movie music

[WayneLigon]

The Superman Theme is just as unmistakable as the Star Wars music, IMO.

Talk about shivers going up your spine.. when they softly played that in Reeves' Smallville episode.. whew.

 

[John Crichton]

Talk about shivers going up your spine.. when they softly played that in Reeves' Smallville episode.. whew.

I couldn't agree more.

 

[Enforcer]

I'll second Conan. That CD is pure gold for use during gaming.

Also good is the music from The Last of the Mohicans. That stuff is amazing, especially the battle music.

The music from Dragonheart is wonderful (though the movie is...lacking). Another extremely good soundtrack for gaming.

 

[The Serge]

What's the name of the "main theme" in LotR - the one that pops up repeatedly and is also interwoven into many of the other tracks? The bit that goes "duh duh duh..."... no, that won't work.

I'm assuming you're referring to the music that is featured while the Fellowship is running for their lives in Moria?

It has no "specific" name, but Shore says it's the Fellowship motif.

Originally posted by Morrus There's also a single piece of Star Wars mucisc that I just love. Again, I couldn't tell you what it is, but the most memorable instance of it is in ANH when Luke is standing in the desert on Tatooine looking out at the two suns. I think it pops up at poignant "Luke/Jedi" moments.

That would be the Force Theme, although it is often used in A New Hope to represent Obi Wan, and in the prequels to represent the Jedi Knights. Interestingly, that theme, and NOT the Imperial March is played when Vader kills The Emperor and when Vader is cremated.

 

[The Serge]

The theme from Star Wars that Morrus is talking about is 'Luke's Theme'; I remember reading an interview with Williams (?) where he said that he developed it based on all the 'bold, brassy, masculine' qualities he saw in Luke; thus trumpets and horns, because they also signal triumph and grandeur to most of us.

Actually, "Luke's Theme" is the main Star Wars fanfare. The twin star scene features the Force motif, which, althoug "brassy" is not a bold theme, but rather a mystical, mythical, longing motif.

 

[John Crichton]

I'd just to add the Imperial Death March is probably my favorite piece of Star Wars music. It just oozes dread.

 

[myrdden]

Howard Shore, Danny Elfman and John Williams all give me that
feeling that Eric talked about above.

ME too! Between the three of them they represent some of my most beloved movie music. Hans Zimmer and James Horner have some great stuff too.

Myrdden

 

[The Serge]

Lord of the Rings. Right now, this is my favorite score, although it's currently incomplete. From the Fellowship Theme, to Frodo's Theme (which could be a Friendship theme) that dominated the first soundtrack with heroism as well as a longing sadness, to the darker moments in the first soundtrack, particularly the Revelation of the Ringwraiths, a horrible, chanting dirge. The second soundtrack is also filled with great stuff, particularly the charging reprise of the Balrog motif (it's played throughout the second half of the chase in FotR after Gandalf realizes that the glowing thing is a Balrog), the explosive evil of the Barad'dur motif (played every time the Black Tower is shown), and the noble and uplifting Rohan Theme! And the angelic motifs that I think are for Gandalf the White (and are played with less flourish in Fellowship). Now that's heroic music!

Star Wars. The Imperial March. There is no theme out there that more personifies tyrannic, brooding, unstoppable Evil. Anakin's Theme is also great, perfectly complementing the the evil of the Imperial March. The Force Theme is pure mystical upliftment. Let's not forget Duel of the Fates (it brings a rush every time I hear it), the Emperor's motif (more moaning dirges), and Across the Stars.

Superman. There is no music that captures heroism in soundtracks better than The March from Superman. This music captures the patriotism and the religious elements associated with the Superman character (the horns at the beginning herald the imminent arrival of something very big, very powerful, and very good... almost like the horns mentioned in Revelation). And the March of the Villains. Great stuff.

First Knight. Although the movie was crap, the soundtrack is fantastic... particularly the last track, Arthur's Farewell. Great heroic music for gaming purposes.

The Omen. Evil. Evil, evil, evil. A reverse of Catholic masses, this is great stuff when heroes are facing the powers of the Lower Planes. Avi Satani is hideous, but fantastic stuff.

Conan. Ummm.... Is there any need to discuss this one? At least two great themes, the Anvil of Crom, and the Riders of Doom? I used the latter in a game before and the players really got into the conflict.

Batman. Okay, while I wish Williams or Goldsmith had written this score, the Batman Theme is still very good. Dark, brooding, yet simultaneously heroic, it is really powerful stuff. Much better than the later theme written by Eliot Goldenthal for the Schumacher garbage.

Lord of the Rings (animated). Although this music does not have the overt religious atmosphere of the recent live action version, the Theme from Lord of the Rings will get anyone bobbing their heads. A great score all around.

Star Trek: Undiscovered Country. The Overture has some powerful, grim music that works well in fights. But, it's Sign Off, when the actors all sign their names, that really hits me. The best Star Trek score IMO.

The Untouchables. The music played during opening credits is one of the most innovative pieces I've ever heard. Great stuff.

The Usual Suspects. A great mixture of film noire and psuedo-religious terror. A phenomenal soundtrack.

There are so many. I'll come back with more.

 

[Viking Bastard]

I forgot Conan! I don't believe I forgot Conan!!

*SIGH*

I'll have to retire my bag of dice until I redeem myself.

 

[Starman]

Some of my favorites include:

Braveheart (can't get enought of James Horner)
Gladiator (Hans Zimmer rulez!)
Glory (more Jimmy H. goodness)
Field of Dreams (yep, more J. Horner)
Legend (the Tangerine Dream version)
Star Trek II: TWoK (I do beleve that's another one for Mr. Horner)
Fellowship of the Ring (I actually preferred the this to TT, maybe because TT felt mostly like rehashed FotR to me)
Star Wars (gotta love the classics)
Highlander (I'm a Queen junkie)

I'm sure there are a few more I am forgetting right now.

Starman