To me, such atmospheric music is the best kind considering different generes. It sucks you into the world of the film. If a film NEEDS huge themes like say, Star Wars or CTHD, it seems, sometimes, the films would not last/or be boring without that huge kick from the music.

Cure was a masterpiece and is now my fav crime thriller of all time. It is mysterious, scary, thought provoking, and down right awesome. The atmosphere is so thick, and the tension is SO strong, that it blew me away(not to mention a cool story.)

Personally, I would take atmospheric music over big thematic music any day since for me, music that adds to the film in such a quiet way makes it last longer. Sure, big themes and loud bursts are great for a CD, and they stick in your head alone, but in all honesty, doesn't atmosphere make a film sooooo much better?

I hope this is not too much like the other post.

[Message edited by Kross on 08-07-2001]

Considering the “different genres” of films, atmospheric scores do have
their place; they fit the visuals of their movies. Films like Se7en and Silence
of the Lambs need tense textures in their music, not grand melodic
themes. But to say that, “if a film NEEDS huge theme like say
Star Wars or CTHD, it seems the films would not last/or be boring
without that huge kick from the music,” is a GROSS generalization.
Magnificent themes in certain films simply enhance the greatness of
these films. Solid scripts, superb acting, quality cinematography, etc.
are also necessary ingredients for excellent films. Great music alone
won’t save a bad film but at least we’ll remember the music, which
is more than I can say for scores that only have a “deep bass rumble.”
Star Trek The Movie isn’t a good film but at least the music is memorable.
Some of the finest melodic themes have been attached to good or
even great films. Ben Hur, To Kill a Mockingbird, Star Wars,
CE3K, Schindler’s List, Jaws, Vertigo, Lonesome Dove, Dances
With Wolves, GWTW, Magnificent Seven. etc.

“Music that adds to the film in such a quiet way
makes it last longer.” Say what???? The word “it” refers to
the music or the film?

There ARE exceptions. What I meant was, films that don't have huge themes every minute TEND to be better in my opinion. It seems that the story/characters/atmosphere is stronger in these films, and a huge score would only make them silly/too much like a movie.

My main point is that big themes have a downfall at least IMO. When I am watching a film with big themes, I tend to be put off moments here and there since I listen to the theme and obviously go, " I am just watching a screen." Whereas atmospheric scores tend to suck ME in far more at least.

I meant the film as "it."

Also, to me, Ran is a tad more atmospheric than most epics.

Sometimes movies DO demand a big theme. I just tend to like films without big themes more. I guess it all depends on the film and the score. Sometimes films with big moral/story themes like say, Seven Samurai, are so good that a big theme does not take away from the film/story/whatever. Others like say most of Spielberg's films, tend to be TOO big theme(score) wise, and lacking otherwise using the music to FILL IN lack of cinematic goodness.

what about WLB's score? In my opinion, again, Silvestri's score was a masterpiece, because it was truly atmospheric, unnoticeable music 'til the climax; the music was extremely INSIDE the visuals, the characters and story... and when it finally exploded to its full extent, it was fiercely melodic (and, as the case was, purposely a little bit tongue-in-cheek)...

Scores that are entirely atmospheric tend to be tied so much to the visuals that they sometimes don't work as well on CD though. Se7en has a great score, but I don't think I'd need it on CD.