Favourite film composer? Why---examples!!

Klingon Hamlet

Mine would be Hans Zimmer. Reason being he knows how to compose an electric soundtrack that pulls you through the move.

His music in The Lion King is just as magical nbow as it was when I was a kid.

His pounding, primal rhythmic tones to the new Batman films (alongside JNH) turn the lead character's furious determination into something palpable.

His newest soundtrack to Inception captured the haunting, horrifying reasoning behind Cobb's quest. It sends chills down my spine, especially the now-notorious use of the old Je ne regrette rien, drawn out like a threatening nightmare, filling the ears and drowning the soul.

His collaboration with Lisa Gerrard for Gladiator was beautiful.

Plus, throw in an action sequence into a movie and Zimmer knows how to match it with musical gusto. Check out his collaboration with nick Glennie-Smith on The Rock, or his ominous music behind Hackman and Washington's battle in Crimson Tide.

The man is a genius at tapping into the positive and/or negative wavelengths at will and with style.

Nevyn

Evangelos Odysseas Papathanassiou known as Vangelis who has so far won 3 oscars
for soundtracks. Each so different and wonderful with the elements which reflect the movies.

Klingon Hamlet

Thaedydal wrote: »

Evangelos Odysseas Papathanassiou known as Vangelis who has so far won 3 oscars
for soundtracks. Each so different and wonderful with the elements which reflect the movies.

I always wondered where the name Vangelis came from Oh please click "Other" if you don't mind! I didn't know the post would show before I put the poll up:D

bullpost

Wheres the Ennio Morricone option?

Try Yann Tiersen - http://www.amazon.com/Amelie-Soundtrack-Recording-Yann-Tiersen/dp/B00005O6PA
or Gabriel Yared - http://www.amazon.com/Betty-Blue-Soundtrack-Gabriel-Yared/dp/B000007WIY
or Wim Mertens - http://www.amazon.com/Belly-Architect-Wim-Mertens/dp/B0000089CW

The Recliner

I would have to include Ennio Morricone in that list

His music for Cinema Paradiso, The Untouchables, The Mission and the Spagettit Westerns are iconic

The Mission and Cinema Paradiso are two of my favourite soundtracks

Klingon Hamlet

That was a shocking omission there:eek:sorry Ennio-philes

Nevyn

There doesn't seem to be an 'Other' option.

Klingon Hamlet

Thaedydal wrote: »

There doesn't seem to be an 'Other' option.

I seem to be especially clumsy today:o:rolleyes:

PhiloCypher

I voted John Williams he pretty much film scored my entire childhood .

Klingon Hamlet

PhiloCypher wrote: »

I voted John Williams he pretty much film scored my entire childhood .

The only reason I didn't choose him is I've found his scores can be too bombastic/twee at times, especially lately and now I prepare for the onslaught of violence from the massing hordes of Williams fans:D

Rebel021

Ennio Morricone FTW

Mr. K

I went for John Williams. His work on the SW trilogies were the only part that didn't suffer hugely in the prequels. The Superman March remains the strongest superhero theme music, by far. Hans Zimmer and Ennio Morricone are right behind Williams for me!

Handsome Bob

From that list, Hans Zimmer for me, I don't know whether it's him or the director he works with, but Zimmer's music never fails to compliment what's happening on the screen perfectly. I mean just look at this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TibA0sQQZw8

I've never come across music used so well on screen as it is in this scene as it perfectly captures the sacrifice that is being made. He does it again at the end of Inception with this song:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xeHiTmx5AU

Cobb frees himself of the guilt of what happened in his past, finds his inner peace and this music represents that release beautifully.

Consistentcy is key really.

Bodhidharma

I'd have voted for Clint Mansell if I was given the option.The Fountain is probably my favourite film score of all time. Very, very atmospheric.

PhiloCypher

Klingon Hamlet wrote: »

The only reason I didn't choose him is I've found his scores can be too bombastic/twee at times, especially lately and now I prepare for the onslaught of violence from the massing hordes of Williams fans:D

We Williams Fans are far too twee for the sort of ultra violence you deserve for your insolence

We shall have to outsource

Sanjuro

I went for Thomas Newman. He's not a big and bombastic composer like Williams. He's more subtle, and that's what I really like about his work. Similarly, David Julyan, who worked on Chris Nolan's earlier films. I am becoming a bit of a Hans Zimmer fan though. His work on The Thin Red Line, Inception and the theme to The Pacific are outstanding. I just hope he doesn't end up becoming over-used.

Oh, and Clint Mansell. Genius. His music for Requiem For A Dream, The Fountain and Moon are absolutely stunning.

Killinator

Its got to be Zimmer:

Gladiator:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uE4V6g897Ug

Thin Red Line:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TG9-j3eevL4

Black Hawk Down:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcxQfCZ_9V8

The Dark Knight:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ON_FyigwU1o

Inception:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUqRoWUVvJk

Thats just a few reasons why I rate him so highly
Harry Gregson-Williams is another composer I rate highly.

Klingon Hamlet

PhiloCypher wrote: »

We Williams Fans are far too twee for the sort of ultra violence you deserve for your insolence

We shall have to outsource

Haha I didn't mean to insult any Williams fans:D He's composed some timeless classics, no doubt, but sometimes his "character moments" music is as grating as the scenes themselves

Klingon Hamlet

Sanjuro wrote: »

I went for Thomas Newman. He's not a big and bombastic composer like Williams. He's more subtle, and that's what I really like about his work. Similarly, David Julyan, who worked on Chris Nolan's earlier films. I am becoming a bit of a Hans Zimmer fan though. His work on The Thin Red Line, Inception and the theme to The Pacific are outstanding. I just hope he doesn't end up becoming over-used.

Oh, and Clint Mansell. Genius. His music for Requiem For A Dream, The Fountain and Moon are absolutely stunning.

Kudos on Mansell. His music mixes perfectly with Aranofsky films, and he really captured the isolation/loneliness/paranoia of Moon.

I forgot Zimmer did Thin Red Line. Wow that was like one long, searing song echoing the horrors facing all the many characters. Beautiful, really tied the whole film together---I especially like how he ramps up the volume and the aggression of the music when Nolte roars at Cusack, eyes ablaze with violent ambition. It was like Malick said, here's a sociopath onscreen, make the music just as sh1ttifyingly scary. And Zimmer did!

Klingon Hamlet

Killinator wrote: »

Harry Gregson-Williams is another composer I rate highly.

Yeah he's a colleague of Zimmer's as is John Powell (Face/Off, Bourne). You can hear similar styles in their music, with a special taste for electronic growls and deep bass rhythms underscoring action scenes. The three have often been imitated, but never equalled. Zimmer is The Man.

maggy_thatcher

Another good composer not on the list is John Murphy (Sunshine, Kick-Ass, 28 Days Later). In particular, this track:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQXVzg2PiZw

krudler

Williams for me, the man is a living legend,he's score more movie "moments" than any other composer. And nearly every theme he does becomes iconic, can you imagine Jaws with other music? Indiana Jones? Superman? nope. for those who think he only does happy uplifting stuff, have a listen to this, its awesome, and one of the most underrated scores he's done:

Couple of my fave Williams tracks:

MrSir

What about the Randy Newman!

Tefral

Hans Zimmer for me (love Pirates of the Carribean and Gladiator) and i also like his understudy Steve Joblinski

krudler

MrSir wrote: »

What about the Randy Newman!

"big fat husband, coming over here, she takes one bites....two bites...another bite"

A V A

i voted for hans zimmer because i thought his work on the holiday ,the last samurai , and the pacific on hbo was just brilliant



i know people may not agree but i like john murphy , i thought the score for sunshine was great and kickass aswell. . .why isnt he in the list ??


like atticus ross aswell

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xr_tLenH8kg

foxyboxer

Could you imagine the final 15 minutes of ET without the music?

Based on the body of works for each composer, John Williams is my favourite. Hands down.

Raiders
Star Wars
Superman
Jaws
Close Encounters
Empire Strikes Back
ET
JFK
Schindlers List
Jurassic Park
Hook
Saving Private Ryan
The Patriot

Duggy747

No Basil Poledouris or Elmer Bernstein?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIGHCoVzqtk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7rjLQuW2nQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbsuAbTTsV8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_t98LWNwUhI

But, honestly, while I love most of the composers listed here Hans Zimmer rises amongst them for me. Even as a kid watching films like The Rock what I always loved was the soundtracks.

The guy is a bottomless pit for compiling fantastic music for cinema, he rarely disappoints. The other thing I was so excited about Inception was his soundtrack, which I reguraly listen to.

Can't wait to see how him and James Newton Howard finish Batman 3, that surely will be an epic soundtrack to finish the franchise.

Peyton Manning

No John Murphy?

Blasphemy!

Anakin.S

1. The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn (2011)
2. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008)
3. Munich (2005)
4. Memoirs of a Geisha (2005)
5. War of the Worlds (2005)
6. Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005)
7. The Terminal (2004)
8. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
9. Catch Me If You Can (2002)
10. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)
11. Minority Report (2002)
12. Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002)
13. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (2001)
14. Artificial Intelligence: AI (2001)
15. The Patriot (2000)
16. Angela's Ashes (1999)
17. Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)
18. Stepmom (1998)
19. Saving Private Ryan (1998)
20. Amistad (1997) (music by)
21. Seven Years in Tibet (1997)
22. The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997)
23. Rosewood (1997)
24. Sleepers (1996)
25. Nixon (1995)
26. Sabrina (1995)
27. Schindler's List (1993)
28. Jurassic Park (1993)
29. Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)
30. Far and Away (1992)
31. JFK (1991)
32. Hook (1991)
33. Home Alone (1990)
34. Presumed Innocent (1990)
35. Always (1989)
36. Born on the Fourth of July (1989)
37. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)
38. The Accidental Tourist (1988)
39. Empire of the Sun (1987)
40. The Witches of Eastwick (1987)
41. Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984)
42. Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983)
43. E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
44. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
45. Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
46. 1941 (1979)
47. Dracula (1979)
48. Superman (1978)
49. Jaws 2 (1978)
50. Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)
51. Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)
52. Jaws (1975)
53. The Towering Inferno (1974)
54. Earthquake (1974)
55. The Poseidon Adventure (1972)
56. Fiddler on the Roof (1971)
57. "Lost in Space" (4 episodes, 1965)
58. "Gilligan's Island" (20 episodes, 1964-1965)

With so much iconic music included in this list how can anybody look past John Williams?

mike65

Lalo Schifrin, Argentine composer, conductor and band leader seems to have "cool" following through his veins. If you settle down in the dark looking forward to a cop
thriller then this is the music you want to hear as the screen comes to life.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ko3s4j8HD6o

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXw4MHFzJR8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohJZ3po8BI0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rme3FdRonPM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcLD_nLp-bg

Kiith

Williams and Morricone probably have the most iconic tracks of any composers, but i'd have to say Zimmer is probably my favourite.

mike65

I must be the only person on boards who shruggs when Zimmers name is mentioned.

A V A

Archimedes wrote: »

No John Murphy?

Blasphemy!

why ????






next they will be re making micheal collins

Theboinkmaster

i went john williams just because im an 80s child and the films he's scored are so iconic but trying to be objective it really is between him and Hans Zimmer. Both of them are pure genius.

DEVEREUX

The funeral score from michael collins, Elliot Goldenthal ....love it!!!

From 3min 36s

Renn

Some bizarre omissions from this thread, I really don't like that list that was provided. The most glaring omission being Bernard Herrmann. Citizen Kane (his very first score and one which Welles said was responsible for fifty per cent of the film's success), then obviously you've got ones like Vertigo, Psycho, The Birds, Taxi Driver...can't believe he hasn't been mentioned.

Another one is Philip Glass. Some of my favourites being Koyaanisqatsi, The Thin Blue Line, The Truman Show and maybe The Fog of War.

John Brion - Punch-Drunk Love, Synecdoche, NY, Eteral Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, did stuff on Magnolia and Hard Eight too.

Angelo Badalamenti definitely deserves a mention also. Along with the Twin Peaks show he's done music for Blue Velvet, Mulholland Drive, Lost Highway, The Straight Story, The City of Lost Children, A Very Long Engagement etc. There's some amazing stuff in there.

Others to make note of include Georges Delerue, David Shire (The Conversation etc), Max Richter, Carter Burwell (Blood Simple still my favourite), Yann Tiersen, Nick Cave/Warren Ellis...that's enough for now.

natsuko

howard shore? Loved the lotr score o and just for fun, danny elfman

g'em

Where's Michael Nyman?! The Piano, Wonderland, The End of the Affir - some of the most romantic and atmospheric scores out there

Went to see the Michael Nyman Band play in the NCH a few years back - spent the whole evening enthralled and on a cloud, fabulous evening.

Klingon Hamlet

I limited the selection to the most renowned composers. I did however omit several well-respected maestos and for that my apologies I even forgot to include Other as an option

g'em

I voted Williams regardless, I do love Nyman's works, but for all-round brilliance you can't beat Williams (I think, anyway )

FortuneChip

Clint Mansell for me. Mainly due to his work on The Fountain. The climax in Death Is The Road To Awe is exhaustingly good. The rest of the score just glues itself to the script and I couldn't imagine any other music in its place.
Smokin' Aces had some great music in it as well, the outro scene in the hospital was quality.
Then, there's a little known score for Requiem For A Dream.

Harry Gregson-Williams makes some quality military-esque music. The main theme in Guns of the Patriots & MGS2 sound like they'd fit in any American based war movie.

krudler

FortuneChip wrote: »

Clint Mansell for me. Mainly due to his work on The Fountain. The climax in Death Is The Road To Awe is exhaustingly good. The rest of the score just glues itself to the script and I couldn't imagine any other music in its place.
Smokin' Aces had some great music in it as well, the outro scene in the hospital was quality.
Then, there's a little known score for Requiem For A Dream.

Harry Gregson-Williams makes some quality military-esque music. The main theme in Guns of the Patriots & MGS2 sound like they'd fit in any American based war movie.[/QUOTE]

Love the MGS scores, video games are getting to the point where they're movie quality in terms of music, Zimmer did the score for Modern Warfare 2, and Steve Jablonsky did Gears of War 2.

ReacherCreature

Hans Zimmer. As well as all the films mentioned in the OP like Batman, The Thin...etc., his work on Black Hawk Down and Angels & Demons as well as his work with the video game Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 make him my favourite. His music has such a good beat to it, it's furiously paced where there's action and slows down well. Just really enjoyable to listen to.

I also like Steve Jablonsky of the Transformer's scores.

John Powell of the Bournes is also excellent in my book.

Harry-Gregson Williams is also quite good too as well as Stephen Barton.

Earthhorse

mike65 wrote: »

I must be the only person on boards who shruggs when Zimmers name is mentioned.

Nope. Have to admit I'm very indifferent to him. I don't think he's bad, his work just doesn't stand out for me. And I love Lalo Schifrin. Perhaps it's a *ulp* generational thing? :eek:

krudler

Earthhorse wrote: »

Nope. Have to admit I'm very indifferent to him. I don't think he's bad, his work just doesn't stand out for me. And I love Lalo Schifrin. Perhaps it's a *ulp* generational thing? :eek:

Zimmer can be very hit and miss, and he does rehash a lot of the same similar sounding cues for this action scores.

Gianchinno is really starting to impress me, The Incredibles had a greats 60s vibe to it, and Star Trek is just chill inducing, especially the opening titles:

Love this too, from Uncharted 2, if you havent played it, its the closest thing to playing a summer blockbuster you'll ever get, awesome game:

This is my favourite Zimmer track from the Modern Warfare 2 score, playing that with bullets and explosions going off all over the place in lovely 5.1 sound with this blaring out of the speakers is just very, very cool.

about 3mins in is where it really kicks off

mikhail

FortuneChip wrote: »

Clint Mansell for me. Mainly due to his work on The Fountain. The climax in Death Is The Road To Awe is exhaustingly good. The rest of the score just glues itself to the script and I couldn't imagine any other music in its place.

I'd forgotten about that. Gorgeous movie, though very divisive for audiences. I'm listened to Death Is The Road To Awe (on about the fifth go as I type this). I'd forgotten how good it is. As you say, the music is very appropriate, to the extent that I had kind of dismissed it as merely a solid score to a good movie.

A V A

i think anything to do with the hbo series the pacific and band of brothers is amazing

funkey_monkey

Carter Burwell - In Bruges. Simple but hypnotic...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTlP6am0EN8

padz

henry mancini has to be my tops,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wK-b5PLhrEI - peter gunn theme

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBupII3LH_Q pink panther theme

and think he also composed moon river,

love any movies scored by him... legend

A V A

didnt know johny marr of the smiths did the guitar to inception????