James Newton Howard

[MaxTheSilent]

Like Danny, I'm a major geek for film scores and composers. And I want to re-iterate his geek-love for James Newton Howard.

He is one of the most versatile, talented composers working today. As just one example; he was a last-minute replacement for Howard Shore on KING KONG. He reportedly had only about two weeks to write a score yet still created a memorable, beautiful score for that film.

I wonder if Dan has an opinion on his 'collaboration' with Hans Zimmer on BATMAN BEGINS. For me I can instantly pick out Zimmer's stuff, because he's basically re-hashing both his magnificent score for THE THIN RED LINE and, to a lesser extent, THE RING.

With Howard, he's such a chameleon it's hard to identify his music.

Hopefully he'll stick to tradition and end up scoring Shyamalan's AVATAR Trilogy. Just as long as he keeps the main theme.

Actually, I'd be curious to know if Dan has a favourite film score. My fave is Basil Poledouris' CONAN THE BARBARIAN.

[gglynn00]

This may be totally un-rad of me but my favorite movie score is from Last of the Mohicans. I can't find who did it, but I like the folk-type tribal music that seems to grow through the entire movie.

[deegraww]

I've listened to movie scrores for a while now and I've got to say that one of my Favorites is John Powell. He wrote the score for all the Bourne movies, Itailian job, paycheck, face/off and other movies. Also if you haven't checked it out www.soundtrack.net is a great resource for finding who wrote the scores for your favorite movies.

Also Eric Serra is great. He did the Fifth Element, the Messanger, Goldeneye and he also happens to have my birthday!

[deegraww]

This may be totally un-rad of me but my favorite movie score is from Last of the Mohicans. I can't find who did it, but I like the folk-type tribal music that seems to grow through the entire movie.

No it's totally Rad I own it as well. Trevor Jones is the composer for this great score. Randy Edelman also adds to this score as well.

[dannyt]

I'm so glad this thread was created. I believe I mentioned Batman Begins the last time I brought up JNH, LOVE IT! (I actually thought I mentioned it this time that's why there is an amazon link to buy it on our website).

There is nothing un rad about the Last of the Mohicans score dude, there's actually a bad ass football commercial directed by Michael Mann running right now that uses it and its phenomenal.

I really do love so many scores it's hard to pick one. My fave JNH's are probably Batman and Dinosaur. I used to love hans zimmer, he was my favorite forever but he's lost me these days. Probably the lesser known faves of mine are cliff martinez (he does all soderbergh stuff) King of the Hill and the score to 50 first dates.

I'm not a big John Powell fan (but I get what you like him and eric serra, very similar sound) but I do LOVE the supermacy and ultimatim score-- his best stuff imo.

Krull is also a hidden James Horner jem...

[deegraww]

I'm so glad this thread was created. I believe I mentioned Batman Begins the last time I brought up JNH, LOVE IT! (I actually thought I mentioned it this time that's why there is an amazon link to buy it on our website).

There is nothing un rad about the Last of the Mohicans score dude, there's actually a bad ass football commercial directed by Michael Mann running right now that uses it and its phenomenal.

I really do love so many scores it's hard to pick one. My fave JNH's are probably Batman and Dinosaur. I used to love hans zimmer, he was my favorite forever but he's lost me these days. Probably the lesser known faves of mine are cliff martinez (he does all soderbergh stuff) King of the Hill and the score to 50 first dates.

I'm not a big John Powell fan (but I get what you like him and eric serra, very similar sound) but I do LOVE the supermacy and ultimatim score-- his best stuff imo.

Krull is also a hidden James Horner jem...

I'm not an all electric sound fan like Powell is known for but I remember sitting in the theater watching the bourne movies and Powell's music fits so well with that I had to own them. Listen to them while playing some Halo 3 and you will see what there is to love about them.

I agree with Horner his stuff is epic. John williams but do we really need to mention him?

Also have we mentioned Jerry Goldsmith? Holy sassafrass the 13th Warrior score is great as well. Lastly Michael Kamen who did event horizon is a good choice as well.

[MaxTheSilent]

Lastly Michael Kamen who did event horizon is a good choice as well.

His score for THE DEAD ZONE is simply beautiful. He also wrote the wonderful opening theme to BAND OF BROTHERS.

[johnnysix]

I always loved the score for Signs. I guess it helps that i also love the movie, but the score over the opening credits is awesome! It's like a full on high-tension piece that is just playing over the credits!
While I'm on the topic of scores playing over credits, I also love the score by Howard Shore that plays over the Panic Room credits.
Also, am I the only one who sees the huge similarity between Basil Pouledouris's Anvil of Crom theme from Conan the Barbarian and Jerry Goldsmith's intro theme from Total Recall? Both are great though.
Also love Don Davis's work on the Matrix films.

[MaxTheSilent]

Also love Don Davis's work on the Matrix films.

That's where I have to differ. I think the scores for those films, while certainly identifiable and almost iconic, are very bland and generic. Especially that dreadful techno 'fight music'.

[johnnysix]

It's probably a matter of tastes really. I'm big into electronic music. I think the music suited the films, the enviroment and the story. Some people may have found the movies bland ( I think a LOT of people found the sequels that way). I loved the sequels however.