Music in movies?

Bomby · 05-03-2011, 10:13 AM

What is the best? Yes, this can include original scores, compilations of pop songs used in a movie, original cast recordings, etc.

"Man with a Harmonica" by Ennio Morricone from Once Upon a Time in the West. Morricone is, to me, the greatest film composer of all time, and while he has so much badass music, this is his best work to me.

"Monday" by Jon Brion from I Heart Huckabees. Brion's music is some of the most underrated being composed recently, and this little quirky composition captures the feel of the movie perfectly.

"California Dreamin'" by the Mamas & the Papas, as used in Chungking Express. Had to include something from my all time favorite movie, and though this was probably the most obvious choice, it's the most obvious choice for a good reason: it really works, especially in the film's final scene, where it becomes a truly resonant emotional piece of music, rather than just a simple pop song.

"Across 110th Street by Bobby Womack, as used in Jackie Brown. One of Quentin Tarantino's greatest strengths as a director is his expert usage of pop music to bring his pastiche pieces to life, and this song just gets you hyped up for the movie.

"The Last Waltz" by Lee Jong-Wook from Oldboy. This is used as the theme of the character Mido, and it really captures the underlying sadness of the whole film.

"Hollow Me by Yura Yura Teikoku and "Allegretto" by Beethoven, as used in Love Exposure. The former is a catchy pop song that needs to be included for simply how well it just works. It's also used as a church song, later in the film. The use of Beethoven just adds a ridiculous amount of power behind the most important scene in the film.

Last but not least, "Resonance (Empty Stone)" by the fictional artist Lily Chou-Chou from the film All About Lily Chou-Chou, which is actually about Japanese middle school kids. The film is truly harrowing, and this song represents it the best. The entire soundtrack is a masterpiece, however.

***Booyakasha*** · 05-03-2011, 11:57 AM

I'll not lie---I think one of the best original scores in movie history was Basil Poledouris' work for 'Conan the Barbarian'. Bombastic, yet stirring.

I also really like John Barry's 'Lion in Winter' score, and Patrick Doyle's gorgeous work in Branagh's 'Henry V' ('Non Nobis, Domine' being an obvious standout, but really, everything is top-notch).

Panfan · 05-03-2011, 05:42 PM

BRAAAAAGH BRAAAAAAAAAGH in inception of course

Chewtoy · 05-03-2011, 06:29 PM

Fist full of dollars, for a few dollars more, and the good, the bad, and the ugly. All good westerns, all good soundtracks.

Bomby · 11-08-2011, 05:11 PM

I'd like to mention the usage of "April Come She Will" by Simon & Garfunkel in the "Fancy Party" episode of Parks & Recreation last year. Gets me every time.

05-03-2011, 10:13 AM	#1
Bomby You just freaking blew Joe Biden's mind! Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: WHAT?house Gender: Posts: 19,491 Thanks: 513 Thanked 1,449 Times in 849 Posts Blog Entries: 5	Music in movies? What is the best? Yes, this can include original scores, compilations of pop songs used in a movie, original cast recordings, etc. "Man with a Harmonica" by Ennio Morricone from Once Upon a Time in the West. Morricone is, to me, the greatest film composer of all time, and while he has so much badass music, this is his best work to me. "Monday" by Jon Brion from I Heart Huckabees. Brion's music is some of the most underrated being composed recently, and this little quirky composition captures the feel of the movie perfectly. "California Dreamin'" by the Mamas & the Papas, as used in Chungking Express. Had to include something from my all time favorite movie, and though this was probably the most obvious choice, it's the most obvious choice for a good reason: it really works, especially in the film's final scene, where it becomes a truly resonant emotional piece of music, rather than just a simple pop song. "Across 110th Street by Bobby Womack, as used in Jackie Brown. One of Quentin Tarantino's greatest strengths as a director is his expert usage of pop music to bring his pastiche pieces to life, and this song just gets you hyped up for the movie. "The Last Waltz" by Lee Jong-Wook from Oldboy. This is used as the theme of the character Mido, and it really captures the underlying sadness of the whole film. "Hollow Me by Yura Yura Teikoku and "Allegretto" by Beethoven, as used in Love Exposure. The former is a catchy pop song that needs to be included for simply how well it just works. It's also used as a church song, later in the film. The use of Beethoven just adds a ridiculous amount of power behind the most important scene in the film. Last but not least, "Resonance (Empty Stone)" by the fictional artist Lily Chou-Chou from the film All About Lily Chou-Chou, which is actually about Japanese middle school kids. The film is truly harrowing, and this song represents it the best. The entire soundtrack is a masterpiece, however.

05-03-2011, 11:57 AM	#2
*Booyakasha* SuperMod of War Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Wisconsinland Gender: Posts: 9,945 Thanks: 157 Thanked 1,481 Times in 763 Posts	I'll not lie---I think one of the best original scores in movie history was Basil Poledouris' work for 'Conan the Barbarian'. Bombastic, yet stirring. I also really like John Barry's 'Lion in Winter' score, and Patrick Doyle's gorgeous work in Branagh's 'Henry V' ('Non Nobis, Domine' being an obvious standout, but really, everything is top-notch).

05-03-2011, 05:42 PM	#3
Panfan AND HE PRAYS Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Grayskull Gender: Posts: 18,806 Thanks: 1,405 Thanked 2,247 Times in 1,337 Posts Blog Entries: 15	BRAAAAAGH BRAAAAAAAAAGH in inception of course

05-03-2011, 06:29 PM	#4
Chewtoy Junior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: I live in my Minecraft world. Gender: Posts: 27 Thanks: 8 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Fist full of dollars, for a few dollars more, and the good, the bad, and the ugly. All good westerns, all good soundtracks.

11-08-2011, 05:11 PM	#5
Bomby You just freaking blew Joe Biden's mind! Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: WHAT?house Gender: Posts: 19,491 Thanks: 513 Thanked 1,449 Times in 849 Posts Blog Entries: 5	I'd like to mention the usage of "April Come She Will" by Simon & Garfunkel in the "Fancy Party" episode of Parks & Recreation last year. Gets me every time.