Jeff 10 Posted May 7, 2010 Share Posted May 7, 2010 I'm new here and I thought this would be an interesting way to introduce myself to the group.A bit of background on how I chose these: I have a fairly solid primary education in music, but I'm by no means an expert. I'm particularly lacking in my knowledge of music history. I have a general knowledge of composers and their greatest works, genres, instrumentation, etc. Also, I should say up front that I haven't listened to even a quarter of JW's scores. My choices below are my "favorite" JW scores as far as listening enjoyment. There is a big difference between "appreciating" a score on an intellectual level and "enjoying" a score, which is based primarily on emotion (highly subjective). So with that caveat, here are my top 5 JW scores:1) The Empire Strikes Back - By far my favorite of the Star Wars trilogy, I love every minute of the score, from the militaristic theme on Hoth (apparently dropped from the film if I remember correctly), to the Asteroid Field, Attacking a Star Destroyer, and even Lando's Palace. My favorite moment (musically) in the entire saga is Yoda lifting the X-wing from the swamp. I adore everything beginning at the light saber duel until the statement of Vader's theme at the end of the credits. The escape sequence with the agitated strings, the "ESP" coversation between Vader and Luke, and the jump to hyperspace carry the weight of these moments. I love the original Star Wars soundtrack as well, but I prefer the romantic style of ESB to the primal style (reminiscent of Rite of Spring in some parts) in ANH.2) Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade - This one owes its main theme to Raiders, but, as Spielberg said, the score "matured" along with the audience for the third installment. There are so many moments I like, including the Young Indiana scene, Scherzo for Motorcycle, No Ticket, the father-son theme, the Keeper of the Grail, and the entire finale / end credits. Nothing will get you in the mood for an adventure like Raiders march - it is absolutely brilliant, especially as it's used in Crusade. Last Crusade also happens to be my favorite movie of all time, which may have nudged the score up a slot or two on my list. It's a miracle that there is so much new material, as the third movie in what was the trilogy; other composers might have relied more heavily on previous themes. I'm glad JW didn't phone it in.3) Jurassic Park - Like many others who have posted, this was the album that introduced me to JW. In fact, it was the first album I ever owned (on cassette tape). Perhaps the reason I love it so much is the sentamentality attached to it, as I first saw the movie when I was 11, the prime age for obsession with dinosaurs. The score perfectly captures every mood: the sense of excitement in Journey to the Island, the humility of seeing the creatures for the first time as the main theme is played, the childlike endearment when Grant meets the triceratops (like a boy and his dog), the Hammond's nostalgia in Remembering Petticoat Lane (my favorite moment in the film and the score), and Grant's reflection in A Tree for My Bed. All of these moments, thanks in large part to the score, bring the emotion that makes Jurassic Park better than the run-of-the-mill action movie. But JW also delivers in the action sequences. It still scares me if I listen to Dennis Steals the Embryo while driving in the rain. The sense of urgency is perfectly captured when the Sattler and Muldoon take the jeep to look for the others. And of course, the triumphant T-Rex rescue is amazing. I'm surprised at how many of you have expressed a loss of appreciation for this score over the years. I must have listened to it at least a hundred times and it still brings me back to those 11-yr-old fantasies of seeing live dinosaurs every time I hear it. Whatever you all are doing to lose your infatuation with JP, I hope it never happens to me.4) E.T. - My favorite part of the score ironically comes after the movie is over - the cascading piano with the supporting French Horn in the End Credits. The last quarter of the movie is scored brilliantly with the iconic flying theme, the good-bye music, and all the punctuations throughout the chase. And then there's the moment in "E.T. is Dying" with the harp playing that plucks at the heartstrings (pun intended). 5) Sabrina - The last one on the list is always the hardest to choose. If I had made this list next Thursday, Harry Potter might have been number five. In the end, what may have tipped the scales for Sabrina is that it is so different from everything else. I love to play the piano and Theme from Sabrina is up there with Claire de Lune as one of my favorites to play. And even though JW didn't write the melody, the rendition of La Vie en Rose in the film is the best anywhere. In contrast to all the bombastic, melancholy, or agitated music Williams writes, it's nice every now and then to relax to the gentle, graceful sounds of Sabrina.It pains me to stop at 5 (I don't know why I am - this was my idea), especially when I have to leave Harry Potter, Hook, Empire of the Sun, and every other Star Wars soundtrack off the list. But maybe I can express my gratitude to John some other time for the rest of the amazing music he has written.So if you had to choose just five scores, which would they be? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gruesome Son of a Bitch 6,488 Posted May 7, 2010 Share Posted May 7, 2010 I like that you rank Sabrina up there.1. Star Wars2. Jaws3. E.T.4. The Empire Strikes Back5. Superman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
indy4 155 Posted May 8, 2010 Share Posted May 8, 2010 At the moment, here's my list:1. The Empire Strikes Back2. Raiders of the Lost Ark3. Prisoner of Azkaban4. Revenge of the Sith5. Catch Me If You Can Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonesy 55 Posted May 8, 2010 Share Posted May 8, 2010 My Top list:1. The Empire Strikes Back2. Indiana Jones And The Temple Of Doom3. Jaws4. Revenge Of The Sith5. Harry Potter And Th Prisoner Of Azkaban Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unlucky Bastard 7,782 Posted May 8, 2010 Share Posted May 8, 2010 5. Sleepers4. Spacecamp3. The Patriot2. The Accidental Tourist1. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Brigden 7 Posted May 8, 2010 Share Posted May 8, 2010 The Biggies:1. THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK2. INDIANA JONES AND THE TEMPLE OF DOOM3. STAR WARS4. JAWS5. E.T.The not-so Biggies:1. JANE EYRE2. JAWS 23. THE LONG GOODBYE4. A.I. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE5. MUNICH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ETMusic 1 Posted May 8, 2010 Share Posted May 8, 2010 1. E.T. - never fails to move me2. Schindler's List - shouldn't need a comment3. Empire Strikes Back - just...bad ass4. Raiders of the Lost Ark - also bad ass5. Seven Years in Tibet - probably the 'odd' one to most people, but I've always loved this scoreE.T. is the score that always blows me away though (the score is absolutely perfect...just flawless). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
filmmusic 1,828 Posted May 8, 2010 Share Posted May 8, 2010 1. E.T2. Hook3. Schindler's List4. Empire Strikes back5. Jurassic Park/Indiana Jones and Temple of Doom/ Superman (just couldn't decide) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SF1_freeze 131 Posted May 8, 2010 Share Posted May 8, 2010 1. The Empire Strikes Back2. Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom3. Jurassic Park4. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban5. Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naïve Old Fart 9,527 Posted May 8, 2010 Share Posted May 8, 2010 Welcome, Jeff, to The Mojave Club. Oops, sorry, that's "The Spy Who Loved Me", isn't it. My top 5 are;1-"C.E.3.K." (nothing touches it-nothing!),2-"Superman",3-"The Emipre Strikes Back",4-"E.T.",5-"Raiders Of The Lost Ark". That's enough to be going on with, by any standard.Of course, the interesting thing is WHY are these scores our favourites, which is why you have put a little expalnation of each score, thank-you very much. I look forward to sharing the board with you, as, I'm sure, we all do. Welcome to JW fan net Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh500 1,615 Posted May 8, 2010 Share Posted May 8, 2010 At the moment:1. Jurassic Park2. Raiders of the Lost Ark3. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban4. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade5. Star Wars Episode I The Phantom Menace Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naïve Old Fart 9,527 Posted May 8, 2010 Share Posted May 8, 2010 5. Sleepers4. Spacecamp3. The Patriot2. The Accidental Tourist1. Harry Potter and the Chamber of SecretsDrax, your 5 are VERY interesting, and include what many would claim to be "minor" scores: "Sleepers", "SpaceCamp", and the masterly "The Accidental Tourist" (although TAT didn't make my 5, it would definitely make my top-10). Good choices, all round, and a lot more than the 2-dimensional choices of most people on this site-myself included! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Koray Savas 2,251 Posted May 8, 2010 Share Posted May 8, 2010 Here are the main ones I usually pick for Top 5:Schindler's ListMunichCinderella LibertySaving Private RyanA.I. Artificial IntelligenceHarry Potter And The Prisoner Of AzkabanEmpire Of The SunE.T. The Extra-TerrestrialHeartbeeps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romão 2,274 Posted May 8, 2010 Share Posted May 8, 2010 Return of the JediSleepersMemoirs of a GeishaAIThe Phantom Menacebut my top 5 changes all the time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Penna 3,687 Posted May 9, 2010 Share Posted May 9, 2010 I'm sure I've written this list 20 times. Here we go (in no particular order):Harry Potter 1Jurassic ParkIndy: Last CrusadeHome Alone 2 (there's a lot of nostalgia in there, and I don't care that it uses some reused music. It works great in the film.)Hook Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krang 1 Posted May 9, 2010 Share Posted May 9, 2010 1. The Empire Strikes Back2. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban3. Hook4. Superman5. E.T. The Extra TerrestrialI'm into his more adventures/magical scores the most, but I can enjoy a good Angelas Ashes or Monsignor too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diego 21 Posted May 9, 2010 Share Posted May 9, 2010 1. Star Wars2. The Empire Strikes Back3. Temple of Doom4. Superman5. Jaws Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ollie 1,059 Posted May 9, 2010 Share Posted May 9, 2010 Oh I guess you could pick from the following:CE3KStar WarsE.T.JawsJane EyreThe Towering InfernoMemoirs Of A GeishaThe Empire Strikes BackPrisoner Of AzkabanRaiders Of The Lost ArkSchindler's ListA.I.Superman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Demondm810 399 Posted May 9, 2010 Share Posted May 9, 2010 1. E.T2. Hook3. The Empire Strikes Back4. Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets5. Indiana Jones And The Temple Of DoomHonorable Mention: Artificial Intelligence, Attack of the Clones, and Raiders of the Lost Ark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gruesome Son of a Bitch 6,488 Posted May 9, 2010 Share Posted May 9, 2010 The earliest JW music I can remember is the Return of the Jedi main title when I first watched the movie videotaped off television at 4 years old. Then there was Hook, which is one of the earliest movies I remember seeing in the theater. Then I got into E.T., Jurassic Park, Indy, the other SW movies and I was hooked fo life. Other kids were listening to shitty grunge rock and hip hop while I built up an arsenal of JW soundtracks (and eventually programmed chronological orders on my crappy portable CD player and listened to the scores on the bus rides). I even used my Talkboy (from Home Alone 2) to record a bunch of music from Temple of Doom before I had the soundtrack (got it around 2000), the main titles from Seaquest and ST:TNG and also a scene from TNG episode "Final Mission" for the music when Wesley goes to get water and save Picard. I wish I still had that thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Mark 3,631 Posted May 9, 2010 Share Posted May 9, 2010 It's always hard to make a top 5 . I know 2 are in it for sure,the 3 other spots are too difficult to choose1-The Empire Strikes Back2-Indiana Jones and the Temple of DoomAnyways it's in between:HookHarry Potter and the Sorcerer's StoneE.T.Superman,The MovieIndiana Jones and the Last CrusadeRaider of the Lost ArkJurassic ParkThe Phantom MenaceStar Wars Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
indy4 155 Posted May 9, 2010 Share Posted May 9, 2010 Psshh, well if everybody else here is going to be lame and list a whole bunch of scores, then so am I. In no particular order:Empire Strikes BackRaiders of the Lost ArkRevenge of the SithE.T.The TerminalAI Artificial IntelligenceSorcerer's StonePrisoner of AzkabanLast CrusadeCatch Me If You Can Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Taikomochi 1,136 Posted May 16, 2010 Share Posted May 16, 2010 1. Memoirs of a Geisha2. The Accidental Tourist3. Empire Strikes Back4. A.I.5. Heartbeeps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hlao-roo 389 Posted May 17, 2010 Share Posted May 17, 2010 Welcome, Jeff! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mahler3 478 Posted May 17, 2010 Share Posted May 17, 2010 Hi Jeff, welcome! Seeing JP in the cinema was a special day for me too, so you're not alone there. It was the last 'showmanship' movie from Spielberg that is all about the cinematic experience (IMO).1. The Empire Strikes Back2. Superman3. ET4. Empire of the Sun5. Raiders(they're usually the top, with Jaws, Hook and Temple of Doom making the odd entry into that 5)- Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trent B 337 Posted May 18, 2010 Share Posted May 18, 2010 Welcome to the board Jeff. For my top 5 Williams scores it would be...1. The Empire Strikes Back2. Hook3. The Phantom Menace4. The Lost World: Jurassic Park5. Revenge Of The Sith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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