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Author	Topic: James Horner and "Lord of the Rings"

Captain Howdy Oscar® Winner	If the news that Horner is currently the front runner to score LOTR Trilogy is true, I'm happy. I like Kilar and I've recently heard "The Ninth Gate", which I think is truly a great horror score, but as far as epic fantasy goes, I think Horner is well-suited. I just hope that Peter Jackson tells him to try to make it original. But, everytime I think about the novel (which I just recently re-read...anyone who hasn't read it...READ IT!!) , Trevor Jones's score for "Merlin" pops into my head. Anyone else BADLY want Jones to score the trilogy? NP: Hurricane (Young) ****.5/5
posted 02-19-2000 02:08 PM PT (US)

robin4 Oscar® Winner	Where did that info come from? I thought that Kilar was already tied to it? I hope he stays!
posted 02-19-2000 05:07 PM PT (US)

Scott Oscar® Winner	I would rather see Horner do this one as well. Better choices would be Jones, perhaps Kamen or Arnold. Scott
posted 02-19-2000 06:00 PM PT (US)

Dan Brecher Oscar® Winner	I'd like Goldsmith to score the trilogy, but I thought Kilar was confirmed? Dan (UK) [This message has been edited by Dan Brecher (edited 19 February 2000).]
posted 02-19-2000 06:15 PM PT (US)

Dawk Oscar® Winner	I wouldn't really be too excited to see Horner do Lord of the Rings. I'm not saying he's not capable of doing a fantasy epic, but I haven't heard scores of his that were vivid enough to make me want to see him score a fantasy epic. I'd rather see someone like James Newton Howard do it, he's already proved he can do it, but I'd like to see him do it to a GOOD movie (sorry to those who actually enjoyed Waterworld, but that movie was garbage). But when you listen to the score, you can just close your eyes and imagine what a good movie it could have been. Anyways, not horner please, let him stick to movies where his quite "I don't want people to actually notice my music while the movie's playing" style is well appreciated.
posted 02-19-2000 07:54 PM PT (US)

Captain Howdy Oscar® Winner	The news is on Score! soundtrack reviews (www.scorereviews.com). The info definatly isn't confirmed, but it supposedly comes from someone at New Line. They say that Kilar has indeed been talked to, but Horner is their top choice. NP: The Hurricane (Young) ****.5/5
posted 02-19-2000 08:14 PM PT (US)

Wedge Oscar® Winner	"Lord of the Rings" deserves a score with integrity, and I'm afraid Horner won't (or can't) provide that. I can't speak for Kilar -- he may surprise us -- but I would certainly celebrate Jones. Between "Merlin," "Excalibur" and "The Dark Crystal" it's a genre in which he truly soars.
posted 02-19-2000 08:49 PM PT (US)

mlw Oscar® Winner	People still like Horner?
posted 02-19-2000 08:55 PM PT (US)

Jeron Oscar® Winner	Hah, I'm not even gonna get into this age old debate again. I wouldn't mind another Willow... just as long as he and Will Jennings don't write a song for the movie, I think it might have a chance. Jeron [This message has been edited by Jeron (edited 19 February 2000).]
posted 02-19-2000 09:01 PM PT (US)

Dave Oscar® Winner	I agree with Jeron NO SONG FOR THIS MOVIE!!! But I would prefer Kilar for this movie. It seems to be a fairly dark story(i have never read the books myself but have read about them and been told about them by friends)and think that Kilar would be perfect for the job. Just listen to Dracula! dave NP Jurrasic Park
posted 02-19-2000 09:23 PM PT (US)

Scott Oscar® Winner	Well, you would have to have songs in this movie if you are going to be true to the story. In it there are wonderful songs with great lyrics. Gosh I wish Williams or Goldsmith would do this. Howard is not a bad choice either. But I believe Horner is capable of a good job, he may surprise. Scott
posted 02-19-2000 09:27 PM PT (US)

SFT Oscar® Winner	Well, in my opinion Kilar is a far better composer than Horner. He hasn´t done many scores, but the few ones he has composed, are simply some of the best ever. I really hope Jackson uses Kilar instead of Horner. SFT NP: Fiddler on the Roof
posted 02-20-2000 03:19 AM PT (US)

Nicolai P. Zwar Oscar® Winner	Wojchiech Kilar is would have been one of my number one choices for "The Lord Of The Rigns", and I was happy to even see him considered when I first heard the news. I would hate to see him leave the project. Kilar could provide a truly accomplished and off the beaten Hollywood track score.
posted 02-20-2000 06:27 AM PT (US)

Timmer Oscar® Winner	I agree with you Nicolai,Listen everyone WOJCIECH KILAR is THE man for this project, BAR NONE!! Not Goldsmith, Not Williams, Not Arnold ( Arnold?? someone's joking, Right!! ) and Not Horner ( and YES I do like Horner! ). If they really aren't going for Kilar I'd like to see the producers take a chance with Trevor Jones, Christopher Young, Basil Poledoris, Or even ( Hell will probably freeze first ) David Whitaker or John Scott!! timmer
posted 02-20-2000 07:05 AM PT (US)

Marian Schedenig Oscar® Winner	OH NO! NOT HORNER, PLEASE! I like his "Star Trek 2" score, and also his work for "Sneakers". I think that "Aliens" works well in the movie, but some parts are far too similar to his "Star Trek" scores, and I just had to laugh when I suddenly heard the climax of "Battle in the Mutara Nebula". LOTR is NOT only a dark story. It IS very dark (Rosenman's score fits the darkness perfectly), but it also has many light and beautiful moments. That's what's so fantastic about the novel. And that is also why to me, Rosenman's score (although one of my favourites) is not really a LOTR score. Although I guess that's not his fault but that of the film he had to score. My first choice would be Williams, my favourite composer. I think Kilar wouldn't be bad, although his score are a bit redundant for my taste. I really like "Ninth Gate", and "Dracula" was good as well (although the CD is not very good). I don't know many scores by him, so I don't know how good he's at scoring "beautiful" sequences. LOTR MUST include songs. The book is full of them, and they're all fantastic. And that is why maybe Doyle would be the best choice. He is the only composer who I trust when it comes to songs. Williams has done some beautiful songs, but some are horrible (e.g. "When You're Alone"). Furthermore, from scoring Branagh's Shakespeare adaptions, Doyle is already familiar with scoring British literature. Poledouris could do a great job as well, I guess. But I honestly hope that it won't be horner. NP: "The Three Musketeers" (Steiner, from the fantastic "Captain Blood" compilation from Marco Polo)
posted 02-20-2000 07:42 AM PT (US)

Nicolai P. Zwar Oscar® Winner	Don't worry, Wojchiech Kilar is also capable of composing lyrically and enchantingly. His little known score for the French animated "Le Roi et l'Oiseau" is highly charming, and some of his concert works have sheer beauty in them.
posted 02-20-2000 07:54 AM PT (US)

Dr.Evil Oscar® Winner	No problem on Horner. The man composed KRULL and WILLOW, anyone still think he is not capable to make a great job? But I prefer Williams of course...
posted 02-20-2000 02:11 PM PT (US)

H Rocco Oscar® Winner	I like the idea of Kilar more than I like the idea of Horner, although Horner has written tons of great music in this idiom. But then again, that's my point -- Horner might have exhausted his repertoire by now. Kilar, on the other hand, has done virtually nothing like this. (He's an odd choice for it, though. I wonder how he got picked.) For SFT, who wrote that Kilar hasn't done that many scores: Not so, he just hasn't done that many we've HEARD. His filmography stretches back at least thirty years. He's also written quite a bit for the concert hall (one of his pieces was used as the score for one of the trailers of SCHINDLER'S LIST -- and nothing against Williams is meant, but I personally thought that one Kilar piece was more interesting than what Williams finally wrote for the movie.) I wonder if the estimable Thomas Newman can write in this milieu. Nobody's ever asked him to, but I bet he could pull it off. (No, I'm not starting a Hire Thomas Newman for LOTR campaign -- just an oddball, off-the-cuff thought.)
posted 02-20-2000 02:33 PM PT (US)

Andre Lux unregistered	Horner? Must be joking, sorry! Not that I don't like the guy (hei, he did "Krull" and "Willow") but LOTR begs for something original and remarkable... I can already imagine - Enter Saruman... and the score "FÓ-RÓ-ROMMMMMMMMM!!!" (a.k.a. "Horner Bad Guy Theme" one can find on "Project X", "Willow", "Zorro", etc, etc..). No thanks! KILLAR's the man. Thanks!
posted 02-20-2000 04:24 PM PT (US)

H Rocco Oscar® Winner	That's what I think ... I'd hoped he'd retired FO-RO-RO-RONNNN (as I think you've also spelled it, Andre) after giving the motif its biggest-ever workout in the tumultuous cue for the death of General Kael in WILLOW, but noooo ... Horner's reprised those very notes again in LAND BEFORE TIME, ZORRO and TALES FROM THE CRYPT, among, for all I know, others. Let's see Mr. Kilar impress us. He's liable to really SURPRISE us -- a facility Horner is rather lacking in these days. Kilar's success is one of my bigger filmscore hopes for the coming year. (Hey, let's think REALLY big and vote him an early Oscar nomination. He deserved one for DRACULA, after all. Like the Oscars really mean anything except the joy to those who receive them, though.)
posted 02-20-2000 04:36 PM PT (US)

Crono/Kyp Oscar® Winner	You all know my thoughs on Horner, so I'm not going to say anything. I do this that he could do a good job on this. Also due to the time for when the film is set, I doubt there will be a song. --Kyp NP: Dinosair MP3 (**1/2/***)
posted 02-20-2000 05:52 PM PT (US)

Pete M Oscar® Winner	No, please, not Horner. Whilst he may do a pretty good job, it will still be a typical fantasy score, like so many others - the same if anyone like Williams, Poledouris, Goldsmith (I fear the days of Legend are long gone...) et al. Kilar will provide a particularly unique sensibility to the film, that would really make it stand out from the others, like the score he provided for Coppola's Dracula. There really is no-one else I would like to see scoring these films, & I sincerely hope that good sense will prevail, & that he will be the chosen one. np True Women
posted 02-21-2000 04:41 AM PT (US)

Marian Schedenig Oscar® Winner	Crono/Kyp: If they really try to be as faithful to the novel as it fortunately looks, they'll HAVE to do several songs. LOTR without the songs simply isn't LOTR. And LOTR with bad songs would be a mess, as well. H: Well, if Horner would do an original score, wouldn't that be a surprise?
posted 02-21-2000 09:38 AM PT (US)

H Rocco Oscar® Winner	Marian, Yes. It would. Be.
posted 02-21-2000 01:05 PM PT (US)

Kris Oscar® Winner	As far as I know nobody signed any contract yet. I think it will be announced on the official site. Let's be patient. Anyway, if Horner should compose LOTR, I doubt he'll do JP3...
posted 02-22-2000 04:06 AM PT (US)

Thor Oscar® Winner	I definitely agree with Kris above. There's no need to speculate more than necessary. For all we know, Kilar might still be attached and have a great score coming for us. Don't give in to the rumours! IF, and I specify IF, Horner should be taken on board, I would say that is a good thing too. He hasn't exactly been up to par in the last few years (although I enjoy several of his scores from this very period), but a return to the days of KRULL and WILLOW would defintely do him good. A relightning of his talented spark!
posted 02-22-2000 06:19 AM PT (US)

Scott Oscar® Winner	Two things, SFT, long time no see. Songs: There have to be songs, if you don't agree, read the book. Scott NP: Nothing, gotta change the cd.
posted 02-22-2000 07:27 AM PT (US)

Nicolai P. Zwar Oscar® Winner	Songs, yes, by all means, they don't even need a lyricist, as they are already written. But please... no wishy-washy Disney like Hollywood mush songs! Those songs need to sound ancient, strange, enchanting, and eerie.
posted 02-22-2000 12:25 PM PT (US)

Dr.Evil Oscar® Winner	Resuming: We need Goldsmith?
posted 02-22-2000 07:58 PM PT (US)

JoeInSanDiego Oscar® Winner	All I can say is...listening to Kilar's score for Ninth gate makes me believe he'd be PERFECT for LOTR NP - NINTH GATE (Kilar)
posted 02-22-2000 08:26 PM PT (US)

Bryan T Oscar® Winner	I agree that if Horner returns to the style of Krull and Willow, it will be great. Unfortunately it would not have a crucial element that made Horner's early scores so breathtaking: the presence of the late orchestrator Greig McRitchie. Horner has been doing most of his own orchestrations the last several years, which I have to respect, but some of the power is gone. Also, I have to agree that his recurring "bad guy" motif needs to be retired. Who knows, though, LOTR's vast scope may inspire him. I think he has it in him. I may be biased, but I think Goldsmith would be an excellent choice. LEGEND, the OMEN series, THE SECRET OF NIMH, and many others attest to the fact that he is capable of writing an expansive fantasy score and keeping it coherent. On the other hand, it would be interesting to see what Kilar could come up with. NP-Superman Expanded Original (John Williams)
posted 02-22-2000 09:30 PM PT (US)

Crono/Kyp Oscar® Winner	You people upset me. Just bacause Horner copies himself on some of his scores dosen't mean he can't write a totally original score. Heck look at Goldsmith. When I listen to "First Contact," I hear like half of his other works in there! Also I have not read the books (they are on my "mile long list of things to read") so I did not know that there were songs in the book. --Kyp PS: I am sick of all this Horner making-fun-of/bashing. [This message has been edited by Crono/Kyp (edited 22 February 2000).]
posted 02-22-2000 10:04 PM PT (US)

Cole Oscar® Winner	In all fairness, to Crono/Kyp: It does seem to me that as of late Goldsmith does enough self plagerism to rival Horner. I still think Horner does it more blatantly. I admit that I like the "Horner sound" less than the Goldsmith while both are seemingly very formulaic these days. It just seems odd that Horner gets bashed more for it than Goldsmith. why is that? And yes, i have done my fair share of shamelessy bashing Horner and not bringing to light issues that I have with Goldsmith. Am I just tryting to fit in?Perhaps I do need to be "more equal" in my criticisms. Perhaps we all do. thoughts/comments/observations? NP - Somewhere in Time (Barry)
posted 02-22-2000 10:13 PM PT (US)

Timmer Oscar® Winner	I don't care how many times I say this... WOJCIECH KILAR is THE choice for this film, No doubt about it! NP : John Huston's MOBY DICK on T.V. ( Channel 4 if your reading this, this afternoon in U.K. )
posted 02-23-2000 05:40 AM PT (US)

Kris Oscar® Winner	I just hope that either John Debney or Basil Poledouris gets the job. That would be the best news in years.
posted 02-23-2000 06:18 AM PT (US)

Scott Oscar® Winner	Ehm...about the Horner/Goldsmith question...could it be because Goldsmith is just a better composer? (OH dear wretched soul, what have ye done...) Scott NP:The Reivers (***/***)
posted 02-23-2000 07:28 AM PT (US)

Marian Schedenig Oscar® Winner	Joe, Sheriff, Sir... ...I like "9th Gate" very much, but from this score alone, I can't tell if Kilar is perfect for LOTR. "9th Gate" is an impressive, dark score, and the same "dark" writing would be impressive for LOTR. However, as I said above, dark music alone does not make a good LOTR score. First of all, LOTR is a beautiful and very romantic story, although it HAS extremely dark passages, of course. Timmer: Great movie with great score. Do you have the Marco Polo CD? NP: Judge Dredd (Silvestri, *.5/***; Song section of the CD is over & I don't feel the need to ever listen to it again).
posted 02-23-2000 08:22 AM PT (US)

Marian Schedenig Oscar® Winner	Wasn't the rumor of Kilar being the chosen composer accompanied by the statement that they wanted a composer who's work is "different" from the standard Hollywood scores? If that's true, Horner would be an illogical choice.
posted 02-23-2000 08:32 AM PT (US)

JoeInSanDiego Oscar® Winner	Marian: Then allow me to expand on why I think Kilar is the perfect choice. Listen to his scores for PORTRAIT OF A LADY and DEATH AND THE MAIDEN...superior efforts. Still would be my number one choice. And I do agree that there would HAVE to be songs in the films... NP - Desperate Measures (Trevor Jones) */***
posted 02-23-2000 10:53 AM PT (US)

Marian Schedenig Oscar® Winner	JoeI, I found "Death of a Maiden" impressive as well, but also - again - a bit repetitive. Still, the style is not quite what I think LOTR needs in the first place. That does NOT AT ALL mean that Kilar is the wrong joice. It just means that I have no proof he's exactly the right one.
posted 02-23-2000 12:16 PM PT (US)

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