Alex at And So It Begins... recently posted his top 10 film scores list, and he suggested that I do one as well. I'm sure I left something out, but that's how it goes. Also, be sure to check out Alex's brilliant list.
9. One from the Heart (1982) - Tom Waits
Since Tom Waits is my favorite music artist, I couldn't leave this fantastic song score off the list. Coppola's labor of love needed the right music to accompany the romance, and Waits' sad, beautiful tunes do the trick.
8. Empire of the Sun (1987) - John Williams
This is one of Williams' most rousing scores, and it's full of emotion. I can listen to it over and over. Simply stunning.
7. Once Upon a Time in the West (1969) - Ennio Morricone
I had to mention at least one Morricone score. So, why not mention his crowning achievement? It's not as popular as his theme from The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, but it has plenty of memorable compositions.
6. Psycho (1960) - Bernard Herrmann
Hitchcock and Herrmann were one of the greatest movie pairings ever, with the latter complementing the former's vision for the film with his loud, brazen, and completely terrifying score.
5. Atonement (2007) - Dario Marianelli
Marianelli's Oscar-winning work is emotionally charged and full of surprises. Furthermore, "Elegy for Dunkirk" is one of the most beautiful pieces I've ever heard. Period.
4. Gattaca (1997) - Michael Nyman
It's a delicate score of pure, soaring emotion, and probably one of the most overlooked ones, too. Even the film is just as moving.
3. Star Wars (1977) - John Williams
There are just so many wonderful compositions. Now, I'm going with this bombastic, sweeping, and iconic score from the beloved composer, but Raiders of the Lost Ark could just as easily be here. Let's call the whole thing off.
2. Vertigo (1958) - Bernard Herrmann
Hitchcock and Herrmann again. This chilling score sweeps me into the film everytime. If atmosphere is anything, this film owes a lot of it to Hermann's contribution.
1. Three Colors: Blue (1993) - Zbigniew Preisner
It probably comes as no surprise that my favorite score comes from my #2 favorite film of all time. Preisner's haunting compositions are the finishing touch to Kieslowski's great film. They're just beautiful from start to finish.
Oh, that is a great score. While I preferred the Reznor/Ross score, I'll back you up on that Daft Punk score since I think it's one of things in that film that made it watchable. Kudos for Tom Waits' score from One From the Heart which is just beautiful while the film itself is quite good despite being a bit of a mess.
ReplyDeleteThanks man. Both of those scores enhance their films a lot. Nice to see you're a fan of them.
DeleteLovely post! I am listening to the audio clips now.
ReplyDeleteThanks! Hope you find something you like.
DeleteI'd forgotten how lovely Elegy for Dunkirk is! I need to download that for my I-Pod posthaste.
ReplyDeleteYay! Glad you like it. It's one of my favorite tracks.
DeleteGreat choices Josh! I haven't heard a few of them so it's nice that you have the clips here for my listening enjoyment. That Marianelli's score for Atonement is so hauntingly beautiful indeed!
ReplyDeleteThanks Ruth! Nice to see more love for Marianelli's score.
DeleteOh man, I love these picks. Three Colors: Blue in particular is a GREAT choice. Preisner really motivated the story there. Truly haunting indeed.
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks for the link, really glad you put this together!
Thanks man! I love Preisner's work on the entire trilogy, but it's hard to top Blue.
DeleteYou're welcome! Happy to do it man.
UGH, the Atonement score is like my favorite thing ever!
ReplyDeleteYay! More Atonement love! :)
DeleteEven though I am so not a Soundtrack person, there are a few here that are memorable. Vertigo, Psycho and Once upon a time in West and I have to agree that they are memorable because they add so much to the feel of that particular movie.
ReplyDeleteBut nothing beats Blue. God, that was amazing!!
Glad you like those picks. Ah, Blue. Brilliant stuff.
DeleteAtonement came to mind for me. Glad you mentioned it!
ReplyDeleteDidn't think Atonement would be so popular, but it's great to see that it is.
DeleteVery Very good list. I wouldn't have even thought of half of those great job at putting this together. I agree with your placement of all them. I loved Daft Punks score for Tron Legacy but of all the electronic scores released. I really enjoyed The Chemical Brothers' score for Hanna more.
ReplyDeleteThanks man. The Chemical Brothers' score is great, but there are a few tracks on there that I favor more than others. However, I can listen to TRON: Legacy's entire score, and still find it hard to pick a favorite.
DeleteWasn't aware Tom Waits is your favorite music artist. is One from the Heart (1982) a film worth watching? Not that familiar with Tom Waits' back catalogue, I like that selection.
ReplyDeleteA couple of other Waits tracks from soundtracks I love: All The World Is Green and Dead And Lovely.
The film has its faults, but I really enjoyed it. It's very stylish, but there isn't much else going for it, apart from Waits' music (which was Oscar-nominated).
DeleteThose are great tracks. All the World is Green is one of my favorite Waits tunes. I'm not sure what you'd like from his back catalogue, as he's done many styles over the years. If you want a sense of his career, I'd say start with Small Change and Swordfishtrombones (or Rain Dogs) and see if anything grabs you.
My favorite film score is How To Train Your Dragon, with Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium as a close second.
ReplyDeleteI like How to Train Your Dragon's score very much, though I can't remember the score from Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium. I'll have to check it out.
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