbreakable', 'Village' and 'Lady in the Water' with a narrow win for 'The Village' because of the love theme and it's sublime variation in 'Those we don't speak of'.

[David Coscina 3]

This is actually a tough poll because I think Howard's BEST score is Signs. It works so well with the film but I would still defer to Unbreakable or Lady in the Water as my favorite score because I really only enjoy the first and last tracks from Signs.

I find it tough enough without even including 'Signs'.

So it's a battle between 'Unbreakable', 'Village' and 'Lady in the Water' with a narrow win for 'The Village' because of the love theme and it's sublime variation in 'Those we don't speak of'.

Yes, the Village is also beautiful. I have to say that I have enjoyed ALL of Howard's scores for the Shyamalan films. Some of them are stronger than others but every one has at least one or two standout tracks. I love the opening titles of The Happening as well as "Be With You" and "End Credits". Unbreakable is still my favorite Shyamalan film mind you. So beautifully directed and acted. It also was partly the inspiration of the t.v. show Heroes (that and X-men).

It's Howard's efforts on these films where you can almost see the torch being passed down from Goldsmith to him. Much less so on his non-Shymalan outings, post 2000 at least.

[Williamsfan301 11]

I'm voting for my in-laws here, seeing as how I've never see a M Night Shyamalan a ding dong movie, and go with The Village. They loved the violin solo in that.

[Ollie 859]

Unbreakable.

[indy4 152]

Signs. Absolutely brilliant throughout. Lady in the Water is close behind.

[paleo 29]

Lady in the Water (haven't seen the movie.... I was warned to do it...). The village is pretty good, too.

[Koray Savas 2,095]

Signs

The Village

Lady In The Water

The Sixth Sense

The Happening

Unbreakable

[Jay 27,216]

I've seen all 6 of these movies, but have so far never listening to any of their scores outside of the film.

How are the OSTs? Do any of them omit important music?

Have Complete/Expanded versions leaked of all 6?

[Datameister 1,394]

The only one I can hear in my head right now is Lady in the Water, and I definitely wouldn't vote for that. i-VI-III-VII for the main theme? No melody? Really, Mr. Howard?

[Koray Savas 2,095]

I've seen all 6 of these movies, but have so far never listening to any of their scores outside of the film.

How are the OSTs? Do any of them omit important music?

Have Complete/Expanded versions leaked of all 6?

There are expanded/complete versions of The Sixth Sense and The Village. I think all the OSTs are fine the way they are.

[Charlie Brigden 5]

I've seen at least three of the films, and I remember absolutely zero about the music. It probably didn't help that I didn't like the films either.

[publicist 4,484]

There are expanded/complete versions of The Sixth Sense and The Village. I think all the OSTs are fine the way they are.

'The Village' sure wouldn't have suffered from having 10 minutes more (the concert version of the 'Love Theme', for a start). It's a strangely sequenced album (the last cue seems to end the score on a rather nondescript note).

I agree on the other albums, though.

[Ray Barnsbury 8]

The only one I can hear in my head right now is Lady in the Water, and I definitely wouldn't vote for that. i-VI-III-VII for the main theme? No melody? Really, Mr. Howard?

Oh, but it works so well. I love it because it's not pumped up with synth horns and techno beats like usual, but rather used gently and straightforward, often with a flowing counterpoint that makes it incredibly moving and uplifting. I get that it's not the most original theme, but for me it really works in this case.

Anyhow, it'd be a tough choice between Signs, The Village, and Lady in the Water. I think I'll go with the last, though.

[Olivier 5]

Chosing between The Village and Signs is very difficult, but I do love the violin solos from The Village even more than in Signs.

Both scores are brilliant, so I'm glad that voting for The Village helped (nearly) even out their results.

I also like Unbreakable, and Lady in the Water has some really beautiful moments. The Sixth Sense does not thrill me too much, and I was disappointed with The Happening (I have not seen the movie).

[Incanus 5,519]

I also like Unbreakable, and Lady in the Water has some really beautiful moments. The Sixth Sense does not thrill me too much, and I was disappointed with The Happening (I have not seen the movie).

The Happening is a horrible film and the score is indeed the weakest of the JNH/Shyamalan collaborations.

My vote goes to The Village. Deciding between Signs, Lady in the Water and The Village is very difficult as they are all outstanding scores. Unbreakable has grown on me over the years but I do not consider it just on par with the other three, the Sixth Sense leaves me a bit cold.

[tharpdevenport 4]

"Signs" hands down. "Unbreakable" second.

[Datameister 1,394]

Oh, but it works so well. I love it because it's not pumped up with synth horns and techno beats like usual, but rather used gently and straightforward, often with a flowing counterpoint that makes it incredibly moving and uplifting. I get that it's not the most original theme, but for me it really works in this case.

I'm happy for you that you enjoyed it, but it was a definite facepalm moment for me when I saw the film. Just the mere association with those synth horns and techno beats - which I do enjoy, sometimes! - made it sound less than purely orchestral to my ears. I mean, it's one thing to take a common chord progression and present a stunningly new and wonderful melody on top of it, but to just take those chords as-is...I mean, I may as well listen to the last minute or so of "The Bridge of Khazad Dum." (Except I didn't like its use there, either! )

Anyway, like I said, I'm glad you enjoyed it, but I most certainly didn't.

[Marian Schedenig 5,520]

I've never seen or heard The Happening, and I only know the first two from the films. But so far, Lady in the Water is easily my choice. One of my two favourite JNH scores, along with Kong.

[Quintus 5,391]

I only really know one of them and it's nice (though not surprising) to see it currently voted for the most in this poll.

[Ray Barnsbury 8]

I'm happy for you that you enjoyed it, but it was a definite facepalm moment for me when I saw the film. Just the mere association with those synth horns and techno beats - which I do enjoy, sometimes! - made it sound less than purely orchestral to my ears. I mean, it's one thing to take a common chord progression and present a stunningly new and wonderful melody on top of it, but to just take those chords as-is...I mean, I may as well listen to the last minute or so of "The Bridge of Khazad Dum." (Except I didn't like its use there, either! )

Anyway, like I said, I'm glad you enjoyed it, but I most certainly didn't.

In that case, you probably shouldn't rush out and listen to Blood Diamond...same year, same chords.

[Red 73]

The Village, followed closely by Unbreakable.

Lady in the Water and Signs would be after that.

All great, great scores.

[Datameister 1,394]

In that case, you probably shouldn't rush out and listen to Blood Diamond...same year, same chords.

Ah, that's a pity.

[Richard Penna 2,083]

Hmm, tough choice.

Despite the pointless film, I really like The Happening. I think it's because of the pleasant summery tone, and that the dissonance style he uses clicks perfectly with me and I really enjoy it. In fact, I'm amazed Howard manage to write what he did for what I consider a very uninspiring film.

I'm gonna have to break the rules and say at this point that I can't decide. I'd be first in line for expanded sets for all of them.

[Jacob 0]

I've only heard The Village and Signs (also the only two movies I've seen), and the latter only recently. I voted for the former but the latter is creeping up.

[Jeshopk 8]

I liked the Happening score the best overall, actually. After that I would put Lady in the Water and then Signs. But Signs has the best track (the opening titles).

[David Coscina 3]

I liked the Happening score the best overall, actually. After that I would put Lady in the Water and then Signs. But Signs has the best track (the opening titles).

Interesting. Why would you go with The Happening Jesse?

Oh, and to my knowledge, JN Howard has never used "synth horns" in any of his Shyamalan scores. They are real french horns possibly played with the bells up to give them a brassier sound though. Unkreakable did have that evolving drum beat but even that was interesting as Howard applied some neat processing of the sounds through expanded reverb (starts small, gets vacuous by the climax- excellent)

[Koray Savas 2,095]

Just the mere association with those synth horns and techno beats - which I do enjoy, sometimes! - made it sound less than purely orchestral to my ears.

What synth? What techno beats?

In that case, you probably shouldn't rush out and listen to Blood Diamond...same year, same chords.

Ah, that's a pity.

Blood Diamond is a great score.

[Datameister 1,394]

Just to clear up some confusion - I wasn't suggesting that JNH used synth horns and techno beats. Ray Barnsbury mentioned them as elements that are not used in the unpleasantly unoriginal chord progression in Lady in the Water, and I said that even though they're not really there, part of me still hears them simply because I associate that sort of writing with Zimmer and company. (And I sometimes like it...but still.)

[JoeinAR 1,759]

Signs hands down, and one of the top 3 or 4 scores of the entire decade.

[Neimoidian 13]

Despite the pointless film, I really like The Happening. I think it's because of the pleasant summery tone, and that the dissonance style he uses clicks perfectly with me and I really enjoy it. In fact, I'm amazed Howard manage to write what he did for what I consider a very uninspiring film.

Yep, it was preety good score and one of few positive elements in that movie.

However, my pick is The Village, the most beautiful score I've heard from H.

[crocodile 6,294]

Signs. Brilliant.

Karol

[Richard Penna 2,083]

Signs hands down, and one of the top 3 or 4 scores of the entire decade.

I'm surprised you think that, given how low in tone much of the score is.

But a fantastic score it sure is. The depth of orchestration in some places is masterful, especially given the reliance on one theme. But there's something about that motif and how it's used that conveys the location and the mystery, but also the quiet fascination with the unknown.

This genre is JNH's forte IMO, and is why I consider his M. Night scores to be such high quality.

[JoeinAR 1,759]

Signs hands down, and one of the top 3 or 4 scores of the entire decade.

I'm surprised you think that, given how low in tone much of the score is.

But a fantastic score it sure is. The depth of orchestration in some places is masterful, especially given the reliance on one theme. But there's something about that motif and how it's used that conveys the location and the mystery, but also the quiet fascination with the unknown.

This genre is JNH's forte IMO, and is why I consider his M. Night scores to be such high quality.

really you didn't know how much I loved this score I've only been ranting about it for years.

[Morlock 9]

For me its between The Village and Signs. The uniformity of the latter, along with the fact that JNH recently diluted the former with his Defiance score, makes Signs the winner. I like them all, though.

[Jeshopk 8]

I liked the Happening score the best overall, actually. After that I would put Lady in the Water and then Signs. But Signs has the best track (the opening titles).

Interesting. Why would you go with The Happening Jesse?

I thought the underscore was more refined, and I loved the brooding nature and textural grime of the overall score.

Signs has that great intro, but I don't really like the glittery minimalist material within the score.

Lady in the Water had one great piece within it. I liked the rest.

I guess with The Happening, it was more consistent throughout, without a bunch of "skip" cues.

[indy4 152]

I'd rank them as follows:

1. Signs

2. Lady in the Water

3. The Village

4. Unbreakable

5. The Happening

6. The Sixth Sense

[Richard Penna 2,083]

Signs hands down, and one of the top 3 or 4 scores of the entire decade.

I'm surprised you think that, given how low in tone much of the score is.

really you didn't know how much I loved this score I've only been ranting about it for years.

I knew you liked it. Didn't realise you ranked it so highly, that's all.

I think that The Happening is actually one of the more technically refined of the batch. The more dissonant moments have a real texture and a feeling of layers to them - the track 'Mrs Jones' for example, mixes the two main motifs together really well, and then does something really clever with the strings to represent (I assume) the supposed menace of the wind.

I just can't decide which is my favourite score. It's either Signs, The Village or The Happening.

[David Coscina 3]

The Happening was better than most people realized *as far as the music goes.

Some of the film was compelling too. But the acting by the leads is awful. Like watching kids in a local play.

[Richard Penna 2,083]

It wasn't the acting I didn't like. I just thought the overall execution of the film's idea was very poor. So many scenes made no sense, or had no reason to be there, I didn't really feel much fear, and the last sequence outside the house makes no logical sense to me at all - like how did the wife and the kid get into that 'shed' to begin with.

[Morlock 9]

The Happening was better than most people realized *as far as the music goes.

Some of the film was compelling too. But the acting by the leads is awful. Like watching kids in a local play.

I really liked the score.

[indy4 152]

After listening to Unbreakable and The Village, I'll have to revise my list:

1. Signs

2. Lady in the Water

3. Unbreakable

4. The Village

5. The Happening

6. The Sixth Sense

[Koray Savas 2,095]

It wasn't the acting I didn't like. I just thought the overall execution of the film's idea was very poor. So many scenes made no sense, or had no reason to be there, I didn't really feel much fear, and the last sequence outside the house makes no logical sense to me at all - like how did the wife and the kid get into that 'shed' to begin with.

There are traces of decency in the film, but due to poor execution, writing, directing, and acting... It failed.