Top 10 Most Inspiring Movie Soundtracks of Recent Times

August 30, 2008 – 9:17 am by Jonathan Grand

I have met some composers who were not completely up-to-date in their blockbuster movie knowledge and enjoyment…
And there are some flicks from the past twenty years that you definitely need to watch if you’re a composer. Considering that most of them work for film, it’s important to know the good music that is being created for movies. Just like the way alternative or hip hop producers and engineers should know the work of Andy Wallace – even if they don’t like the music he is mixing. Because some productions are just meant to raise the bar and become a reference.

I agree there is a lot of bad music (and movies) in the top charts, as usual. It has always been like that to a certain extent, although it’s been getting worse in some ways. Still, an environment of pure money-fueled motivation, financing the possibilities of even more money, can create true artistic pearls in the entertainment industry, when composers are encouraged by the sweet green. So here is a list of 10 movies that you definitely must have in your CD library – each one for a different reason. Some of the titles are Academy Award winners, and some are cheap B movies. One way or another, they all earned their place in the inspirational sources of any composer or film music enthusiast.

Disclaimer: musicals were not included, because a lot of lists have been written to include the best musical soundtracks (Google for them). We’re listing only movies with real score soundtrack music that goes with the story – not Broadway or Disney pieces interrupted by spontaneous dancing and singing improvisations. Not that there is anything wrong with that!…

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10. Black Snake Moan (2006)

If you’re a fan of the Blues, this is a must see. Ironically, one of the best blues albums of 2007 turned out to be a movie soundtrack. Black Snake Moan was surrounded by some controversy after Christina Ricci boycotted its image before the press, saying the marketing team ran an advertising campaign directed to college-age boys. Maybe partly because of that kind of bad marketing, the movie could have have been more successful. But it’s still a great production, with great story, great characters, topped with a brilliant soundtrack, including Samuel L. Jackson singing and playing blues! Even though he’s not the main thing to look for in the soundtrack, it at least adds to the curiosity appeal.

Why is it important?
Because it will help composers get in touch with a perfect example of this kind of environmental music attached to a place, geographically and chronologically. The whole musical concept binds the story together and gives it a purpose of memory and feelings, helping you understand what the characters are really thinking.

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9. Queen Of The Damned (2002)

Rated 14% by Rotten Tomatoes, it’s definitely not the best movie ever, and definitely directed exclusively to the niche audience of vampire fans. If you love vampires like I do, you probably enjoyed it. But its weaknesses in acting and writing are not what this is about. Jonathan Davis of Korn has earned more respect in the field of composing thanks to this. Even though the songs are not distant in style from what he usually writes, they sound good as songs, and they serve the purpose of the movie by pushing the story forward, like they should, and still sounding like something we would hear from a good post nu-metal, industrial rock band.

Why is it important?
Because it’s a soundtrack that pushes the envelope to have the alternative industrial genre accepted in film production, as a valid option to some storylines. And the results are great, music wise. The soundtrack was more successful than the movie itself, with Jon Davis’ songs performed by Wayne Static (Static X), David Draiman (Disturbed), Chester Bennington (Linkin Park) and Jay Gordon (Orgy), as well as other well known and previously unknown artists in the genre. If you hate nu metal, or 90′s industrial for that matter, this is a good album to start changing your mind.

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8. Star Wars Saga (1977 – 2005)

Almost not included in this list, for being a little too obvious – but John Williams most famous orchestral works definitely deserve mentioning. The whole Star Wars franchise would have never become what it is without Mr. Williams and his characteristic classical orchestrations. Even as the saga degrades and disappoints the fans, John Williams somehow manages to increase the music quality. Even if you’re not into this kind of elaborated, commercial but complex symphony music, at least some Star Wars scores need to be in your music library.

Why is it important?
John Williams changed an era, in the way that he made possible for a movie to be remembered after hearing just some notes of its main theme. Thematic composing at its best is carried by the most successful movie series ever, becoming both a commercial success and cult status among science fiction fans. It is great to analyze how he blends suspense and feeling expression with epic sounding themes.

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7. Casino Royale (2006)

A great movie topped with superb score, and a Chris Cornell single. Casino Royale was a pleasant surprise to someone like me. I was never a James Bond fan, maybe because I’m too young to have lived in the golden age of the franchise, and the latest flicks with Pierce Brosnan. Don’t get me wrong, Pierce Brosnan is a cool guy – but that spy kids thing going on with all the little scientifically implausible gadgets, and Bond’s unreal bullet dodging abilities while keeping the cool matador look? I’m sorry, who wrote that crap? The new Bond is a bad ass, but he also panics, sweats, makes mistakes and gets tired, like a real human being! Plus, the revised orchestral score is absolutely kick ass.

Why is it important?
Again, this is thematic scoring, but in a different genre which is also important to take as a reference. Beautiful melodies with great epic/suspense impact. And Quantum of Solace promises to be even better! David Arnold and Nicholas Dodd are slowly evolving the importance of theme music in an action movie.

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6. Resident Evil Trilogy (2002 – 2007)

Although the second movie of the trilogy had only random metal bands and no new music with purpose, none other than Marilyn Manson was the composer working on the theme for the first part, later to be revamped by remixing genius Charlie Clouser in a full blown score for the third part, Resident Evil: Extinction. This one counts with the performances of seasoned drummer Danny Lohner, and Wes Borland (Limp Bizkit). Clouser has worked with Trent Reznor (creator Nine Inch Nails, the most successful independent band in the world) and Marilyn Manson, and these guys are arguably the most respectable professionals in the music scene today – a source of inspiration to other musicians who still play in the business for love of the game.

Why is it important?
It is the proof that the professionals of the industrial sound are amazing film composers, and the most viable option for future horror, sci-fi and surreal soundtracks. They sure can get the job done, and the music sounds like nothing a classical composer has done before. It’s a little worrying how that seems to go unnoticed (except for film music directors).

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5. Planet Of The Apes (2001)

Danny Elfman is a very artistically skilled musician. Everyone knew that, and still, Planet of The Apes was a surprise. The opening title is the only thing I remember from the whole movie, which probably means that, in my humble opinion, the music surpassed the film by far. It sounds as surreal and Kafkaesque as the movie should have been, with an industrial vibe achieved in different ways.

Why is it important?
Very experimental and unique sounding, Danny Elfman had the courage to come up with something that doesn’t sound like anything we’re used to hear in a movie. And we can be thankful that he pushed the envelope.

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4. Jurassic Park (1993)

Another side of John Williams that is also extremely inspiring and educational. Brass, string section and harp create heavy and powerful environments for this classic blockbuster. While Star Wars was more egocentric and centered on the musical themes competing with the film scenes, Jurassic Park’s score blends perfectly and masterfully with the motion picture, coming out only in the right times. I remember being 10 years old and buying this soundtrack, and that’s for a reason.

Why is it important?
There is something unexplainable about it that makes us feel like kids again. A soundtrack that sums up Hollywood the best possible way. Another exquisite work by the hands of John Williams.

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3. The Piano (1993)

Either loved or hated by pianists and composers, there is no doubt that Michael Nyman caused an impression with his piano-based score for this movie. The Piano, a brilliantly written drama, winner of 3 Academy Awards, shows off a best-selling soundtrack with profound melodic and rhythmic arrangements. Sure, Danny Elfman did a great job in the pianos of The Corpse Bride, but this one takes the prize for the way it paints a landscape so unusual and deep.

Why is it important?
You will stop thinking of piano as a solo instrument and start seeing it as a valid option for sonic landscaping. The harmony construction has a divine quality of beauty and strength that is important to look up to when writing a dramatic theme.

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2. The Fifth Element (1997)

This crazy surreal science fiction comedy comes with a soundtrack that is not a joke. Eric Serra outdid himself creating a fusion of all different possible styles to represent the multicultural-influenced environments presented in the movie. From opera and lieds to reggae, arabic world music, electronica, industrial, orchestrations, and even pop/rock, he does it all! Serra showed off his capabilities as an infinite music machine, and the results are impressive. Surprisingly, all these different genres are consistent as a whole, wrapped in a vibe that becomes his signature sound.

Why is it important?
If you had to find only one album to keep as a composer’s reference in the studio, this would be it. Whatever genre you can imagine fitting in a movie, you’ll find it here – executed masterfully by Eric Serra.

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1. Transformers (2007)

And the first place goes to the revelation of the year in the world of Composing. Hanz Zimmer’s own little friend, Mr. Steve Jablonsky did an amazing job with Transformers, and there is no doubt this will be a soundtrack to remember. The flawless orchestral work and title theme are true masterpieces. Zimmer can very well be happy to have such great assistants for his own studio. The soundtrack of Transformers is clearly reminiscent of Zimmer’s work in Batman Begins, mixed with a melodic quality that only John Williams could have provided until now. This takes the results to a whole new level, and raises the bar in film theme music overall. With so much color and depth, you don’t need to like the movie to appreciate the quality of the music. But you should definitely watch it – in HD.

Why is it important?
Because it’s already a modern classic. It should give any film composer something to look up to, and be inspired in the process.

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