FILM MUSIC REVIEW (The Best and Worst Film Music of 2004)

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Film Music Review

Presents...

[Image] The Best and Worst of 2004

Each year we choose the Best and Worst film music of the previous year.

The choices are the opinions of FMR reviewers Roger Hall and Steven Kennedy.

Each reviewer has provided remarks about his choices.

The selections are from any or all of these categories, with links to the review pages:

*Top Film Composer

*Best New Soundtrack Releases (Not including Promos)

*Best Vintage Soundtracks (Restorations or Re-recordings)

*Best Compilation Releases

*Best Record Labels and Outstanding Album Producers

*Best DVD Releases (Single and Multi Disc Sets)

*Worst DVD Releases

*Worst Soundtrack and Compilation Releases

If you wish to send in your comments, send them to:

FILM MUSIC REVIEW

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Please help support Film Music Review

Order your Books, CDs, DVDs and other products here:

To read FMR reviewers previous picks, click these links:

1st Annual Best and Worst List (2000)

2nd Annual Best and Worst List (2001)

3rd Annual Best and Worst List (2002)

4th Annual Best and Worst List (2003)

The 17th Annual Sammy Awards for film music were announced on 13 February 2005

To find out what they were, go here:

The Sammy Awards

To see other award nominees and winners, click on these links:

The Annual Academy Awards (Oscars)

Broadcast Film Critics Association (Critics Choice Awards)

Hollywood Foreign Press Association (The Globe Globe Awards)

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A Guide to Film Music - Songs and Scores (PineTree Press, 2002)

Important!

Supply of this limited edition film music guide is running out.

Make sure to order your copy soon.

This research guide was written by film music historian Roger Hall.

It includes the following sections:

*A timeline of film music highlights from 1926 to 2001

*A chapter on suggestions for listening to film music

*A complete list of Academy Award film music from 1934 to 2000

*A complete list of the Sammy Movie Music Awards from 1988 to 2001

*Top 100 Scores of the 20th Century

*Comments on Film Music:

Exclusive interviews with two composers (Aaron Copland and Virgil Thomson)
The Composer as Commentator (Bernard Herrmann, David Raksin, Dimitri Tiomkin)
The Composer as Critic (Elmer Bernstein)
The Film Lyricist and Songwriter (Sammy Cahn and Henry Mancini)
The Movie Critic and Historian (David Thomson and Tony Thomas)
An extensive bibliography and discography

Throughout the guide are many illustrations of composer autographs, including:

Johnny Green, Bernard Herrmann, Alex North, Miklos Rozsa, Max Steiner , Dimitri Tiomkin, John Williams and others.

There are also songwriter autographs as well, such as:

Sammy Cahn, George & Ira Gershwin, Henry Mancini, Johnny Mercer, Jay Livingston, and Harry Warren.

The title page of A Guide to Film Music has a rare page from the end credits of E.T., boldly signed by John Williams.

Praise from distinguished film composers!

"Thank you for the copy of your film music book. Congratulations and best wishes for success in your future contributions to the film music literature"-- John Williams, film composer and conductor

"I do feel your book is done in a most interesting way. It affords a quick overview of what has not become a very, very broad field. Congratulations!" -- Elmer Bernstein, film composer and conductor

"Your film music guide should be available to anyone interested in the Golden Age and beyond. I was so happy that KING KONG made your all-time list" -- John Morgan, film composer and score restorer.

Order your copy of this limited edition guide before it sells out.

There is also a revised edition of a guide to the music of George Gershwin which lists his songs used in films between 1923 and 1979 and includes an extensive list of recordings.

To order either A Guide to Film Music or A Guide to George Gershwin, go to:

Music Titles from PineTree Press

[Image] Best and Worst Film Music of 2004

Selected by Roger Hall, FMR Editor:

Introduction

Rather than write in detail about each film on my list, you can click the links to read the complete reviews.

Only those soundtracks which have been reviewed on FMR by me or Steve Kennedy in 2004 are eligible for my list.

Even though many of the new soundtracks have continued to slide down the quality scale, there are still some worthy soundtracks, compilations and restorations or re-recordings. Special praise goes out to those who have labored so hard to make the worthwhile releases listed below a reality.

Make sure to also read Steve Kennedy's choices following my list.

Now here are my choices, with links to the reviews...

Top Film Composer: John Williams

The world's best known and most popular film composer continues to turn out excellent scores.

In 2004 he had two outstanding film scores: HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN and THE TERMINAL (both made my Top Five List). These two scores were quite diverse in their treatments--one featuring delightful fantasy music and the other focusing on jazz and Eastern European ethnic-flavored music. THE TERMINAL also has one of those unbelievably beautiful love themes that Williams writes so well. I believe he has succeeded in grand fashion for both film scores, which were also among the better films of the year.

It may seem too obvious to pick him for the Top Film Composer--he was chosen in 2001 and 2002 and has also received many Sammy Awards. But in 2004 he once again fully deserves the designation.

You can get a FREE copy of "John Williams on Radio" by purchasing this book:

A Guide to Film Music - Songs and Scores

For the latest news about this composer, see Ricard Befan's very informative web site:

John Williams Fan Network - www.jwfan.net

Best Soundtrack Releases of 2004

Listed in alphabetical order:

BAD EDUCATION - Alberto Iglesias (Sony Music Soundtrax CD)

FINDING NEVERLAND - Jan A.P. Kaczmarek (Decca CD)

HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN - John Williams (Warner Bros. CD)

THE TERMINAL - John Williams (Decca CD)

THE VILLAGE - James Newton Howard (Hollywood Records CD)

Best Restorations and Re-Recordings of 2004

In alphabetical order:

ATOMIC JOURNEYS & NUKES IN SPACE/ TRINITY AND BEYOND - William Stromberg and John Morgan

BORN FREE - John Barry (Film Score Monthly)

BRANNIGAN - Dominic Frontiere (La-La Land)

JULIUS CAESAR - Miklos Rozsa (Film Score Monthly)

A SUMMER PLACE - Max Steiner (BYU/ FMA)

Best Compilations & Musicals of 2004

THE ALAMO: Dimitri Tiomkin - The Essential Film Music Collection (Silva Screen, 4 CDs)

THE ESSENTIAL NINA ROTA FILM MUSIC COLLECTION (Silva Screen, 2 CDs)

THE FANTASY FILM MUSIC OF GEORGE PAL (La-La Land)

FINIAN'S RAINBOW - Songs by Burton Lane and E.Y. Harburg (Rhino Handmade)

MARY POPPINS - music & lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman (Walt Disney Records)

MIKLOS ROZSA CONDUCTS HIS EPIC FILM SCORES (DRG)

SUMMER HOLIDAY (Rhino Handmade)

THREE LITTLE WORDS & YOLANDA AND THE THIEF (Rhino Handmade)

ULTIMATE MANCINI - Monica Mancini and other performers (Concord)

YO-YO MA PLAYS ENNIO MORRICONE (Sony Classical)

Best Record Labels and Album Producers of 2004

Film Score Monthly (Lukas Kendall)

Rhino Handmade (George Feltenstein)

Silva Screen (James Fitzpatrick)

Best DVD Music Releases of 2004 (Single and Multi Discs)

Single Disc (Vintage Musical): ALEXANDER'S RAGTIME BAND (1938)(20th Century Fox Studio Classics) -

Includes wonderfully detailed commentary by film restorer, Ray Faiola. Also includes three deleted songs, Movietone News footage, Theatrical Trailer, and "Alice Faye: The Star Next Door" as seen on BIOGRAPHY on the A&E Network. This is a beautiful black & white print and features loads of memorable Irving Berlin songs. Alfred Newman won an Oscar for his Music Scoring in 1938--the first of his record-breaking 9 Oscars for music. See also the soundtrack review for ALEXANDER'S RAGTIME BAND.

2 Disc (Vintage Musical): SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS (1954) (Warner Bros/Turner Entertainment)

Disc 1 is All-New Digital Transfer (2.55), Dolby Digital 5.1, Commentary by Stanley Donen. Disc 2 has alternate widescreen version in Flat (1.77) Aspect Ratio, Documentary - Sobbin' Women: The Making of Seven Brothers for Seven Brothers (hosted by Howard Keel, includes interviews with Jane Powell and Jacques D'Amboise), New York and MGM 30th Anniversary Celebration Newsreels, Vintage Short: MGM Jubilee Overture, conducted by Johnny Green. A great two disc set.

2 Disc Collector's Edition (Recent): COLD MOUNTAIN (2003) (Miramax) -

Disc 1 is the complete film. Disc 2 has several documentaries, deleted scenes, "Words & Music of COLD MOUNTAIN," and Sacred Harp History. See the soundtrack review for COLD MOUNTAIN.

3 Disc Limited Edition (Recent): THE TERMINAL (2004) (Dreamworks Home Entertainment)-

Disc 1 is the film/ Disc 2 has a 5 minute segment about the score with John Williams/ Disc 3 is the CD soundtrack. An excellent value. See the soundtrack review for THE TERMINAL .

Worst DVD Releases of 2004

Single Disc: THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH (1952)(Paramount Collection) -

For a film that won the Academy Award as Best Picture of 1952 this is a very shabby package. Not only are there no extra features, there isn't even an insert card with track titles. This has become more and more common as DVD companies (especially Paramount) try to save on their costs. How much does it cost to print an insert card? Surely not that much. This is especially disappointing with this film since it is a childhood favorite of mine. Maybe someday we'll get a better presentation of this enjoyable senimental circus film with a great score by Victor Young.

2 Disc Special Collector's Edition: THE TEN COMMANDMENTS (1956)(Paramount Collection) -

Once again it's a Paramount DVD release and once again there's no insert card. Plus the 2 discs are arranged one over the other and can't be flipped to take out only the bottom one. This is a bad design. The commentary on the film by Katherine Orrison is interesting at times, but goes on endlessly and begins to sound like a boring lecture. She does mention Elmer Bernstein's milestone score but only briefly. This does have a beautiful print of the film though. Yet it deserves much better packaging. If only there were an isolated track of Elmer Bernstein's epic score, but there are far fewer music tracks these days.

Worst Soundtrack and Compilation of 2004

Soundtrack: THUNDERBIRDS - music by Hans Zimmer (Decca) - unimaginative and dull.

Compilation or Musical: THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA - Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber (Sony) - A bloated glitzfest with singers whose voices leave a lot to be desired.

And now for another opinion...

Selected by Steven A. Kennedy, FMR Reviewer:

Introduction

This has been one of the better years for new film music and one of the saddest years for film music fans.

John Williams provided two scores in 2004 that continue to remind us that he is the master of the art. THE TERMINAL was perhaps less successful as a film, and Williams' score was very loud and prominent in the movie in the way his SABRINA score was in that Sydney Pollack film. But the score for HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN was almost like a compositional demonstration disc of Williams' musical styles.

If you examine the style of films this year you will see many that are dabbling in the styles of early cinema. The style of the 1960s figured prominently in many films and will continue to do so as more remakes follow in the coming year. THE INCREDIBLES does this in fabulous fashion with a wonderful score by Michael Giacchino. Edward Shearmur provided a score for a film that takes us back to the 1930s in SKY CAPTAIN AND THE WORLD OF TOMORROW.

2004 was also a sad year with the loss of many of film music's top masters. Some suggested listening as we remember these great talents: Billy May (JOHNNY COOL, 1963); Arthur Kempel (THE ARRIVAL, 1996); Fred Karlin (FUTUREWORLD, 1976); John Seely, 1950s TV composer; Marius Constant (THE TWILIGHT ZONE TV Theme); Piero Piccioni (THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE WORLD, 1971); Fred Ebb (CHICAGO, 2002); Gil Melle (THE ANDROMEDA STRAIN, 1971); Carlo Ristichelli; Michel Colombier (SWEPT AWAY, 2002); and Cy Coleman (SWEET CHARITY, 1969).

We lost three of film music's most beloved masters this year. I have selected some of my favorite scores for each of them:

*Elmer Bernstein: THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN (1960); TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD (1962); HAWAII (1966); THE AGE OF INNOCENCE (1993); FAR FROM HEAVEN (2002).

*Jerry Goldsmith: A PATCH OF BLUE (1965); PLANET OF THE APES (1968); ISLANDS IN THE STREAM (1977); STAR TREK--THE MOTION PICTURES (1979); UNDER FIRE (1983); TOTAL RECALL (1990); L.A. CONFIDENTIAL (1997).

*David Raksin: LAURA (1944); FOREVER AMBER (1947); THE BAD AND THE BEAUTIFUL (1952).

Top Film Composer of the Year: Marco Beltrami

Oddly, many of the familiar names that find there way here provided only one or two scores this year. I have been a fan of Beltrami's music since MIMIC. This year he provided scores for one cult favorite, a summer blockbuster, and one remake.

He started off the year with music for Guillermo del Toro's comic book film, HELLBOY. The score is great fun and once again the opening titles music and visuals were wonderfully done. The opening scene in the film reminded me of the opening of RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK. July brought the Alex Proyas film I, ROBOT which was loosley based on the Isaac Assimov stories. The film itself was a cold and unusual mix of BLADE RUNNER and MINORITY REPORT with just a dash of paranoia common in those Philip K. Dick adaptations. Beltrami's score aided in achieving the right mix of coldness and dramatic action music. Unlike many scores that hammered over the top of everything else, Beltrami's music insinuates itself into the film in a way that does not draw a lot of attention to itself. On its own it is still very engaging. While the reamke of FLIGHT OF THE PHOENIX was perhaps meant to be Oscar bait, Beltrami's chance as a different type of film proved that he had the ability to contribute a score that felt better that what Media Ventures used to turn out. It was a bit more uneven than is usual for him and sounded at times like he was writing to temp track specifications. There are still plenty of moments in the score though that illustrate that Beltrami is continuing to grow as a composer and still trying some different things.

Best New Soundtrack Releases of 2004

Listed in alphabetical order - Click on the links to read the reviews:

BAD EDUCATION - Alberto Iglesias

HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN - John Williams

THE INCREDIBLES - Michael Giacchino

SPIDERMAN-2 - Danny Elfman

THE VILLAGE - James Newton Howard

Honorable Mentions:

FINDING NEVERLAND - Jan A.P. Kaczmarek

MAIGRET - Laurent Petigirard

THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST - John Debney

SKY CAPTAIN AND THE WORLD OF TOMORROW - Edward Shearmur