Oomoog the Ecstatic 314 Posted July 4, 2020 Share Posted July 4, 2020 In contrast to Best Film Scores. I've been appreciating film music more especially as a technical position of being irreplaceable to the fabric of a movie. A composer doing what they're paid best to do. The following thread isn't ambiguous in its discussion: It's about music fitting the film instead of a discussion of great stand-alone scores. My scarce (needs updates) selection for best-scored films are: Titanic Vertigo The Matrix Princess Mononoke Black Swan - Tchaikovsky Aladdin Homeward Bound American Beauty Braveheart Casino Royale (2006) Some movies I'm not sure about yet: Life of Pi Star Wars Casablanca Fellowship of the King The Lion King E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial Curse of the Black Pearl JoeinAR and Chen G. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naïve Old Fart 9,498 Posted July 4, 2020 Share Posted July 4, 2020 AMERICAN BEAUTY is not "potential". Add PATTON to your top list. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheUlyssesian 2,473 Posted July 4, 2020 Share Posted July 4, 2020 So basically scores that are able to have a lot of impact their films and convey the story? I think the greatest example in the history of film scoring is Gone With The Wind by Max Steiner Controversial film I know but literally any viewer who watches the film will be immensely struck by the music and what it manages convey and represent. E.T. Extra-Terrestrial is another classic example. In modern movies I am thinking something like Gia's Up is so important to the movie and does untold wonders for the poignancy and emotional impact of the film. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oomoog the Ecstatic 314 Posted July 4, 2020 Author Share Posted July 4, 2020 1 hour ago, TheUlyssesian said: So basically scores that are able to have a lot of impact their films and convey the story? The job of the film composer. Essentially composers who do their job the best, on what movies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gruesome Son of a Bitch 6,488 Posted July 4, 2020 Share Posted July 4, 2020 Batman Oomoog the Ecstatic 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gurkensalat 336 Posted July 4, 2020 Share Posted July 4, 2020 Jaws and Star Wars belong in this list Chen G. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oomoog the Ecstatic 314 Posted July 4, 2020 Author Share Posted July 4, 2020 6 hours ago, Gurkensalat said: Jaws and Star Wars belong in this list Feel free to make a list. I'd personally say these two work quite well, though at a more surface level sometimes for the film. Star Wars' music especially makes the film, but I don't feel it makes the fabric of the story. Though thematic, its more decorative than foundational. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naïve Old Fart 9,498 Posted July 4, 2020 Share Posted July 4, 2020 2 hours ago, TheUlyssesian said: Gone With The Wind by Max Steiner Controversial film I know... Och! Controversial? Schmtroversial! It's just a movie, but it's a damn good one. All this current bullshit, is just bullshit. Ricard and gkgyver 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A24 4,326 Posted July 4, 2020 Share Posted July 4, 2020 It's all subjective. For instance, I could replace the music of Casino Royal with another James Bond score and it would make no difference to me. Braveheart? To me that's just another score. And when somebody says "beautiful decoration", the first thing that comes to mind is LOTR. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oomoog the Ecstatic 314 Posted July 4, 2020 Author Share Posted July 4, 2020 4 hours ago, Alexcremers said: It's all subjective. For instance, I could replace the music of Casino Royal with another James Bond score and it would make no difference to me. Except in this case you'd still have to agree it's well-scored. Like the Tchaikovsky example I listed. 4 hours ago, Alexcremers said: And when somebody says "beautiful decoration", the first thing that comes to mind is LOTR. Sort of true also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A24 4,326 Posted July 4, 2020 Share Posted July 4, 2020 If we're talking about 'music as a foundation', we need to look at Musicals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oomoog the Ecstatic 314 Posted July 4, 2020 Author Share Posted July 4, 2020 1 hour ago, Alexcremers said: Braveheart? To me that's just another score. Chen G. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naïve Old Fart 9,498 Posted July 4, 2020 Share Posted July 4, 2020 I think that what we are talking about, here, is music that is not so much married to the visuals, nor even takes us on a "journey", nor even sounds brilliant away from the films that they accompany. Any score can be associated with the film it scores, and several scores are unable to be separated from their films, but for me, a classic score - an indispensable score, if you like - is one that is able to not only support its subject matter, but which can enter the narrative and convey the thoughts and emotions of the actors involved. In short: it becomes another character. If that is the criterion by which we are assessing these "best-scored films" - at least of the last 65 years - then I'll say VERTIGO, PSYCHO, THE GRADUATE, PATTON, JAWS, THE OMEN, CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND. Ricard 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oomoog the Ecstatic 314 Posted July 4, 2020 Author Share Posted July 4, 2020 11 hours ago, Naïve Old Fart said: Any score can be associated with the film it scores, and several scores are unable to be separated from their films I like your resummarization here. "Which films would be the least without their score?" The big one is Titanic. If it has an 7.8/10 on IMDb, then at most 2/3 of that rating is because of the score music burrowing into the audiences' subconscious [1] [2] The common knowledge one Star Wars. At most 1/2 is because of the music. Contrary to belief the film would be able to function alright if it had a different orchestral palette. Then a musical like The Lion King, high rated as well, with an impactful score portion also. Music might be only mildly replaceable. I can start figuring out the less popular ones... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Koray Savas 2,251 Posted July 4, 2020 Share Posted July 4, 2020 The Thin Red Line Once Upon A Time In The West The Good, The Bad And The Ugly The Assassination Of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford Road To Perdition Signs The Nightmare Before Christmas TSMefford 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chen G. 3,943 Posted July 4, 2020 Share Posted July 4, 2020 33 minutes ago, Koray Savas said: Once Upon A Time In The West The Good, The Bad And The Ugly Yeah, without the kind of music that Morricone wrote for those films, those prolonged periods of buildup wouldn't work. Other candidates for me include: Star Wars The Return of the King Jaws Psycho Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quintus 5,399 Posted July 4, 2020 Share Posted July 4, 2020 Just another fluff thread, but go on then. The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Hey ho. Arpy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edmilson 7,392 Posted July 4, 2020 Share Posted July 4, 2020 The Thin Red Line The Shawshank Redemption Apollo 13 Lord of the Rings (trilogy) The Grand Budapest Hotel Vertigo How to Train Your Dragon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Arpy 4,145 Posted July 4, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted July 4, 2020 The Lord of the Rings Trilogy - scores that absolutely define the films they accompany and transcend them into that blissful 'Herrmann Gate' principle - that scores should exist beyond their filmic boundaries. Holko, Quintus and Edmilson 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thor 7,465 Posted July 4, 2020 Share Posted July 4, 2020 I want to answer the query, but it's a little too broad for me. There are, like, a million films where the score "fits the movie". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gkgyver 1,645 Posted July 4, 2020 Share Posted July 4, 2020 Lord of the Rings for everything. Chen G. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chen G. 3,943 Posted July 4, 2020 Share Posted July 4, 2020 I pointed out The Return of the King, specifically, because the other films in the series could have had a different musical style (within the orchestral idiom) and still work, while The Return of the King really screams for those raging choirs that Shore's score is so wonderfully replete with. No other style of scoring would have availed that entry. Oomoog the Ecstatic and TSMefford 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kasey Kockroach 2,343 Posted July 4, 2020 Share Posted July 4, 2020 Hard to say when so many great scores get buried under sound effects so they hardly got to carry the movie or anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edmilson 7,392 Posted July 4, 2020 Share Posted July 4, 2020 Indeed this is a problem with many modern blockbusters, including those scored by Williams. Giacchino, on the other hand, always manage to have his scores playing out loud on every movie he does. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A24 4,326 Posted July 5, 2020 Share Posted July 5, 2020 8 hours ago, Kasey Kockroach said: Hard to say when so many great scores get buried under sound effects so they hardly got to carry the movie or anything. Those who are buried under loud sound effects are always the bad scores, IMO. Bad movies, bad scores. Holko 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gruesome Son of a Bitch 6,488 Posted July 5, 2020 Share Posted July 5, 2020 The Alien score was mixed fairly low and constantly drowned out even in scenes like the landing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruce marshall 1,315 Posted July 5, 2020 Share Posted July 5, 2020 17 hours ago, Koray Savas said: The Thin Red Line Once Upon A Time In The West The Good, The Bad And The Ugly Road To Perdition The Nightmare Before Christmas Yes. FOR A FEW DOLLARS MORE also. The watch theme is part of the action. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
p0llux 392 Posted July 5, 2020 Share Posted July 5, 2020 Don Davis - The Matrix Trilogy Howard Shore - Lord of the Rings Trilogy John Williams - Jaws John Williams - ET Ennio Morricone - The Good, The Bad And The Ugly Joe Hisaishi - Princess Mononoke Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kühni 485 Posted July 5, 2020 Share Posted July 5, 2020 14 hours ago, Chen G. said: I pointed out The Return of the King, specifically, because the other films in the series could have had a different musical style (within the orchestral idiom) and still work, while The Return of the King really screams for those raging choirs that Shore's score is so wonderfully replete with. No other style of scoring would have availed that entry. Can we marry? I also make a wicked Kugel, both with and without discernible flavour. I can give you references. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arpy 4,145 Posted July 5, 2020 Share Posted July 5, 2020 14 hours ago, Chen G. said: I pointed out The Return of the King, specifically, because the other films in the series could have had a different musical style (within the orchestral idiom) and still work, while The Return of the King really screams for those raging choirs that Shore's score is so wonderfully replete with. No other style of scoring would have availed that entry. I would argue you couldn't have Return of the King without the first two; FotR and TTT still made use of choir unlike other contemporary films. Chen G. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kasey Kockroach 2,343 Posted July 5, 2020 Share Posted July 5, 2020 9 hours ago, Alexcremers said: Those who are buried under loud sound effects are always the bad scores, IMO. Bad movies, bad scores. Total Recall? The Rocketeer? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bayesian 1,359 Posted July 6, 2020 Share Posted July 6, 2020 On 7/4/2020 at 5:59 AM, Koray Savas said: The Nightmare Before Christmas Absolutely, yes! Perfect example. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay 37,287 Posted July 9, 2020 Share Posted July 9, 2020 I can't imagine Under The Skin with any other score Naïve Old Fart 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom 4,639 Posted July 10, 2020 Share Posted July 10, 2020 It depends on how good the movie itself needs to be. I thought Memoirs of a Geisha's score fit like a glove, but the movie still lags. Anyway, Warhorse, Images, and AI. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gruesome Son of a Bitch 6,488 Posted July 10, 2020 Share Posted July 10, 2020 Anyone else think the 1976 King Kong has one of the best main titles ever? bruce marshall and Unlucky Bastard 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
publicist 4,643 Posted July 10, 2020 Share Posted July 10, 2020 I don't but the organ is is a great touch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruce marshall 1,315 Posted July 10, 2020 Share Posted July 10, 2020 JOKER is especially well spotted! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A24 4,326 Posted July 10, 2020 Share Posted July 10, 2020 So good, people were humming it while showering. Naïve Old Fart 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom 4,639 Posted July 10, 2020 Share Posted July 10, 2020 I will add Towering Inferno to the list. The opening helicopter scene is one of the better mood-setters. The movie itself is overstuffed, but the score hits the right moments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naïve Old Fart 9,498 Posted July 10, 2020 Share Posted July 10, 2020 17 hours ago, Jay said: I can't imagine Under The Skin with any other score A film that is once seen, never forgotten. 4 hours ago, Alexcremers said: Alex, this is an absolutely perfect example of the thread title. The songs form an integral part of the narrative, being both incidental, and source music, and reflecting the characters' emotions. Let's face it: most scores can sound great with a film, but very few manage to get under the skin (no pun intended, Jay) of a film. STAR WARS; TITANIC; LORD OF THE RINGS; BATMAN; E.T. they all sound great with their accompanying images, but on their own they are just aural cotton-candy; throwaway, and completely inconsequential. A truly great score becomes enmeshed in its film in an almost subconscious way. It becomes part of the fabric of the film. SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER is one of those scores. A24 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay 37,287 Posted July 10, 2020 Share Posted July 10, 2020 4 minutes ago, Naïve Old Fart said: A film that is once seen, never forgotten. Indeed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ETMuz 3 Posted July 10, 2020 Share Posted July 10, 2020 Vertigo - scene d’amour!! Blew my socks off Star Wars ESB E.T. - Bike chase to end credits is some of my favorite go to music! Braveheart LOTR - I get tired of the main theme but l get More interested in some of the underscore moments. I gravitate to the ones that are heavy. Without heavy emotion music is boring to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gkgyver 1,645 Posted July 10, 2020 Share Posted July 10, 2020 What is the LotR "main theme"? Chen G. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ETMuz 3 Posted July 11, 2020 Share Posted July 11, 2020 2 hours ago, gkgyver said: What is the LotR "main theme"? I shouldn’t have said main theme. It’s the one that moves from a minor chord down a half step to another minor. (Or something like that) I like his score I just want to hear some variations in the theme if I’m going to have to hear it 50 times. That’s just me though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romão 2,274 Posted July 11, 2020 Share Posted July 11, 2020 Ran, by Takemitsu, is pretty much perfect in the film Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ETMuz 3 Posted July 11, 2020 Share Posted July 11, 2020 12 hours ago, Romão said: Ran, by Takemitsu, is pretty much perfect in the film Never heard this before. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jurassic Shark 12,030 Posted July 11, 2020 Share Posted July 11, 2020 12 hours ago, ETMuz said: I shouldn’t have said main theme. It’s the one that moves from a minor chord down a half step to another minor. (Or something like that) I like his score I just want to hear some variations in the theme if I’m going to have to hear it 50 times. That’s just me though. Not just you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edmilson 7,392 Posted July 11, 2020 Share Posted July 11, 2020 I like the use of classic rock songs on Scorsese's crime thrillers, they always work amazing in context. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romão 2,274 Posted July 11, 2020 Share Posted July 11, 2020 20 minutes ago, ETMuz said: Never heard this before. Thanks! The two suites on the original release are a perfect encapsulation of this score Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jurassic Shark 12,030 Posted July 11, 2020 Share Posted July 11, 2020 On 7/4/2020 at 9:43 AM, Naïve Old Fart said: Och! Controversial? Schmtroversial! It's just a movie, but it's a damn good one. All this current bullshit, is just bullshit. Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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