MovieMusic.com Message Boards: James Horner's Best Score

Message Boards

Movie Soundtracks

James Horner's Best Score (Page 1)

Archive of old forum. No more postings.

Please visit our new forum, The MovieMusic Lobby, to post new topics.

This topic is 2 pages long: 1 2

Author	Topic: James Horner's Best Score

Shaun Rutherford Oscar® Winner	Just finished watching the new DVD for Glory, and I was so moved by the experience, that I had to post about it. I've seen the film numerous times (it was a black history month staple back in high school; guess our school district felt that this was the only movie that positively portrayed blacks), but each time I watch it, I'm left with this warm, fuzzy feeling. And a large part of that is due to James Horner (not the James Horner of 2000, the James Horner of the 1980s). Regardless of what he ripped off for this one (largely Prokofiev...right, Wedge?), Glory is one of the main reasons why I'm here today. Everytime I hear the music, I just want to be black! Shaun
posted 02-17-2001 10:16 PM PT (US)

TimT Oscar® Winner	<QUOTE>Originally posted by Shaun Rutherford: Everytime I hear the music, I just want to be black! Shaun</QUOTE> What?! HAHAHA, thats the funniest line I've heard all day! Do you remembr "Operation Human Shield"? That was real, I'm not kidding! [Message edited by TimT on 02-17-2001]
posted 02-17-2001 10:20 PM PT (US)

Wedge Oscar® Winner	GAH!!! Yes, Shaun ... Prokofiev and Orff were his chief "influences" on this score. As much as I try, I cannot enjoy this music for the same reason I cannot enjoy diet soda. "Now tastes more like regular Dr. Pepper!" Dammit, give me the regular Dr. Pepper! Most people who love this score love it becuase of the film ... or they've never heard the real thing. If you've never seen the film and are only going on musical merit, Horner's superficially impressive effort falls LEAGUES short of the source material. That said, I recognize how this score has drawn in people. To the average, non-classically literate moviegoer, I'm sure it was the most "glorious" thing they'd ever heard. Not me. For me, Horner's best score is still Jumanji.
posted 02-17-2001 10:26 PM PT (US)

Shaun Rutherford Oscar® Winner	Jumanji! Borrowing a term coined by respected film music idiot JJH, "BAH!" I'd very much like to hear the Prokofiev ripoff. The Orff thing: I can hear the influence clearly, but honestly, I've heard far worse ripoffs of "O Fortuna" (namely in The Messenger). This, in my opinion, falls under the "severe influence" category. Not "composed by Carl Orff". Shaun
posted 02-17-2001 10:41 PM PT (US)

JJH Oscar® Winner	Jumanji! bah!
posted 02-17-2001 10:47 PM PT (US)

Wedge Oscar® Winner	SHAUN: Yeah ... I suppose it does. The Prokofiev rip was from "Ivan the Terrible." After the first few bars, it moves from note-to-note matches into similar methodology, so even that steal isn't the worst he's done. My thing is, if I want to hear great music in that vein, why bother with the Horner? Why not pull out "Ivan the Terrible?" It's a hell of a lot more musically stable. The ONLY reason I can imagine to listen to Glory first is its (albeit strong) emotional association with the film ... and I always tend to appreciate soundtracks more when they are capable of offering something apart from the film.
posted 02-17-2001 10:50 PM PT (US)

Wedge Oscar® Winner	Hey! I'll have you know that Jumanji is a dynamic, vastly underrated masterpiece of musically kinetic scoring! Bah-dle-dee-boo! to the both of you!
posted 02-17-2001 10:53 PM PT (US)

Scott Oscar® Winner	quote: Originally posted by Wedge: Most people who love this score love it becuase of the film ... or they've never heard the real thing While I haven't heard Ivan the terrible I do know the Orff pieces. Yet I loved the score way before I actually seen the movie. It is one of my faves from Horner. It may be a ripp off. The original may be better. But, that doens' t mean I can't enjoy it. I mean, why can't I enjoy N'Sync if I enjoy The Backstreet Boys? They are essentially the same. One a ripp off of the other. But what matters is what I enjoy. It may not be a masterpiece, sure, but if it gets me going it gets me going. Scott
posted 02-18-2001 01:03 AM PT (US)

Jeron Oscar® Winner	Scott???? You like N'Sync?! You like the Backstreet Boys?!
posted 02-18-2001 01:34 AM PT (US)

Brad Wills Oscar® Winner	Yes, JUMANJI...Bleah! I mean...BAH!! Noisy, noisy, noisy. Give me THE ROCKETEER any day.
posted 02-18-2001 07:18 AM PT (US)

John F Oscar® Winner	I agree with Shaun all the way here- GLORY, when it first came out, got my attention like no other score at the time. It had the most emotional impact on me then any other score I have ever acquired, which is a rather bold statement on my part considering I've been collecting for over 10 solid years. I never get tired of listening to it. I do love the film, though I havent seen it in some time now, but the music can stand alone. For me it was one of those scores that bring you back to a particular time period in ones life-not to the civil war, mind you, but to my high school years when I was listening to the score non stop. It's amazing how scores can make you feel nostalgiac. You remember when you first got it, and listened to it, and it brings back all the feelings and memories surrounding that experience. Man am I rambling... as for Jumanji? Shaun can tell you-it has been relegated to frisbee status for my dog! John F
posted 02-18-2001 08:04 AM PT (US)

Scott Oscar® Winner	quote: Originally posted by Jeron: Scott???? You like N'Sync?! You like the Backstreet Boys?! Dang Jeron, a comparision never escapes you, does it? Scotty
posted 02-18-2001 11:21 AM PT (US)

Mark Olivarez Oscar® Winner	Yes it is good but didn't Horner pull a direct rip from the Outlaw Josey Wales? I'm not sure if the piece in question was a traditional piece or one composed for the film by Jerry Fielding. [Message edited by Mark Olivarez on 02-18-2001]
posted 02-18-2001 01:01 PM PT (US)

Johnnyecks Oscar® Winner	Which Horner scores do I like the best? <zipping up my flame retardant suit> All of em! No, seriously..... there are alot of scores that I like of his. Even though he does repeat himself over and over and over.... Dun dun dundundundun dun........ I still enjoy most of his work. My favorite score on top of everything else of his right now, has got to be Bicentennial Man. I love his piano work in that, under that I am thinking possibly Sneakers. Thats a good cd to listen to while driving, and pretending that you are secretly following the person in front of you, and they don't know it. I also like Apollo 13, Glory, and Legends of the Fall (again the piano parts in that one). I am REALLY looking forward to Enemy at the Gates! - John Np: Nothing.
posted 02-18-2001 02:47 PM PT (US)

Crono/Kyp Oscar® Winner	Well, I'd have to say "Legends of the Fall" "Glory" "Titanic" and "Braveheart" Those off the top of my head. --Bri Writer & Film/Video Editor [Message edited by Crono/Kyp on 02-18-2001]
posted 02-18-2001 03:30 PM PT (US)

Jeron Oscar® Winner	BEEP. [Message edited by Jeron on 02-18-2001]
posted 02-18-2001 03:34 PM PT (US)

Crono/Kyp Oscar® Winner	--Brian Writer & Film/Video Editor [Message edited by Crono/Kyp on 02-18-2001]
posted 02-18-2001 03:37 PM PT (US)

Quill Oscar® Winner	I have to go with Johnnyecks on this one. I don't think there is a single Horner score I don't enjoy. Throw Willow in with Brian's picks and you've got my top five. If it ain't broke, don't fix it...and ol' Jimmy certainly ain't broke. I don't really care if Titanic sounds like Courage Under Fire, or if the exact same music is used in Apollo 13 or Balto. It works perfectly in both...if Glory worked in every movie that came out, I'd be happy with it reworked time and time again. There's the 2...4...5...25cents from pathetic Horner fanatic. Have a nice holiday everyone.
posted 02-18-2001 04:50 PM PT (US)

JJH Oscar® Winner	the Horner score I enjoy the most is his little known In Country. nice stuff. NP --
posted 02-18-2001 04:57 PM PT (US)

Jeron Oscar® Winner	Holiday?
posted 02-18-2001 05:43 PM PT (US)

Scott Oscar® Winner	Yes Jeron, Holiday. Ever heard of President's day (former Washington's birthday)? I know you guys do things differently over there in the great state of Texas but common... Scott
posted 02-18-2001 05:59 PM PT (US)

Jeron Oscar® Winner	"Common"? or "come on"? I know spelling isn't a strong suit in Long Beach, but come on... Also, I don't consider it a holiday if I don't get to miss school. So there. Jeron [Message edited by Jeron on 02-18-2001]
posted 02-18-2001 09:07 PM PT (US)

Jennie Oscar® Winner	I'd probably agree with Brian's list, especially Legends of the Fall and Titanic. And Jeron! Don't be dissin' mah boy bands...
posted 02-19-2001 01:02 AM PT (US)

Jeron Oscar® Winner	Ah! It's a ghost!!
posted 02-19-2001 01:13 AM PT (US)

Scott Oscar® Winner	quote: Originally posted by Jeron: [BAlso, I don't consider it a holiday if I don't get to miss school. So there. ;[/B] Well, booh, ohhh,ohhh, ohhhh...cry baby. Scotty
posted 02-19-2001 01:54 AM PT (US)

Richard Oscar® Winner	I like Horner as much as the next man....that likes him, and I think my fave of his scores are Braveheart, Apollo 13 and Bicentennial Man. Now that I've gotten THAT out of the way, I'd like to mention, so I will, that I listened to clips from Enemy at the Gates. My thoughts about these from the Horner I have heard, is that it sounds fairly original to me, yet Im still reading comments of self-plagerism. What scores has he "borrowed" from for EATG? Because it's nothing I'm familiar with (bearing in mind I have only heard four 30sec clips).
posted 02-19-2001 02:10 AM PT (US)

André Lux Oscar® Winner	Jaime finest is by far Arnold Schwartzkapoff's COMMANDO, with all those little Jamaican steal drums that have everything to do with what's going on screen!!
posted 02-19-2001 04:14 AM PT (US)

Nicolai P. Zwar Oscar® Winner	Personally, I have always enjoyed Horner's score for Glory and still do. This though -- or perhaps even because -- I knew Prokofiev and Orff long before I ever even heard of Horner. NP: Michael Nyman The Piano Munich Philharmonic Orchestra/Nyman (Virgin) [Message edited by Nicolai P. Zwar on 02-19-2001]
posted 02-19-2001 10:01 AM PT (US)

Wedge Oscar® Winner	Richard: Regarding EATG ... listen to "Tania" then listen to the theme from "Schindler's List." [Message edited by Wedge on 02-19-2001]
posted 02-19-2001 10:19 AM PT (US)

Quill Oscar® Winner	Actually Wedge...I think he just reworked that bit from Apollo13 and Balto. The way it has been reorchestrated makes it sound like Schindler...but you're right--it's pretty close.
posted 02-19-2001 03:20 PM PT (US)

Shaun Rutherford Oscar® Winner	BUT---the egg was Schindler's List. The chicken was Apollo 13. Shaun
posted 02-19-2001 07:20 PM PT (US)

Jeron Oscar® Winner	Oh, so NOW WE ALL KNOW FROM WHICH PHILOSOPHY SHAUN COMES FROM! He believes the egg came before the chicken. Hmph!! What kind of loser are you, Shaun? Go back to grade school and when you have the right answer, talk to us then. ...egg before the chicken. Ludicrous! heh. Jeron
posted 02-19-2001 08:26 PM PT (US)

JJH Oscar® Winner	quote: NOW WE ALL KNOW FROM WHICH PHILOSOPHY SHAUN COMES FROM or: Now we all know what kind of ass/retard Shaun is. NP -- North by Northwest, Bernard Herrmann as heard on the sweet DVD
posted 02-19-2001 10:50 PM PT (US)

H Rocco Oscar® Winner	Oh yeah, like that was NEWS ... I like GLORY. Sorry, Wedge, but I still do, and would agree completely with John F's reasons for liking it, as mentioned above (except that our specific reasons are probably different, still it does recall a certain moment in time for me). I also like KRULL, STAR TREK II, WILLOW, GORKY PARK, 48 HRS., UNCOMMON VALOR, "Airport Goodbye" from THE PELICAN BRIEF, THE LAND BEFORE TIME, "The Ludlows" from LEGENDS OF THE FALL, and pretty much all of BALTO, among other Horner albums I still have and frequently enjoy. I even like a lot of TITANIC. Oh yes, the "Hymn" from COURAGE UNDER FIRE is, to me, hypnotic. The Golden Globe-nominated song "Dreams To Dream" -- lyrics by, yes, the immortal Will Jennings -- from AMERICAN TAIL II is beautiful (even if the theme is the same as JOURNEY OF NATTY GANN's, but, well, this is Horner we're discussing.) I won't go into the stuff by Horner that I can't begin to stand and refuse to own. Mark Olivarez: that one cue in GLORY is most definitely kyped from Jerry Fielding's OUTLAW JOSEY WALES. Fellow Detroit concert-goers ... remember my story about how that came to be? (I'm not allowed to post it here ... not by the K, but by propriety in general, i.e. I'll catch hell from my source ) NP: I'm not sure (Shaun, would you mind calling me up to I.D. it? Whatever it is, it appears to be music, at any rate)
posted 02-19-2001 11:24 PM PT (US)

Jeron Oscar® Winner	JJ, Rocco - LOL.
posted 02-20-2001 05:02 AM PT (US)

Ruddiger unregistered	Krull, Star Trek II and yes even III. Horner has not surpassed his early to middle era works.
posted 02-20-2001 11:20 AM PT (US)

Nicolai P. Zwar Oscar® Winner	Horner has been unable to top his 1983 score for Brainstorm so far. There may be a few Horner scores around that are as good, but none are better.
posted 02-20-2001 02:30 PM PT (US)

SBD Oscar® Winner	I'm really the kind of guy who gravitates away from Horner's dramatic scores, at least in terms of playing favorites. In this case, I'm not voting for BRAVEHEART or TITANIC or GLORY (though I do consider it a great score). I'm more into Horner's lighter works, like I LOVE YOU TO DEATH (love those orchestrations), THE GRINCH (ditto), HONEY I SHRUNK THE KIDS, JUMANJI and especially CASPER. To me, this score is the s***. [Message edited by SBD on 02-21-2001]
posted 02-21-2001 06:36 AM PT (US)

Quill Oscar® Winner	Well, I just picked up the new special edition Glory DVD yesterday...viewing it just reaffirmed for me the power and emotional depth of the score. There are a few scores out there that hit you square in the chest, and this is one of them. Whatever the classical foundations for the score might be, this is a masterwork, and even the most stubborn Horner-nay-sayers on this board should be able to admit that...In the end I would say Horner has lost the creative touch he had back then, but in my mind so have many others...Williams included.
posted 02-22-2001 08:36 AM PT (US)

Bulldog Oscar® Winner	Despite whatever compositional shortcomings he might have and however pronounced his lack of integrity, Horner still is a master dramatist in the Goldsmithian tradition. I would never nominate him for a Grammy, but I would for an Oscar from time to time. As for my favorite Horner score, I have always had a bit of a soft spot for THE MAN WITHOUT A FACE. As for my least favorite Horner score, it's--without a second thought--TITANIC.
posted 02-22-2001 04:36 PM PT (US)

Old Infopop Software by UBB