On Soundtracks

I know I am going to leave some off, but here it goes:

My favorite soundtrack: “Robin Hood Prince of Thieves”.

It was not easy to pick a favorite soundtrack. It is sort of like asking me to pick out my favorite leaf on a tree, but I had to go with the one I listen to the most. The summer of 1991 was life changing. At all of 15 years of age, my adoration of the orchestral film score was secured. I saw this movie about a dozen times in the theater because the first time I heard the opening to this movie I almost started shaking. Intense love at first listen.

It did help that Christian Slater was a hottie and Alan Rickman was a genius as the Sheriff of Nottingham, which helped diffuse how much Kevin Costner sucked in this film. The music was GLORIOUS. I love most of the tracks on this one.

I had loved the music of other movies (Namely, “The Man from Snowy River” and “Chariots of Fire” *Hey, synthesisers were new, OK?*) but since I was so young, I didn’t really understand how much of my enjoyment of a movie was based on the film score. They move me like no other music can.

Best comedy soundtrack: “The Princess Bride” This music is both quirky and makes you feel so melancholy and at home at the same time.

AND “South Park: The Movie” along with “Team America, World Police”. Say what you will about them, but they are absolute composition comedy GENIUSES. GENIUSES, I tell you. Though I admit, it can be quite…ehem.

Best action soundtrack: “Star Wars” There are no words for John William’s genius. My very favorite scene is the last one at the awards ceremony. SO cool when they all turn at the same time. I think I ran unrestrained around the theater at three years old it hyped me up so much.

Best dramatic soundtrack: “Forrest Gump” OK, I know that technically this is a comedy as well, but ‘Jenny’s Theme’ and ‘Run Forrest’ are both heartbreaking and inspiring. LOVE IT.

Best historical soundtrack: TIE. “Last of the Mohican’s” This was another MUST have. That fiddle they play on the main theme? TO DIE FOR. and “Emma” by Rachel Portman. Portman is amazing and one of the most talented composers of this generation. I love all of her work and she is a heavy part of my library. I got married to this music, I love it so much. She does some very fun things with her arrangements.

Best animal theme: “Fawkes the Phoenix” from Harry Potter. I’m sorry, but it is just so inspiring and reassuring, like the bird itself.

Sweetest theme: “A Simple Twist of Fate”. It is a very quiet little film by Steve Martin. The theme used here is so sweet and simple that it almost feels like taking a warm bath.

Most “Themed theme”: “Rudy”. I love the heavy “Fighting Irish” thread he has going on here.

Most powerful theme: “Glory” by James Horner. Specifically, “Charging Ft. Wagner”. It is akin to Orff’s “Carmina Burana“. Loud, confusing, clashing and also building with subtle intensity in segments.

Most majestic soundtrack: “Lord of the Rings” Damn. That’s all I have to say about that.

Best use of political satire in a soundtrack: “Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy” The “Zephed Beezlebrock” (OR WHATEVER, BRIAN AND KAREN. I never get the name right. Sigh) is HILARIOUS! “He’s not stupid! (OH, NO!) He’s much smarter than you, and he’s better looking too!” Take a listen. The “Achoo” hymn done in traditional Anglican hymnal structure KILLS ME.

Soundtrack I used to love but can no longer admit to liking because even I can only take so much mocking: “Titanic”. Sigh.

Best scary soundtrack: “The Sixth Sense” OMG. I freaked out in the first two measures and asked my friend Brian to “Hold me”. “The Changeling” was also fairly freaky.

Best military influenced soundtrack: You know how much I love music with a military influence. I don’t really know why. Maybe it is the precision, maybe it is the heavy use of brass or the fact that I think the piccolo just isn’t used enough, I dunno. I just like it a lot. I have a tie. I cannot pick between “Glory” and “The Patriot” they both kick ass.

If we are going with one specific theme, though, the winner is the main theme to the HBO series by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks “Band of Brothers”. Gorgeous.

Best soundtrack to inspire you to pretty much be willing to commit mass suicide in a muddy field in Agincourt, France: “Henry V” by Patrick Doyle. I love this Soundtrack. There are two moments that are pure genius-the track for the “St. Crispian’s Day Speech” and “Non Nobis Domine” kick some serious, serious composition TAIL. ( I HAD to find a way to put this in here)

Best romantic theme: “Kiss you” from Romeo & Juliet. OMG. It makes you want to grab the nearest object and start sucking face with it. I WILL sing this one day.

Best soundtrack from a children’s film: “Mary Poppins” What’s all this, step in time? It seriously makes you want to go be a chimney sweep and dance on the roof tops of London. And WHO doesn’t get misty eyed on “Feed the Birds”. It’s one of my favorite songs to sing.

Best vocals on a soundtrack: It has to go to the queen “Enya“. Between ‘Now you are free’ from “Gladiator” and “May it be ” from Lord of the Rings, and her work on Steve Maritn’s “LA Story”, she has it nailed. Second favorite is “Weep you no more sad fountains” from “Sense and Sensibility” by Patrick Doyle

Best soundtrack from the 30’s: “Gone With the Wind”
Best soundtrack from the 40’s: “White Christmas” Hello, could you get more amazing than Bing Crosby on “I’ll be home for Christmas”? Need I say more?
Best soundtrack from the 50’s: “The King and I”
Best soundtrack from the 60’s: “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”. ‘Moon River’ is enough to make you lay down and weep.
Best soundtrack from the 70’s: “Jaws”. Who knew a minor 2nd could be so damn scary? John freaking Williams, that’s who!
Best soundtrack from the 80’s: “The Man From Snowy River” and “Say Anything”
Best Soundtrack from the 90’s: “City of Angels” (So, so, so awesome)and “Forrest Gump” the song compilation.

Best song remakes: Tie between the covers on “50 First Dates” and “Moulin Rouge” both are brilliant in different ways.

Best soundtrack for a completely stupid movie: “Cold Mountain”. There are no words for how much I did not really care for this film. What I LOVE is the music. You cannot get better than Allison Krauss singing “The Scarlett Tide”. Also, they recorded this amazing church choir located deep in the smokey mountains. “The Sacred Harp Singers” I have never heard anything like it: There is no attention to blend, no accompaniment, no strict time keeping, and the end result is loud, ruckus, and gloriously bizarre. I was very tempted to put the winner here as “The Legend of Bagger Vance” by Rachel Portman, but I think “Cold Mountain” takes it.

Best cry your eyes out moment:“Little Women” the simple piano theme when Beth dies. I love this soundtrack so freaking much I can forget the Winona Ryder stars in it.

Best quirky movie Soundtrack: “Harold & Maude” by Cat Stevens.

Best individual instrument performance: “Uncorked” by Jeff Dana. Specifically, “Ross’s Concert”. This is a little movie that stars Minnie Driver. I like the film well enough, but the music is the real star. The first time I heard this I literally had a tear run down my cheek and my jaw was on the floor. I think I repeated it 15 times in a row that night. It was this AMAZING musical moment that was so unexpected and lovely. This guy can play one hell of an acoustic guitar. I went through hell to get the soundtrack but it was worth it.

Soundtrack I never want to hear again: “The Omen”. I would say that THREE HOURS of being “Caroled” in a haunted corn maze by Brian Joy singing “Ave Satani” would be quite enough for anyone, thank you.

Honorable mentions:
“Jurassic Park”
“Waking Ned Divine”
“Cider House Rules”
“Pearl Harbor”
“Gettysburg”
“Spiderman“
“Practical Magic”
“Raiders of the Lost Ark”
“Black Beauty”
“Oh, Brother! Where Art Thou?”
“Braveheart“
“Shrek 2″
“Rob Roy”
“Garden State”
“Last Kiss”
“The Goonies“
“Meet Joe Black”
“Pirates of the Caribbean“
“Amalie”

I know there are so many more, but my brain is fried. Discuss and comment away. Or not. I didn’t want to hear from you all anyway, so THERE! PPPFFTTH!!!!!

:)