Friday, 18 March 2011

Movie soundtracks and why you can never listen to enough of them

This is going to be quite an excited post. I apologise in advance. Sooooooo...i'm having another music geek-out BUT this time it's not foreign!! Well, i suppose some of it is but it's instrumental so you don't have to worry. Much. So yeah, this time i'm reviewing composers-specifically movie/tv soundtrack composers. Gonna set it out a bit like my last post so you can scroll through them easily. Have fun!!

Peter Pan (2003)
Composer-James Newton-Howard (also known for: Pretty Woman, Space Jam, Batman Begins/The Dark Knight [with Hans Zimmer...more on him later], King Kong, I Am Legend, Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang, Salt, The Last Airbender, Gnomeo and Juliet...)
You will almost certainly recognise some of this soundtrack. The track 'Flying' was used on an old Disneyland advert and is also one of the greatest pieces of music ever written. In my humble opinion. Listen if you like the film, listen if you never want to grow up.

Hook (1991)
Composer-John Williams (also known for: Harry Potter, Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Jaws, Schindler's List and being a general musical genius.)
You might wonder why i'm reviewing a less-known soundtrack for John Williams. Well let's face it, most of you can probably hum themes from all the other films i've mentioned that he's done. This soundtrack (keeping on the J.M. Barrie theme just slightly) is phenomenal, very different from the Peter Pan soundtrack and very typical of Williams' style (which is in no way a bad thing). Listen if you like his other stuff. Or if you're a pirate.

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005)
Composer-Harry Gregson-Williams (also known for: Shrek, Bridget Jones, Flushed Away, Chicken Run)
This is one of my favourite soundtracks-fantasy is always the best place to start for a good score. Again, you'd probably recognise the main theme used in lots of tracks on this CD. Some really beautiful, sensitive tracks such as 'Lucy Meets Mr Tumnus'. Unfortunately, Gregson-Williams didn't compose the soundtrack for Voyage of the Dawn Treader. I cried. Listen if you like fantasy/war films.

Gladiator (2000)
Composer-Hans Zimmer (also known for: Pirates of the Caribbean, Inception, The Lion King [instrumental score], The Da Vinci Code, Cool Runnings [WIN], Muppet Treasure Island)
I LOVE THE ZIMMERMAN. Just saying. I actually haven't seen this film if i'm totally honest, but the soundtrack is amazing. 'Now We Are Free' is one of the best movie songs ever for me. Whilst we're on the subject of Mr Zimmer-The Lion King is an incredible soundtrack and i think you should go and see the show. Listen if you like to have your heartstrings pulled.

Titanic (1997)
Composer-James Horner (also known for: Avatar, Braveheart, The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, Jumanji)
I bought this soundtrack for 1p on Amazon. Best 1p ever spent. Ok, i would have paid a tenner...it's a beautiful score. Celine Dion aside, this is a great CD, i love his use of the electronic vocals on tracks like 'Southampton'. It's a triumph, to be perfectly honest. Listen if you're a big fan of the film or if you like James Newton-Howard (often their styles can be similar).

Doctor Who Original Television Soundtracks (2005-present)
Composer-Murray Gold (also known for: Torchwood, being my hero)
There's quite a lot i could write about these soundtracks/Murray. I have more of his music than any other artist ever. Even Steps. I'm talking like 8 hours. Almost. Even if you're not a fan of the show or even a sci-fi fan, i would recommend this music. There's so much diversity from the excitement of 'Westminster Bridge' to the weepyness (is that a word?) of 'Vale', David Tennant's goodbye music. I may possibly do a whole post about how amazing i think Murray Gold is but for now, i shall leave it at that. Listen if you like music.

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