Rate your John Williams scores!

[indy4 152]

It has been a while since we've done this, but I thought it'd be fun.

Here you go (in chronological order):

Checkmate - 4.5 stars - fantastic jazzy stuff

Bachelor Flat - 3 stars - it's a fun score, with a great love theme that should get more time

None But the Brave - 2 stars - some nice moments, but overall it's hard to sit through

Lost in Space - 2 stars - hard to get into, aside from the themes

How to Steal a Million - 3.5 stars - some great comedy moments, and some lush beautiful music

Penelope - 2.75 stars - I should listen to this one more, but it's fun

The Cowboys - 4.5 stars - a near masterpiece, this score is just brimming with energy and excitement

Images - 4 stars - incredibly unique, with some really powerful development

Cinderella Liberty - 1.5 stars - this might be JW's worst, I just can't get into this funk stuff

Jaws - 4 stars - incredibly effective in the film, with some great moments from a listening perspective

Family Plot - 4.5 stars - a great, unique score in Williams' collection

The Missouri Breaks - 3.5 stars - great love theme, good underscore also

Midway - 2.75 stars - some great moments, as a whole it's difficult to get through

Black Sunday - 4 stars - great tension in this score

Star Wars - 4.5 stars - excellent brass writing

Close Encounters of the Third Kind - 4 stars - the final cue is among JW's best, the but entire thing is hard to get through

Jaws 2 - 4 stars - better than the original in terms of listening experience, I love the harp solos

Superman - The Movie - 4 stars - some truly fantastic moments, but some of the action music is JW on autopilot

Dracula - 4.75 stars - the only thing that seperate this from being a masterpiece is a little more variety

1941 - 4.5 stars - what a fun score, so much better than the film

The Empire Strikes Back - 5 stars - his first masterpiece! The score that has it all

Raiders of the Lost Ark - 5 stars - another masterpiece!

Heartbeeps - 3.5 stars - fun, unique score. I love all the electronics

E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial - 5 stars - the worst of JW's masterpieces (because it drags a bit), but a masterpiece nonetheless

Monsignor - 3 stars - good, but nothing incredibly memorable

Return of the Jedi - 4.25 stars - lots of great moments, some boring moments

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom - 4.5 stars - a near masterpiece, just a bit too much to make it all the way

The Witches of Eastwick - 3.5 stars - not the most interesting listen, but good

Empire of the Sun - 3 stars - see Witches of Eastwick

The Accidental Tourist - 4 stars - gorgeous piano writing, it's just a bit too reliant on the main theme

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade - 5 stars - another masterpiece, a rival to Raiders

Born o­n the Fourth of July - 3.75 stars - beautiful string writing

Always - 3 stars - a bit boring, but the payoff moments are fantastic

Home Alone - 4 stars - very fun, JW tackles another genre

Hook - 5 stars - a masterpiece, fantastic brass work

JFK - 4 stars - very accessible, some nice venturing on Williams' part

Far and Away - 4.5 stars - a near masterpiece

Home Alone 2: Lost in New York - 3.5 stars - much of it a rehash, but there's tons of great new stuff also

Jurassic Park - 4 stars - not as great as I once thought it was, but still a very good listen

Schindler's List - 4 stars - beautiful, tragic, and touching

Sabrina - 4.5 stars - beautiful, gorgeous melodies

Nixon - 3.75 stars - good, but not great

The Lost World: Jurassic Park - 4 stars - excellent departure for Williams

Seven Years in Tibet - 2.75 stars - some very solid moments, as a whole it's hard to get through

Amistad - 3 stars - some fantastic moments, again, hard to get through as a whole

Saving Private Ryan - 3.5 stars - gorgeous and tragic

Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace - 4.5 stars - a near masterpiece once more

The Patriot - 3 stars - some solid writing, though nothing amazing

A.I. Artificial Intelligence - 4.5 stars - a near masterpiece

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone - 5 stars - a masterpiece, the last iconic Williams score

Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones - 4 stars - a score that deserves waaaay more love than it gets

Minority Report - 4 stars - excellent, thrilling score

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - 3.5 stars - great moments, though lots of rehashed

Catch Me If You Can - 4.5 - a near masterpiece, Williams creates a whole new genre of "sub-Jazz"

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban - 5 stars - fantastically unique and a great listen

The Terminal - 4.5 stars - another near masterpiece, with one of Williams' best love themes

Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith - 4.75 stars - another near masterpiece, probably the best near masterpiece JW wrote

War of the Worlds - 3 stars - better than I once thought, but not amazing

Memoirs of a Geisha - 3.5 stars - a wonderfully restrained score, though a bit difficult to sit through. Great emotional payoff at the end

Munich - 2.75 stars - not easy to sit through, but there are some very very strong moments when isolated from the rest

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - 4 stars - worst of the Indys, but still a proud addition to the series' scores

Average rating: 3.99 stars

[Diego 21]

There's no way Empire can be described as his first masterpiece

[Neimoidian 13]

There is no way Cinderella Libery is JW's worst. Quite the contrary. I like it a lot. As for the worst, I would pick Always and Missouri Breaks, and probably most of his pre-The Reivers scores.

[Charlie Brigden 5]

The Sugarland Express - 3.5 stars

Jane Eyre - 5 stars

Jaws - 5 stars

Star Wars - 5 stars

Close Encounters of the Third Kind - 4.5 stars

Jaws 2 - 4 stars

Superman - The Movie - 4 stars

Dracula - 4 stars

The Empire Strikes Back - 5 stars

Raiders of the Lost Ark - 5 stars

Heartbeeps - 3 stars

E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial - 5 stars

Return of the Jedi - 4.5 stars

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom - 5 stars

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade - 4 stars

Home Alone 2: Lost in New York - 2.5 stars

Jurassic Park - 2.5 stars

The Lost World: Jurassic Park - 3 stars

Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace - 3.5 stars

A.I. Artificial Intelligence - 5 stars (complete score only)

Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones - 2.5 stars

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban - 3 stars

Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith - 3.5 stars

Memoirs of a Geisha - 3 stars

Munich - 3.5 stars

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - 3.5 stars

[indy4 152]

I decided to average out the ratings by each decade:

1960s: 2.96 stars

1970s: 3.89 stars

1980s: 4.04 stars

1990s: 3.93 stars

2000s: 4.00 stars

There's no way Empire can be described as his first masterpiece

I'd say Dracula came the closest to being the first masterpiece, but in the end it wasn't quite there.

There is no way Cinderella Libery is JW's worst. Quite the contrary. I like it a lot. As for the worst, I would pick Always and Missouri Breaks, and probably most of his pre-The Reivers scores.

I just can't get into its funk. I love JW's jazzy side, but CL just sounds cheesy to me. I'll always take a symphonic score over CL, no matter how boring it is (and I don't even think Always is that boring). And I like the love theme in Missouri Breaks.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,251]

Jaws is brilliant, you assholes!

[Charlie Brigden 5]

Jaws - 5 stars

[Diego 21]

Jaws, Star Wars and Close Encounters are all masterpieces and all are before Empire. I would even add Superman but that's more a personal thing.

[Ollie 859]

In case anyone is wondering, here's the same thread we did in 2008. Makes it easier to post your results.

http://jwfan.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=15039&st=0&p=421216&hl=towering%20inferno&fromsearch=1entry421216

The only thing I left off were his Olympic themes, various fanfares and concert works.

2008 - KOTCS ***

2005 - Munich ***1/2

2005 - Memoirs of a Geisha ****

2005 - War of the Worlds ***1/2

2005 - Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith ***

2004 - The Terminal **

2004 - Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban ****

2002 - Catch Me If You Can ****

2002 - Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets **1/2

2002 - Minority Report ***1/2

2002 - Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones **

2001 - Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone ****

2001 - A.I. Artificial Intelligence ****1/2

2000 - The Patriot ***

1999 - Angela's Ashes ****

1999 - Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace ****

1998 - Stepmom ***

1998 - Saving Private Ryan ***1/2

1997 - Amistad **

1997 - Seven Years in Tibet ***

1997 - The Lost World: Jurassic Park ****

1997 - Rosewood ****

1996 - Sleepers ***

1995 - Nixon **1/2

1995 - Sabrina ***

1993 - Schindler's List *****

1993 - Jurassic Park ****

1992 - Home Alone 2: Lost in New York ***1/2

1992 - Far and Away ***1/2

1991 - JFK ***1/2

1991 - Hook ****

1990 - Home Alone ****

1990 - Presumed Innocent ****

1990 - Stanley & Iris ***

1989 - Always **

1989 - Born o­n the Fourth of July ***1/2

1989 - Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade ***

1988 - The Accidental Tourist ****

1987 - Empire of the Sun ****

1987 - The Witches of Eastwick ***1/2

1986 - SpaceCamp ***

1985 - Amazing Stories - The Mission ****

1985 - Amazing Stories - Ghost Train ***

1984 - The River ***

1984 - Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom ****1/2

1983 - Return of the Jedi ****

1982 - Monsignor ****

1982 - E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial *****

1981 - Heartbeeps ***1/2

1981 - Raiders of the Lost Ark *****

1980 - The Empire Strikes Back *****

1979 - 1941 ***

1979 - Dracula ***1/2

1978 - Superman - The Movie *****

1978 - Jaws 2 ****

1978 - The Fury ****

1977 - Close Encounters of the Third Kind *****

1977 - Star Wars *****

1977 - Black Sunday ****1/2

1976 - Midway ***

1976 - The Missouri Breaks ***

1976 - Family Plot ***

1975 - The Eiger Sanction ****

1975 - Jaws *****

1974 - The Towering Inferno ****

1974 - Earthquake **1/2

1974 - The Sugarland Express **1/2

1974 - Conrack **

1973 - Cinderella Liberty **

1973 - The Long Goodbye ***

1973 - The Paper Chase ***

1973 - The Man Who Loved Cat Dancing ***

1973 - Images ****

1972 - The Poseidon Adventure ***

1972 - The Cowboys ***1/2

1971 - Fiddler On The Roof ***

1969 - Goodbye Mr. Chips ***

1969 - The Reivers ***1/2

1968 - Heidi ***

1967 - Fitzwilly ***

1967 - A Guide for the Married Man ***1/2

1967 - Ghostbreakers ***

1966 - The Rare Breed ***1/2

1966 - None But The Brave ***1/2

1966 - How To Steal A Million ***

1966 - Penelope ****

1966 - Not With My Wife, You Don't! ***

1965 - John Goldfarb, Please Come Home **1/2

1963 - Diamond Head **

1962 - Bachelor Flat **

1960 - Checkmate ***

1960's - Lost In Space ****

1960's - The Time Tunnel ***

1960's - Land Of The Giants ***

[indy4 152]

I think most people's ratings have probably changed by now, I doubt copying and pasting results from 2008 would be an accurate reflection of everyone's current opinions. Although it is interesting to see how my results have changed between now and then.

[Ollie 859]

Well it makes it easier so people don't have to re-write everything, regardless of whether or not their ratings have changed.

My ratings are the same.

[davros72 1]

I don't think I did this in 2008, so here's mine...

Read from the bottom up cuz that's how I wrote it...

2008 - KOTCS -- 3.5 stars...Clearly the lesser of the Indy films, strong themes but meanders a lot towards "wallpaper" territory IMHO

2005 - Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith -- 4.5 stars...Really strong score, somewhat surprisingly, enjoy it immensely, seemed to have clicked exactly right with what GL was going for in the film

2004 - Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban -- 4 stars...Probably my fave HP score (and film), really well done for being a third film in a series

2002 - Catch Me If You Can -- 4 stars...Different sound from my usual JW choices, still like it a lot

2002 - Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets -- 3.5 stars...Like TLW:JP, very derivative of original

2002 - Minority Report -- 4 stars...Hard to say why I like this one so much but I do, feels very strong and well done

2002 - Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones -- 3.5 stars...Hard to judge from the hack job in the film, but good stuff in there

2001 - Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone -- 4 stars...Very strong start to the series

2001 - A.I. Artificial Intelligence -- 4.5 stars...Very strong, beautiful stuff, very underrated, like this one a lot

2000 - The Patriot -- 3.5 stars...I really like it, but repetitiveness brings it down a bit

1999 - Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace -- 4 stars...Similar to JP, should have been a lot more, but still great

1998 - Saving Private Ryan -- 3.5 stars...Strong themes but just feels weak and repetitive overall

1997 - The Lost World: Jurassic Park -- 3.5 stars...A few highlights but really derivative of stuff from original film

1993 - Schindler's List -- 5 stars...Incredible, this is a masterpiece, heartbreaking stuff

1993 - Jurassic Park -- 4 stars...Not the masterpiece I had been hoping, but good stuff all the same

1992 - Far and Away -- 4 stars...Similar to Always for me, lovely music and themes, well done

1991 - JFK -- 3.5 stars...Strong themes, but a bit of a weak score overall

1991 - Hook -- 4.5 stars...Very high up in the rankings, not quite full 5 stars because it feels rough in places

1989 - Always -- 4 stars...Slightly higher score for personal reasons, still a beautiful score though

1989 - Born o­n the Fourth of July -- 3.5 stars...Main theme amazingly beautiful, rest of score, decent

1989 - Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade -- 4 stars...Not as original as TOD but still good stuff

1987 - Empire of the Sun -- 3.5 stars...Similar to SpaceCamp, nice music and themes, it does OK

1986 - SpaceCamp -- 3.5 stars...Nice themes and all, just never reaches any heights

1985 - Amazing Stories - The Mission -- 3 stars...Again, pretty good, don't know it as well as I maybe should

1985 - Amazing Stories - Ghost Train -- 3 stars... Pretty good but less familiar with it

1984 - Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom -- 4.5 stars...Amazing non-stop action music, fun stuff, well-done use of earlier themes

1983 - Return of the Jedi -- 4 stars...Strong but less new and original stuff this time, sometimes feels a bit tired

1982 - E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial -- 5 stars...Very, very good, but with less of a personal connection with me than ROTLA or TESB

1981 - Raiders of the Lost Ark -- 5 stars...Probably my second-favorite ever JW score, amazing

1980 - The Empire Strikes Back -- 5 stars....Probably my favorite ever JW score, action, romance, thrills, everything

1979 - 1941 -- 4 stars....Some strong stuff, with some craziness thrown in for fun

1979 - Dracula -- 3.5 stars....Good but never reaches any real heights of spectacular-ness

1978 - Superman - The Movie -- 5 stars....Close second favorite of the 70s, dynamite superhero music

1978 - Jaws 2 -- 4.5 stars....Easily on par with the original, with nice development of themes without too much rehashing

1977 - Close Encounters of the Third Kind -- 4.5 stars....Very, very good but gets a bit repetitive

1977 - Star Wars -- 5 stars...Probably my favorite of the 70s

1975 - Jaws -- 4.5 stars...Classic, great 70s JW stuff

Overall average:

150/37

4.1 stars

And just for fun,

70s average:

31/7

4.4 stars

80s average:

48/12

4.0 stars

90s average:

32/8

4.0 stars

00s average:

39/10

3.9 stars

Kinda figured my 70s collection would be higher rated than the other decades.

[indy4 152]

You think TLW is derivative of JP?

[davros72 1]

You think TLW is derivative of JP?

I know, shocking and controversial, ain't it?

Maybe not in the "sounds almost exactly like the original" way, but just when it's there, it never felt like it was redone in a "new" way.

Man, I just can't explain things the way I want. Me not do words good.

ETA:

BTW, nice choice on your "Recently purchased CDs" list. Doomsday Machine/Amok Time is classic music from classic Trek!

[indy4 152]

Fair enough.

And yes, it is quite good.

[JoeinAR 1,759]

It has been a while since we've done this, but I thought it'd be fun.

Here you go (in chronological order):

Checkmate - 4.5 stars - fantastic jazzy stuff

Bachelor Flat - 3 stars - it's a fun score, with a great love theme that should get more time

None But the Brave - 2 stars - some nice moments, but overall it's hard to sit through

Lost in Space - 2 stars - hard to get into, aside from the themes

How to Steal a Million - 3.5 stars - some great comedy moments, and some lush beautiful music

Penelope - 2.75 stars - I should listen to this one more, but it's fun

The Cowboys - 4.5 stars - a near masterpiece, this score is just brimming with energy and excitement

Images - 4 stars - incredibly unique, with some really powerful development

Cinderella Liberty - 1.5 stars - this might be JW's worst, I just can't get into this funk stuff

Jaws - 4 stars - incredibly effective in the film, with some great moments from a listening perspective

Family Plot - 4.5 stars - a great, unique score in Williams' collection

The Missouri Breaks - 3.5 stars - great love theme, good underscore also

Midway - 2.75 stars - some great moments, as a whole it's difficult to get through

Black Sunday - 4 stars - great tension in this score

Star Wars - 4.5 stars - excellent brass writing

Close Encounters of the Third Kind - 4 stars - the final cue is among JW's best, the but entire thing is hard to get through

Jaws 2 - 4 stars - better than the original in terms of listening experience, I love the harp solos

Superman - The Movie - 4 stars - some truly fantastic moments, but some of the action music is JW on autopilot

Dracula - 4.75 stars - the only thing that seperate this from being a masterpiece is a little more variety

1941 - 4.5 stars - what a fun score, so much better than the film

The Empire Strikes Back - 5 stars - his first masterpiece! The score that has it all

Raiders of the Lost Ark - 5 stars - another masterpiece!

Heartbeeps - 3.5 stars - fun, unique score. I love all the electronics

E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial - 5 stars - the worst of JW's masterpieces (because it drags a bit), but a masterpiece nonetheless

Monsignor - 3 stars - good, but nothing incredibly memorable

Return of the Jedi - 4.25 stars - lots of great moments, some boring moments

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom - 4.5 stars - a near masterpiece, just a bit too much to make it all the way

The Witches of Eastwick - 3.5 stars - not the most interesting listen, but good

Empire of the Sun - 3 stars - see Witches of Eastwick

The Accidental Tourist - 4 stars - gorgeous piano writing, it's just a bit too reliant on the main theme

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade - 5 stars - another masterpiece, a rival to Raiders

Born o­n the Fourth of July - 3.75 stars - beautiful string writing

Always - 3 stars - a bit boring, but the payoff moments are fantastic

Home Alone - 4 stars - very fun, JW tackles another genre

Hook - 5 stars - a masterpiece, fantastic brass work

JFK - 4 stars - very accessible, some nice venturing on Williams' part

Far and Away - 4.5 stars - a near masterpiece

Home Alone 2: Lost in New York - 3.5 stars - much of it a rehash, but there's tons of great new stuff also

Jurassic Park - 4 stars - not as great as I once thought it was, but still a very good listen

Schindler's List - 4 stars - beautiful, tragic, and touching

Sabrina - 4.5 stars - beautiful, gorgeous melodies

Nixon - 3.75 stars - good, but not great

The Lost World: Jurassic Park - 4 stars - excellent departure for Williams

Seven Years in Tibet - 2.75 stars - some very solid moments, as a whole it's hard to get through

Amistad - 3 stars - some fantastic moments, again, hard to get through as a whole

Saving Private Ryan - 3.5 stars - gorgeous and tragic

Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace - 4.5 stars - a near masterpiece once more

The Patriot - 3 stars - some solid writing, though nothing amazing

A.I. Artificial Intelligence - 4.5 stars - a near masterpiece

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone - 5 stars - a masterpiece, the last iconic Williams score

Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones - 4 stars - a score that deserves waaaay more love than it gets

Minority Report - 4 stars - excellent, thrilling score

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - 3.5 stars - great moments, though lots of rehashed

Catch Me If You Can - 4.5 - a near masterpiece, Williams creates a whole new genre of "sub-Jazz"

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban - 5 stars - fantastically unique and a great listen

The Terminal - 4.5 stars - another near masterpiece, with one of Williams' best love themes

Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith - 4.75 stars - another near masterpiece, probably the best near masterpiece JW wrote

War of the Worlds - 3 stars - better than I once thought, but not amazing

Memoirs of a Geisha - 3.5 stars - a wonderfully restrained score, though a bit difficult to sit through. Great emotional payoff at the end

Munich - 2.75 stars - not easy to sit through, but there are some very very strong moments when isolated from the rest

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - 4 stars - worst of the Indys, but still a proud addition to the series' scores

Average rating: 3.99 stars

what an utter pile of drek, but since its from Indy 4 I'm not surprised at all. Anyone on this board that rates Rots higher than Star Wars cannot be taken seriously.

[Sandor 459]

It has been a while since we've done this, but I thought it'd be fun.

Here you go (in chronological order):

Checkmate - 4.5 stars - fantastic jazzy stuff

Bachelor Flat - 3 stars - it's a fun score, with a great love theme that should get more time

None But the Brave - 2 stars - some nice moments, but overall it's hard to sit through

Lost in Space - 2 stars - hard to get into, aside from the themes

How to Steal a Million - 3.5 stars - some great comedy moments, and some lush beautiful music

Penelope - 2.75 stars - I should listen to this one more, but it's fun

The Cowboys - 4.5 stars - a near masterpiece, this score is just brimming with energy and excitement

Images - 4 stars - incredibly unique, with some really powerful development

Cinderella Liberty - 1.5 stars - this might be JW's worst, I just can't get into this funk stuff

Jaws - 4 stars - incredibly effective in the film, with some great moments from a listening perspective

Family Plot - 4.5 stars - a great, unique score in Williams' collection

The Missouri Breaks - 3.5 stars - great love theme, good underscore also

Midway - 2.75 stars - some great moments, as a whole it's difficult to get through

Black Sunday - 4 stars - great tension in this score

Star Wars - 4.5 stars - excellent brass writing

Close Encounters of the Third Kind - 4 stars - the final cue is among JW's best, the but entire thing is hard to get through

Jaws 2 - 4 stars - better than the original in terms of listening experience, I love the harp solos

Superman - The Movie - 4 stars - some truly fantastic moments, but some of the action music is JW on autopilot

Dracula - 4.75 stars - the only thing that seperate this from being a masterpiece is a little more variety

1941 - 4.5 stars - what a fun score, so much better than the film

The Empire Strikes Back - 5 stars - his first masterpiece! The score that has it all

Raiders of the Lost Ark - 5 stars - another masterpiece!

Heartbeeps - 3.5 stars - fun, unique score. I love all the electronics

E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial - 5 stars - the worst of JW's masterpieces (because it drags a bit), but a masterpiece nonetheless

Monsignor - 3 stars - good, but nothing incredibly memorable

Return of the Jedi - 4.25 stars - lots of great moments, some boring moments

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom - 4.5 stars - a near masterpiece, just a bit too much to make it all the way

The Witches of Eastwick - 3.5 stars - not the most interesting listen, but good

Empire of the Sun - 3 stars - see Witches of Eastwick

The Accidental Tourist - 4 stars - gorgeous piano writing, it's just a bit too reliant on the main theme

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade - 5 stars - another masterpiece, a rival to Raiders

Born o­n the Fourth of July - 3.75 stars - beautiful string writing

Always - 3 stars - a bit boring, but the payoff moments are fantastic

Home Alone - 4 stars - very fun, JW tackles another genre

Hook - 5 stars - a masterpiece, fantastic brass work

JFK - 4 stars - very accessible, some nice venturing on Williams' part

Far and Away - 4.5 stars - a near masterpiece

Home Alone 2: Lost in New York - 3.5 stars - much of it a rehash, but there's tons of great new stuff also

Jurassic Park - 4 stars - not as great as I once thought it was, but still a very good listen

Schindler's List - 4 stars - beautiful, tragic, and touching

Sabrina - 4.5 stars - beautiful, gorgeous melodies

Nixon - 3.75 stars - good, but not great

The Lost World: Jurassic Park - 4 stars - excellent departure for Williams

Seven Years in Tibet - 2.75 stars - some very solid moments, as a whole it's hard to get through

Amistad - 3 stars - some fantastic moments, again, hard to get through as a whole

Saving Private Ryan - 3.5 stars - gorgeous and tragic

Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace - 4.5 stars - a near masterpiece once more

The Patriot - 3 stars - some solid writing, though nothing amazing

A.I. Artificial Intelligence - 4.5 stars - a near masterpiece

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone - 5 stars - a masterpiece, the last iconic Williams score

Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones - 4 stars - a score that deserves waaaay more love than it gets

Minority Report - 4 stars - excellent, thrilling score

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - 3.5 stars - great moments, though lots of rehashed

Catch Me If You Can - 4.5 - a near masterpiece, Williams creates a whole new genre of "sub-Jazz"

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban - 5 stars - fantastically unique and a great listen

The Terminal - 4.5 stars - another near masterpiece, with one of Williams' best love themes

Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith - 4.75 stars - another near masterpiece, probably the best near masterpiece JW wrote

War of the Worlds - 3 stars - better than I once thought, but not amazing

Memoirs of a Geisha - 3.5 stars - a wonderfully restrained score, though a bit difficult to sit through. Great emotional payoff at the end

Munich - 2.75 stars - not easy to sit through, but there are some very very strong moments when isolated from the rest

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - 4 stars - worst of the Indys, but still a proud addition to the series' scores

Average rating: 3.99 stars

what an utter pile of drek, but since its from Indy 4 I'm not surprised at all. Anyone on this board that rates Rots higher than Star Wars cannot be taken seriously.

Right on.

[Wojo 2,442]

I can't be objective here. There are a good number of scores on this list that I've never bought or listened to, and there are some that I've only recently acquired and have not listened to as much as others.

[King Mark 2,924]

--I'd rate all these 41/2 to 5 stars:

Jaws

Star Wars

The Empire Strikes Back

Return of the Jedi

The Phantom Menace

Revenge of the Sith (The complete score not the OST )

Raiders of the Lost Ark

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azcaban

Superman The Movie

Close Encounters

Hook

A.I.

E.T.

--The Bottom Rated:

All the 60's comedy scores

Cinderella Liberty

Earthquake

Eiger Sanction

Missouri Breaks

The River

Presumed Innocent

Saving Private Ryan

Minority Report

Sabrina

Nixon

Stepmom

Sleepers

Amistad

Rosewood

The 90's is the lowest rated decade

[Gruesome Son of a Bitch 6,476]

Highest rated:

Jaws

SW

CE3K

Superman

ESB

ROTLA

E.T.

ROTJ

TOD

Hook

Lowest rated:

WOTW

Sleepers

Rosewood

Angela's Ashes

Born on the Fourth of July

Nixon

Seven Years in Tibet

Stepmom, most of it

Everything else is in between. The low rated stuff I never listen to.

[Koray Savas 2,095]

1960s

Bachelor Flat (1)

Diamond Head (1)

None But The Brave (1)

John Goldfarb, Please Come Home! (1)

The Rare Breed (3)

How To Steal A Million (2)

Not With My Wife, You Don't! (2)

Penelope (1)

A Guide For The Married Man (2)

Fitzwilly (2)

The Reivers (3)

RATING: 34.5%

1970s

The Cowboys (3)

The Poseidon Adventure (2)

Images (4)

The Man Who Loved Cat Dancing (2)

The Paper Chase (2)

The Long Goodbye (1)

Cinderella Liberty (5)

Conrack (1)

Earthquake (2)

The Towering Inferno (3)

Jaws (5)

The Eiger Sanction (3)

The Missouri Breaks (3)

Midway (1)

Black Sunday (5)

Star Wars (4)

Close Encounters Of The Third Kind (3)

The Fury (3)

Jaws 2 (2)

Superman: The Movie (5)

Dracula (3)

1941 (4)

RATING: 60%

1980s

The Empire Strikes Back (4)

Raiders Of The Lost Ark (3)

Heartbeeps (4)

E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (5)

Monsignor (3)

Return Of The Jedi (2)

Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom (4)

The River (2)

SpaceCamp (3)

The Witches Of Eastwick (3)

Empire Of The Sun (5)

The Accidental Tourist (4)

Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade (4)

Born On The Fourth Of July (3)

Always (1)

RATING: 66.6%

1990s

Stanley & Iris (2)

Presumed Innocent (2)

Home Alone (3)

Hook (5)

JFK (4)

Far And Away (4)

Home Alone 2: Lost In New York (4)

Jurassic Park (4)

Schindler's List (5)

Sabrina (2)

Nixon (3)

Sleepers (2)

Rosewood (4)

The Lost World: Jurassic Park (4)

Seven Years In Tibet (3)

Amistad (3)

Saving Private Ryan (5)

Stepmom (2)

Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace (3)

Angela's Ashes (4)

RATING: 68%

2000s

The Patriot (3)

A.I. Artificial Intelligence (5)

Harry Potter And The Sorcerer's Stone (3)

Star Wars Episode II: Attack Of The Clones (2)

Minority Report (4)

Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets (2)

Catch Me In You Can (4)

Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban (5)

The Terminal (3)

Star Wars Episode III: Revenge Of The Sith (3)

War Of The Worlds (2)

Memoirs Of A Geisha (4)

Munich (5)

Indiana Jones And The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull (2)

RATING: 58.8%

[Bryant Burnette 451]

Anyone on this board that rates Rots higher than Star Wars cannot be taken seriously.

I don't know about "cannot," but it certainly makes it tough for me.

I love this sort of pointless ranking, so here goes with mine:

Checkmate = 3 (can't really remember much of it)

Bachelor Flat = 2 (can't remember a bit of it)

Diamond Head = 3 (not bad, nothing special)

The Ghostbreaker = 3 (I like the main theme a lot, but most of it is unmemorable)

None But the Brave = 3 (again with the "not bad, nothing special")

John Goldfarb = 1 (I find it actively difficult to listen to)

various scores of "Lost In Space" = 3 (not bad, but I have no connection whatsoever to the show)

How to Steal a Million = 2 (made very little impression on me)

The Time Tunnel = 3 (decent)

Penelope = 3 (every time I listen, the main melody gets stuck in my head)

A Guide for the Married Man = 2 (kinda annoying, but not as bad as "Goldfarb")

Valley of the Dolls = 1 (almost utterly insignificant to me)

Fitzwilly = 3.5 (the earliest Williams score I've got that I genuinely like all the way through)

Land of the Giants = 3 (like the other tv scores, it's okay, but not one I return to much)

Heidi = 3 ('sokay)

Goodbye, Mr. Chips = 4 (I'm surprised at how much this one has grown on me; I'd like to see the movie)

This is where the fun begins...

The Reivers = 4 (good Americana; again, I'd like to see the movie)

Jane Eyre = 4 (same as above, except for the Americana part)

Fiddler on the Roof = 4.5 (how much of this is due to Williams I dunno, but I love this CD)

The Cowboys = 4 (good stuff)

Images = 4 (good stuff, again, but certainly atypical for a Williams score)

The Poseidon Adventure = 3.5 (I know a lot of people love it, but it doesn't totally connect with me)

Tom Sawyer = 2 (I don't like it very much, to tell the truth, despite being a fan of some of the Shermans' other stuff)

The Man Who Loved Cat Dancing = 3.5 (not as good as his other Westerns, but still pretty good)

The Paper Chase = 3 (not a personal favorite, but it's not bad)

The Long Goodbye = 4 (it's a good song)

Cinderella Liberty = 4 (I like this one a lot)

Conrack = 2 (can't remember it)

The Sugarland Express = 4.5 (I love the movie, and hope the score gets released someday)

Earthquake = 3.5 (not bad)

The Towering Inferno = 3.5 (again, I know a lot of people love this one, but I'm so-so on it; probably need to see the movie)

The Eiger Sanction = 4 (I really like this one)

Jaws = 5 (close to perfect as far as I'm concerned; rewatched the movie not long ago with someone who'd never seen it, and that was lotsa fun)

Thomas and the King = 1 (yikes)

Family Plot = 4 (I like the movie a lot; the theme is magnificent, but I can't speak for the rest)

The Missouri Breaks = 4 (the love theme is perfect, and the rest is pretty good, too)

Midway = 3.5 (I'd love to hear the original score someday, rather than the rerecording; but it's not bad)

Black Sunday = 3.5 (as with most of his disaster-ish '70s scores, it doesn't thrill me, but I definitely enjoy it)

Star Wars = 5 (duh)

Close Encounters of the Third Kind = 5 (one of my absolute fave movies and scores)

The Fury = 4.5 (pretty damn fine)

Jaws 2 = 3.5 (not a patch on the first one, in my opinion, but that don't make it bad)

Superman = 5 (one of the pinnacles of the medium, as far as I'm concerned)

Dracula = 4.5 (gorgeous; expand it, somebody)

1941 = 4.5 (I may be crazy, but I love this movie, and the score is easily one of the best things about it)

The Empire Strikes Back = 5 (barely seems possible, but it's just as good as the first one, if not better)

Raiders of the Lost Ark = 5 (best adventure score ever)

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial = 5 (wonderful, top to bottom)

Yes, Giorgio = 3 (the song is okay)

Monsignor = 4 (very good, but I haven't grown any real love for it)

Return of the Jedi = 5 (whatever problems the movie has, the score ain't one of 'em)

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom = 5 (my appreciation of the film has grown substantially the past few years; same goes for the score)

The River = 4 (I love the main theme)

Amazing Stories = 4 ("The Mission" is one of the better tv scores I've ever heard, but "Ghost Train" does little for me)

Space Camp = 3 (the main theme is terrific, but the rest of the score ... frankly, it bores me to death)

The Witches of Eastwick = 4.5 (very, very good)

Superman IV = 3 (the three Williams themes are good, but the score overall is a bit of a chore for me)

Empire of the Sun = 4.5 (great stuff, especially as heard in the movie)

The Accidental Tourist = 4 (points off for being repetitious, but the main theme is terrific)

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade = 4.5 (not quite a masterpiece, but thoroughly enjoyable)

Born on the Fourth of July = 4 (the main theme is a 5, but the rest of the score is just okay)

Always = 3.5 (not a favorite, but I do find it growing on me a bit as time passes)

Stanley & Iris = 4 (again, repetitious but good)

Presumed Innocent = 4 (even more repetitious, but the main theme is hauntingly good)

Home Alone = 4 (I listen to it every Christmas; the songs are better than the rest of the score, in my opinion)

JFK = 4.5 (very, very good; I wish Williams had worked with Stone more later in their careers)

Hook = 4.5 (points off for some of the more insipid elements, but mostly, it's awesome)

Far and Away = 4.5 (I love this one; love the movie, too, cornball though it may be)

Home Alone 2 = 3.5 (not as good as the original, but still pretty good)

Jurassic Park = 4.5 (pretty damn compelling)

Schindler's List = 5 (speaking of compelling...)

Sabrina = 3.5 (good, but dispensable for me)

Nixon = 4 (I don't love all of it, but again, a great main theme)

Sleepers = 3 (never did connect with me)

Rosewood = 3.5 (pretty good; "Look Down, Lord" is excellent)

The Lost World = (not as good as the first one, but still pretty good)

Seven Years In Tibet = 3.5 (5 for the main theme, but most of the rest is boring)

Amistad = 3.5 (one of my least favorite Spielberg scores, but has excellent bits)

Saving Private Ryan = 4 (5 for "Hymn," the rest is a bit unmemorable)

Stepmom = 3 (nothing wrong with it, but not a favorite)

The Phantom Menace = 5 (really, considering how bad the movie is, the score seems like a miracle)

Angela's Ashes = 3.5 (decent)

The Patriot = 3.5 (okay, but nothing special)

A.I. = 5 (one of my favorite movies, and the score is a major element in that)

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone = 4.5 (if I love the movie, rather than just liking it, it might get a 5, but I don't, so it doesn't)

Attack of the Clones = 4.5 (I like this a lot, but a bit of the magic seems to have departed right about here)

Minority Report = 4.5 (good Herrmanesque stuff)

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets = 4 (a bit less good than the first one, but still a fun universe to dip into)

Catch Me If You Can = 4.5 (kinda great)

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban = 4 (never quite saw what the big deal was with this one, but I've got no beef with it apart from that)

The Terminal = 4 (a lot of fun; I need to watch the movie again)

Revenge of the Sith = 4 (easily the least-good SW score for me, but still pretty fine)

War of the Worlds = 3 (nly "The Intersection Scene" stands out for me, but I love most of the movie)

Memoirs of a Gesiha = 4.5 (very, very good; damn you, Santoalalla)

Munich = 3 (not by any means a favorite listen, but I lurve the movie)

Kingdom of the Crystal Skull = 4 (seems lightweight in comparison to vintage Williams, but still miles better than most of the competition)

And damn it, that had better not be all!