quote:

---

Originally posted by franz_conrad:
These two are among the least impressive scores released in the last year. Both test the dramatic limits of an attractive simple theme.

---

Can't say I would've bought the set. I don't think I have any of Eastwood's nor Niehaus' scores on CD.

But I agree, I can't make it through the disc either with out getting up and watching an episode of Aqua Teen Hunger Force.

--Brian

Yes, Flags isn't all that good and is a missed opportunity film-speaking to have a talented composer (like maybe James Newton Howard, or Cliff Eidelman, for example) write a strong dramatic score for the film.

Letters, however, is a vast improvement: Not only is the film far, far better than it's companion, the theme is also very strong and effective. I can see there being a problem with the overload of it on disc, but in the film it's excellent: Michael Stevens and Kyle Eastwood, IMO, wrote one of the more memorable themes for this film than any other composer has in recent memory; it works great within the film, and it's enjoyable on it's own (I'm writing about the first track, in particular). It's also a relief not to be bombarded with taiko drums and various other asian instruments in this score, since that it'd be the easy way out for any composer with a film like Letters From Iwo Jima; does anyone remember Hans Zimmer's ridiculous Last Samurai? (Nice moments, but it also had some dreadful sections to it.)

quote:

---

Originally posted by sean:
Letters, however, is a vast improvement: Not only is the film far, far better than it's companion, the theme is also very strong and effective. I can see there being a problem with the overload of it on disc, but in the film it's excellent

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by sdtom:
Films such as The Unforgiven, Million Dollar Baby, and Mystic River still garnered awards regardless of the less than music.

---

Unfortunately, I think we're pretty much garaunteed that the people voting to give films awards, in general, don't really give a damn about the scores attached. Just check out the recent Oscar winning "scores" to Brokeback Mountain and Babel, it's pathetic.