Top 10 Film Score Themes from 2011

[TheUlyssesian 2,103]

What is a theme itself can be a cause for debate let alone which is a good one. But I think the general definition that a theme is a melody that can be soloed with ease on any instrument suffices.

1. The Naracotts Theme (War Horse) - John Williams

Dathmoor, 1912 (2:09-2:29)

A short theme, just 4 phrases, but beautiful, moving and complete.

http://www.youtube.c...t8xGc8#t=02m09s

2. Tintin's Theme (The Adventures Of Tintin) - John Williams

The Pursuit Of The Falcon (4:17-4:36)

Its not No.1 because the theme feels incomplete, its practically crying out for a concert arrangement but it seems quite short to warrant one. You have the memorable 5-note,6-note phrases then the 6-note phrase a bit higher followed by a small connective tissue and then again the first 2 phrases. But it is the most delirously grandiose high adventure theme in a long while and its statements in the score never failed to thrill me, even in the quieter versions.

http://www.youtube.c...VOsJbg#t=04m17s

3. The Friendship Theme (War Horse) - John Williams

Remembering Emilie, And Finale (2:08-2:58)

One of the more beautiful themes of the year, the piano solo really makes it unforgettable. Also points for being a complete albeit short theme.

http://www.youtube.c...agakS4#t=02m08s

4. Alice's Theme (Super 8) - Michael Giacchino

We´ll Fix It In Post-Haste (entire track is full statement of the theme)

But I am not counting it as a concert arrangement since its only 45 seconds. This too suffers from the incomplete feeling. The brilliant four phrase theme is repeated twice but then just meanders into a nothing phrase, you would expect the theme would build further but it just ends anti-climatically.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vB4wAu39_y0

5. Captain America March (Captain America) - Alan Silvestri

Captain America March (concert arrangement)

A brassy balls out manly theme in the best tradition of patriotic themes, it gets extra points for being one of the few full concert arrangements in recent times.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVC7Zvo_NyQ

6. Main Theme (Mysteries Of Lisbon) - Jorge Arriagada

This has no soundtrack release but a concert arrangement of the main theme plays over the 2 minute Opening Titles Sequence.

There's no way to hear this currently save by watching the first 2 minutes of the movie. Its a very old fashioned theme but quite good.

7. Peppy's Theme (The Artist) - Ludovic Bource

Waltz For Peppy (concert arrangement - save for some 20 seconds at the end)

Its a nice little waltz theme that is repeated 6-7 times in quick succession in this track - its a nice playful theme.

8. Sabina's Theme (A Dangerous Method) - Howard Shore

Reflections (Concert Arrangement from 0:00-1:50)

A very classical meancing theme that was extremely memorable for its use at many key points in the film, the concert arrangement admirably conveys it meance as well as longing - its the perfect theme for a forbidden passion.

9. Main Theme (Tabloid) - John Kusiak

Open, Pageants (just samples) on this page http://www.amazon.co...k/dp/B005CA4DSS

Its a nice little theme, I like the key change.

10. Hugo's Theme (Hugo) - Howard Shore

Don't know what is the best version of this theme but its heard at 1:12 in The Thief

So yeah this is all I have. But this is more an excuse to get recommendations for some of the other good film music themes this year. Which themes am I missing? And do you like the above listed themes too? I must admit I haven't listened to a lot this year or seen too many movie, and I am stretching with my last few picks.

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[indy4 152]

In no particular order...

- Albert/Joey's theme (the 3 note ascending theme, this also includes its developed version on piano)

- Bonding Theme (WH)

- main theme from Iris

- love theme from Super 8

- Haddock's theme

- Snowy's theme

- Adventure Continues

- nature theme (WH, the one that starts with four long notes and then dies down a little)

- the theme that is first heard in the beginning of "Dartmoor, 1912"

- Tradgedy theme (War Horse)

Honorable mention to: War theme (WH)

[igger6 653]

Giacchino's Dubai theme from M:I:GP probably gets credit for the biggest goofy grin I experienced in a movie theater this year. It kicks in at the 20-second mark and then goes crazy at 1:48. This is what Zimmer ought to be doing:

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Oh, and my second-goofiest grin was every single performance of Atom's theme in Real Steel. Christian Clemmenson at Filmtracks.com mused that it could become a staple in stadiums. May it be! Its single best moment is at 3:11 in "Final Round," but you need a few seconds of contextual tension to fully appreciate it, so start at about 3:04:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iemOZsEM-U4&feature=player_detailpage#t=183s

[Not Mr. Big 3,589]

The Major War Horse Themes (Albert's Theme, Joey's Theme, Reunion Theme)

Tintin's Theme

The Thompson's Theme

Super 8 main theme (Not a fan of Alice's theme)

Real Steel

Thor

[lonzoe 18]

Oh, and my second-goofiest grin was every single performance of Atom's theme in Real Steel. Christian Clemmenson at Filmtracks.com mused that it could become a staple in stadiums. May it be! Its single best moment is at 3:11 in "Final Round," but you need a few seconds of contextual tension to fully appreciate it, so start at about 3:04:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iemOZsEM-U4&feature=player_detailpage#t=183s

When I saw this thread Atom's theme was the first that popped in my head. It puts a big grin on my face too. As well as putting me in a good mood. That score and theme is really uplifting. It's also very effective in the film. And really captures the heart of Atom (eventough it doesn't have one). It's not only one of the best themes of 2011 but it's also one of the best scores of 2011. "Final Round" and "People's Champion" are easily one of the best cues of 2011. In "People's Champion" the theme really goes out with a bang. It's a theme I really can't get enough of. I only wished Elfman wrote a suite of the theme made for the album. I still love the score regardless.

[TheUlyssesian 2,103]

After listening to the Tintin album a few more times, I think i must add The Scroll's theme to my list, it is an absolute highlight of the score and might stake the claim to actually being the main theme of the score. It is the one that gets the most play in the score, the most development and the most grand performances and as is the most obvious candidate for a concert arrangement. It was also the theme they played at the Oscars when they were playing snippets from every score.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dwlee5b4C8I

The most epic rendition is here at 1:34 -> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9R60N-jlNo

when Haddock has his first vision in the desert.

[indy4 152]

The Unicorn's theme almost made my list, but the fact that it is stolen from John Williams' The Fury hurt it. Still, it has some great variation during Tintin.

[Erik Woods 384]

You'd be hard pressed to find a more beautiful theme then the one Stuart Hancock crafted for his end title suite from the film HAWK

6:30 mark til the end

Ramin Djawadi's theme from GAME OF THRONES was another one that was stuck in my head all year! I love the simplicity of it. And it matches the splendid opening titles perfectly!

And of course any of the gorgeous new themes from Mark McKenzie's masterpiece, THE GREATEST MIRACLE.

If you are interested, you can check out some of my favorite single cues from 2011 by going to http://www.cinematicsound.net/?p=1770

-Erik-

[Quintus 5,391]

Game of Thrones: Main Titles, Ramin Djawadi.

Closely followed by everything from Tintin.

[KK 3,202]

Game of Thrones: Main Titles, Ramin Djawadi.

Closely followed by everything from Tintin.

It grew to be a catchy theme, but I wouldn't rank as the best theme of 2011, especially during a year of such strong themes!

[fommes 126]

Desplat - A Better Life

Desplat - La Fille du Puisatier theme

Desplat - "Very Best Plan" theme from Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close

Desplat - "Lily's Theme" from HP 7.2

Williams - that friendship theme from War Horse (piano solo in Remembering Emilie)

Giacchino - Evacuation theme from Super 8

Williams - The Adventure Continues