Matt’s Top 10 Favorite Film Scores
#6. Requiem For A Dream
Clint Mansell is one of my favorite composers, and I believe anything he touches turns into musical gold, including his renditions of “Swan Lake” used for Aronofsky’s “Black Swan.” His score for “Requiem For A Dream” starts off strong with classic orchestrations mixed with elements of hip-hop. From that point on, the score keeps up with the urban horror injected into the entire film, supporting the characters’ actions and emotions the entire time. This film’s score is so important for the overall product that if you took it out of one scene, let’s say the final montage, the entire film would be ruined. It’s that good, and it’s that important to the story. It makes you feel tense, anxious, scared, and uncomfortable – exactly what the characters are feeling throughout the story, bringing you down to their level and into their universe.
#5. Rudy
Here’s another sports film with a wonderful soundtrack. The ending of “Rudy” is one of my favorites, but not without the excellent orchestrations that go along with it. The main theme can be heard all throughout the film, establishing it as Rudy’s theme early on. After watching all of Rudy’s hard work pay off, you get to hear it one final time when his favorite football team lifts him onto their shoulders and carry him off the field. The music helps reiterate Rudy’s love for the game of football and how beautiful his dream really is, inspiring the audience to hold onto their dreams and never let go. It’s strange how powerful music can sometimes be. Well, this film score is an excellent example of that, and it will help you remember your most cherished dreams and inspire you to chase after them.
#4. The Artist
In the old days, films were silent. The only kind of musical accompaniment they had was either a full orchestra in a pit of the theatre or a lone piano off to the side.
“The Artist” is a silent film that was made in 2011, so the film’s score was absolutely vital if it was going to make it in the industry today. Sure, the story and the actors’ performances were just as vital, but the music itself was really the only true way to understand the emotional tension throughout the film. Plus, it was the last hope to keep people in their seats. I heard plenty of stories when this film came out about people leaving the theatre because they didn’t know it was a silent film. Some kept from leaving because the music was absolutely charming and breathtaking to listen to. And that’s exactly what this score is: charming and breathtaking (with insane amounts of nostalgia added in). Many people say this film shouldn’t have won the Oscar for Best Picture, but the score sure did deserve the Oscar for Best Original Score.
