I'm obsessed with film scores. There, I said it. I am officially out of the film score closet. The reason I love them so much is that they give a film its of the emotion and pathos. If you have ever watched a movie on mute with subtitles on, you know what I mean. Without it, a film would be dull and boring.
Take, for example, M. Night Shyamalan's most recent film, The Happening. It was a marginal film with a really cool presence (plants are scheming to exterminate us!), and was very boring, sloppy (you could see the microphone dip down into the shot a few times). But worst of all, it was a suspense flick without the suspense! The reason, I propose to why this was is because of the score. Composed by James Newton Howard (King Kong, The Dark Knight) it lacks any moods whatsoever, turning instead to ambient noise that adds nothing to the drama onscreen. Even when the characters are in grave danger, Howard does nothing to try and increase the excitement and tension.
I am also secretly obsessed with disney movies.
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5 comments:
I laughed at your film score out of the closet joke.
I have to agree with you that in the sense of horror/suspense movies, the movie can only be as suspenseful as its score. There are many movies that could've been a lot better with a good score.
I have yet to see The Happening, but I've heard it's a pretty good laugh.
I see some possible bias in this post as you are yourself a musician, but overall I agree with you. Music is a central element to films and no film could be as powerful without good scores. I have never seen The Happening and after your review I don't think I am going to. Keep up the great blogging!
i think that you are totally right about the film scores!!!!!
they make or break a movie!!
Another movie that i thought had a great film score was indiana jones!!!
I also liked your joke about coming out of the closet joke!!!
YES. i totally agree about the whole film score making/breaking a film!.. I agree with Johannah that us musicans may be somewhat bias since we notice the music itself more than most but i do a agree that the music plays a central role in a film. i haven't seen the movie that you referenced, but a couple films i have watched lately (indiana jones and star wars) have an epic score! they help build and support the characters/story line while adding to the suspense or drama happening on screen. i think it's very easy to listen over the score and almost forget it's there but i think a "great" score is supposed to do that. the music isn't supposed to stand alone, it's supposed to blend in with the film and assist it/make it better... sorry so scatterbrained! p.s. nice joke! haha
Sadly its true that a movie is so affected by its scores so even with the greatest plot lines and most amazing acting a film can still come off as dull or cheesy all on account of the score. I haven't seen the Happenings but not sure i will after your review...
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