my top ten film scores.

This is a tough one for me. I love so many soundtracks, and I'd love to do a top 50 list, but then I'm afraid I'll have lost you all ;) So here are my absolute favorite compositions from my absolute favorite film scores. I encourage you to, if you've a spare ear, listen to the pieces I'm posting here. They are amazing works of art.

10. The King's Speech

This is my own personal preference. You might not be a fan like myself, but there's something about Alexandre Desplat's score here that I really loved. The piece I've chosen to represent the film is rather obscure, but I took an immediate liking to it. It's just... pure happiness in music form. The piano and the cello always kills me, too. Such an amazing pairing of instruments.

9. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

This is my official tip of the hat to the wonderfully creative Danny Elfman, who's composed many a great score. They are sometimes a bit too eerie for my taste, but this particular track for "Charlie" is brilliance, I think. It has the weirdness and almost techno-ness of Willy Wonka's factory, and the wonder that Charlie feels upon seeing it all. I like it especially near the end, whereupon it transforms into a lovely, heart-warming melody to represent the Bucket family, which was my favorite element of the film itself.

8. Finding Nemo

I dare you not to get a little misty-eyed while listening to this piece. The simple piano composition at the beginning, with the smooth, sentimental violins coming in softly... just beautiful. Simple and meaningful.
Composer: Thomas Newman.

7. Harry Potter

Now, don't you shake your finger at me just yet. This is about music, remember. And there are two films in the series that really stood out to me in terms of the score. That would be the first one, and the last one.

This is called "Hedwig's Theme", although it's really the "Harry Potter" theme, in essence. It was composed by the brilliant John Williams, who captured the essence of this story perfectly, using large amounts of bells, brass, and spider-y strings. Mystery, merriness, and a little bit of magic.

Next up, two (I know! I'm cheating!) selections from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, which hit theaters a few weeks ago. Both are kind of in the same boat: heart-wrenching, if you know the story; beautiful, slow, and sad.
"Courtyard Apocalypse". The drums at the beginning. The determined, steady melody of the low strings coming in, paired with the almost despairing high strings, as if even the music is losing sight of all hope. (Sorry for all the drama... I feel the music, okay?)
Composer: Alexandre Desplat.

Next, a piece that didn't actually make it into the final cut of the movie, but that I completely love. This would have gone along with one of my favorite bits in the book, and the most moving for me. Harry realizes, at last, what he has to do. And he comes to terms with the truth in the way of a true hero- he doesn't run away or think of himself before others. He stands, however shakily, to confront what's coming. This music captures that beautifully, I think. Also composed by Alexandre Desplat!

6. The Incredibles

I love, love, LOVE the 60's brass. It just... makes you want to go out and have some jolly old-fashioned car chases with a superhero, yeah? This composition holds that feeling to a thrilling perfection. I mean, c'mon, how can this not put a smile on one's face?
Composer: the amazing Michael Giacchino.

(Quick note: I highly encourage you to listen to the composition below. I didn't originally include it because it wasn't really the "Incredibles" theme. But this one, called "Kronos Unveiled", is so unnerving, and yet quite gorgeous in its own way, slowly getting faster and more intense. The flute is creepy and beautiful at the same time. Listen listen!)

5. Pirates of the Caribbean

Come on, you knew Hans Zimmer was going to make it onto this list. Repetitive though he may be, the stuff he produces is incredibly addictive and it makes your heart race with enthusiasm. This "Pirates" theme is a theme that people will always remember and hold dear. It's swashbuckling, adventurous excitement in the music form. Makes me want to go sword-fight Davey Jones on a mast of a ship in the middle of a storm, all the while exchanging witty banter with my slimy opponent.
Music is, after all, the universal language. ;) Enjoy.

4. Henry V 

I must admit that I've never seen the movie in full, although my dad loves it, but I had to include this breathtaking composition by Patrick Doyle. I won't say anything more... just listen. It's glorious.

(Honestly, if you didn't listen, you're missing out on something special.)


3. How to Train Your Dragon

This soundtrack blows me away. When I watched the movie for the first time, I could hardly concentrate on the actual story, I loved the music so much. It's epic, but with a Celtic flare. The fiddles, the subtle horns, the soaring violins, all together in perfect harmony. I'm listening to it right now, and I'm literally getting goosebumps. I've selected two tracks from the score, even though I love them all. It's my dream to play these pieces in an orchestra someday.
Okay, now I'll shut up and let them speak for themselves.
Composer: John Powell.

"This is Berk"

"Forbidden Friendship"

2. Star Wars

I was this close to putting Star Wars at no. 1, honestly. The sheer awesomeness of John Williams is hard to beat.
The Star Wars theme is one that I think will stand the test of time, and that will always go down as one of the most inspiring pieces of music ever written. It's just... the epitome of epicness. It soars. When I listen to it, I do feel as though I'm in the Millennium Falcon, going at light-speed. Again, pure brilliance.

1. The Lord of the Rings

When I said I wanted to play the "How to Train Your Dragon" score in an orchestra, multiply that want by about 100, and that's what I feel about the LOTR soundtrack. It is my favorite film score ever, and it holds a very, very special place in my heart. I basically grew up with LOTR surrounding me. I've read the books, watched the movies countless times, have seen all the behind-the-scenes footage that's out there, probably (I can tell you the names of all the actors, then right down to the producers and set designers), and have been practically saturated with the music from the movies.
Howard Shore... what a mastermind/genius he is. His compositions held the films together, gave them another layer of intensity, culture and grandeur. He captured the essence of Lord of the Rings in these tracks, and I want to share them with you now.

"The Breaking of the Fellowship"... beautiful beyond belief. I love this one so much.

"Isengard Unleashed"... there's some good in this world, Mr. Frodo; and it's worth fighting for.

"Samwise the Brave"... again, it almost makes  my ears ache, it's so gorgeous.

"The Ride of the Rohirrim"... again, the Celtic influences really have me sold on this one. :)

(Besides the fact that it's completely epic, yaknow.)

"Shelob's Lair"... so delightfully different from the rest of the pieces here. Shrilly violins are always disturbing.

"The Grey Havens"... I'm sorry to have to repeat myself, but just listen. If you don't listen to any other track I've posted, listen to this one. I think it's my favorite piece of music ever.

On that note, I bid you goodnight. I hope you've enjoyed the music I've listed.

Cheers!

P.S. What are your favorite film scores?