Legion (Soundtrack) by John Frizzell - Review

Legion is Not All Doom

Review by Helen San

LEGION is a dramatic thriller about a small rag-tag team at an isolated diner facing off the apocalypse; except this time, they are fighting God himself, with shotguns no less. God has sent a legion of angels (who are armed to the teeth but prefer to possess people) to exterminate mankind (as in Flood, The Sequel), and the only supernatural being with any faith left in us is that rebel archangel Michael. Together they protect the diner’s pregnant waitress, whose child is believed to be the Earth’s only salvation from the wrath of God. By most accounts, the film fails to deliver on what could have been a great action, thriller, and/or horror fest and languishes instead in extended character monologues that couldn’t engage audiences.

But maybe the narrative angle worked on composer JOHN FRIZZELL. Surprisingly, FRIZZELL, who is best known for suspense or horror (think WHITEOUT or THE REAPING), shone in the dramatic cues. The main story theme, initially heard in “Old and Pissed Off “ (4), perked my ears for the first time on this album. It is reprised more eloquently in ”I Didn’t Even Want This Baby” (17) and beautifully developed in one of the best cues on the album, “Die Like One of Them” (22).

Read the full review here

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (Soundtrack) by Mychael Danna and Jeff Danna - Review

A Troubled Family
Review by Marius Masalar

Everyone remember that tame, sane film of Terry Gilliam’s? Neither do I. Gilliam seems to be a visionary man of sorts, though precisely what visions those are we may never want to know beyond the scope of his consistently strange and controversial films. THE IMAGINARIUM OF DOCTOR PARNASSUS, of course, also stands as a parting gesture from the late Heath Ledger, who passed away while the film was still in production in 2008. Critics have been ambivalent about how the major revisions to the script and cast that followed have affected the final product. What remains for certain is that the stellar cast has provided truly heartfelt performances in memory of their friend, and the film is just as lush and dark as the best of Gilliam’s oeuvre. There’s almost always a touch of magic in his work, and in this 2009 offering, THE IMAGINARIUM OF DOCTOR PARNASSUS, we find a culmination of many familiar thematic ideas. So too with the score, courtesy of the Canadian film scoring brothers, MYCHAEL and JEFF DANNA.

Read the full review here

The International Film Music Critics Association 2009 Nominees for Scoring Excellence

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

THE INTERNATIONAL FILM MUSIC CRITICS ASSOCIATION (IFMCA) ANNOUNCES ITS 2009 NOMINEES FOR SCORING EXCELLENCE

MICHAEL GIACCHINO RECEIVES A RECORD NINE NOMINATIONS FOR 2009

JANUARY 29, 2010-- The International Film Music Critics Association announces its list of excellence in musical scoring for 2009 with composer Michael Giacchino receiving nine individual nominations, the most for any composer in a given year since the Association began issuing awards in 2004. Along with multiple mentions for his score to the Disney Pixar movie UP and JJ Abrams’ reinvented STAR TREK, Giacchino receives nominations for his scores to the TV series LOST as well as the documentary EARTH DAYS. Giacchino is also nominated for Composer of the Year along with Alexandre Desplat, James Horner, Christopher Young and Brian Tyler.

Both UP and STAR TREK are nominated for Score of the Year, along with James Horner’s score to the worldwide blockbuster AVATAR and Christopher Young’s score to Sam Raimi’s DRAG ME TO HELL. These film scores are tied with the most nominations this year at four noms each. Alexandre Desplat’s score to THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON rounds out category.

In the category of Breakout Composer, the Association took notice of scores by up-and-coming composers Henry Jackman (MONSTERS VS ALIENS), Abel Korzeniowski (A SINGLE MAN and BATTLE FOR TERRA), James Peterson (THE RED CANVAS), Clinton Shorter (DISTRICT 9) and Austin Wintory (CAPTAIN ABU RAED, GRACE, MAKE THE YULETIDE GAY).

The nominations by the IMFCA, which has members from around the world, reflect the Association’s global perspective. International nominees include Alejandro Amenábar’s latest movie AGORA with a score by Oscar winner Dario Marianelli; Giuseppe Tornatore’s semi-autobiographical BAARÌA with a score by Ennio Morricone; Australian composer Christopher Gordon’s score to Bruce Beresford’s MAO’S LAST DANCER, about ballet dancer Li Cunxin; as well as the Spanish documentary GARBO: EL ESPÍA with a score by Fernando Velázquez.

The International Film Music Critics will announce the winners of its Sixth Annual Awards on February 26, 2010.

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International Film Music Critics Association Awards - Nominations 2009

FILM CATEGORIES:

FILM SCORE OF THE YEAR
• AVATAR, music by James Horner
• DRAG ME TO HELL, music by Christopher Young
• STAR TREK, music by Michael Giacchino
• THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON, music by Alexandre Desplat
• UP, music by Michael Giacchino

FILM COMPOSER OF THE YEAR
• Alexandre Desplat
• Michael Giacchino
• James Horner
• Brian Tyler
• Christopher Young

BREAKOUT COMPOSER OF THE YEAR
• Henry Jackman
• Abel Korzeniowski
• James Peterson
• Clinton Shorter
• Austin Wintory

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE FOR A DRAMA FILM
• AGORA, music by Dario Marianelli
• BAARÌA, music by Ennio Morricone
• CREATION, music by Christopher Young
• MAO’S LAST DANCER, music by Christopher Gordon
• A SINGLE MAN, music by Abel Korzeniowski

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE FOR A COMEDY FILM
• COUPLES RETREAT, music by A.R. Rahman
• DUPLICITY, music by James Newton Howard
• THE INFORMANT!, music by Marvin Hamlisch
• JULIE & JULIA, music by Alexandre Desplat
• LESBIAN VAMPIRE KILLERS, music by Debbie Wiseman

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE FOR AN ACTION/ADVENTURE FILM
• G.I. JOE: THE RISE OF COBRA, music by Alan Silvestri
• LUCKY LUKE, music by Bruno Coulais
• THE RED CANVAS, music by James Peterson
• SHERLOCK HOLMES, music by Hans Zimmer
• UNDER THE MOUNTAIN, music by Victoria Kelly

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE FOR A FANTASY/SCIENCE FICTION FILM
• AVATAR, music by James Horner
• THE IMAGINARIUM OF DOCTOR PARNASSUS, music by Mychael Danna and Jeff Danna
• KNOWING, music by Marco Beltrami
• STAR TREK, music by Michael Giacchino
• THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON, music by Alexandre Desplat

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE FOR A HORROR/THRILLER FILM
• DRAG ME TO HELL, music by Christopher Young
• IMAGO MORTIS, music by Zacarías M. de la Riva
• IN THE ELECTRIC MIST, music by Marco Beltrami
• THE KILLING ROOM, music by Brian Tyler
• TRICK ‘R TREAT, music by Douglas Pipes

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE FOR AN ANIMATED FEATURE
• A CHRISTMAS CAROL, music by Alan Silvestri
• CORALINE, music by Bruno Coulais
• FANTASTIC MR. FOX, music by Alexandre Desplat
• THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG, music by Randy Newman
• UP, music by Michael Giacchino

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE FOR A DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
• BROTHERS AT WAR, music by Lee Holdridge
• EARTH DAYS, music by Michael Giacchino
• GARBO: EL ESPÍA, music by Fernando Velázquez
• HOME, music by Armand Amar
• UNDER THE SEA 3D, music by Micky Erbe and Maribeth Solomon

FILM MUSIC COMPOSITION OF THE YEAR
• AVATAR – “War,” music by James Horner
• DRAG ME TO HELL – “Concerto to Hell,” music by Christopher Young
• THE RED CANVAS – “Ballet for Brawlers,” music by James Peterson
• STAR TREK – “Enterprising Young Men,” music by Michael Giacchino
• UP – “Married Life,” music by Michael Giacchino

OTHER CATEGORIES:

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE FOR TELEVISION
• BATTLESTAR GALACTICA SEASON 4.5, music by Bear McCreary
• CAPRICA, music by Bear McCreary
• LIFE, music by George Fenton
• LOST SEASON 5, music by Michael Giacchino
• YELLOWSTONE, music by Edmund Butt

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE FOR A VIDEO GAME OR INTERACTIVE MEDIA
• ASSASSIN’S CREED II, music by Jesper Kyd
• CALL OF DUTY: MODERN WARFARE 2, music by Lorne Balfe and Hans Zimmer
• HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE, music by James Hannigan
• NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: BATTLE OF THE SMITHSONIAN, music by Chris Tilton
• SPORE HERO, music by Winifred Phillips

BEST NEW RELEASE/RE-RELEASE OF AN EXISTING SCORE
• BACK TO THE FUTURE, music by Alan Silvestri; Douglass Fake, producer (Intrada)
• INNERSPACE, music by Jerry Goldsmith; M.V. Gerhard and Mike Matessino, producers (La-La Land)
• THE JOURNEY OF NATTY GANN, music by James Horner; James Horner, Simon Rhodes and Douglass Fake, producers (Intrada)
• STAR TREK II: THE WRATH OF KHAN, music by James Horner; Lukas Kendall, producer (Film Score Monthly)
• TWILIGHT ZONE: THE MOVIE, music by Jerry Goldsmith; Bruce Botnick, Lukas Kendall and Mike Matessino, producers (Film Score Monthly)

BEST RE-RECORDING OF AN EXISTING SCORE
• THE CHARGE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE, music by Max Steiner, cond. William Stromberg; Anna Bonn, John Morgan and William Stromberg, producers (Tribute Film Classics)
• EXODUS, music by Ernest Gold, cond. Nic Raine; James Fitzpatrick, producer (Tadlow)
• THE PRINCE AND THE PAUPER, music by Erich Wolfgang Korngold, cond. William Stromberg; Anna Bonn, John Morgan and William Stromberg, producers (Tribute Film Classics)

BEST FILM MUSIC COMPILATION ALBUM OR BOX SET
• 40 BANDES ORIGINALES POUR 40 FILMS, music by Vladimir Cosma; Vladimir Cosma, producer (Larghetto Music)
• DAVID RAKSIN AT M-G-M, music by David Raksin; Lukas Kendall, producer (Film Score Monthly)
• THE FILM MUSIC OF MISCHA SPOLIANSKY, music by Mischa Spoliansky; Philip Lane, Ralph Couzens and Neil Varley, producers (Chandos)
• HOWARD SHORE: COLLECTOR’S EDITION Vol.1, music by Howard Shore; Jonathan Schultz, producer (Howe)
• NORTHWEST PASSAGE: CLASSIC WESTERN SCORES FROM M-G-M Vol.2 (1940-1974), music by Various; Lukas Kendall, producer (Film Score Monthly)

FILM MUSIC RECORD LABEL OF THE YEAR
• Film Score Monthly
• Intrada
• La-La Land Records
• MovieScore Media
• Varèse Sarabande

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The International Film Music Critics Association (IFMCA) is an association of online, print and radio journalists who specialize in writing about original film and television music.

The IFMCA was originally formed in the late 1990s as the now-defunct “Film Music Critics Jury” by editor and journalist Mikael Carlsson, a regular contributor to filmmusicradio.com and filmmusicmag.com, and the owner of the Swedish independent film music label MovieScore Media.

Since its inception, the IFMCA has grown to comprise over 50 members from countries as diverse as Australia, Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.

Previous IFMCA Score of the Year Awards have been awarded to Alexandre Desplat’s THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON in 2008, Dario Marianelli’s ATONEMENT in 2007, James Newton Howard’s LADY IN THE WATER in 2006, John Williams’ MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA in 2005 and Michael Giacchino’s THE INCREDIBLES in 2004.

The IFMCA strives to encompass and champion all genres of musical scoring and the composers who excel in them. Running the gamut of writing for theatrical movies to music for video games, composers all have the same job and that is to enhance the vision of their project with music. As such, the IFMCA acknowledges the broad spectrum of ways in which artists can write unique and varied music for their medium.

For more information about the International Film Music Critics Association, its members and the list of past awards, please visit http://www.filmmusiccritics.org or contact press@filmmusiccritics.org.

Halo Legends Soundtrack is Coming from Sumthing Else

I don't know about you, but the announcement that the HALO franchise would be receiving an Animatrix-like, production was like music to my ears...and I'm not even that big of a Halo-fan.  The prospect of seeing some eight, anime, episodes created by some of the top anime studios in Japan is pretty exciting.  And, if you are a big fan of franchise's iconic music by MARTIN O'DONNELL and MICHAEL SALVATORI, then you have even more reason to dance a little jig - as thematic material from the two composers will be re-arranged and orchestrated.  Add to that new music by TETSUYA TAKAHASHI (Final Fantasy V and VI) and YASUHARU TAKANASHI (Naruto Shippuden) and we've got the makings of something special.  The official soundtrack will be released by Sumthing Else and will be available on February 9, 2010, a full week before HALO LEGENDS debuts on blu-ray.   Check the full press release below:

SUMTHING ELSE MUSIC WORKS ANNOUNCES RELEASE OF THE HALO LEGENDS ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK

Brand new orchestrations of the classic Halo themes originally created by Martin O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori with new original Anime music composed by Tetsuya Takahashi and Yasuharu Takanashi

New York - January 20th, 2010 - Sumthing Else Music Works, through its licensing relationship with Microsoft Game Studios, proudly presents Halo Legends Original Soundtrack featuring the original music from the anime series Halo Legends composed by Tetsuya Takahashi (Sonic: Night of the Werehog, Resident Evil: Degeneration) and Yasuharu Takanashi (Genji: Dawn of the Samurai). Presented by 343 Industries Halo Legends is an unprecedented gathering of the finest talent in Japanese animation that have drawn together to explore the mystery and action of the Halo universe.  Halo Legends Original Soundtrack will be released on February 9th to retail outlets through Sumthing Else Music Works www.sumthing.com, and will be available for digital download on Sumthing Digital www.sumthingdigital.com and iTunes®.

Created by some of the world's leading anime studios including Bones Inc., Casio Entertainment Inc., Production I.G, STUDIO4°C and Toei Animation, Halo Legends takes one of the most iconic franchises in science fiction and video games to an amazing new level; Eight episodes and a stunning range of visual styles shed new light and epic perspective on Halo lore. Halo Legends will be distributed by Warner Home Video on DVD, Blu-Ray and digital formats on Feb. 16, 2010.

For more information on Halo Legends, please visit www.halolegends.com and www.halolegendsdvd.com.

Unreleased? Klaus Badelt's Original Score for Solomon Kane

SOLOMON KANE is slowly making his way around the world...by way of its theatrical release.  As of yet, there has been no official word on a soundtrack release, which is nothing short of mindboggling.  If you have listened to the pieces above, then you already know why I make such a statement.  If you haven't listened yet....what are you waiting for?

Once again composer KLAUS BADELT proves his prowess with a score that will satisfy the action-hounds as well as sooth the savage beast with his tranquil melodies.  Badelt rarely disappoints and it sounds as though he's got the all the eyes on the stove burning for SOLOMON KANE.

Given some of the lackluster scores that find their way onto CD these days, there is no good reason why this Badelt project should not see a full release...and by "full release" I mean in full-CD glory.  Of course, we know how things can go and sometimes a very deserving score just doesn't see the laser-light of day, so in case not, please enjoy the tracks above as often as you like!

UPDATE: JANUARY 23

Good news!  According to KLAUS BADELT's official site a soundtrack is forthcoming!  Check it here: http://www.klausbadelt.com/solomonkanepreview

Win Creation (Soundtrack) by Christopher Young

Yes...well, we are a bit late in announcing our current Caption Contest here, but better late than never!  You still have well over a week to enter up to 3 captions for this scene from the new feature film, CREATION.  The film centers on the life and struggles of Charles Darwin and features a beautifully compelling score by CHRISTOPHER YOUNG.  Don't miss your chance to win one of early 2010's best scores.

Bon chance!

Enter the Caption Contest here

Music Clips from Avatar: The Game by Chance Thomas

While AVATAR continues to dominate the moviehouses around the globe, it's tie-in game, hasn't quite garnered the same level of success.  Still, there is at least one element of the game deserving of a greater spotlight and that is its original score.

Check out a couple of samples from CHANCE THOMAS' stellar work for AVATAR:  THE GAME below.  Unfortunately, there aren't any current plans for an official soundtrack release, and after you hear these bits, I'm betting your only going to want one all the more.

There.  Now isn't a full release warranted?  If you think so, then left Ubisoft know!  In the meantime, enjoy those clips as much as you like and check out our recent SoundCast-interview with composer CHANCE THOMAS here.

A Serious Man (Soundtrack) by Carter Burwell - Review

A Seriously Reticent Score

Review by Helen San

A Harvard graduate who majored in computer animation, CARTER BURWELL stumbled into film composition by chance.  The sound editor of BLOOD SIMPLE liked his piano playing in a club and asked him to write a few sketches for the Coen brothers’ first movie.   Since then, BURWELL has loyally scored all Coen brothers features to date (except for O BROTHER, WHERE ART THOU? ), as well as countless other movies.  The history of film music sometimes finds a few powerhouse director / composer partnerships that stand out:  Alfred Hitchcock and BERNARD HERMANN, Steven Spielberg and JOHN WILLIAMS, and James Cameron and JAMES HORNER, for example.   But it is rare for directors to find a lifelong partnership, a shared creative vision so seamless they always turn to the same composer.

A SERIOUS MAN is BURWELL’s latest Coen project, right on the heels of last year’s BURN AFTER READING.  The serious man in question is Larry Gopnick, a Midwestern Jewish professor in the 60’s whose life unravels  around him.  To depict Gopnick’s helplessness and loss of control, BURWELL composed a darker and more dissonant score than usual:  a gently cacophonous ambience with cowbells, harps, and strings, at times juxtaposed against electric bass and guitar.  Now this is not the first time BURWELL has used unusual combinations of instruments. But unlike his other efforts, there is almost no melody in this one, so most of what you get is somber unease.  This quiet sadness actually complements the folk-guitar 60’s style of the rock band Jefferson Airplane, which played a prominent role in the movie.  Since I am not fond of Jefferson Airplane, the style is not particularly interesting to me.

Read the full review here

Soundcast Interview: Atticus Ross (The Book of Eli)

Interview: Atticus Ross (The Book of Eli)
Recorded December 16, 2009
Published January 11, 2010


Episode Highlights

00:30 - Introduction and Welcome
01:19 - How did you become involved with the Hughes Brothers and this project?
04:50 - Collaborating with family
07:10 - Moving into film music
11:02 - Who are some of your musical influences?
15:00 - Writing music before the film is shot.
18:00 - Finding the balance between sound design and music
21:27 - Eastern/Middle Eastern influence
23:46 - Conclusion

Music Clips (Select music clips contained in this podcast)

00:00 - Panoramic (The Book of Eli) by Atticus Ross
04:54 - Outland (The Book of Eli) by Atticus Ross
10:10 - The Journey (The Book of Eli) by Atticus Ross
11:33 - Main Titles (Blade Runner) by Vangelis
19:46 - Movement (The Book of Eli) by Atticus Ross
23:46 - The Passenger (The Book of Eli) by Atticus Ross

Download the interview here

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Soundcast Interview: John Swihart (Youth in Revolt)

Interview: John Swihart (Youth in Revolt)

Recorded December 16, 2009
Published January 8, 2010


Episode Highlights

00:28 - Introduction and Welcome
00:58 - What were your first impressions of Napolean Dynamite?
02:35 - The musical direction of Napolean Dynamite.
06:17 - Working in television and film.
11:26 - Scoring Youth in Revolt


Music Clips (Select music clips contained in this podcast)

00:00 - Meeting Sheenie (Youth in Revolt) by John Swihart
01:16 - Bus Rider (Napolean Dynamite) by John Swihart
03:34 - Here's Rico (Napolean Dynamite) by John Swihart
05:58 - Kip Waits (Napolean Dynamite) by John Swihart
11:04 - Back to Ukiah (Youth in Revolt) by John Swihart
13:38 - Dropping Off Veejay (Youth in Revolt) by John Swihart
17:51 - Outlaws Together (Youth in Revolt) by John Swihart
18:33 - Meeting Sheenie (Youth in Revolt) by John Swihart

Download the interview here

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