Film Score Friday: Maleficent

This week on Film Score Friday, we listen to the score from Maleficent. James Newton Howard wrote the score for this 2014 remake. Howard's score is a welcome addition to this retelling of the Sleeping Beauty story. 

The score hits an early win with an extended Tuba solo in the first act. This is a welcome and unexpected addition to the beginning of a fantasy film. The themes of royalty and fantasy play heavily in the film and Howard gives all the brass ample opportunities to represent this dichotomy. Horns, as is common with Howard's scores, have plenty to do in the final act. This is worth a listen and solid staple in this composer's list of works. 

What did you think of Maleficent? Let us know in the comments. 

Film Score Friday: Unbreakable

Unbreakable
Starring Samuel L. Jackson, Bruce Willis, Robin Wright Penn, Spencer Treat Clark
Buy on Amazon

This week on Film Score Friday, we listen to the score from Unbreakable. James Newton Howard wrote the score for this 2000 film. This score is very different from Howard's usual fare. Some of those differences are welcome and others not so much. One of these was the choice to record in a church instead of a traditional studio. This adds some depth often lacking in other film score. 

There are some other elements that are not so great. The presence of electronic drums is just plain annoying. The orchestration is also unique which is both good and bad. The lack of low brass is a disappointment. There's a number of parts given to low strings that would have been great if the low brass was given the opportunity. Despite that though, the Trumpet solos with strings and piano are really great. This one is worth a listen just because of how different it is from the composers other work. Enjoy. 

 

Mentioned in this Post

Unbreakable on Amazon

Unbreakable on iTunes

Film Score Friday: The Postman

The Postman
Starring Kevin Costner, Will Patton, Larenz Tate, Olivia Williams, James Russo
Buy on Amazon

This week on Film Score Friday, we listen to the score from The Postman. This 1997 post-apocalyptic tale has a score from James Newton Howard. This one falls very easily into the category of solid score, awful movie. Seriously, don't watch this movie. The score, however, is worth checking out. 

The main attraction here is some of the horn solos toward the middle of the score. Howard makes some great opportunities for the the solo horn to shine in some thinly orchestrated moments. The rest of the brass gets some good opportunities, but you'll need to exercise patience to feel the effect of the most this toward the end. Enjoy!

Mentioned in this Post

The Postman on Amazon

The Postman on iTunes