MovieMusic.com Message Boards: Elfman adds magic to Big Fish

Message Boards

Movie Soundtracks

Elfman adds magic to Big Fish

Archive of old forum. No more postings.

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

Author	Topic: Elfman adds magic to Big Fish

Camillu Standard Userer	Rerturn of the King may have the best trailer of the year, and Matrix Reloaded had the coolest, but the new trailer for Big Fish is definetely the most interesting and magical. The latter is mostly due to the superb use of Elfman's music (from previous scores), which work wonders. Let's hope his music is just as great in the film.
posted 10-09-2003 11:54 AM PT (US)

Camillu Standard Userer	Incidentally, was anyone else reminded of Forrest Gump by this trailer? Maybe it's the accents, american football, 'amazing life story' theme, and the war clip, but Forrest Gump was the first thing that sprang to mind.
posted 10-09-2003 12:31 PM PT (US)

franz_conrad Standard Userer	I think I'm going to find Albert Finney/Ewan McGregor's protagonist a little more interesting than the intellectually challenged fellow at the centre of Forrest Gump. But no, you're right - the parallels are quite striking. The excerpt from Edward Scissorhands at the end reminded me of what an idiot I am for not having bought that score yet. Was there some Thomas Newman music at the beginning of the trailer?
posted 10-09-2003 03:22 PM PT (US)

Boatnh8084 Standard Userer	Forgive me, but i'm at a bit of a loss as to what the majority of the music used in the trailer is. I recognize Black Beauty at the beggining, but from then on, until we get to Edward Scissorhands, i don't recognize any of the music. Anyone care to enlighten me, since i do rather like it?
posted 10-09-2003 04:14 PM PT (US)

reza Standard Userer	It's not Thomas Newman, it's Elfman's Black Beauty, one of the first tracks if I'm not mistaken
posted 10-09-2003 04:14 PM PT (US)

Dr Know Standard Userer	The heroic/uplifting music in this trailer is from Patch Adams (Marc Shaiman). Can't wait to see this film!! Jim
posted 10-09-2003 05:11 PM PT (US)

Dylan Standard Userer	As far as "Forrest Gump" goes, it bugs me that so many people are making that connection because to me, "Big Fish" looks entirely different, and a million times better (though I do like "Forrest Gump"). The "Big Fish" trailer is nothing short of astonishing. It's too bad I have to wait until late January though. This looks like a truly magnificent film. A beautiful story, and there's almost nothing better than carnival ambiance for a film, as far as my taste goes. This is perhaps saying a lot, but I believe there is an excellent chance that "Big Fish" will be Tim Burton's greatest film, just from the trailer. I had a lump in my throat the second, third, and fourth times I watched it...I really can't wait for this film. http://www.apple.com/trailers/sony_pictures/big_fish Dylan
posted 10-09-2003 08:52 PM PT (US)

Bond1965 Standard Userer	F.Y.I. I talked to Danny Elfman's filmmusic agent, Richard Kraft, the other night and he told me Danny's score is quite beautiful in the "Black Beauty" mold. That's probably why you're hearing that score in the trailer. It'll be nice if Danny does something similar to "Black Beauty" as his recent efforts have left me a little cold. James
posted 10-10-2003 09:22 AM PT (US)

rkeaveney Standard Userer	The trailer music breaks down like this: BLACK BEAUTY UNKNOWN PATCH ADAMS INSTINCT EDWARD SCISSORHANDS Ryan
posted 10-10-2003 06:54 PM PT (US)

justin boggan Standard Userer	Elfman adds magic to Big Fish You mean he's going to rip off Goldsmith? Isn't that Horner's job? Just kidding. I saw the oppritunity and have taken it. I haven't seen movie previews in a long time. What is this movie about?
posted 10-11-2003 11:19 AM PT (US)

dcopperfield Standard Userer	what is the second song in the trailer?? It has a techno beat w/ piano. The rest of the music is as follows: 1. BLACK BEAUTY - Danny Elfman (track 5: "Jump for Joy") 2. ?? (ANYBODY KNOW THIS SONG??) 3. PATCH ADAMS - Marc Shaiman (track 18: "The Ruling/ Graduation" 4. INSTINCT - Danny Elfman (track 7: "Escape") 5. EDWARD SCISSORHANDS - Danny Elfman (track 15: "The Grand Finale")
posted 10-11-2003 12:02 PM PT (US)

Camillu Standard Userer	quote: Originally posted by justin boggan: What is this movie about? It's about a whale.
posted 10-12-2003 05:04 AM PT (US)

justin boggan Standard Userer	So is Star Trek 4 ... can you be more specific? ;-)
posted 10-12-2003 08:41 AM PT (US)

Camillu Standard Userer	The whale is, well, huge.
posted 10-12-2003 09:59 AM PT (US)

Dylan Standard Userer	Justin, "Big Fish" is REALLY about a man named William Bloom (played by Billy Crudup) trying to learn more about his dying father (Albert Finney). By piecing together the stories he has gathered over the years. The son winds up re-creating his father's life in a series of legends and myths inspired by the few facts he knows. Dylan
posted 10-12-2003 01:18 PM PT (US)

Laurent WATTEAU Non-Standard Userer	quote: Originally posted by Camillu: *The whale is, well, huge.* A whale is not a fish!!
posted 10-13-2003 12:46 AM PT (US)

Camillu Standard Userer	quote: Originally posted by Laurent WATTEAU: A whale is not a fish!! I know! That's why I think Tim Burton should have come up with another title!
posted 10-13-2003 06:33 AM PT (US)

rkeaveney Standard Userer	The title BIG FISH comes from the book... BIG FISH, which the film BIG FISH is based on... It's a term that relates to the "big fish story", you know, "the fish that got away and was this big!" Of course you knew that. But I felt a clarification was necessary anyways... Ryan
posted 10-13-2003 09:03 AM PT (US)

Dylan Standard Userer	A friend of mine saw an early screening of the completed "Big Fish" and here is what she said about the music (and I quote): "Danny's score, although not too apparant in this film (because of songs used by Buddy Holly, Elvis, etc.), is still wonderful. It is a very subtle score, nothing booming. But what is there is classic, beautiful Danny. And there are some bits of a chorus, and little bit of circus music." Nothing incredibly detailed, but interesting comments no less. And this is really the only positive thing I've heard about Elfman's score from others who have mentioned it online (it's been mentioned in maybe 5 reviews, neither of them praising it)...but then again, I believe "Sleepy Hollow" is one of his greatest achievements, and I'm sure we all remember that at first most of us didn't like it...then gradually, almost everybody who said that they disliked it completely fell in love with it. Here's hoping "Big Fish" inspired one of Danny's finest. Best Regards, Dylan (who thinks "Big Fish" looks like one of the greatest films ever made) [Message edited by Dylan on 11-24-2003]
posted 11-24-2003 03:31 PM PT (US)

Crono/Kyp Standard Userer	Thanks Dylan I hope the Sony disc dosen't have a lot of songs on it... How are you fairing with those 12 inch of snow my fellow Eastern-Stater? --Brian NP: 34th Street
posted 11-24-2003 04:42 PM PT (US)

MillsSomerset Standard Userer	What I've heard of this score thus far -- which is snippets of several tracks -- is, well... Partially disappointing. There's some lovely, lyrical stuff of the sort we've come to expect from Danny. Yet it feels like - and I haven't seen the film - he's definitely scoring TO the film, at least for the first few tracks. By this, I mean it's a lot of fiddle music, circus music -- things that I assume fit the period of certain scenes and the setting of them as well. But I was hoping for a full-on EDWARD SCISSORHANDS - Part II type of thing and, thus far, I haven't really heard that. But maybe it's in the 2nd half o'the album, which I've yet to hear. That said, the trailer IS lovely, probably (along with ROTK) my favorite out there right now. And a potent use of Elfman's other music scores, I agree. OF course, I get goosebumps anytime "Ice Dance" is played from ED. SCISSORHANDS anyway, so maybe I'm biased, but... Good stuff, nonetheless. Can't wait for the film. MS
posted 11-25-2003 02:13 PM PT (US)

Dylan Standard Userer	I think I'll love this score...just the thought of new circus music from Danny Elfman is enough to make me fly to the moon. By the way, where did you hear the track snippets? Best Regards, Dylan
posted 11-25-2003 02:22 PM PT (US)

Dylan Standard Userer	Well, Another online friend of mine saw an early "Big Fish" screening. He said the film was probably Burton's greatest to date, and that it was like a cross between "Wizard of Oz," Spielberg, Fellini, and "Citizen Kane." My mouth is watering. My friend, who knows my musical taste well, said that I will be ecstatic when I hear the score. He said that it's extremely lovely scoring, and that Elfman has hit a grand slam. Dylan
posted 11-26-2003 02:53 PM PT (US)

Dylan Standard Userer	The official website has original music on it now. It's lovely stuff. Also, I wanted to copy and paste a few comments that have been made about people who have heard this score over at elfman.filmmusic.com: From teh- "I've got the Big Fish CD. It's quite good. Looks like Danny drew a pretty solid line between the reality and fantasy sequences...The fantasy stuff is very much of the Elfman/Burton cannon...It has that magical feel to it...Combines Elfman's Russian sense of minor harmonies with some Deep South inflections. Boys choir pops up here and there. Quite a bit of tensile solo piano. The writing for reality is less typical of Elfman. Lots of steel guitar and scratchy fiddle. There are sounds and harmonic inflections I haven't heard since Midnight Run, but employed with a Good Will Hunting sense of kaleidoscopic color. At first listen I thought the score seemed too passive, too content to hang in the air without any strong sense of shape or the sharp orchestral colors Elfman used in early Burton films. But at the second go round, I very much enjoyed with Elfman was doing. It has that magical Burton feel, but it's employed with a more mature sense of structure. More complex. More reserved, but no less magical. Some people will be surprised at first, but stick with it. This score makes you work... and that's a good thing!" From John Mullin: "I saw the movie the other day. I was surprised by how "modern" the music for the present day scenes is. Kind of in the GOOD WILL HUNTING / CIVIL ACTION variety. But overall, the score really runs the gamut. There are some great cues in the movie, and the two love themes -- one for Sandra and one for Jenny -- are really lush and unique. Sandra's theme gets some beautiful, full statements (in the film) and doesn't really sounds like anything Elfman's done before! I'm glad to see that the sad piano arrangement of Jenny's theme made it to the CD (apparently, it is the second to last track). At times, the music reminds you of various other things that Elfman has done, but it isn't really "like" any of them. To compare this score to EDWARD SCISSORHANDS or BLACK BEAUTY is a bit unfair as it's as much like those two scores as they are like eachother. Oh, and the "Siamese Love" song (which was co-written by John August, the film's screenwriter, is hysterical! Dark and twisted, just like it should be." From the music on the website, I think this is going to be the best recent score in many years. It really appeals to me...and since there's more Elfmanesque music and circus music that I haven't heard yet, then I believe this score will end up being one of my personal favorites. We shall see. Dylan [Message edited by Dylan on 12-06-2003]
posted 12-06-2003 12:45 PM PT (US)

Dylan Standard Userer	I'm still ecstatically looking forward to this score, of course, but when I asked those two who have heard Elfman's score about the circus music, the responses were not exactly what I wanted to hear: Dylan: How about the circus music? Did any of that make it on the album? Teh: "Nope. Not on the album. Possibly because it's so close to Entry of the Gladiators? (Think that's the right march...)" John Mullin: "Honestly, there wasn't really a lot of circus music in the film anyway." I'm such a big fan of Nino Rota as well as Elfman's marvelous Rota-esque scores for the Pee-Wee films that I really had my hopes up for new Elfman circus music (just look at my previous posts here). Naturally, I'm disappointed that none of it will make it on the album. Ah well, at least we'll hear what he did compose for the circus in the film. Just to confirm teh, the wonderful Entry of the Gladiators is the extremely popular piece that everybody in this day and age associates the circus with, and of course, a lot of Rota's music (and Elfman's as well) resembles that piece. Dylan [Message edited by Dylan on 12-06-2003]
posted 12-06-2003 02:42 PM PT (US)

Dylan Standard Userer	If anybody wants to hear the "Big Fish" main title, here you go: http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/bigfish/site/media/titleScore.mp3 I love what I hear, and I can't wait for the CD. Dylan
posted 12-07-2003 01:01 PM PT (US)

DavidOC Standard Userer	That main title sounds pretty interesting, though it contains no real fully-developed discernible theme. Still, like you Dylan, I'm hopng for good things and you're enthusiasm is certainly infectious. I hope we're not setting ourselves up for a fall - this score has a lot to live up to. But it IS Elfman, and at the very least it will definately be a change of pace from all the superhero scores that have tied him down to the one genre in recent times.
posted 12-07-2003 08:12 PM PT (US)

franz_conrad Standard Userer	That main title sounds like a good start to me... the fiddle writing, deep string chords, acoustic guitar picks, marimba (? hard to hear clearly due to quality of mp3) and soft piano conjure up a nice musical environment. Having said that, I hope the melodic development of the score moves beyond this atmospheric material... at a couple of minutes it is nice, at 40 minutes it would soon wear out its charm. Still, Hulk was a fantastic score from Elfman, so my hopes are high for this one.
posted 12-08-2003 01:13 AM PT (US)

Doug Adams Standard Userer	The score plays very well on disc, and it unquestionably has a few recurring themes. But they're threaded in such a way that, like Spider-man, you can bet many people will miss them. It's another Elfman score that requires active rather than passive listening. And that's a good thing, I think.
posted 12-08-2003 03:23 AM PT (US)

franz_conrad Standard Userer	quote: Originally posted by Doug Adams: It's another Elfman score that requires active rather than passive listening. And that's a good thing, I think. Sounds great!
posted 12-08-2003 03:26 AM PT (US)

Dalboz Standard Userer	Just saw "Big Fish" last night at a sneak preview, and I agree with what everyone is saying about the score -- the theme doesn't jump out at you, there's a lot of use of fiddles and strings, and it's very bittersweet. For some reason, it reminded me mostly of Elfman's "Article 99". But I enjoyed it, and I can't wait to hear it again on album! Sorry this isn't more detailed, I was really trying to enjoy the film as a whole rather then just listen intently to the music. Shame on me, I know.
posted 12-11-2003 07:41 PM PT (US)

Old Infopop Software by UBB