This month is film scores! I often think that these get
overlooked as just something to listen to while studying or something, but the
way that the composer takes the images and emotions on screen and translates
them into music can be incredibly powerful. And it’s difficult, like taking the
choreography from a dance and finding a song to fit it. The best ones are a
seamless part of the finished movie and heighten the action in a way that is
truly in a league of their own.
1. "How to Train Your Dragon" by John Powell
This movie has probably my favorite music that I’ve seen so
far. The composer uses instruments that clearly set you in the land of the
Vikings, such as bagpipes, to set the scene. During more emotional moments, the
orchestration is a perfect representation of this. Take “Forbidden Friendship,”
the scene where Hiccup and Toothless become pals. The melody starts so
uncertain, but then builds and intensifies until the final moment where they
settle into their relationship, and then it stops. Wonderful expression of
getting to know someone.
2. "The Imitation Game" by Alexandre Desplat
The music for this movie I thought deserved so much more
recognition than it got. The opening music in particular is very well written.
It begins delicately, but also has a more mechanical undertone to reflect the
movie’s focus on machines and cracking their codes. It also lightens up when
Turing (the main character) sees a similar young boy/nerd, giving a great
insight into his character. Throughout the whole movie, the music serves as a
wonderful insight into the characters’ thoughts and feelings.
3. "Watchmen" by Tyler Bates
People can talk shit about this movie all that they want, I
think it’s spectacular. The music situates you perfectly in the 80s right from
that opening sequence with “The Times They Are A Changin’” by Bob Dylan. And
that grounding stays there all through it with the certain instruments that are
used, think synths, and the style, think big rock songs. It serves to place the
viewer in this alternate reality that can be so hard to grasp at times.
4. "Sherlock Holmes" by Hans Zimmer
I thoroughly enjoyed the Sherlock Holmes movies. And the
music is also incredible. Again it serves to immerse you in the world of 19th
century England by using primarily folk instruments like fiddles and accordions
to conjure up a bustling world of the past. There’s a primary theme that runs
through most of the songs, connecting them, but it goes through so many changes
and permutations that it can hardly be noticed at points.
5. "Blues Brothers" by Ira Newborn
Another one of my favorite movies, this is a hilarious
musical romp featuring several great actors. As you can probably tell from the
title, the music is all blues and jazz, making it so wonderful. It’s also full
of classics, making this movie still relevant in today’s day and age.
6. "Mishima" by Phillip Glass
This movie is about a Japanese author turned revolutionary.
It alternates between his life and scenes from his most famous works. Phillip
Glass did all of the music, and it masterfully navigates between the worlds of
his books and 20th century Japan. Wonderfully mesmerizing, it really
brings you into the movie and doesn’t let you leave.
7. "Cloud Atlas" by Tom Tykwer, Johnny Klimek, Reinhold Heil
Finishing it out here with my favorite movie, “Cloud Atlas.”
This movie is based on a book of the same name, and features 6 different story
lines from different points in history that all interweave based on themes and
character archetypes. Music also plays a heavy role in it as the group is
referred to as a “sextet.” The composer here did not disappoint, the music is
gorgeous and graceful. The main theme is often heard at piano recitals, in
fact. There’s also an orchestrated sextet version that is just as lovely. Could
not recommend this more.
So that’s all for this month, stay tuned for the next
installment which is Outer Space!
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