Thursday, October 20, 2022

Scored To Death

Really looking forward to this documentary.

I love that there's an interest in stuff like this these days (assumption).  Film music, Horror or otherwise, was always such a part of my life when I was growing up.  You could tell who a composer was back then, just by listening to the music.  And if you couldn't, you certainly could tell the good ones.  Like you knew something magical was happening when you heard Carpenter's HALLOWEEN...  Or that beautifully creepy motif in A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET.  The massive scores of James Horner, John Williams, or Jerry Goldsmith were their own characters in those movies they scored.  And something like Bill Conti's theme from ROCKY was legit a living person.

Enter buzz kill:

Do modern scores do anything these days?  I can't think of a single one that I'd really want to listen to over and over again.  Scores used to be fun stand-alone things.  Now they're just like the movies they're slapped onto - fast and forgettable.  I can't think of a single modern motif or theme.  Here's hoping there's a Cultural Rennaissance coming.  I think I need one.  

Click below for the trailer...


12 comments:

highbury said...

I'm with you on this one. I think it ended with Elfman, and the only thing remotely close might be Mark Korven and his work with his Apprehension Engine (although not technically a score, per se)? Maybe?

girl6 said...

This should be a cool & interesting watch.
I LOVE the theme song from "Nightmare Alley" i listen to that on a continuous loop. It sorta takes me to the same place the theme from "Blood Simple" does which is another tune i listen to constantly. The theme/music from Dario Argento's NEW giallo "Dark Glasses" (Arnaud Rebotini) has also become a favorite of mine. It is reminiscent of JC & Goblin but..JC has heavily borrowed from the Goblin boys (the dates don't lie!) i LOVE JC no matter what tho. He'll always be one of my fave maestros. & The theme/music from James Wan's "Malignant" is FIRE. All his movies have great music tho. Look at SAW alone. OMG. Oh & the TV Show "Hannibal" has some amazing tunes! i bought ALL of it on CD because it made my blood sing plus i LOVE physical media so much. Anyway, these are just a handful of NEW Horror tunes i dig.

That's another thing people want to scrap & X out.physical media. Not me tho. i will always buy it.

i LOVE Horror way too much to give up on any NEW good stuff..movies music etc.

Rot said...

Great examples! The Renaissance is here! haha

girl6 said...

i shouldn't have but i came back to defend JC against myself. haha!
When he was being interviewed about Suspiria & Goblin he did admit to them having a big influence on his music.<3

Rot said...

haha I didn't see it as slagging on the guy! And the good news is that his music is its own thing! Free of those influences!

girl6 said...

YES!

Autumnleaf said...

Thanks for posting this Rot, and thanks for all the examples girl6. Gives me something to play with and look forward to!

MR. Macabre said...

They aren't considered horror movies, but the music from the Lord of the Rings trilogy is instantly recognizable. It's one of the few things that my wife and I will listen too when we're in the car.
Our tastes in music couldn't be any more opposite if we tried.

unlearn. said...

The Mr. Robot score is incredible by Mac Quayle. A modern standalone listen.

https://open.spotify.com/track/7fVnqLU7KEFJAXedeKafsa?si=yxSbclXuRdGBCTqmYB5g6A

girl6 said...

This post got me thinking of SWAMP FOETUS! So, i watched the video. The music is SO beautiful & catchy too in that heartfelt dreamy kinda way. & i got to see my favorite part (3:07) again too, those magical silent film Nosferatu moments. Now i'll have the visuals & music on a continuous loop in my head for days! P.S.When the Foetus comes bursting out i totally thought of that cinematic moment in ALIEN.<333

Rot said...

Hey, thanks! So proud of that little film. And Glassett's score is so amazing... even as a stand-alone piece.

Willow Cove said...

I want to see this! I dig the part of how nonmusical objects are used. I wonder if they talk about the electro-theremin.