Interactive Poll Ate: Movie Soundtracks

Edited by jamesbaldwin - July 10 2020 at 16:13

jamesbaldwin wrote: PS I'm surprised no one proposed a John Williams soundtrack.

jamesbaldwin wrote: My podium: 1) Wim Mertens - "Struggling for Pleasure" - The Belly of an ...  If I have to be honest, this is the only soundtrack that I consider at the same high level of sound quality as Preisner's for The Double Life of Veronika which I proposed. By this I don't mean that this poll is of low quality, on the contrary, it's a poll full of beautiful songs, but on my personal, intimate, emotional level, these two songs touch me in a very different way from the others. If I can say my opinion as a music critic (it is the first time I do it in this area), this piece by Mertens combines truly remarkable composition, sound and pathos throughout his piece, and I consider it wonderful. The piece of Preisner proposed by me, however, is less academic, and it is all inspiration, it has moments of pause and others of progression and at a certain point it reaches a peak, a climax that touches me with an almost violent emotional intensity, which only I rarely find it in music. Second, and so far I have no doubts, there is  2) Tan Dun - "Farewell" - Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Excellent composition.  For the third place I am very undecided between - Maurice Jarre - "Lara's Theme" - Doctor Zhivago - Nino Rota - "Romeo and Juliet" theme - Romeo and Juliet - Clint Mansell - "Pi R Squared" - Pi. For different reasons and atmospheres I like all three very much. But this time I choose Micky, since he has already touched the podium without reaching him. I have to abandon the other two in fourth place on equal terms with a tear on my face.  Finally, honorable mentions,   5) Bernard Herrmann - "Vertigo Theme" - Vertigo 6) Paul Giovanni & Magnet - "Willow's Song" - The Wicker Man.

As always, well thought out and well said, Lorenzo.  

I added my comment about BrufordFreak's nomination in my full-synopses about the songs put here, except those of mine of course (page 7). I'll be voting after 12-15 hours or so.

^ Thank you Lorenzo, really glad that you find the piece I nominated impressive and chose it.

Shadowyzard wrote: I added my comment about BrufordFreak's nomination in my full-synopses about the songs put here, except those of mine of course (page 7). I'll be voting after 12-15 hours or so. ^ Thank you Lorenzo, really glad that you find the piece I nominated impressive and chose it.

BaldFriede wrote: I must admit I saw less than half of these movies. Movies like "Gladiator" or "Exorcist II" just don't interest me at all.

Well, it's more about listening to the music than having watched the films. With many of my favourite soundtracks in my collection I have never seen the film. But I liked the idea of perhaps a little film discussion to go with the listening of the soundtracks, and generally prefer to focus on those that I like than the ones I don't like. There are various films I love, from which a soundtrack was mentioned, and some films I don't. I did say that I didn't enjoy Gladiator, and Lord of the Rings for my own reasons, but In the case of Gladiator part of that was because I loved a somewhat similar one called Titus from the same year (which was more playful and less typical Hollywood epic) that I had recently seen, but in general I'd rather focus on the positive than the negative (and just because one didn't resonate with me doesn't mean it's bad or anything like that).

Films like The Double Life of Veronique, The Belly of an Architect, The Wicker Man, Vertigo, Crouching Tiger..., Doctor Zhivago, PI, This is Spinal Tap, and 28 Days Later I loved or enjoyed considerably. Some of those rank amongst my favourite films.

I had hoped you might nominate a film soundtrack choice this round.

Edited by Lewian - July 11 2020 at 10:28

Sorry for the delay. Some unexpected and long WhatsApp discussion took place on Turkish politics. I'll place my votes soon enough, that is after I go to bed and wake up and feel myself ready for another ride on your nominations.

Thanks Greg. Goodnight. 

Lewian wrote: Concerto in Mi Mineur (in the list as "Van Den Budenmeyer" - I don't know what is the proper title of this): This is a phantastically impressive composition, both sophisticated and emotional. I have seen the film a very very long time ago and I don't remember anymore what happened when this was played, but I imagine to find it hard to stick to the film with my awareness when such a thing is played.