16. Black Book; music composed by Anne Dudley
15. The Reaping; music composed by John Frizzell
14. The Simpsons Movie; music composed by Hans Zimmer
13. Live Free or Die Hard; music composed by Marco Beltrami
12. Grindhouse: Planet Terror; music composed by Robert Rodriguez, et al
11. The Good German; music by Thomas Newman (yes, the film was released in 2006, but the Varese CD's street date was January 9th)

**NOW FOR THE GREAT ONES**

10. I Know Who KIlled Me; music composed by Joel McNeely
- Certainly the most surprising score for me was McNeely's latest output as one of the most underused composers today. Having not seen the film, I can't comment on just how trashy it is (but judging from critical remarks, I can guess that it truly was the worst theatrically release film this year). But, if one listens to McNeely's fantastically grim horror score, one would guess it's quite a shocking little masterpiece. In a rare case (for today) where a composer gives a truly awful film the best possible score of its genre, McNeely delivers haunting atonal orchestrations and sparse outbursts of the furious orchestra (in full bombast) to light interludes of "Valse Brillante, Op. 34, No. 2 in a Minor" by Frédéric Chopin. Please - please - don't let the foolish nature of the awful film deride your respect for this byzantine score. I promise that you will not regret it.

09. A Tale of God's Will (A Requim for Katrina) (Music from Spike Lee's When the Levee's Broke); music composed by Terence Blanchard
- This was recommended to me by the wonderful Michael McClennan and I can't say thank you enough. Inside Man was - and certainly remains - one of my favorite scores of '06; and it was also my first Blanchard purchase. For those who appreciated the less John Barry-influenced peieces in Inside Man, they might want to seek this one out. While not primarily a film score (though it did accompany Spike Lee's television documentary about the aftermath of hurrican Katrina), this is more a concert work answer to the dismay and upset brought upon New Orleans' citizens, of which Blanchard's mother was. It highlights Blanchard's strength as a jazz musician and - for my money - was also the best jazz score of 2007.

08. Lust, Caution; music composed by Alexandre Desplat
- I'd love to have The Golden Compass among my top choices for this year; yet, for some reason we haven't seen a score release. While I'm certainly not "settling for this", Lust, Caution is still a marvelous output from Desplat; who is quickly becoming a composer of recognition. Well, at least dircetor Ang Lee chose the RIGHT composer this time. This score also contains some wonderfully memorable themes and moments (the "Wong Chia Chi's Theme" in particular).

07. Zodiac; music composed by David Shire
- If 2007 was anything, it was Shire's year. His return to film scoring was rung in with unanimous praise and a larger - and growing - fanbase thanks to this beatifully strange, atmospheric masterpiece (one that only Maestro Shire could concoct). Elements of his previous scores (certainly an influence on director David Fincher) play throughout this entire score like a summation of Shire's talent, and we couldn't be more thankful. Thank you David Fincher and Paramount for ressurecting a great composer from the dust of obscurity. Next up: Bruce Broughton (kick Giacchino off Star Trek XI and place Brucey right there at the podium and listen to pure majesty).

06. Atonement, music by Dario Marianelli
- This one is growing on me, slowly, for the simple fact that I received it as a gift for Christmas. Marianelli, like Desplat, is becoming a composer of great mantle; and while Atonement is certainly a strong score (with really great themes) it's not his best to date. My only wish is that the theme from "The Half Killed" was used more often. That piece is a real beauty!

. . . and that's where I leave you, for now. My final five will remain a secret for now. Though ye faithful readers will certainly find comfort that I will post them just before the New Year kicks off. In the meantime, please share your own favorites from '07; and don't hesitate to comment on my choices thus far (or guess what might be to come).

quote:

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Originally posted by franz_conrad:
This list is looking pretty good. Marco Beltrami for the top 5 spots then?

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I predict the top 5 will be, in some order:
- Battlestar Galactica 3
- 3:10 to Yuma
- Eastern Promises
- There Will Be Blood
- At World's End

Lets see,
What was the best? Angel - Philipe Rombi
What was the worst? D-Wars - Steve Jablonsky
What suprised the most? Lair - John Debney
What was the most anticipted? Aliens Versus Predator: R by Brian Tyler
What has been listened to the most? Transformers by Steve Jablonsky

quote:

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Originally posted by franz_conrad:
Ah... I did not notice the 11-16 list. What's THE GOOD GERMAN doing all the way down there? We demand a recount!

I predict the top 5 will be, in some order:
- Battlestar Galactica 3
- 3:10 to Yuma
- Eastern Promises
- There Will Be Blood
- At World's End

No Ratatouille, Lives of Others, etc for this nut.

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While I would have loved to include The Good German a little earlier in the list, I stopped giving it repeated listens around the summer and really haven't gone back until recently to recap the scores of 2007. I felt that number 11 still signified it as being a wonderful score (and rightful heir to the "Best Original Score" Academy Award, IMO).

Recent purchases include:

1. Beat the Drum-Badelt, etc.
2. Lady in the Water-Howard-not too bad
3. Silver Chalice-great stuff
4. Cleopatra by Jones-TV film, very nice. reminds me a lot of Cliffhanger and Last of Mohecans, but very nice.
5. Monsignor-Williams, nice score
6. the new Razors Edge-exc. by Newman
7. Alien, 2CD set-great stuff. very underrated score
8. Yankee Across Europe and Grizzly, the second one sounds like just about everything by Moross
9. several more like those.

05. 3:10 to Yuma; music composed by Marco Beltrami
- Widescreen made the comment in his own best of '07, "I haven't heard 3:10 To Yuma, but I bet it's every bit as well crafted," in regards to Beltrami work from Live Free or Die Hard; and it is a shame that he hasn't heard this score. If you're any fan of Western music (and the Western stylings of Goldsmith or Morricone) than this is a must own. Like, seriously, stop reading and order this score now. Beltrami delivers quite a refreshing take on his previous Western score, The Buriels of Melquiades Estrada, and expands upon his canvas thus established. This is certainly one of Beltrami's best efforts. "Ben Takes the Stage/Dan's Burden" and "Bible Study" are two of the stand-out cues from 2007.

04. Youth Without Youth; music composed by Osvaldo Golijov
- This is a fairly recent purchase for me, but it's already reached 16 complete plays on my iTunes counter; so, I must enjoy this one. While Golijov is certainly not new to classical ears (his 2007 work, Oceana is my favorite classical score this year; it's simply a stunning combination of electronics, ethnic instrumentation, bizarre orchestrations, and all topped of with a wonderful performance by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (!), so I'm biased) but YWY is his first film score. And one nonetheless for famed director Francis Ford Coppola's return to the cinema after a decade hiatus. While the film has been getting mixed reviews (those who seem to be excited about the film have been following its production for years, like myself) and seems like a hard-earned labor of love, Golijov's score might be a little more accessible; though it might be hard some listeners. It's hefty combination of sound design and esoteric rythyms and melodies prove to be quite complex, and unfortunately that might be a turn off to someone not knowing what to expect. To me, this the masterpiece of 2007 that's waiting to be discovered by a larger audience.

03. Eastern Promises; music composed by Howard Shore
- Sean made the comment to me over the weekend that, "not every Howard Shore score is a masterpiece." Perhaps not, but to me, Shore represents a teeny-tiny niche in modern film scoring (and film scoring in general): Howard Shore is a daredevil of film scores. He's willing to go to extremes to highten the atmosphere of a picture (Crash, Naked Lunch, The Cell, etc.), because that's what Shore does best: he creates moods through his music. His latest collaboration with director David Cronenberg is no different to me. It's steady mix of solo violin, strings, and a light brass section literally transported me into the seedy lives of the characters that inhabited the film. The Russian influence is worn heavily on the scores sleeves, yet it never outdoes that; not seems cliched. And if you can't claim "Tras-Siberian Diary" as one of the most emotionally rousing cues of the year, you might just be Dick Cheney.

02. There Will Be Blood; music composed by Jonny Greenwood
- In the beginning, I was a little cautious of this score. When Greenwood was announced as director Paul Thomas Anderson's choice composer for the film I panicked. Certainly, I'm a fan of Radiohead's music; but when you've been looking forward to what PTA's usual composer, Jon Brion, was going to cook up for this (especially after the beautiful Punch-Drunk Love) . . . well, I can only assume you know what I mean. Luckily for me, Greenwood is frakking talented. Seriously. Talented. From the opening cue, "Open Spaces" (which I can't wait to see in the film), to the closer, "Prospector's Quartet", this decidely short score remains as one of the best scores of this decade. This is how a score builds tension, through character. I can't wait to see what Greenwood does next.

01. Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End; music composed by Hans Zimmer
- Let it be known, this is the first time any Zimmer score has been my number one choice; let alone be in my top five. But seriously, was there a more rousing and adventurous and fun score this year? No. I didn't think so. So much has been said about this score and I think I've heard very little dissent against it (I'm looking at you gkgyver ), and it remians so. One of the only scores that was released earlier in the year that I've returned to countless times. The new "Up is Down" theme? One of Zimmer's best. "Multiple Jacks"? A crazy melody of dissonance that only Zimmer was capable of (and who knew?). "Parlay"? Let's just say that the Morricone-fan in me grows a giant smile everytime I hear it or see that scene in the film. What a fantasic score that I'll continue to play on into 2008.

HAPPY NEW YEAR FELLOW FILM SCORE FANS!!!

Slight correction: Youth Without Youth is Golijov's second film score. His first was for Sally Potter's The Man Who Cried back in 2000.

I have to say your placement of At World's End above all those other scores is the first thing that has managed to make me curious about it. Unfortunately at my current level of non-income I can only afford to buy things I know I'll like, and I hated the second film so much there's no force on earth that could compel me to watch the third one. I suppose I'll wait and see if any of my local libraries gets the CD.

I've heard very little of the music everyone is talking about. Again, non-income. In any case, I'll hold off on any end-of-the-year talk at least until I've heard There Will Be Blood and Youth Without Youth in full.

quote:

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Originally posted by nuts_score:
But seriously, was there a more rousing and adventurous and fun score this year? No. I didn't think so.

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Just curious... have you heard Jane Antonia Cornish's ISLAND OF LOST SOULS? Give that one shot! You just might rethink your list.

Check out samples at http://www.janecornish.com

Click on the films link.

1. Youth Without Youth (Osvaldo Golijov)
2. Angel (Philippe Rombi)
3. La Sconosciuta (Ennio Morricone)
4. Lust, Caution (Alexandre Desplat)
5. There Will Be Blood (Jonny Greenwood)

These were all quite magnificent.

For what it's worth, I haven't heard "Atonement" or "La Vie en Rose" yet.

quote:

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Originally posted by franz_conrad:
Oh, and btw, you can voluntarily condemned yourself to years of - 'yeah, but aren't you the guy who thought a PIRATE OF THE CARIBBEAN score was the best of the year?' :P

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I guess I'll have to settle as that guy.

quote:

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Originally posted by Kirkinson:
Andrew,

Slight correction: Youth Without Youth is Golijov's second film score. His first was for Sally Potter's The Man Who Cried back in 2000.

I have to say your placement of At World's End above all those other scores is the first thing that has managed to make me curious about it. Unfortunately at my current level of non-income I can only afford to buy things I know I'll like, and I hated the second film so much there's no force on earth that could compel me to watch the third one. I suppose I'll wait and see if any of my local libraries gets the CD.

I've heard very little of the music everyone is talking about. Again, non-income. In any case, I'll hold off on any end-of-the-year talk at least until I've heard There Will Be Blood and Youth Without Youth in full.

Kirk

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Thank you for the insight Sir Kirk. I'll definitely keep my eye out for The Man Who Cried. Have you heard Golijov's Oceana yet?

quote:

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Originally posted by Erik Woods:
Just curious... have you heard Jane Antonia Cornish's ISLAND OF LOST SOULS? Give that one shot! You just might rethink your list.

Check out samples at http://www.janecornish.com

Click on the films link.

-Erik-

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quote:

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Originally posted by Camillu:
Good list Nuts. I even like your #1.

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1. Pirates Of The Caribbean: At World's End, Hans Zimmer
2. Battlestar Galactica: Season Three, Bear McCreary
3. There Will Be Blood, Johnny Greenwood
4. 3:10 To Yuma, Marco Beltrami
5. Rescue Dawn, Klaus Badelt