I think that music is the determining factor in whether I like a movie or not. In fact, my favorite movies are those with great music.
I have a DVD/VHS player at the table where I piece my quilts. I realized the other day that I choose the same movies over and over as I piece. I thought at first that it was because I was listening to them, and could follow without having to watch the screen. But it occured to me, as I walked through the house singing phrases from the movies, that it's the music that draws me in.
I love the Harry Potter movies. John William, at least I'm pretty sure it was John Williams, did a masterful job with the first two of them. I heard a snippet of conversation about the coming movies in the series, and a comment was made about seeking someone else to do the music. That could be as drastic for me as loosing the original Dumbledore, Richard Harris.
Another favorite is "The Hunt for the Red October." The precision of the male chorus sends chills down my spine. They have similar tone qualities, their pitch is wonderful, and the style of the music is a perfect backdrop for the story.
I've just had the chance to see the first two X-men movies, and that music draws me in, too. I love the motifs the composer created for each character, and how the music creates tension and helps the plot to build to a climax.
A new movie for me is "Chicago." What GREAT vitality! I love the "Cellblock Tango," and "All That Jazz." Oh....to have a body like any one of the women in that movie!
I suppose my most favorite movie music (outside of musicals), has to be the score to "Out of Africa." I love the sonorities, and the sweeping line of the music. I can see the beautiful vistas from the movie in my minds eye, each time I hear the music. I have the oddest response to this score.....it's a performer's response. My posture improves, my shoulders drop and my chest expands as though I was about to sing or conduct, or play the music. It's a very visceral response. Perhaps that's why it rates so high.
There are others. I love "The Baby Elephant Walk" from "Hatari, " and the Pink Panther theme. And there's the theme from "Bridge over the River Kwai." And I love the Carly Simon theme for "Working Girl."
Music sure makes the movie!
Comments (3)
Buffy,
I agree totally. I especially love John Williams' music. I think what really made me ralise how good a composer he is was the opening musc from Superman which still today sends a spark up my spine. I have a double CD of his music which i listen to over and over again. Like you I love both the film and the film music to "Hunt for Red October". The music really suits the film, and my mood whenever I watch it. Chicago I've only recently discovered and the sheer energy and vitality to it, especially Cell-block tange, always knochs my socks off! Also think about John Barry's James Bond theme is still as up to date and vital now as when he originally wrote it what...? 30 years ago?
Adele
Posted by Adele | February 5, 2004 5:18 PM
Posted on February 5, 2004 17:18
Hi i am reasearching how does music in movies make your reaction to them intencify and i am not doing so good and i can see that you know a lot so who ever started this thanks plus on Jaws that music makes me jump even if it was on a Barrney show and on The fox and the hound on the part where the lady had to take the fox away the music made me cry
Posted by Kylie | March 9, 2004 9:59 AM
Posted on March 9, 2004 09:59
Good luck with your research! I'm not sure how I would go about it, but I can tell you that sometimes DVDs are put out with a second DVD that has commentary on how the movie was pulled together. They interviewed the composer for X-men 2 on one of those DVDs....and that might help you. I think that John Williams has been interviewed for Harry Potter, too.
Composers create themes that they use to identify the main characters. They also create special music for certain scenes, and their intent is to sway how you feel about the scene. You mentioned the scary feeling you got from the Jaws theme; that's one good example. The composer can change how you feel by whether the music is in a major key, or in minor. He can also direct your feelings by the instruments he uses when he orchestrates the score.
You might try to find the Oscar winners for Musical score for the past 20 or 30 years, and then surf for information on the composers. They are bound to have talked about their craft at some point.
Good luck! I hope you find lots of information.
Posted by Buffy | March 9, 2004 3:30 PM
Posted on March 9, 2004 15:30