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Author	Topic: iTunes, King Kong, You Know....

Shaun Rutherford Standard Userer	I didn't see it mentioned, but the JAMES NEWTON HOWARD (insert wink) score for King Kong is up on iTunes today. Shaun
posted 12-06-2005 08:08 PM PT (US)

Timmer Standard Userer	quote: Originally posted by Shaun Rutherford: I didn't see it mentioned, but the JAMES NEWTON HOWARD (insert wink) score for King Kong is up on iTunes today. Shaun I don't really care, I just wanted to say hello to YOU Shaun ....been a long time. Hi!
posted 12-06-2005 08:18 PM PT (US)

sean Standard Userer	I probably should have bought the whole album, but I downloaded 14 of the 21 tracks from iTunes. At about 05:49 to 06:05 in the track "It's Deserted" you can hear some action material very close to what must be JNH's contribution to the action music in Batman Begins; very cool! Unfortunately, and perhaps it's just the tracks I chose to download, there's no one satisfying theme that really grabs my attention—there is a theme that must be for Kong, but it's not very good or memorable compared with what JNH can produce (I'm thinking of scores like The Village, Waterworld, or Snow Falling On Cedars), and even the romantic material isn't that impressive. The most enjoyable parts are in the action, most of it is frantic without hardly any thematic break-outs, in the cues "It's Deserted," "Head Towards The Animals" (which probably takes the cake), "Beauty Killed The Beast Part I, II, and III." Maybe it was just how much time JNH had on this film, it just seems (so far) like a lesser effort from him. [Message edited by sean on 12-06-2005]
posted 12-06-2005 09:33 PM PT (US)

BigT1981 Standard Userer	Thanks to a friend I'm slowly recieving this score. I for one love what I am hearing so far.
posted 12-06-2005 10:43 PM PT (US)

BMikeJ Standard Userer	Didn't Newton Howard write over 2 hours of music for the film? I find it unlikely that the album would be a good representation of his score. I hope there's a really long end credit suite. [Message edited by BMikeJ on 12-06-2005]
posted 12-06-2005 10:44 PM PT (US)

sean Standard Userer	I enjoy the score much more now that I've had time to sit and listen to it, yet it still needs some better and stronger themes. [Message edited by sean on 12-06-2005]
posted 12-06-2005 11:05 PM PT (US)

nuts_score Standard Userer	Thanks for the clips Sean. I hear what you hear in regards to the Batman Begins action hints.
posted 12-06-2005 11:25 PM PT (US)

scoreguy16 Standard Userer	quote: Originally posted by BMikeJ: Didn't Newton Howard write over 2 hours of music for the film? I find it unlikely that the album would be a good representation of his score. I hope there's a really long end credit suite. [Message edited by BMikeJ on 12-06-2005] Considering the ammount of people that probably worked on all this CG fest, I'd say the movie is probably gonna have at least 9 minute end credits piece. Clayton NP>Man on Fire
posted 12-07-2005 01:34 AM PT (US)

moontrekker Standard Userer	quote: Originally posted by sean: I probably should have bought the whole album, but I downloaded 14 of the 21 tracks from iTunes. At about 05:49 to 06:05 in the track "It's Deserted" you can hear some action material very close to what must be JNH's contribution to the action music in Batman Begins; very cool! Unfortunately, and perhaps it's just the tracks I chose to download, there's no one satisfying theme that really grabs my attention—there is a theme that must be for Kong, but it's not very good or memorable compared with what JNH can produce (I'm thinking of scores like The Village, Waterworld, or Snow Falling On Cedars), and even the romantic material isn't that impressive. The most enjoyable parts are in the action, most of it is frantic without hardly any thematic break-outs, in the cues "It's Deserted," "Head Towards The Animals" (which probably takes the cake), "Beauty Killed The Beast Part I, II, and III." Maybe it was just how much time JNH had on this film, it just seems (so far) like a lesser effort from him. [Message edited by sean on 12-06-2005] Well considering there are 21 tracks yeah I would of. I'm waiting until it gets closer to payday to download it, but I want that Giacchino also. sd
posted 12-07-2005 07:54 AM PT (US)

John Steel Standard Userer	I think the music itself is very good, and far better than the average "short term" scores nowadays. But i miss a strong theme (maybe for brass) for King Kong, or a memorable romantic theme for Naomi Watts. Apart from this the score itself is 5/4.
posted 12-07-2005 08:02 AM PT (US)

sean Standard Userer	quote: Originally posted by John Steel: I think the music itself is very good, and far better than the average "short term" scores nowadays. But i miss a strong theme (maybe for brass) for King Kong, or a memorable romantic theme for Naomi Watts. Apart from this the score itself is 5/4. I agree with you about the themes. Though there is a Kong theme in "Tooth and Claw" there's nothing special about it; the theme came off weak—you can see how that theme works in the King Kong clips over at IGN, and it's not that striking. It really does need to explode into the music, loud and thunderous, which it never unfortunately does. I mentioned before the heroic (very Batman Begins sounding) music in "It's Deserted" and that's what this score needs more of when it comes to the Kong theme. The romantic music itself wanders a little too much to stop and state one memorable theme also—"A Fateful Meeting" is somewhat similar to Hans Zimmer's romance music in Pearl Harbour ... like the "...And Then I kissed Him" piece, without any one theme dominating the track.
posted 12-07-2005 08:48 AM PT (US)

nuts_score Standard Userer	quote: Originally posted by John Steel: Apart from this the score itself is 5/4. Ah-do-what? As Peter would say: "Holy star ratings, Batman!"
posted 12-07-2005 11:29 AM PT (US)

jwb Non-Standard Userer	Got the CD yesterday. Well, after repeated listens to the full soundtrack, I can safely say I feel JNH has crafted a fitting and enjoyable score. It took many listens for me to really start to like the music, but it is a perfect mix of tender softer moments, comedy, drama, and action. You can hear the Steiner hints, which I just love, especially in Something Monstrous... Neither Beast Nor... I just love the start of that cue, no doubt where we get our first look at KONG. There is no dominate theme for KONG presented on the album, although there are hints of something, like in the cue I mentioned and Tooth and Claw. Sadly, it seems even a 75 minute release could not service all of JHN's score. Some of the really intense action cues I heard from the film are not on the CD. A shame. Overall, a great score and great soundtrack release. I enjoyed this more than Narnia, so **** 1/2 from me for KONG. Joe [Message edited by jwb on 12-07-2005]
posted 12-07-2005 05:27 PM PT (US)

nuts_score Standard Userer	Tuesday's gonna be big for me: Kong, Narnia, and Syriana. After that, I'm done for the year. Ah crap, I just remembered Munich. Dammit John Williams! NP> Joel Goldsmith's Stargate: Atlantis */**
posted 12-07-2005 10:17 PM PT (US)

sean Standard Userer	quote: Originally posted by nuts_score: Tuesday's gonna be big for me: Kong, Narnia, and Syriana. After that, I'm done for the year. Ah crap, I just remembered Munich. Dammit John Williams! NP> Joel Goldsmith's Stargate: Atlantis */** Yo yo! Don't bother with Syriana, it'll be a waste of your money. Caught the sneak preview of the film last night, and not only is the movie lame, but the score is, too—boring, "ambient," and downright non-existant. Trust me on this one: you'll do well to avoid buying this music. I had pre-ordered it but canceled the order now that I've actually heard it; I had assumed it would be something cool, but that's just not the case.
posted 12-08-2005 09:46 AM PT (US)

Laurence Page Standard Userer	Really looking forward to seeing the movie and hearing the score.. still can't believe that Shore was taken off, though. The short documentary on the web showing him scoring looked so promising. I hope they release his unused score as well..! It was supposed to be an "amicable" split (they always say that) - Shore and Jackson seem to get on and work so well together the news was quite a shock. Anyone know if there will be a release?
posted 12-08-2005 10:17 AM PT (US)

Scorro Standard Userer	This movie and the score seem to be turning into the non-event of the year.
posted 12-11-2005 11:44 AM PT (US)

Gae Standard Userer	quote: This movie and the score seem to be turning into the non-event of the year. Are you sure about that? ...getting my copy Tuesday and seeing the movie 12 noon on Thursday! Can't wait. It's the first time in years that I've felt like a big kid again! Gae
posted 12-11-2005 04:39 PM PT (US)

nuts_score Standard Userer	quote: Originally posted by Scorro: This movie and the score seem to be turning into the non-event of the year. What?! http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/king_kong/
posted 12-11-2005 09:36 PM PT (US)

nuts_score Standard Userer	quote: Originally posted by Scorro: This movie and the score seem to be turning into the non-event of the year. What?! http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/king_kong/
posted 12-11-2005 09:37 PM PT (US)

Yatak Non-Standard Userer	I picked up the King Kong soundtrack on Sunday afternoon. I've listened to it twice now, and in my opinion it's a beautiful piece of work. My two cents...8)
posted 12-12-2005 03:26 AM PT (US)

Quill Standard Userer	Scorro -- a few quips aimed at Jack Black's casting, a couple weak effect shots, and the running time aside...the critics seem to love it and most people I talk with seem excited about seeing it. I'm remembering back to several months ago when the armchair critics of moviemusic.com pronounced this film DOA simply because Howard Shore had been removed from the project. Far from it....
posted 12-12-2005 12:38 PM PT (US)

Dinko Standard Userer	Picked up the King Kong CD at HMV today. I'm impressed. It's so... bland. One more frisbee to drop in a used-CD store one of these days.
posted 12-13-2005 11:08 PM PT (US)

PeterK FishChip	Quill, who are you referring to? If me, you completely misunderstood what I had to say, which was "I" was no longer excited about the film all together and that it would suck a whole lot more for "me" w/o a Howard Shore score. Now I've heard the JNH score. My reactions are close, but not quite as severe, as Dinko's. It's a serviceable score, but dammit, creativity's full blossom is not possible in the amount of time JNH and his 8 orchestrators and 3 conductors had to produce this thing.
posted 12-13-2005 11:14 PM PT (US)

lancer Standard Userer	My brother picked up the score, I heard about 65% of it, and from what I heard, it was pretty damn good. I will probably pick this one up for myself when I get some more cash. I am actually excited about this film though, cant wait to see it this weekend.
posted 12-14-2005 05:18 AM PT (US)

Mark Olivarez Standard Userer	I admit I was one of the doubters when word came out that Shore had been dumped and the film was 3 hrs long but it looks like I was wrong I'm glad to admit that. JNH's score as heard on the CD is ok. It may be great mixed in with the film and there is probably 2 hrs of music not on the Cd but as far as what's available it sounds like a rush job.
posted 12-14-2005 09:20 AM PT (US)

Scorro Standard Userer	I figured I should return and address my 'non-event' post. Mainly that was based on the relatively mild buzz about the film til the last few days (even then, guest appearances on the talk shows have been fairly light) and the mixed reviews/reactions to the score. Perhaps King Kong will do well at the box office, especially since it's the only real blockbuster for the holiday season. (has the theaters to itself) The reviews do seem generally positive, which has surprised me somewhat. My wife and I will definitely go see it during the holidays. I've seen quite a few clips from the movie and know what my reservations are. I will keep them to myself as it's really not my intent to come down on the film, I just wish the 'treatment' of some aspects had been different. Regarding the score, if there's enough material on it that I like, then I'll pick it up for Xmas. I have a pretty good collection of JNH's earlier work, but nothing too recent. I did like the collaborative music for Batman Begins. Best, -Greg- [Message edited by Scorro on 12-14-2005]
posted 12-14-2005 05:18 PM PT (US)

nuts_score Standard Userer	Just got back from the film and I was thrilled; IMO, it's the best "event" film in a long time. Very well-thought out. I seemed to have absolutely no problems with the pacing and the run-time hardly distracted me. Everybody's (including Black's) performance was great; with Ms. Watts stealing the show. Kong's personality is completely amazing, and it really makes you believe in him as a charcter. JNH's score (I haven't picked up the album yet) worked amazingly within the film; similar to how well Shore's music went with LotR. Very epic and emotional; the piano bits really tugged at the heart (but JNH always writes stellar music to be played on the piano). I also witnessed the best scene of the year in Kong and Ann's ice skate on the Central Park pond; it was beautiful and Howard's score was perfect. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who still likes to watch films these days (I know everyone at this site still does, but if you go to places like IMDb or Ain't It Cool News, everybody seems to hate every movie made in the last 5 years). NP> JNH's The Village *1/2 /**
posted 12-14-2005 06:02 PM PT (US)

PeterK FishChip	Why did this film make less than $10M on it's opening day? That's plain BAD.... not even the top 20 list for Wednesday openers. Does this film already need saving, or is this a total fluke? Not good news....
posted 12-15-2005 02:49 PM PT (US)

rkeaveney Standard Userer	I don't know how much weather plays with moviegoing, but in the North East of NA it is as cold as hell, plus major snowstorms have been sweeping East. It makes going to movies difficult. I think KONG will do it's best business over an extremely long run. I worked in a movie theater when TITANIC opened, and it didn't open huge either. It just, er, snowballed Ryan
posted 12-15-2005 03:04 PM PT (US)

PeterK FishChip	Ok, good point I guess. But puuhhlease. No more Titanic comparisons! Not only tired of it, but I don't distinctly remember Kate Winslet ice skating with a huge ship in Central Park.... or sipping beer in Southampton for that matter.
posted 12-15-2005 03:31 PM PT (US)

Camillu Standard Userer	Is the ice-skating bit on the CD? I'm still on track 3 (but will continue it tomorrow in the car on the way to work)
posted 12-15-2005 05:42 PM PT (US)

jb1234 Non-Standard Userer	^ Yup, in the track "Central Park." Actually, there's very little of note in the film that was left off the CD (and a bunch of tracking too).
posted 12-15-2005 06:10 PM PT (US)

Camillu Standard Userer	Thanks - was coming back to edit my post after remembering there was a 'Central Park' track on the CD... Silly me.
posted 12-15-2005 06:19 PM PT (US)

nuts_score Standard Userer	quote: Originally posted by PeterK: Why did this film make less than $10M on it's opening day? That's plain BAD.... not even the top 20 list for Wednesday openers. Does this film already need saving, or is this a total fluke? Not good news.... Word of mouth will spread my friend. This film will do well in the long run. It just needs to escape it's hype which - unfortunately - turns many average cinema-goers off.
posted 12-15-2005 09:30 PM PT (US)

PeterK FishChip	I'm looooong past the idea of a $207,000,000 movie "making it" on word of mouth. Hogwash. It had better find some ways to get eyeballs in theaters! Perhaps the Christmas season is now a "risky" release period because of bad weather? Hello hello to DVD sales and rentals, and uhh... movies piped into nice home theaters direct from studio main frame servers. It's time for Hollywood to begin driving spikes into the movie theater coffin.
posted 12-15-2005 09:44 PM PT (US)

nuts_score Standard Userer	quote: Originally posted by PeterK: Hello hello to DVD sales and rentals, and uhh... movies piped into nice home theaters direct from studio main frame servers. It's time for Hollywood to begin driving spikes into the movie theater coffin. Noooo Peter, do NOT say that sh!t. I'll honestly be in tears if that nail is ever hammered. Why? It's difficult to explain, but I'm sure others know my feelings.
posted 12-16-2005 12:20 AM PT (US)

Gae Standard Userer	Hollywood doesn't ever need to close down just one day it might have to make cheaper films, change the type of film it makes and cater for a different audience. Current Budget 207 million Returns 208 million profit 1 million Future Budgets 10 million Returns 11 million profit 1 million OK so this is very simplistic but it makes my point!! Gae
posted 12-16-2005 04:56 AM PT (US)

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