I say I don't why because although I've enjoyed catching the flick on TV, the music hasn't been a reason. Never thought much of the score; in fact, I've never thought too much of David Newman's work overall. He tends to write some lovely passages that end too soon and leave you wanting more or even leave you wondering if he's afraid of giving more or maybe he just doesn't have it in him to develop a full score. And yet on its own the music on the CD is terrific.

I believe "average" scores--of which I'd include the one to Paradise--are merely functional or fulfilling their purpose, "above average" scores improve the motion picture experience, and "great" scores make the picture soar. The goal is to enhance the film. If the score works away from the picture, then it's a bonus.

Interestingly, I have always felt that Thomas Newman, too, is one who has shown wonderful potential but nothing more. Scores like Shawshank Redemption and Green Mile have received quite a bit of praise on this 'board and elsewhere. It is praise I do not understand unless it's coming from a CD stand-alone viewpoint. The worst comment I can make concerning average scores like these is that take away the music from the film and you wouldn't miss much, or replace the score with another and you won't mind it at all. You know The Horse Whisperer? After I saw the film I left thinking there wasn't one piece of music memorable enough to make me want to buy the soundtrack. And the worst thing is that I listen to "Beyondness Of Things" and envision the movie readily to John Barry's rejected cues!

I was never enamored with The Horse Whisperer by Thomas
and always wondered if Barry’s score wouldn’t have been better.
And I wasn’t crazy about The Green Mile nor Erin Brockovich.
On the plus side, I really enjoyed the depth of T. Newman’s
Oscar and Lucinda and Little Women scores. I thought David
Newman’s Hoffa and The Sandlot were strong score contenders.

My favorite Newman? Alfred!!

Examples that come to my mind are, the [s]Star Wars[/b] scores, Indiana Jones, ET, Star Trek the Motion Picture, Star Trek II<- hey, I like it!, Dances With Wolves, Ben-Hur, Spartacus...

of course, complete releases help in that area....

Thanks Howard!

Shaun