The Spiderwick Chronicles (Soundtrack) by James Horner

The Chronicles of Hornia
Review by Christopher Coleman

THE SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES is yet another children's fantasy book turned into a Hollywood feature film. The year of 2008 is going to be filled to the brim with them including: NIM'S ISLAND, INKHEART, THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: PRINCE CASPIAN, and HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE. The one thing Horner's project has going for it is that it has the jump on all of these others - giving THE SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES a good opportunity of at least sounding fresh. The 2008 film is based on a book series by Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi. Surprisingly, THE SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES is one of the better adaptations of the genre (Harry Potter fans would likely disagree). Director Mark Waters was somehow able to bring something fresh to the table. The film has several layers of value. For the children there are the goblins, fairies, spells and magic talismans, but for the adults there is the story about the difficult adjustments a family going through a divorce must suffer to make. There's much more to THE SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES than the trailers would lead you to believe. Establishing his prowess at this years ago, one composer who can dance that line of fairy-story and adult drama is none other than JAMES HORNER.


Read the full review here

Where are The Updates?

For those of you asking, "Where are the updates? Where is the Cue Awards: Big Wrap Up? Where are new reviews? Where? Where?"

Well, let me tell you...

I've recently returned from a working-vacation in the L.A. area (emphasis on the vacation part...it was much needed). The vacation-side was full of eating out, watching flicks in state of the art movie theaters, checking out the USS Midway in San Diego, rock climbing (of the indoor variety) and other niceties. Yes...some fun stuff...but that's not all...

On the "working" side of things, I interviewed composer DAVID BUCKLEY, who was written the score for the upcoming flick THE FORBIDDEN KINGDOM as well as Joel Schumacher's TOWN CREEK. David Buckley has been working with HARRY GREGSON-WILLIAMS for a number of years and has additional music credits on a number of well-known HGW projects. He's flying solo now and let me tell you his work for THE FORBIDDEN KINGDOM is going to pleasantly surprise many of you! While I was not all that enthused with the film's concept and even initial trailer, having seen a good bit of footage with the score track, I have to say that it's going to be pretty decent film and a very entertaining score. Look for the interview in a week or so. Hopefully we'll be able to stream a few tracks from Buckely's score on the interview page.

I was also able to sit down with composer CHRISTOPHER LENNERTZ for a few minutes. Chatting in his studio, he was certainly happy with the box office success of one of his most recent projects ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS, but not more happy than with his first child - born a few weeks ago. I got a bit of a glimpse and listen to an upcoming project of his and let's just say this is probably going to be yet another hit for him and nice listening experience for us. Stay tuned for more on that project in the days and weeks to come.

Where are the reviews? - I have a number of reviews partially done so be on the lookout for 10,000 B.C, JUMPER, and THE SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES in the very near future.

Ok...so now you know the deal. I'll be getting to the BIG WRAP UP in the next few days as well.

Lots of cool stuff on the horizon, so keep your peepers fully peeped.

The Lady in the Trailer

It absolutely amazes me. The indelible mark that James Newton Howard's recent work has left upon Hollywood is truly amazing. In particular I refer to his music for the much underappreciated film LADY IN THE WATER. Yes...I speak of the film itself as being underappreciated. James Newton Howard's score has gotten many accolades, including here at Tracksounds.

Now, odds are if have been to your local multiplex in the last few months and you might have noticed something. References to Howard's score for this film are everywhere. Recently, when I went to see STARDUST I was baptized in Howard's LADY IN THE WATER. Prior to the start of the feature film (you know... some 30 minutes prior these days?) there were two film trailers that played back-to-back (THE SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES, THE GOLDEN COMPASS) which featured his score. And his influence doesn't stop there. In STARDUST itself Eshkeri was, at times, clearly influenced by "the Lady" as well. Check out our full review of STARDUST for more about Eshkeri's excellent score.

And there is more. In Steve Jablonsky's D-WAR (DRAGON WARS) James Newton Howard is climbing in, out, and all around that score as well. Look for our review on that D-WAR soon. Like STARDUST, Jablonsky's score has been positively influenced by Howard's work.

Somehow it seems Mr. Howard hit the fantastic-bullseye with his score for LADY IN THE WATER. About a decade ago it was the work of Randy Edelman that seemed to crawl from trailer to trailer. Edelman's work for DRAGONHEART and DRAGON: THE BRUCE LEE STORY were everywhere. Looks as though a new Trailer King has been crowned. Next time you see a trailer for a fantasy film in the theater, download one, or catch one on TV, pay close attention as you might catch a audible glimpse of The Lady in the Trailer.