I will be the first to admit that I am a movie snob. Thanks to my father, who had me watching classic films at an early age, I have grown to appreciate a wide range of movies. From film noir to Italian spaghetti-westerns; it goes without saying that I will watch virtually anything.
During my Freshman year in high school, I became interested with the Italian composer Ennio Morricone. At some point, I heard the main theme from Sergio Leone's spaghetti-western, The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (1966), composed by Morricone, and fell in love. Off the top of your head, you probably aren't familiar with his work. Nevertheless, it is unlikely that you haven't heard something composed by him. Morricone writes funky scores, often accompanying western movies. The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly's main theme is notorious; today, you hear it in movies, television, and even commercials. I investigated the source of this catchy tune, and quickly fell in love with Morricone's music for Sergio Leone's "Dollars Trilogy," featuring Clint Eastwood.
Here began my torrid love affair with movie soundtracks. Eventually, listening to the same soundtrack got old; I had to expand my horizons. Due to my love of film, I had a vast supply of movie soundtracks to chose from. I assume that when you think of movie soundtracks, your mind stirs up Disney scores and songs; while, yes, I do love soundtracks like Disney's The Hunchback of Notre Dame, these are not the soundtracks I prefer to listen to. I love the background music; the scores that illustrate the triumphs and trials of a movie's main character.
There's a soundtrack for every occasion. If you give me an emotion, I can find a score or single track to pique your interests. Feeling depressed? Listen to Nick Cave and Warren Ellis' composition from The Road (2009). Feeling content? Look up Thomas Newman's score for Scent of a Woman (1992), or Carter Burwell's score for True Grit (2010). Want to hear something intense? Virtually anything by Hans Zimmer: I suggest Gladiator (1992), or The Thin Red Line (1998).
I'm particular to soundtracks with a lot of emotion behind them. That is, the more intense the movie is, typically the more I'll love the soundtrack. A few of my favorites are Thomas Newman's The Shawshank Redemption (1994) and The Green Mile (1999), and James Newton Howard's Unbreakable (2000). A good soundtrack can make everyday life more enjoyable. If you're going on a run, or cleaning your kitchen floor, turn on Hans Zimmer's Finale from The Lone Ranger (2013); there's nothing that the William Tell Overture can't cure.
Today, any of my friends will tell you that I listen to weird music. Aside from Pink Floyd and strange alternative music, I solely listen to soundtracks. Because I have ADHD, I find it difficult to focus on my work if I'm listening to music with lyrics; perhaps that's why I love a good movie score.To be honest, I was listening to Trevor Morris' Last of the Mohicans (1992) score while writing this article. If you have a favorite movie, Google its composer and take a peek at the score. Even if you're not fond of classical music, or music without lyrics, it's interesting to find out what themes play at what time in a movie. Ultimately, there's a soundtrack out there for everyone; it's your job to find it. Happy hunting!
