Has The BFG grown on you?

[Will 2,322]

22 hours ago, TheWhiteRider said:

Have you heard A.I?  You should hear A.I.  

 

A few cues on YouTube. 

 

I've been meaning to see the film for a while now. I've got two SW movies and EOTS on my viewing list next, but I hope to see A.I. before the end of the year. 

 

And if the complete LLL ever comes back in stock (it says "temporarily out of stock" right now) I'll probably get that.

 

Being new to JW fandom is rather overwhelming! People rave about so many films and scores. I keep telling myself eventually I'll get to all of them but I have a long, long way to go. For most of his scores I've really only heard the concert suites. 

17 hours ago, BloodBoal said:

 

 

There. That's all that needed to be said.

 

You like The BFG? That's fine. You call it fresh? That's inaccurate!

 

I've listened to the entirety of the HPSS score. I've attended a HA live to projection concert and listened to some cues outside of the film. I've listened to some Hook and some E.T. and seen the first half of Hook and all of E.T. recently. I've heard some of COS and POA. 

 

I'm by no means an expert on any of those scores. But, for at least a few of them, I've heard enough to get a general impression of the stylistic tendencies in them. 

 

Certainly, there are many styles in The BFG that were omnipresent in those past scores.

 

But I tend to associate The BFG with a warm, regal, British, stage musical, classical, glowing but slightly meloncholy (I'm not sure what exactly it is) tone. Perhaps that association is not fairly representative of the score as a whole. But what I can say is that, until this point, I have yet to hear a JW work with that tone. 

 

It's likely one exists and I just haven't heard it, given how expansive JW's oeuvre is. 

 

But there could be a basic disagreement here about what exactly counts as fresh and a misunderstanding about what in this score I consider to be fresh. 

[Code 000. Destruct. 0. 4,261]

You can ignore all the other raving.  Only A.I matters.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,893]

Williams isn't a one-trick pony like Zimmer!

[BloodBoal 7,542]

Why a pony?

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,893]

American slang?

[BloodBoal 7,542]

Oh.

 

I thought it was because you like ponies.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,893]

I don't 

[BloodBoal 7,542]

Why?

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,893]

Not manly enough!

[Naïve Old Fart 11,602]

On 02/10/2016 at 8:44 AM, Stefancos said:

Williams isn't a one-trick pony like Zimmer!

 

On 02/10/2016 at 8:53 AM, BloodBoal said:

Why a pony?

 

As Steef says, it's a turn of phrase. It means "capable of doing only one thing".

It's also the title of great, yet very underrated, album, by Paul Simon.

 

Maybe Steef likes watching women smack the pony.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,893]

I would have the call the RSPCA if I saw that!

 

[Thor 9,308]

On 2.10.2016 at 3:06 AM, Will said:

Being new to JW fandom is rather overwhelming! People rave about so many films and scores. I keep telling myself eventually I'll get to all of them but I have a long, long way to go. For most of his scores I've really only heard the concert suites. 

 

I envy your youth! Or to be more precise, I envy your virginal entry into JW fandom. So much to discover, so many pleasures ahead, yet so overwhelming, as you say. I remember it well from my own past, especially the early 90s. I'd be delighted to give you a "must-have" list of Wililams works, but I think that if you created a thread about it, it would be more detrimental than beneficial -- at some point, his whole filmography would be listed as 'recommendations'.

[Will 2,322]

16 hours ago, Thor said:

 

I envy your youth! Or to be more precise, I envy your virginal entry into JW fandom. So much to discover, so many pleasures ahead, yet so overwhelming, as you say. I remember it well from my own past, especially the early 90s. I'd be delighted to give you a "must-have" list of Wililams works, but I think that if you created a thread about it, it would be more detrimental than beneficial -- at some point, his whole filmography would be listed as 'recommendations'.

 

I think I'll politely decline the recommendation list -- not because I don't trust your musical knowledge or anything, but simply because, clearly, everyone has different ideas about what they consider the best, as you alluded to. I'll just need to go through each score and find what I personally enjoy. It will be a long process, of course, but an exciting one too. 

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,893]

It's a long road, when you're all alone!

[Naïve Old Fart 11,602]

When they draw first blood,

that's just the start of it.

 

[Thor 9,308]

8 hours ago, Will said:

 

I think I'll politely decline the recommendation list -- not because I don't trust your musical knowledge or anything, but simply because, clearly, everyone has different ideas about what they consider the best, as you alluded to. 

 

Exactly. Smart choice! But us ol' veterans will always be here if there are any particular titles you're curious about.

 

[Tom 5,591]

The title of this thread sounds like the plot of some sort of horrifying sequel to the BFG. 

[crocodile 9,168]

Has it grown on me? Nope. A disappointment of the year, not likely to be "dethroned".

 

Karol

[Lewya 361]

Nope. It is one of Williams's weakest scores of the millenium.

[toothless 1,019]

I voted 3, as I can't fully get into that score. There are some beautiful moments (Overture, Sophie and the BFG, Sophie's nightmare), but there's also too much moments not easy to listen to (Frolic). I mean, it's probably highly sophisticated and that's why I can't really get into it. Right now it's not the type of music i want to listen to. I'm not old enough in terms of liking film music and JW music. 

[Naïve Old Fart 11,602]

Grown on me? I haven't heard it, yet 

[Jay 42,358]

What are you waiting for?

[mrbellamy 7,278]

I wouldn't say it's grown on me so much as I just accept it for what it is. It has a lot of little highlights that I really like, a few I love, but I was certainly hoping for something I would find more broadly satisfying. Not something I'll feel the need to go back to much anymore, but it's still one of the better scores of a kinda meh year so far.

[Director of Poltergeist 8,048]

To answer the question posited by the thread title:

 

No.

[Not Mr. Big 4,814]

It's William's worst score 

[mrbellamy 7,278]

Jon William's?

[Director of Poltergeist 8,048]

It's worse than everything.

[Jonesy 55]

In my humble opinion, The BFG is a wonderful score.

[Disco Stu 15,509]

Seconded!

[Naïve Old Fart 11,602]

I have anal leave, next week. I'll listen to it, then.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,893]

Anal leave?

[Naïve Old Fart 11,602]

On 04/10/2016 at 3:24 AM, Will said:

 

I think I'll politely decline the recommendation list -- not because I don't trust your musical knowledge or anything, but simply because, clearly, everyone has different ideas about what they consider the best, as you alluded to. I'll just need to go through each score and find what I personally enjoy. It will be a long process, of course, but an exciting one too. 

 

Quite right, Will. Fuck what everyone recommends, and listen to CE3K.

[Will 2,322]

On 10/5/2016 at 10:19 AM, toothless said:

I voted 3, as I can't fully get into that score. There are some beautiful moments (Overture, Sophie and the BFG, Sophie's nightmare), but there's also too much moments not easy to listen to (Frolic). I mean, it's probably highly sophisticated and that's why I can't really get into it. Right now it's not the type of music i want to listen to. I'm not old enough in terms of liking film music and JW music. 

 

You don't like "Frolic"?! 

[TheUlyssesian 2,595]

On 10/3/2016 at 10:24 PM, Will said:

 

I think I'll politely decline the recommendation list -- not because I don't trust your musical knowledge or anything, but simply because, clearly, everyone has different ideas about what they consider the best, as you alluded to. I'll just need to go through each score and find what I personally enjoy. It will be a long process, of course, but an exciting one too. 

 

 

I'll just say this, I didn't follow the discussion in the thread about you discovering Williams or whatever but I'll say this, remember these are film scores and make sure you know the work in the context of the film too. That's sometimes the only way it will have the story-telling and emotional impact. 

 

E.T.'s finale on some days could move me to tears. Sometimes remembering the music itself will move me. And that is because of the memory associated with the music. 

 

So always also atleast once get to know the score IN THE FILM. Once you have it in your mind, the music will always be there to listen to and enjoy.

 

(The above is not true for all scores but for many scores. )

[Will 2,322]

14 minutes ago, TheUlyssesian said:

 

 

I'll just say this, I didn't follow the discussion in the thread about you discovering Williams or whatever but I'll say this, remember these are film scores and make sure you know the work in the context of the film too. That's sometimes the only way it will have the story-telling and emotional impact. 

 

E.T.'s finale on some days could move me to tears. Sometimes remembering the music itself will move me. And that is because of the memory associated with the music. 

 

So always also atleast once get to know the score IN THE FILM. Once you have it in your mind, the music will always be there to listen to and enjoy.

 

(The above is not true for all scores but for many scores. )

 

Yes, I agree 100%. Often I am too lazy to seek out a film or I don't have the time, but I most certainly agree that when I see a film it improves my listening experience and emotional connection to the music drastically. Like in the case of The BFG. I didn't particularly enjoy the film or score when I watched the film in the theater on July 1, but I now very much enjoy the score and I play scenes in my head while listening and my opinion of both the film and score has really improved. 

[toothless 1,019]

8 hours ago, Will said:

 

You don't like "Frolic"?! 

 

It's more that it's not the type of music I want to listen to 

 

EDIT : Oh well, were you being sarcastic ? 

[Disco Stu 15,509]

On 10/7/2016 at 8:07 PM, TheUlyssesian said:

 

 

E.T.'s finale on some days could move me to tears. Sometimes remembering the music itself will move me. And that is because of the memory associated with the music. 

 

 

This hits close to home.

 

Same, my friend. Same.

[Will 2,322]

On 10/8/2016 at 8:24 PM, Disco Stu said:

 

This hits close to home.

 

Same, my friend. Same.

 

Yeah, I'm seeing E.T. live-to-projection next month for my birthday and I'm sure I'll have chills all through that final chase/departure. 

 

One particularly great bit is below. There was a time a few years ago when I would listen to this bit over and over and over again. It's so beautiful:

 

 

On 10/8/2016 at 3:32 AM, toothless said:

 

It's more that it's not the type of music I want to listen to 

 

EDIT : Oh well, were you being sarcastic ? 

 

No, not sarcastic. 

 

I just figured it was one of the more "accessible" pieces on the album. But of course everyone can have their own musical tastes, not judging you. 

[Naïve Old Fart 11,602]

I wonder if JW is sick of conducting his own music, all the time? Does he ever wake up, the day after some plebeian, lowest-common-denominator 

Hollywood Bowl thing, and say: "If I ever have to conduct that ET shit again, I'll kill myself"?

[Tom 5,591]

would it be an different for Rush? 

[Naïve Old Fart 11,602]

...or any other band, or artist for that matter. 

[Edmilson 10,434]

On 10/10/2016 at 12:47 PM, Naïve Old Fart said:

I wonder if JW is sick of conducting his own music, all the time? Does he ever wake up, the day after some plebeian, lowest-common-denominator 

Hollywood Bowl thing, and say: "If I ever have to conduct that ET shit again, I'll kill myself"?

That's a great question. But no, based on his concert setlists, I don't think he got tired of conducting the same classic pieces (Imperial March, Adventures on Earth, Jurassic Park, etc) over and over again.

 

As for The BFG... no, it hasn't grown on me yet, unfortunately. Maybe when someone uploads that FYC on the internet...

 

The movie is a huge contender for Spielberg's worst movie ever.

[Tom 5,591]

Well, since this thread has been resurrected...

 

I think the concert suite is absolutely delightful.  The melody is childlike and innocent by design and is wonderfully interspersed throughout to tie the whole piece together in an organic way.  The flutes and strings are playful, and even a bit mischievous, throughout.  Perhaps the most most balletic piece in Williams's oeuvre.  Yes, the exclusion of the friendship theme is jarring to those who first listened to the end credit suite, but anyone listening to the concert suite for the first time would have no such issues. 

 

I would include the suite in my top 20 William pieces on most days.  On the days that I would not, I would still fight a steel cage death match with anyone who called it bad and hum the main theme while raining blows down upon them.  

 

 

[Not Mr. Big 4,814]

On 06/10/2016 at 2:23 PM, Not Mr. Big said:

It's William's worst score 

My BFG hate phase was so forced 

[Trope 1,185]

This score is the epilogue to JW's whimsy, fantasy style. Hook, Harry Potter, The BFG. It's a wonderful score.

[mrbellamy 7,278]

3 hours ago, Edmilson said:

The movie is a huge contender for Spielberg's worst movie ever.

 

The BFG, The Post, and Ready Player One are probably his longest lackluster stretch for me. In that I usually go back to see his movies a second time in the theater and that was three in a row where I didn't bother, and I don't think he has another three in a row that I care less about. I like things about those movies and The Post isn't really bottom of the barrel but just not enough of that "ONLY Steven Spielberg can do this" feeling in there for me to go back, pure indifference. He got me to double dip again with West Side Story and The Fabelmans....I actually saw WSS three times lol, which is saying a lot because I was so bored by the idea of it and it had no John Williams. 

 

3 hours ago, Tom said:

Yes, the exclusion of the friendship theme is jarring to those who first listened to the end credit suite, but anyone listening to the concert suite for the first time would have no such issues. 

 

 

 

I wouldn't say it's jarring but it is my favorite theme in The BFG and one of my favorite Williams themes of the 2010s so I want it in! Typical Williams to cut my faves! 

 

I like but still don't love the score. I gave it a relisten a few months ago and it's nice! But just nice. The flutes give it an extra something. 

[artguy360 2,011]

5 hours ago, Tom said:

Well, since this thread has been resurrected...

 

I think the concert suite is absolutely delightful.  The melody is childlike and innocent by design and is wonderfully interspersed throughout to tie the whole piece together in an organic way.  The flutes and strings are playful, and even a bit mischievous, throughout.  Perhaps the most most balletic piece in Williams's oeuvre.  Yes, the exclusion of the friendship theme is jarring to those who first listened to the end credit suite, but anyone listening to the concert suite for the first time would have no such issues. 

 

I would include the suite in my top 20 William pieces on most days.  On the days that I would not, I would still fight a steel cage death match with anyone who called it bad and hum the main theme while raining blows down upon them.  

 

 

The suite is a lovely encapsulation of the light, whimsy, fun nature of the score. The movie itself is not very good, but the music is perfectly fitting and run to listen to on its own. The handful of themes are very nice, but not very memorable. 

[Not Mr. Big 4,814]

The movie is underrated, by myself included.  It's sense of humor is old fashioned in a refreshing way (compared to more self referential prepackaged snark in most modern blockbusters).  It's just three stooges gags and a weird old guy making funny puns.  

 

Also Mark Rylance's performance as the titular Guy is the best motion capture performance this side of smeagol

[mrbellamy 7,278]

The moment where he has to stop himself from crying when the Queen says she's pleased to meet him is actually very touching. That was my favorite bit. 

[GerateWohl 5,918]

4 hours ago, mrbellamy said:

 

The BFG, The Post, and Ready Player One are probably his longest lackluster stretch for me. In that I usually go back to see his movies a second time in the theater and that was three in a row where I didn't bother, and I don't think he has another three in a row that I care less about.

Maybe not 3 in a row. But there are some pairs in his work where I feel even more so. 

 

Hook and Always

 

or

 

The Lost World and Amistad