Why we love movie scores

Steve McQueen As BullittA reminder of just why we love movie scores.

Everyone can remember where they were when they first saw the first STAR WARS movie in the theater.

I cannot help but attach this video as well, which has the full and true opening scene.

A wonderful theme by a wonderful composer, strong, true and appropriate.  You gasped when that massive, incredible STAR DESTROYER passed overhead, and it just kept coming and coming and coming.

One cannot forget the IMPERIAL MARCH from Star Wars.

Nor can one forget the Magnificent Seven theme.

Here is Jerry Goldsmith’s take on Star Trek, the motion picture.

Then there is John Sturges score for The Great Escape.

Further, there is darkness, via Herrmann and the Taxi Driver theme.

Herrmann’s score for “The Day The Earth Stood Still,” 1951.

Then there was the Louis and Bebe Barron soundtrack for “Forbidden Planet,” an incredible film that was far ahead of its time.

They were collectively way ahead of their time.

Jerry Goldsmith and his score for Patton.

The new age of composers would now include Ramin Djawadi.

As well as the title for BANSHEE by Methodic Doubt.

Strong, sharp, memorable themes they are all.  But I personally cannot forget:

Lalo Schifrin rocked.

There are so many more.

What are your favorites?

BZ

 

Composer James Horner dies in plane crash

James Horner, a composer for movie scores, died yesterday in an aircraft accident, piloting his own small plane.

From the HollywoodReporter.com:

James Horner, Film Composer for ‘Titanic’ and ‘Braveheart,’ Dies in Plane Crash

by Mike Barnes

James Horner, the consummate film composer known for his heart-tugging scores for Field of Dreams, Braveheart and Titanic, for which he won two Academy Awards, died Monday in a plane crash near Santa Barbara. He was 61.

Horner was piloting the small aircraft when it crashed into a remote area about 60 miles north of Santa Barbara, officials said. An earlier report noted that the plane, which was registered to the composer, had gone down, but the pilot had not been identified.

His lengthy film résumé includes The Lady in Red (1979), Wolfen (1981), Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982) and Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1983), Red Heat (1988), Glory (1989), The Rocketeer (1991), Patriot Games (1992), Searching for Bobby Fischer (1993), Jumanji (1995), How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000), Troy (2004) and The Amazing Spider-Man (2012).

James Horner ConductingLet me please unequivocally state that some of the best — probably the best — orchestral work is done today for movie soundtracks.  Probably some of the best music, period.

A sad day indeed.  Please play the video above for a remembrance, nicely done.

BZ