Soundcast Interview: Brian Tyler (2015) Part 2

Interview: Brian Tyler (2015) Part 2 of 2

Brian Tyler talks about what it was like working with Joss Whedon (Director) and Kevin Feige (Producer) on Avengers: Age of Ultron and just how much of a knowledgeable film music fan Kevin Feige truly is!  Tyler goes on to talk about one of the biggest "film music twists" of the year with the announcement of composer Danny Elfman joining him to write music for the second Avengers film.  Lastly, Brian Tyler talks about what it is like to have now worked on three scores in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and what may be in store in Phase 3!

Episode Highlights

00:00 — Recap of Part 1 and Intro to Part 2
02:46 — No Marvel Theme
05:14 — Working with Joss Whedon
07:42 — Working with Kevin Feige
10:54 — The Big Twist - Danny Elfman
19:59 — Unreleased Score
24:52 — Comparing his three MCU scores
26:42 — Phase 3
28:22 — Final thoughts

Music Selections

00:00 — "Fighting Back" (Avengers: Age of Ultron) by Brian Tyler
10:31 — "Heroes" (Avengers: Age of Ultron) by Danny Elfman
21:04 — "Vision" (Avengers: Age of Ultron) by Brian Tyler
24:52 — "Battle Finale" (Iron Man 3) by Brian Tyler
25:56 — "Asgard" (Thor:  The Dark World) by Brian Tyler
27:55 — "Age of Ultron" (Avengers: Age of Ultron) by Brian Tyler
28:25 — "Birth of Ultron" (Avengers: Age of Ultron) by Brian Tyler

Notes:

Follow Brian Tyler on Twitter.
Visit Brian Tyler's Official Website 
Follow Christopher Coleman Twitter.

Support Tracksounds:


Most of the  soundtracks mentioned in this episode can be found at Amazon.  Your purchases through these links help us to keep on keepin' on!  Thank You!

Buy Soundtracks at Amazon.com

Download the Episode

Subscribe and More Info

Soundcast Ep. 81 - Avengers: Age of Ultron

Episode 81 - Avengers: Age of Ultron

Kristen Romanelli and David Kociemba return and join Christopher Coleman and Marius Masalar to discuss, in-depth, both the film and film score, by Brian Tyler and Danny Elfman, for Avengers: Age of Ultron.  Also, WHYBLT? is back and they share three scores you might have recently missed that you should be listening to!

Episode Highlights

00:37 — Opening and Welcome to Kristen Romanelli and David Kociemba
09:18 — WHYBLT?  Madding Crowd, Pirates and Huck Finn.
17:09 — Avengers: Age of Ultron - General film reaction
26:36 — Avengers: Age of Ultron - General score reaction
42:58 — Avengers: Age of Ultron - Spoiler film discussion
01:07:42 — Avengers: Age of Ultron - Spoiler score discussion
01:30:33 — The Final question:  Where does the score work best?

Music Selections

00:01 — "New Avengers" (Avengers: Age of Ultron) by Danny Elfman
09:46 — "Opening" (Far from the Madding Crowd) by Craig Armstrong
11:29 — "Seven Chests" (Pirates Passage) by Andrew Lockington
13:36 — "Main Title" (Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn) by Robert Gulya
16:41 — "Rise Together" (Avengers: Age of Ultron) by Brian Tyler
37:18 — "Hulkbuster" (Avengers: Age of Ultron) by Brian Tyler
42:20 — "The Battle" (Avengers: Age of Ultron) by Brian Tyler
54:28 — "Vision" (Avengers: Age of Ultron) by Brian Tyler
01:06:24 — "Wish You Were Here" (Avengers: Age of Ultron) by Brian Tyler
01:10:12 — "Outlook" (Avengers: Age of Ultron) by Brian Tyler
01:11:03 — "Red Ledger" (The Avengers) by Alan Silvestri
01:12:13 — "Vision" (Avengers: Age of Ultron) by Brian Tyler
01:06:24 — "Wish You Were Here" (Avengers: Age of Ultron) by Brian Tyler
01:40:33 — "Farmhouse" (Avengers: Age of Ultron) by Danny Elfman
01:42:30 — "Avengers: Age of Ultron" (Avengers: Age of Ultron) by Danny Elfman

Notes:

Follow Kristen Romanelli on Twitter.
Find David Kociemba at Emerson College
Follow Marius Masalar on Twitter.
Follow Christopher Coleman Twitter.



Support Tracksounds:


Most of the  soundtracks mentioned in this episode can be found at Amazon.  Your purchases through these links help us to keep on keepin' on!  Thank You!

Buy Soundtracks at Amazon.com

Download the Episode

Subscribe and More Info

Silver Linings Playbook (Soundtrack) by Danny Elfman - Review

Neither Cloud Nor Lining

Review by Edmund Meinerts

A romantic comedy with a dramatic twist, SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK sees Bradley Cooper’s character released from a mental health facility only to find that his wife has left him. While trying to reconcile with her, he meets Jennifer Lawrence’s character and forms a bond with her due to their shared neurotic disorders. Balancing comedy against a topic as serious as mental health is a precarious tightrope act, but done right it can be very rewarding (and, come the end of the year, awarding). Director David Owen Russell seems to have pulled it off with aplomb, the film gathering significant acclaim and generating a fair amount of Oscar buzz.

As one might expect for a romantic comedy, the film’s soundtrack is dominated by song placements, but nevertheless, DANNY ELFMAN was hired to fill in the gaps with a short original score, easily the least substantial of his impressive six assignments of 2012. Ditching the orchestra, ELFMAN opted to assemble a light rock ensemble for the project, augmented by piano, some synthetic overlays and – most notably – his own vocal talent layered several times on top of itself to create a small oohing-and-aahing choir in much the same way BRIAN TYLER has occasionally done for early and/or low-budget projects. That choir lends a definite and somewhat cheesy 60s-retro vibe to SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK, equating the psychedelia of that decade to the confused state of the protagonists’ minds.

READ THE FULL REVIEW

Batman Begins Chase Scene Scored by...Danny Elfman?

Soundtrack-geninus and Soundcast listener @Matty_ODonoghue tweeted this little video at us in response to Episode #50, our The Dark Knight Rises episode.

We put it out there for someone to edit some of Danny Elfman's score up against some of Christopher Nolan's Batman work...and there it is.

In this chase scene from BATMAN BEGINS, originally scored by Hans Zimmer ('Molossus' on the Batman Begins soundtrack), we have the cue "Batman to the Rescue" by Elfman.  The editor, Youtube user, LukeLindmeyer states how oddly perfect the cue fits the cut of the film, but I think I detect some edits to the scene (correct me if I'm wrong there) that help this fit along.

If one has never heard the original score for this scene, I can see how it might be viewed as "fitting."  Those of you, like me, who have seen Batman Begins countless times and listened to the original score even more, the tone of Elfman's score certainly clashes with the vibe we know Nolan was going for.  And if that weren't enough, the bit of Hans Zimmer's score at the beginning of the video puts a brighter spotlight on the creative dissonance.

Tim Burton's Batman was a dark superhero movie and Danny Elfman's score fit it well.  Nolan's Batman is much more of a crime-action/drama that just happens to have some rather eccentric characters in it.  And Zimmer's score fits equally well.  As we indicated in the episode #50, the distinct personalities of the two franchise iterations just don't mesh...although I somehow think putting some of Zimmer's score up against one of Burton's films might work.

Anyone up to that challenge? 

Soundcast Bonus: Spider-Man: Amazing or Not?

Bonus Episode - "Spider-Man: Amazing or Not?"

Christopher, Marius, Edmund and Richard dive headlong into the realm of the webslinger as they talk about THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN by James Horner.  They sort out the movie's overall strengths and weaknesses before dealing with Horner's original score and also refresh the conversation on Danny Elfman and Christopher Young's preceding scores for the Sam Raimi trilogy.


Episode Highlights


00:00 "Who are you?"
00:36 Intro and Welcome
03:11 The Amazing Spider-Man movie - general reaction
13:00 The Amazing Spider-Man movie - spoiler talk
27:10 The Amazing Spider-Man score as heard in film
34:10 The Amazing Spider-Man score on its own
49:05 Spider-Man music of old


Music Selections


05:36 "Oscorp Tower" (The Amazing Spider-Man) by James Horner
25:48 "Lizard at School!" (The Amazing Spider-Man) by James Horner
37:35 "Playing Basketball"  (The Amazing Spider-Man) by James Horner
38:45 "Becoming Spider-Man" (The Amazing Spider-Man) by James Horner
39:32 "Becoming Spider-Man" (The Amazing Spider-Man) by James Horner
51:32 "Main Title" (Spider-Man) by Danny Elfman
61:00 "Promises - Spider-Man End Titles" (The Amazing Spider-Man) by James Horner

Download the episode here

Subscribe and more info here

Dark Shadows (Soundtrack) by Danny Elfman - Review

Shake Up the Eternal Trio
Review by Richard Buxton

It’s surely safe to now say that the TIM BURTON-JOHNNY DEPP collaborations are beginning to run on fumes as DARK SHADOWS brings the two together yet again. Naturally, such a combination can only mean one thing musically, and that is the return of DANNY ELFMAN. What was once a trio that inspired awe and intrigue has now arguably become a tired exercise through the motions. ELFMAN’S scores for BURTON films have generally been solid, but bar an exception or two have recently failed to ignite anything but murmurs of acknowledgement. Does DARK SHADOWS, a movie adaptation of the 60’s TV show, venture beyond the tried, tried, and retried formula? Or does a spark of originality lurk in the dark?

Initial impressions suggest that DARK SHADOWS is another competent, but ultimately formulaic ELFMAN score. Further listens only reassert such assumptions, as ELFMAN simply ticks all the boxes required for a gothically inspired score such as this. All the elements required for a standard TIM BURTON score are present and ultimately result in just another standard TIM BURTON soundscape. That’s not to say that DARK SHADOWS is without its own individual merits however.

READ THE FULL REVIEW

New Danny Elfman Project - IRIS from Cirque du Soleil - A Journey through the World of Cinema

IRIS FROM CIRQUE DU SOLEIL - A JOURNEY THROUGH THE WORLD OF CINEMA


IRIS brings together dance, acrobatics and video to portray the illuminating history of cinema and its genres, taking audiences into the heart of the movie-making process. The show will play at the Kodak Theatre and will feature a stellar musical score by world-renowned composer DANNY ELFMAN.

There is no official word on a soundtrack release, but as most Cirque du Soleil projects do, I would expect one to be forthcoming.  Danny Elfman and Circque du Soleil seems like a perfect match.  Keep your ears tuned for more coverage of this project, but if you are thinking about going out to Hollywood to see this new production out, check out the special offer below.


SPECIAL OFFER FROM THE HOLLYWOOD HOTEL

When guests book 2 or more nights at the Hollywood Hotel, they will receive a $50 credit for tickets to see IRIS!

Near the Kodak Theatre and centrally located to all the best the city has to offer, the stylish Hollywood Hotel is the perfect Los Angeles haven. It boasts lavish European décor and utilizes cutting edge technology to ensure guests have all that they need. The hotel has a sparkling new pool and sun deck, three indoor saunas, and a lush garden/fountain area available for weddings. The newly renovated 1930’s themed bar and lounge allows guests a relaxing place to drink and enjoy live music, comedy, and cabaret. The hotel is gay-friendly and pet-friendly, and even offers a few special amenities for pet owners! Whether visiting to attend the exciting IRIS show, for business, or pleasure, the Hollywood Hotel will allow you the perfect relaxing and worry-free getaway!

GET MORE INFORMATION

The SoundCast: Episode 8 - Terminator Salvation Discussion

Episode #8:

Terminator Salvation Roundtable discussion with Marius Masalar and Tom Hoover (Scorenotes.com), SoundCast Spotlight: Siddhartha Barnhoorn's For All Mankind + Gametime 2009 Update with Jim Dooley and Mel Wesson interview tease! Don't miss our first "Bonus Track" at the conclusion of this episode.

Recorded June 03, 11, 2009

Published June 12, 2009

Episode Highlights

00:00 - SoundCast Intro: We're Back!

02:17 - Pimping: 5 Centimeters Per Second, Taken, and Infamous

08:50 - High Score: Gametime Update!

10:52 - Interview Tease with Jim Dooley and Mel Wesson (Infamous)

14:43 - SoundCast Spotlight: "Johnny Red" from For All Mankind by Sid Barnhoorn

17:56 - Terminator Salvation Discussion with Marius Masalr and Tom Hoover

55:18 - Episode Close

57:48 - Bonus Track!

Music Clips (Select musical clips contained in this podcast)

00:00 Opening - Terminator Salvation (Danny Elfman)

03:51 Oukashiyo - 5 Centimeters Per Second (Tenmon)

06:25 End of the Road - Infamous (VG) (Amon Tobin, Jim Dooley, Mel Wesson)

08:23 Gametime - (downRising)

10:09 End of the Road - Infamous (VG) (Amon Tobin, Jim Dooley, Mel Wesson)

12:12 Pleasant Empire - Infamous (VG) (Amon Tobin, Jim Dooley, Mel Wesson)

14:12 SoundCast Spotlight Theme (Marius Masalar)

15:29 Johnny Red - For All Mankind (Siddhartha Barnhoorn)

17:20 The Harvester Returns - Terminator Salvation (Danny Elfman)

32:13 Opening - Terminator Salvation (Danny Elfman)

42:57 Final Confrontation - Terminator Salvation (Danny Elfman)

48:37 Broadcast - Terminator Salvation (Danny Elfman)

52:25 Salvation - Terminator Salvation (Danny Elfman)

Listen to, subcribe, or download the episode 8 here!

Terminator Salvation (Soundtrack) by Danny Elfman - Review

One Saving Grace
Review by Christopher Coleman

One of the longest running franchises in Hollywood has been that of TERMINATOR. Who would have guessed that 25 years after the small-budgeted, 1984-film, that there would be such a thriving franchise; one that has (like any good, modern-day, franchise must) moved into the parallel realms of the comics, novels, television and video games. As the storyline starts to catch up with itself (ah the perils of time-travel plots), we now, under the unlikely guidance of director McG, move into the full-on, post-apocalyptic part of the Terminator-saga. Now played by box-office-mega-star, Christian Bale, John Connor is starting to move into his role as leader of the human-resistance against the dreaded machines. As we learned at the conclusion of TERMINATOR: RISE OF THE MACHINES, our heroes were not able to avoid "Judgment Day" afterall.

TERMINATOR SALVATION drops us into the future with Connor, a handful of resistance fighters, and some pretty-cool terminators we've never seen the likes of before. The dominant machines and scrappy humans are now at full-scale war, doing battle in the wasteland that once was our fair, semi-green world. TERMINATOR SALVATION not only focuses on the emerging-leader, John Connor, but moreso, tells the story of Marcus Wright, a unique machine/man, hybrid-terminator with his own compelling journey. Marcus' journey eventually leads him to the Resistance, Kyle Reese, and John Connor.

The critical response has been fairly hard on the film, but I had little trouble enjoying this ironically, redemptive tale along with a screening audience, just a few days prior to the official release date. TERMINATOR SALVATION is not without it's flaws (some of them major), but from one who would not likely be counted among the "hard core" fans, McG and company actually made this an enjoyable couple of hours. In between the few moments of exposition or character development director, McG, does deliver a handful of solid action sequences all set in the appropriate dingy, bleakness of a post-nuclear-holocaust California. The film certainly succeeds as an action-flick, but lost is some of the weight of the first two Terminator films. Watching the film, I had little time or resource left to dwell on the plot and time-line issues that have since come to plague my appreciation of the film. Oddly enough, one of the bigger difficulties I suffered during the screening was my attempt to tune into what composer DANNY ELFMAN was doing with his score.


Read the full review here

Updated! Terminator Salvation - Win 2 Tickets + Soundtrack!

Update 5/15/2009: Only Select Cities left (see below):

Can't wait until May 19th to see TERMINATOR SALVATION? Well, if you are following us on TWITTER, here is your chance to win 2 TICKETS to an early screening on MAY 18th, 2009! And, yes, there is more! The winner of of the 2 tickets will also get their own copy of the ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK by DANNY ELFMAN!

Here's what you do:

1) If you aren't following us on Twitter...do so now

2) Make sure you can attend one of the screenings in the cities listed below.

3 Simply complete the follow phrase, "Without Danny Elfman's score, Terminator Salvation would..."

3) Reply to our official tweet with your answer.

The best (most creative, clever, witty) answers will be entered into a random drawing.  The winner must reply with their contact info via direct twitter message (not @ reply) by 5:00 PM ET, 5/18)

*Be the first to see TERMINATOR SALVATION!*  Special advance screenings are taking place in the following cities next Monday, May 18th 

Philadelphia

Denver

Sacramento

Washington DC

Baltimore

Boston

Orange (CA)

Cincinnati

Terminator Salvation Original Soundtrack by Danny Elfman comes May 19

REPRISE RECORDS TO RELEASE ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK TO TERMINATOR SALVATION 

ON MAY 19TH, 2009

Soundtrack to Highly Anticipated Fourth Installment of Terminator Franchise Features Original Score by Four-Time Oscar® Nominee Danny Elfman, Plus Music From Alice In Chains

Burbank, CA- Reprise Records will release the original soundtrack to the hotly anticipated feature film Terminator Salvation on May 19th — two days before the film--the fourth installment in the Terminator film franchise--hits theaters nationwide on Thursday, May 21st, 2009.

Terminator Salvation — Original Soundtrack features an original score by one of Hollywood's leading film composers, Danny Elfman, a four-time Oscar® nominee and Grammy and Emmy Award winner.   Elfman has composed the score for more than 60 motion pictures, including Batman, all three Spider-Man blockbusters, Milk, Good Will Hunting, Big Fish, Men In Black, and The Nightmare Before Christmas.   

Capturing what the film's director McG calls "the delicate nature of humanity and the unrelenting brutality of the machines," Elfman's synthesizer/orchestral score for Terminator Salvation elevates and expands the sweeping soundscape of one of the most successful film franchises in history. The first three Terminator films grossed more than one billon dollars worldwide.

The soundtrack also includes "Rooster" — a classic song by Seattle hard-rock band Alice in Chains, written by the band's guitarist Jerry Cantrell for his father, who served in the military during the Vietnam War.

A post-apocalyptic science fiction adventure, the film is set in the year is 2018. Judgment Day has come and gone, leveling modern civilization. An army of Terminators roams the post-apocalyptic landscape, killing or collecting humans where they hide in the desolate cities and deserts. But small groups of survivors have organized into a Resistance, hiding in underground bunkers and striking when they can against an enemy force that vastly outnumbers them.

Only one man saw Judgment Day coming. One man, whose destiny has always been intertwined with the fate of human existence: John Connor (Christian Bale). Now the world is on the brink of the future that Connor has been warned about all his life. But something totally new has shaken his belief that humanity stands a chance of winning this war: the appearance of Marcus Wright (Sam Worthington), a stranger from the past. Connor must decide whether Marcus can be trusted as they find common ground to meet the enemy head-on.

McG (Charlie's Angels, We Are Marshall) directed Terminator Salvation from a screenplay by John Brancato & Michael Ferris (Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines). The film is produced by Moritz Borman, Jeffrey Silver, Victor Kubicek and Derek Anderson.   Peter D. Graves, Dan Lin, Jeanne Allgood, Joel B. Michaels, Mario F. Kassar and Andrew G. Vajna served as executive producers.   A presentation of the Halcyon Company, Terminator Salvation is being distributed domestically by Warner Bros. Pictures. Columbia Pictures is distributing the film in most international territories

The film stars Christian Bale (The Dark Knight), Sam Worthington (Avatar), Anton Yelchin (Star Trek), Moon Bloodgood (What Just Happened), Bryce Dallas Howard (Spider-Man 3), Common (Wanted), Jane Alexander (The Unborn) and Helena Bonham Carter (Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince).

The track-listing for Terminator Salvation — Original Soundtrack is as follows:

Opening

All Is Lost

Broadcast

The Harvester Returns

Fireside

No Plan

Reveal/The Escape

Hydrobot Attack

Farewell

Marcus Enters Skynet

A Solution

Serena

Final Confrontation

Salvation

Rooster (Alice In Chains)

www.terminatorsalvation.com

www.repriserecords.com

Danny Elfman to Score Terminator Salvation

Just in case you've been hiding under a pile of nuclear fallout today, composer DANNY ELFMAN , while attending the Critics Choice Awards, told the MTV Movie blog that he would be writing the score for the upcoming TERMINATOR SALVATION.

He will now join the ranks of composer BRAD FIEDEL, who gave us the original and unforgettable Terminator theme, MARCO BELTRAMI who took the reigns on TERMINATOR 3: RISE OF THE MACHINES and BEAR MCCREARY who is currently handling the hit television series: TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES.

While I'm quite sure Elfmanites around the globe are in full rejoice-mode, it will surprise few of you, that I'm not quite there. Hard to envision what direction Elfman will go here. He did tell MTV that it wasn't even for sure that he'd employ Brad Feidel's original theme...and that alone causes me concern.

Well, we'll just have to wait and hear. What do you think about this news? Are you lovin' it or hatin' it?

You can read more at MTV here

Sumthing Else Releases Fable II Soundtrack

Mark down the day, NOVEMBER 25, 2008, for it will be a good one! That day, Sumthing Else Music Works will be releasing 3 game scores from three highly successful game franchises. The score for FABLE II was composed by RUSSELL SHAW and features the title theme by DANNY ELFMAN. Joining this soundtrack release will be GEARS OF WAR 2 by STEVE JABLONSKY and BROTHERS IN ARMS: HELL'S HIGHWAY by ED LIMA and DUNCAN WATT. Not only are there too many epic games to try an afford these final months of 2008, but there are a bevy of game soundtracks to work into the budget, too. Well, do your best. Below is the full presser for Fable II.


MEDIA RELEASE
SUMTHING ELSE MUSIC WORKS ANNOUNCES
RELEASE OF FABLE II ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK


Feautring Original Music Score by Russell Shaw and Fable Theme by Danny Elfman


New York – Nov. 6th, 2008 – Sumthing Else Music Works, Inc., through its licensing relationship with Microsoft Game Studios, proudly presents Fable II Original Soundtrack featuring the original music score by Russell Shaw and the “Fable Theme” from Danny Elfman. The original soundtrack from the Xbox 360™ roleplaying adventure video game will be released on Nov. 25, 2008 to retail outlets through Nile Rodgers’ Sumthing Else Music Works record label www.sumthing.com, and for digital download at www.sumthingdigital.com and iTunes®.

Fable II Original Soundtrack features the rich and musically diverse Fable II score composed by Russell Shaw (Fable, Black & White) as well as the Fable Theme by GRAMMY® award-winner Danny Elfman (Spider-Man, The Simpsons, Big Fish.) The Fable II score was recorded with 90 musicians including the Slovak National Symphony Orchestra at the Slovak Radio Concert Hall in Bratislava, as well as celtic instrumentalists with the Tiffin School Boys Choir and Pinewood Singers Adult Choir at Pinewood Film Studios in London, England.

”We had a lot of music to record, covering many different styles including chamber, celtic, classic, quirky, pure pizzicato, atmospheric and dramatic,” said Russell Shaw, Head of Music and Composer at Lionhead Studios. “Music for the game was broken down into four distinct categories: regions, script, combat and incidentals. Each region has its own orchestral theme which changes with the seasons in each chapter. Scripted moments have orchestral cues relevant to what is happening at that point in the story – sad, dramatic, mysterious, tension and danger. The final result is a very rich, Hollywood style score covering many genres.”

Track Listing:

1. Fable Theme - Russell Shaw (Music Box Theme – Danny Elfman)
2. Old Town - Russell Shaw
3. Bowerstone Cemetery - Russell Shaw
4. Bowerlake - Russell Shaw
5. Wraithmarsh - Russell Shaw (Music Box Theme – Danny Elfman)
6. Fairfax Castle - Russell Shaw
7. Westcliff - Russell Shaw
8. Oakfield - Russell Shaw
9. Bowerstone Market - Russell Shaw
10. Shadow of Evil - Russell Shaw
11. Howling Halls - Russell Shaw
12. Marcus Memorial - Russell Shaw

Fable II is the sequel to the wildly successful original that sold more than 3 million copies, offering even more choices and building on the core gameplay theme of Fable, where a player’s every decision continually defines who they become. Fable II is an action role-playing game (RPG) that truly allows players to live the life they choose in the newly expanded open world of Albion. Set 500 years after the original, Fable II provides gamers with an epic story and innovative real-time gameplay, including a massive amount of freedom and choice to explore a vast collection of dungeons, catacombs and taverns in the world of Albion. For more information, visit www.xbox.com/Fable2.

Wanted (Soundtrack) by Danny Elfman - Review

It’s the Little Things That Count
Review by Christopher Coleman

The Summer of 2008 seems to be one major-hype-job after another. From IRON MAN to SPEED RACER to PRINCE CASPIAN to INDIANA JONES to THE INCREDIBLE HULK and now to WANTED. Before the fervor of one of these megamovies has even reached its peak, another one is released. The fervor over WANTED, like all of these others, has been built up for months. WANTED has had the unique position of being "that film" that looks like it would end up being something different...something edgy...something to make audiences sit up in their seats and say, "I ain't seen that before!" Director Timur Bekmambetov (of the NIGHT WATCH trilogy fame) was brought on to make the film-adaptation of Mark Millar's graphic novels do just that. Yet another starring role for actor James McAvoy, plus Angelina Jolie, and Morgan Freeman gave WANTED the immediate gravitas needed to get audiences interested in this story early on. Veteran composer DANNY ELFMAN was brought on to add his unique musical voice to this first part of a rumored trilogy.

From the dawning of the first teaser, I already picked up the scent of The Matrix all over this film. Some of the commonalities are no doubt coincidental others perhaps were unavoidable. The cubical-nerd, the sexy hit-woman, the African-American guru? Yes...that's the easy stuff to spot. There are more subtle connections to The Matrix as well. For most movie-goers, it seems that these similarities were no bother...in fact some revel in them. Unfortunately for me, I found myself thinking about those connections and not focusing on the story of WANTED like I should have. Accept for a few choice moments of action, the first half of the film was a surprisingly flat experience. When not thinking about Neo/Wesley, Trinity/Fox, Morpheus/Sloan, I was thinking, "Can this be it? Is this the movie so many are going ape over?" Is this all there is?" Thankfully, as the plot zigs and zags halfway through, the answer is a resounding "No!" Thankfully, in the blink of an eye, the plot gets turned on its ear and suddenly the story achieves escape velocity and leaves the dead-end gravity of the abundance of stylized violence. So how does DANNY ELFMAN's score fair in both the flat-half and the slap-you-in-the-face-pay-attention-half?

Read the full review here

More Music from Wanted by Danny Elfman Available

AmazonMp3 recently posted clips from every track of DANNY ELFMAN's upcoming score for WANTED. Give em a listen and share your thoughts!

Exclusive Soundclips from WANTED by DANNY ELFMAN!

We are happy to bring you another glimpse into the world of WANTED. Thanks to Lakeshore Records and Cinemedia Promotions, we deliver four exclusive sound clips from DANNY ELFMAN'S upcoming score. A little Mission Impossible, a little Spiderman, a little grunge! Eflman fans rejoice! After you have a listen, let us know what you think here.

Check it out the streaming clips here!

Wanted by Danny Elfman (sountrack clips)

The official Myspace page for DANNY ELFMAN's score for WANTED has a handful of sound clips for your Elfmanizing pleasure. Included is a song by Elfman....with Elfman's own vocals!

Sounds like pretty standard Elfman-fare thus far. I'm sure that is great news for some of you and not-s0-great for others. Whichever camp you are in, you can...


Check it out here.

Official WANTED Movie Site with Music from Danny Eflman

Sometime in the not-to-distant-past, the official site for the upcoming film, WANTED, was updated with a few cool goodies. Included on this flash site is some music from composer DANNY ELFMAN. It certainly has some Spidey-vibe, but what's there thus far, sounds to be an improvement and likely more fitting for a film like WANTED, that it was for our favorite web-slinging hero.

You can check out some of the coolities via the widget below:

New Hellboy 2: The Golden Army Trailer

The good, the bad and the worst! . . .

A nice line from the new HELLBOY 2: THE GOLDEN ARMY trailer. I'm surprised at how much I like what I'm seeing here. Definitely has Del Toro all over it...as in Pan's Labyrinth takes New York.

I don't recognize any of the trailer music, so my guess us that it's some original production music. Looks like Danny Elfman has a nice big, canvas to work from for this superhero-flick. I'm expecting more than what the Spider-Man series delivered...in every conceivable way. Don't let us down!

Judging by our latest poll...a lot of you are expecting a lot from this score as well!

You can check out the trailer in HD here

WIN THE KINGDOM BY DANNY ELFMAN!

Enter to win composer DANNY ELFMAN's latest project - THE KINGDOM. Simply enter up to three captions for the posted movie image! Contest ends on September 30, 2007.

ENTER TODAY!