Movie Soundtracks of the Month: James Horner

May 28th 2012, 3:05am

There are many things that make a movie what it is. It all starts with a story (according to what every How-To book on screenwriting tells us), there is the director and his crew, there are the actors, who bust their asses to bring a vision to life. Then comes the wonderful world of post-production. What is one result of that? The music. Soundtracks enhance the movie going experience. They can make us cry, they can pump us up, they can make us remember the 80’s. Whether it be a musical band or a composer, soundtracks help our favorite movies stay etched in our mind forever.

This week we focus on the amazing James Horner, who coincidentally scored the upcoming Amazing Spider-Man. Horner has one of the most impressive resumes I’ve ever seen that extends all the way back to the 1970’s, he has his distinct style if you know the man, but the best thing about him is his varied style of chose films to work on. I love variety in my composers, here is just a few of my favorites of his.

1. APOLLO 13

Let me put into perspective how much I love Horner’s score for this film. A while back my mother went through a phase where this film was on replay on her tv like a favorite song. If it wasn’t for the engaging story of Apollo 13, and Horner doing what he does best to back the emotions we’re supposed to be feeling up, I would hate the very thought of this film by now. Fortunately for me, my mother’s tv, and film history that’s not the case. It’s all about that re-entry into our lovely blue orb.
Purchase the soundtrack here

2. BRAVEHEART

A few weeks ago, I saw an old trailer for the film Cast Away which features an excerpt from the Braveheart track below. The trailer reminded me how beautiful Horner’s mood setting tone was for this film. It makes me want to take a trip to Scotland and fall in love…or fight against tyranny. These are not emotions that one feels every day. Just another testament to Horner’s talent and the great material he had to work with. Purchase the soundtrack here

3. ALIENS

The anticipation for Prometheus has reached overdrive for fans of the franchise by now. Ridley Scott has returned to this world and we are all very appreciative for that. But here we have one of the few instances that a sequel to a very successful film brought its A game. A massively different tone than Scott’s original and another great score by Horner demonstrated that. The film is in your face, and low and behold so is the music. Who would have thought? Purchase the soundtrack here

4. THE PERFECT STORM

From what I understand not a lot of people’s favorite film James Horner has worked on, but in my eyes it’s one of the most emotional pieces I’ve ever heard from the man. Whether you’re a fan of the film or not the subject matter packs a punch, and I was moved to tears several times thanks to Horner’s work here. Come on, we get it right from the film’s opening credits, these people know what their strengths were. Purchase the soundtrack here

5. GLORY

One of my favorite films that depict war, plain and simple, Horner made sure we felt the gravity of this subject matter like only he can. The track I’ve chosen here could have been a make or break situation for the scene it accompanied, it made the sh*t out of it. That one scene, with this piece of music, with Denzel’s performance…there really are no words for it. Even as little punk teenager this movie was a kick in the gut. Near perfection. Purchase the soundtrack here