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ScoreKeeper 's Top 10 Best Scores Of 2008 List!!

No Dark Knight? by DisneyFanatic	Jan 5th, 2009 01:08:34 PM
Hmmm...
Wow by skimn	Jan 5th, 2009 01:10:17 PM
A grade Z title has a years best score? Who'd thunk it?
Really? by Bruce Thomas Wayne	Jan 5th, 2009 01:11:59 PM
No Dark Knight? Really?
Thank you. by Zarles	Jan 5th, 2009 01:17:14 PM
Speed Racer's score is fantastic. Giacchino's re-working of the theme song is the best part about it. It's got the jump-jack sound ("Chok chok chok!") worked right into the music, for chrissakes. Anyone who hates on this score solely because they didn't get the movie is a dumbass. "Roar!" was a great choice, too, but I would've liked to see the 'Slumdog Millionaire' OST appear in here somewhere, as well. Great, great stuff from start to finish.
Best Soundtrack ever? by Kentucky Colonel	Jan 5th, 2009 01:27:46 PM
Star Wars or Superman? Eh?
Amen to Appaloosa! by IAmMrMonkey!	Jan 5th, 2009 01:29:42 PM
Great movie (if you didn't see it, why the hell not?) and a great score too.
Great article by kwisatzhaderach	Jan 5th, 2009 01:29:47 PM
Thanks ScoreKeeeper, haven't seen some of the films on your list but very much looking forward to seeing and hearing them now.
Looks like by kwisatzhaderach	Jan 5th, 2009 01:30:31 PM
The Dark Knight crazies are going to hijack this thread too...
Man I miss Goldsmith by Bishop6	Jan 5th, 2009 01:31:08 PM
Just aint the same w/o him. Dark Knight score works great in the movie, but horrible to listen to outside of that unless your a schizophrenic. Giachinno's stuff-Meh..very 'zingy' works great for the incredibles..not so sure how his Star Trek score will be though. As for speed racer..who the fuck even went to see it, sat thru it long enough to appreciate the score?!?!
Kentucky Colonel by kwisatzhaderach	Jan 5th, 2009 01:32:56 PM
Don't know about best score ever, but best theme is surely a three-way-tie between Star Wars, Superman and Raiders. That the same man composed all three is just mind-boggling.
Kentucky Colonel - don't forget... by thethedew	Jan 5th, 2009 01:35:46 PM
'Raiders of the Lost Ark' and 'Empire Strikes Back' - man, was JW on a tear or what? My pick: Raiders. Eh?
Bishop6 by kwisatzhaderach	Jan 5th, 2009 01:36:06 PM
I agree with you, too bad Goldsmith is no longer with us. The Trek movies have a great history of scoring, Goldsmith, Horner, Eidelman. I guess Generations was the weak link, thank god they got back Goldsmith for First Contact.
Great fucking pick with the SPEED RACER score! by zillabeast	Jan 5th, 2009 01:37:23 PM
100% with you on that one. I would have snuck TDK onto that list, though, although I know you are indifferent to that particular score :P.
Giacchino by OneBuckFilms	Jan 5th, 2009 01:38:43 PM
It's nice to see Michael Giacchino getting some good vibes here. Not heard much of Speed Racer (pretty much none), but Roar! is one of my favorites. Along with Ratatoulis, The Incredibles, Lost and Mission: Impossible III, I suspect his Star Trek score to be really good. He's a little bit fo a throwback, and a very good way.
Best Score? by CharyouTree	Jan 5th, 2009 01:42:39 PM
Hmmn so many, BladeRunner, Akira, Sunshine, Predator, Alien, Terminator, Robocop, hmmn sci-fi-tastic
OneBuckFilms by Bishop6	Jan 5th, 2009 01:45:47 PM
Im hoping he will keep the melodies and not fall back to 'generic action music' territory..gotta keep the hero melodies in the audience mind I think.
In Bruges should be on there by Lovecraftfan	Jan 5th, 2009 01:55:08 PM
It had the perfect score to compliment the film.
Best Score ever... by dundundles	Jan 5th, 2009 02:01:44 PM
Raiders of the Lost Ark. It is truly one of the few complete scores that I can throw on and listen to the entire thing without stopping or skipping ahead. It is all around the best complete piece of work Williams has ever done. The Star Wars movies have great themes, as does Superman, hell even the flying theme from ET, but the notes between the crescendos are somewhat meddling. It's incredibly hard to make an entire score to a movie completely and totally listenable. And I totally disagree with you on the Cloverfield bit. It is definitely worth a listen but to call it one of the best of the year? Pah. And you didn’t even touch the Hellboy 2 score. I find it to be one of the best Elfman scores in many years. And what about Slumdog Millionaire’s fantastic music? That score was in my opinion one of the best if not the best this year.
I'm no expert.. by brock landers baby	Jan 5th, 2009 02:04:02 PM
And I own quite a few soundtracks. I can tell you Dark Knight is one of the finest I have EVER heard. I have played it more than any in my colection,so for me that says something. I'm half convinced this list is a prank.
Harry, please find someone who doesn't want to bear Giacchino's by lalalandlovechild	Jan 5th, 2009 02:04:28 PM
Speed Racer was good, but not THAT good. And including Roar in lieu of an entire score just solidifies that Scorekeeper wants to lap up Giacchino's ball sweat.
Dark Knight by Chesterfield Slacks	Jan 5th, 2009 02:09:38 PM
Pretend you never knew The Dark Knight existed and just listen to the score. It only services the picture with its aggressively brooding, low register instrumentation and percussion. Not fun to listen to at all on its own, unless you want to prep yourself for an all-nighter of destruction, robbery and death. Thank goodness it's not on the list (prepares for Joker-crazy fan-bleating)
Where's the Top 10 Opening Sequences List? by Mindraven	Jan 5th, 2009 02:17:56 PM
or the top 10 end credits? how about the top 10 movie posters of the year? How about the top 10 stickiest movie theater floors?
There's Jerry Goldsmith by Chesterfield Slacks	Jan 5th, 2009 02:23:52 PM
and there's everybody else
Dark Knight was one of the best by kuldan	Jan 5th, 2009 02:24:38 PM
If not the best comic book film of recent memory to properly use score to convey moments of dark foreboding while properly giving a character a simple, particular theme. The Joker's one-note theme was very reminiscent of the power of John Williams' simple notes for the coming of "Jaws." Probably won't get nominated for an Oscar this year for score, let alone the fact that it SHOULD WIN the Oscar.
I assumed that the Cloverfield music was by Danny Elfman by eggart	Jan 5th, 2009 02:27:13 PM
It sounds just like a dull latter-day Elfman score.
This list is fucking worthless. by Grando	Jan 5th, 2009 02:30:50 PM
Dark Knight was not only the best score of 2008, but of the past god knows how long. The Joker cue was a work of fucking insane genius. ScoreKeeper can suck my dry ball sack.
No Howard? Humbug. by CaseyMcCall	Jan 5th, 2009 02:32:21 PM
No James Newton Howard on the list? Where is Defiance? Dark Knight ruled. Giacchino is good, but a tad on the overhyped side. Cloverfield is somewhat ridiculous. It's one cue, come on!
Rambo by Abominable Snowcone	Jan 5th, 2009 02:38:56 PM
ought to be here, even if the main stuff Brian Tyler did was based on Jerry Goldsmith's First Blood music. That music embiggened me. Made me want to like, set up claymores at work and stuff.
Why Dark Knight shouldn't be on the list. by kgerm	Jan 5th, 2009 02:39:36 PM
The Dark Knight score is essentially the same themes from Batman Begins aside from that creepy Joker tone that starts every scene he's in which is sweet but it's more ambience than anything. With the Speed Racer score, it's like you're hearing colors. Giacchino is the best if not most imaginative composer out right now.
Dark Knight Score by seanny_d	Jan 5th, 2009 02:39:55 PM
I suppose it depends on how Score Keeper is judging the scores. If he's judging them on their ability to supplement the story on screen, I would say that Dark Knight probably deserves a spot on there. But as Chesterfield said, it's a really odd listening experience on its own measure. I totally think it was brilliant in the context of the movie, but it doesn't have that same listening quality as something like Speed Racer does. I have the entire 2-hour version of the soundtrack that they put up on the internet a few weeks before the movie's release and I can listen to it all the time. It's amazing. I'm really hoping that Giacchino pulls out his Star Wars or Superman pretty soon. His work on Lost is damn near brilliant and I'm really curious to see what he does with Star Trek.
TDK by Series7	Jan 5th, 2009 02:46:05 PM
Was just Batman Begins over again.
The Happening. by casinoskunk	Jan 5th, 2009 02:46:55 PM
I wish that James Newton Howard used his talent somewhere besides M Night's films. His music for the Happening was beautiful and completely wasted on that turd. The Dark Knight was a SHIT score. Zimmer is a no talent HACK who does not deserve the recognition that he recieves, mostly due to the fact he does not write huge chunks of the scores that he gets credit on. I would like to say that i really enjoyed David Arnold's work on Quantum of Solace as well as John Powell'w work that he did for the shitty films he worked on this year!
no slumdog? by devanjedi	Jan 5th, 2009 02:48:10 PM
no Slumdog millionaire?
Best composer scores by skimn	Jan 5th, 2009 02:52:38 PM
Goldsmith: Planet Of The Apes. An original score that still sounds innovative 40 years later. Runner up: The Omen 3. Personally his Damien theme in the third installment is as musically agressive as Williams' Vader theme in Empire, which brings us to Williams: Empire Strikes Back, as good as Star Wars with the classic Empire March Theme. Runner up: The Witches Of Eastwick, an overlooked witty score that bettered the film immensely. Horner: Aliens. Yes, he lifted passages lock stock and barrel from Wolfen, but it is a great pounding action score. Runner up: Star Trek 2, giving the sense of nautical adventure that oddly Goldsmith's original lacked.
Oh and Elfman.. by skimn	Jan 5th, 2009 02:55:47 PM
I would choose Pee Wee's Big Adventure, a score as childlike and playful as the movie. Runner up: Batman, the beginning of the bombastic "superhero movie" music.
Herrmann... by skimn	Jan 5th, 2009 02:57:49 PM
every goddamn score he produced...
Thanks... by scaryskeleton	Jan 5th, 2009 03:01:18 PM
For the great article. I haven't heard some of these, and will make it a point to check them out.
Great choices, skimn by Chesterfield Slacks	Jan 5th, 2009 03:17:15 PM
Pee Wee is pure Elfman at his best.
Glad to see Indy and the KOTCS by Samuel Fulmer	Jan 5th, 2009 03:20:22 PM
Didn't make the cut. I'm a huge fan of Williams action/fantasy scores, but this was the most forgettable stuff ever.
I find it ironic that the best Burton films by Rev. Slappy	Jan 5th, 2009 03:20:40 PM
are the ones Elfman didn't score.
NO DARK KNIGHT??!! by BobParr	Jan 5th, 2009 03:37:32 PM
TDK should be the top of every list for every category for everything from now until the end of time!!
ok dark knight was a bit overrated, but... by Obscura	Jan 5th, 2009 03:37:50 PM
the score is fantastic. ive never listened to a score so much, it really is great... but i also understand why people don't like it, its not traditional, it doesn't follow normal structure... but for me those facts just make me love it more.
The Dark Knight score by skimn	Jan 5th, 2009 03:41:05 PM
reminded of the scoring session in Forgetting Sarah Marshall. "Okay we need something dark and ominous sounding here....now something ominous and dark..."
Ed Wood by Samuel Fulmer	Jan 5th, 2009 03:48:34 PM
Scored by Howard Shore.
List needs more RAMBO. by Its a LION	Jan 5th, 2009 03:56:49 PM
Everytime I hear it I want to disembowel somebody with a machete. Now that's a MAN'S soundtrack.
THANK YOU for omitting The Dark Knight by Nasty In The Pasty	Jan 5th, 2009 03:57:36 PM
If that score gets an Oscar nom where Danny Elfman's Batman did not, I'm going to fucking scream.
Spot on with Speed Racer &... by spooky2k	Jan 5th, 2009 03:58:10 PM
Cloverfield. Easily two of the best pieces of film music I've had the pleasure of hearing this year. Dark Knight shouldn't be in there as it is simply extremely forgetful. I find myself wanting to listen to ROAR! and Let Us Drink Milk over and over. Just beautiful. Not sure that I agree with Wall-E. Seems there's a divide between us UK cinema-goers and our respective USA counterparts. While beautiful at times, it could have been so much more (just like the film). ANd yes, I do love me some Giachinno and think Pixar should have get him to do Wall-E after his enormously successful Incredibles and Ratatouille scores.
Michael Giacchino- best new composer in years by D.Vader	Jan 5th, 2009 03:58:46 PM
I have all his scores for LOST and I love them dearly, and I remember the adoration around here for his "Incredibles" score that evoked classic Bond music and other spy flicks of the 60s. I look forward to the day when he is given something equally epic, dramatic, timeless, and classic to work with, like when Spielberg paired with Williams for Raiders and ET, or Lucas and Williams for Star Wars. I know Giacchino has it in him and I look forward to each new score of his. "Roar!" is fantastic. And the LOST Season 4 soundtrack better be out soon!
Wait for the "Batman VI" crowd and their "WHERE MUH DARK KNITE!! by JackPumpkinhead	Jan 5th, 2009 03:59:37 PM
No, you don't get a mention of your "score" that consists of two gloomy, endlessly repeated synth notes, one of which was copied from the earlier film. Just as your beloved B-grade Heist knockoff isn't getting any meaningful Oscars.
The Sweeney Todd score pretty much already existed. by Rev. Slappy	Jan 5th, 2009 04:00:00 PM
I think Elfman's best work for Burton has been Edward Scissorhands.
Re: "What Burton films hasn't Elfman done?" by Nasty In The Pasty	Jan 5th, 2009 04:01:57 PM
Ed Wood (scored by Howard Shore) and Sweeney Todd (scored by Steven Sondheim). Also his short films Vincent and Frankenweenie (the latter having a fine tag-team score by Michael Convertino and David Newman that deserves a CD release).
Uh-oh, here they are crawling here... by JackPumpkinhead	Jan 5th, 2009 04:02:59 PM
Just wait until this gets linked on some Batman VI fanatic boards...
And good call on The Happening, casinoskunk by Nasty In The Pasty	Jan 5th, 2009 04:04:32 PM
As HORRIBLE as M. Night Shyamalan's films have gotten, I always look forward to them for the SOLE purpose of enjoying Howard's music. They'e one of the best director/composer teams around right now. I just with the films were as good as the music written for them (Signs is a musical masterpiece).
Appaloosa was one of my favorite scores of the year too. by The Reluctant Austinite	Jan 5th, 2009 04:06:14 PM
And I liked the film quite a bit too, even though some others at the screening I attended were not as enthusiastic. "Roar" was also one of the best geek treats of the year, and a damn good reason never to leave the theater until the credits have rolled.
I love the score to Pee Wee also... by hillvalley	Jan 5th, 2009 04:10:24 PM
... but I recently saw Fellini's 8 1/2 for the first time and realized just how close Elfman came to plagiarizing Nino Rota. Still consider the man one of my fav. composers, when he's working with Tim Burton that is. Otherwise he sounds like he's just working for the paycheck.
Yeah by Cobbio	Jan 5th, 2009 04:13:41 PM
Thanks, Scorekeepah. Good list!
How about worst Elfman? by starmand	Jan 5th, 2009 04:16:01 PM
I nominate Standard Operating Procedure. Whoever thought Elfman's whimsical style was appropriate for a documentary about Abu Ghraib was batshit crazy.
Yup. Speed Racer. by Gil Brooks	Jan 5th, 2009 04:40:03 PM
Totally agree. That's a great fucking score.
Elfman was the bomb by Series7	Jan 5th, 2009 04:56:47 PM
In Beetlejuice. The opening credits is awesome. Ever since Mars Attacks, he hasn't done anything worthwhile. Though I did really like the Hellboy 2 stuff, just wasn't that memorable, though I need to watch it again. Fucking long wait netflixs.
Re: TINKERBELL by ScoreKeeper	Jan 5th, 2009 04:57:02 PM
No I haven't. But I'm not surprised you think so highly of it. You never know where you'll find great film music and straight-to-DVD family fodder often sports good scores. One of my favorite John Debney scores was for THE ADVENTURES OF ELMO IN GROUCHLAND (1999) which was a straight-DVD feature. BAMBI II (2006) by Bruce Broughton is also very good. I would've never discovered them had I not had kids of my own. I'll check out TINKERBELL. Thanks!
Nope, Scorekeeper by CaseyMcCall	Jan 5th, 2009 05:00:12 PM
Quote: "The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland (sometimes referred to as Elmo in Grouchland) was the second theatrical feature-length film" Released by Columbia Pictures. So you're mistaken.
Jeez guys, I like TDK too but not everything about it is the bes by D.Vader	Jan 5th, 2009 05:01:05 PM
Aside from the Jokers theme and a more mature Batman theme, it IS very similar to the score for Begins. So Jeebus cristo, shut the fuck up with your incessant whining when TDK doesn't make a Best List. You are responsible for all the backlash against the movie now. YOU have created it. TDK should win the Osar for Best Score? Give me a fucking break.
Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story by Boo Cocky	Jan 5th, 2009 05:07:06 PM
Best film score ever. EVER!
Also, this might be considered 2007 by Boo Cocky	Jan 5th, 2009 05:08:32 PM
But Assassination of Jesse James score was the best soundtrack I've heard in the past year.
Thank fucking Christ there's no TDK ass kissing on the list... by Ravetin	Jan 5th, 2009 05:23:38 PM
...the music of the new Batflicks seriously sucks shit through a straw.
When I saw the end credits of Wanted and saw by skimn	Jan 5th, 2009 05:23:58 PM
Danny Elfman did the score I said "Huh?". Underrated Elfman, "A Simple Plan" and "Nightbreed".
No IronMan or Slumdog milionaire? by Stalkeye	Jan 5th, 2009 05:29:02 PM
Are you fucking kidding me? But chessy speed racer music gets the nod.Uh, ok.
The Other Boleyn Girl by topaz4206	Jan 5th, 2009 05:29:13 PM
Is a gorgeous score and deserves to be somewhere on this list. Otherwise, I really enjoyed the list, thank you Scorekeeper.
TDK Great film: Boring ass score. by Stalkeye	Jan 5th, 2009 05:39:18 PM
Almost sounded a bit redundant, dontcha think?Elfman's 89 version was more ambitious IMO.
Say what you guys want bout TDK by SomaShine	Jan 5th, 2009 06:03:09 PM
the two notes that made up the Joker's theme is the most memorable moment of any film soundtrack of the year. Two notes not instantly reconizable. Here's what makes a great score..its the the music in a film that is NOT used for another films trailer. ten bucks says all of SK's top ten will be used in a film's trailer in the future. You will NEVER hear the Dark Knight score being used for another films trailer.
No DARK KNIGHT = mark of intelligence. by Darkman	Jan 5th, 2009 06:23:00 PM
Lot of other fine scores you neglected (Burwell's IN BRUGES, Elfman's WANTED, Powell's BOLT, David Newman's THE SPIRIT, Doyle's IGOR, Randy Newman's LEATHERHEADS...), but still...good fuckin' list.
More elitism on this site... by Fah-Cue	Jan 5th, 2009 06:33:32 PM
By NOT picking Dark Knight and picking weaker films. Seriously -- I liked Speed Racer... but the score wasn't anything much. The Joker theme alone was worthy of attention. Frackin' fanboys and elitist article writers on this site is what keeps me going to other more substantive sites.
John Debney's "Halloween Tree" score is beautiful too. by The Reluctant Austinite	Jan 5th, 2009 06:46:58 PM
It's lyrical and evocative. In fact, I wish I had it on cd!
SPEED RACER SCORE WAS AWESOME! by Earthquake WestCoast	Jan 5th, 2009 06:47:42 PM
An awesome score for an awesome movie! The score made the film that more powerful.
AVATAR/James Horner should be special by unionJACKass.webs.com	Jan 5th, 2009 06:48:23 PM
Well, very special, in fact.
TDK score was a rehash of Batman Begins by Earthquake WestCoast	Jan 5th, 2009 06:51:57 PM
It was mostly just noise. You can't hum it. And if you listened to it and didn't know it was from TDK, I guarantee you would think it was crap! The TDK was a that loses a lot with every new viewing. To defend TDK and say it's the greatest in everything, well...that's just sad. Personally, Batman Begins was better.
Elfman's the best! No he's not! TDK's the best! No it's not! by Amy Chasing	Jan 5th, 2009 06:54:17 PM
Like Kevin Smith said about AICN talkbackers: "You can't win with those guys."
Bun-nuh nah..nah nah nah...bun nuh nah by ballsmcretard	Jan 5th, 2009 06:58:32 PM
nah nah naaaah nah...bum bum bun-nuh...nah nah nah nah ....naaaaah -Thats from Rambo.
Speed Racer by doubleARon	Jan 5th, 2009 07:27:16 PM
I wholeheartedly agree. How is picking Speed "elitist", it's one of the most spat upon movies of the year. I earned a signed TDK cd for trying to convince Scorekeeper it was a great soundtrack, and I LOVE this list for making me look into these movies further. I'd also rate Speed Racer's soundtrack above TDK's.
It's sad that an Indiana Jones movie came out this year by I Dunno	Jan 5th, 2009 07:27:55 PM
and no one even thought about its score, I can't remember it myself.
Seriously, you think 2 notes make a score great? by D.Vader	Jan 5th, 2009 07:28:08 PM
I'll give you this: making the Jokers theme a buzzing, brooding sound of impending doom was fucking great. But that does NOT automatically elevate the rest of the score, liberally borrowed from Begins, to Oscar status. It's not elitism that keeps I off the list. Get off your high horses. And for gods sake, will you ever realize this list is just one mans opinion. Fucking babies.
the most frustrating thing about the new Batflicks... by Ravetin	Jan 5th, 2009 07:39:04 PM
...is that the scores would be fucking incredible if they would just drop Zimmer and his goddamn, shitty synth orchestra. you can hear hints of a modern noir-ish score when the music is on JNH mode. i wish they'd just let him do his thing.
Raiders - Best Score Ever by finky089	Jan 5th, 2009 07:54:28 PM
KOTCS - most over-anticipated and unmemorable score this year. but, then Williams hasn't been the same since the late 80's/early 90's.
Risk Marginalization by Ignoring Dark Knight! by Larry of Arabia	Jan 5th, 2009 07:55:11 PM
Why would you even think of pointing out scores to films that nobody has seen? cough man it was hard to say that with a straight face. Wait, let me try again. By not voting for Dark Knight as the best you... no, still cant get my head that far up my own ass.
Elfman's best - Pee Wee/BeetleJuice/Batman by finky089	Jan 5th, 2009 07:57:32 PM
With Nightbreed next on that list.
I think Fah-Cu was trying to... by Larry of Arabia	Jan 5th, 2009 08:06:22 PM
subtly mock the guy at Cinemablend who said people go to his site because they champion populist films like Dark Knight while newspaper and TV reviewers are dying because they try to tell people that the best films of the year might be films they haven't seen or didn't get wide release. Awards shows risk irrelivance state Annie Hall might be better than Star Wars. (seriously, he used a 30+ year old example for that one) Now if you don't mind I have to go. WWE Raw and Superstars of Dance are both on.
Milk and Synecdoche... by edgardevice	Jan 5th, 2009 08:53:33 PM
Best scores of the year! And while I think DK shouldn't be on any list, i don't think you can knock the score for not standing apart from the film. There is a reason it is called a "film score".
GIACCHINO FTW! by Crow3711	Jan 5th, 2009 09:08:29 PM
His music from the final episodes of S3 and throughout S4 of Lost is brilliant, ROAR! is completely badass, and I didn't really watch a lot of Speed Racer, but I'm sure it's great. I don't usually particularly notice the music, but his always seem to command my attention.
Scorekeeper, how do you rate the Ravenous film score? by SoylentMean	Jan 5th, 2009 09:14:38 PM
If you rate it awesome or extremely awesome then my respect for you has gone up. If you rate it lower then I disagree with you and my respect level has found its pinnacle. Just kidding by the way, it was surprising as hell to see some Jack Brooks Monster Slayer love on here. That's a fuckin' comprehensive list! As for the Speed Racer naysayers, um that's the same guy who did the score for The Incredibles. Makes me want to check it out. Quite an interesting list. Gracias.
The love theme in Attack of the Clones was good by I Dunno	Jan 5th, 2009 09:30:22 PM
So I wouldn't say Williams didn't do anything good after the early 90's. He definitely coasted on Revenge of the Sith and Indy 4 though. But give him a break, he's like 100.
I agree on The Happening! by flickchick85	Jan 5th, 2009 09:30:58 PM
TERRIBLE movie, but fantastic score. It's funny, most of my favorite JNH scores are for movies I don't give a shit about - Restoration, Treasure Planet, Signs, Peter Pan, King Kong...That's why the guy hasn't won 10 Oscars by now - his best scores are for crappy movies that the Academy would be too embarrassed to nominate. I like Giacchino and love "Roar," but I don't think it deserved a spot on this list in lieu of a complete score, as if there weren't enough great full scores this year to fill the list. "The Happening," "Wall*E" and "Benjamin Button" were probably my top 3 this year.
And I loved the TDK score mainly for the Two-Face music. by flickchick85	Jan 5th, 2009 09:39:40 PM
I read in an interview that Hans Zimmer handled the music for the Joker and James Newton Howard did the stuff for Two-Face...which makes sense, b/c I fucking loved "Watching the World Burn" in that final Two-Face scene, while I could take or leave most of the Zimmer stuff, and I'm definitely much more of a Howard fan in general. But TDK was not even close to the best score of the year, so bravo Scorekeeper for omitting it - kind of a bold move around here, no?
One great score not mentioned: KUNG FU PANDA by Nasty In The Pasty	Jan 5th, 2009 10:20:57 PM
Kinda sad that Zimmer (working in tandem with the immesely more talented John Powell) found more inspiration in an animated movie about a klutzy panda bear than he did for FUCKING BATMAN, but the Kung Fu Panda score is terrific. Just the fact that the film had ONLY score music aside from the end credits inclusion of "Kung Fu Fightin'" was remarkable. No shitty Smash Mouth soun montages designed to move soundtrack CDs, just a stirring, Asian-tinged orchestral score with good melodies and kicky action cues (i.e. NOT just one idiotic synth drone held down on a keyboard). Check it out.
TDK is some of the best music ever, even if mainly begins by most excellent ninja	Jan 5th, 2009 10:32:41 PM
was the score. But the music is genius. both films are probably the most intelligent scores ever made. the music by itself is real music, beautiful pieces of music. Humming doens't mean shit. it's how much you enjoy it as normal music. And it's brilliant. Anyone who disagrees is a cunt with shit taste in music. I listen to Mogwai, that confirms my good taste.
TDK? Seriously? Ever heard of Steiner? Morricone? by pollaxt	Jan 5th, 2009 11:55:37 PM
Sometimes these talkbacks are just plain disgusting. Watch a movie for once outside of geekdom. Watch "Gone with the Wind." Watch "The Mission." Watch anything that Philip Glass has ever done. Then we can talk about best film scores of all time. TDK. Seriously?
I listen to Mogwai, too... by Ravetin	Jan 6th, 2009 12:06:31 AM
...Hans can still suck my ass.
What About Eagle Eye? by damn_dirty_ape	Jan 6th, 2009 01:44:15 AM
I thought this was a superb score, one of the best action soundtracks in years. Yes, it is loud and bombastic but it is nice to hear a full orchestra doing this sort of thing again rather than the synth augmented things by Zimmer and co. Brian Tyler is an amazing talent and in my view the natural sucessor to the late great Jerry Goldsmith. His scre for Children of Dune (used in just about every trailer I can think of nowadays) is just awesome.
The Dark Night Ninght I Want To Sleep Now by damn_dirty_ape	Jan 6th, 2009 01:48:03 AM
Sorry but the score for this movie is just so over-rated both as a soundtrack album and in the context of the movie itself. It is grating, intrusive and just plain dull. Plus the principle action cues simply re-hash Batman Begins. As an avid soundtrack collector I cannot understand why this score is so highly regarded. Mind you, I haven't yet fathomed why the film is so darned popular either. It was ok, and I liked the extended action chase with the prisoner convoy, but greatest film ever? Doesn't even come close.
Fuck SPEED RACER! Fuck it to hell! by Motoko Kusanagi	Jan 6th, 2009 02:48:33 AM
Seriously, what the fuck is wrong with some of you AICN guys? I'm starting to think that some of you are 8 year old immature dumbasses with a love for chimp jokes. Btw, the TDK score is brilliant. Period.
Sorry - at AICN staff we all suck Giacchino's by HEADGEEK	Jan 6th, 2009 03:09:42 AM
tunes straight from the source. Michael is currently my favorite composer working. So much energy and love in his music. It is thrilling!
Thank God by The_Myhand	Jan 6th, 2009 03:24:24 AM
Obviously its already being debated on here...but its actually refreshing about TDK's score not being on that list....obviously the only thing different between TDK and Begins score was the Jokers "Theme" which was cool yes, but still, I mean come on. I love that film don't get me wrong but my god some people....
tdk score by MariusXe	Jan 6th, 2009 04:26:49 AM
was way better than begins! everyone saying its the same clearly never listened to both completely. sure, here and there are similarities, but its a fucking sequel! both scores ar great and in my opinion the most memorable in the last ten years or so. FUCK THE NAYSAYERS!
most exellent ninja by MariusXe	Jan 6th, 2009 04:29:42 AM
yes mogwai indeed confirms your good taste in music!
oh and elfmans an overrated cunt by MariusXe	Jan 6th, 2009 04:33:26 AM
shirley walker saved his batman theme in the animated series
Elfman didn't do the score for "Ed Wood." by The Tao of Joe	Jan 6th, 2009 05:36:19 AM

by ZoeFan	Jan 6th, 2009 08:12:59 AM

No Dr. Horrible? by ZoeFan	Jan 6th, 2009 08:13:36 AM
That was a great score...sort of.
"Lusciously streamlined"? by Banditmania	Jan 6th, 2009 10:23:59 AM
Gimme a break.
Hey D. Vader..Um..ever hear of JAWS by SomaShine	Jan 6th, 2009 12:23:20 PM
2 notes
Prince Caspian? by darthvedder81	Jan 6th, 2009 01:45:30 PM
I thought Harry Gregson-Williams put a rousing score together for that one. I like Caspian and Reepicheeps themes.
Im no TDK worshipper by purplepurple	Jan 6th, 2009 02:30:52 PM
but the score was one of the best parts of an already very good movie. One of the finest scores Ive heard in recent years, very weird it didnt even make the top 10
If I would have my list, by DisneyFanatic	Jan 6th, 2009 02:30:53 PM
then the score from LOST's S4 would definitely be number 1.
Great list! Giacchino is the next Williams people! by Evil Hobbit	Jan 6th, 2009 02:51:22 PM
Here's my list: 10. James Newton Howard - the Happening. More haunting then the movie, a great, brooding horror score. 9. Tuomas Kantelinen - Mongol. Epic, moving, classical. 8. John Ottman - Valkyrie, for his brilliant chorus theme 7. James Newton Howard - Defiance. Brilliant use of subtle theme's that resemble a mixture between the Village and Schindler's list. Sometimes a bit cliche, but when executed with this restrained brilliance I'll eat them anytime! 6. John Williams - Indy 4. This soundtrack got me all hyped for a movie that ultimately crushed all my anticipation. Nonetheless, the best Indy 4 experience is by keeping the dvd in the box and putting the soundtrack on. The haunting skull theme, the noirish Irena and the swashbuckling Mutt track are once again pieces of pure Williams brilliance. Complexly layered and executed like no other. Brilliantly mixed with the classic Indy themes and wrapped up in a magnificent finale track. 5. Thomas Newman - Revolutionary Road. Road to Perdition meets American Beauty. Simply stunning. 4. Harry Gregson Williams - Prince Caspian. Where is the Reepicheep theme on this cd? 3. Thomas Newman - Wall-E. Best Newman score since Finding Nemo. Inventive instrumentations, heartmelting themes. Sweeps you up and down to earth. 2. Michael Giacchino - Speed Racer. Frentic, heartwarming, adrenalous and sweeping. A brilliant, high octane, tears evoking soundtrack. 1. Zimmer and Howard - the Dark Knight. Probably not the score that lingers easily on the ears as an album, but it was the soundtrack that moved me most in the theaters. It grabbed me by the bullocks and turned the Dark Knight into the most intense cinematic experience of the year. The best use of characteristic themes in a film since Jaws. The presence of the Joker could be felled even when he was off screen. And when he was coming! Man o man, did that dissonant guitar put me on the edge of the Imax seat. Zimmer hasn't been this creative for years. Combined with Howards warmer (yet brooding) and more hopefull work for Harvery and Gotham it is -- to me -- the best soundtrack of the year. The one that supported the story and it's characters, and thus the cinematic experience, to the very best!
Another 2008 Gem: Joe Hisaishi's Ghibli Concert by Evil Hobbit	Jan 6th, 2009 03:03:10 PM
Legendary composer Joe Hisaishi gave an amazing Studio Ghibli concert this year. With a 200 man orchestra and a 400 man choir, it is one of the largest, most breathtaking movie related concerts ever. Unfortunately, it's not available yet on cd or dvd ... BUTT!, it did air on Japanese TV. On this youtube link you can view some clips from the concert: http://tinyurl.com/9p33x8 It is pure brilliance. Right from the Nausicaa clip it is breathtaking. The scope, the scale. Enjoy.
Just listened to Speed Racer by eggart	Jan 6th, 2009 03:05:28 PM
I felt like I'd heard the entire thing before. The love for this score is inexplicable.
I like Mogwai also by Larry of Arabia	Jan 6th, 2009 05:40:08 PM
But I listened after midnight and they turned into Super Furry Animals. (rim shot!)
Joker theme = Jaws theme, thats a big issue aginst it. by Larry of Arabia	Jan 6th, 2009 05:59:14 PM
Nolan compared the Joker to Jaws. Then, they use a similar two note theme to signify their presence. That's homage, not Oscar worthy. In fact I argue that it worked far better in Jaws because the score was the only thing that signified the presence of the shark for most of the film. You never, ever saw it until suddenly someone was just gone and the music stopped. As long as the theme went on you were waiting for that moment. Now, that two note theme was not totally original back then, but you get my point. This isn't the groudbreaking idea anybody makes it out to be no matter how loud they argue. I welcome a well thought our argument that lifting for an arguably more effective source is Oscar Worthy. Unless their argument is "Jawz iz old & sux, TDK rulez, thatz y!" I mean, how can you argue with something airtight as that?
The anticipation for Giacchino's STAR TREK score..... by zillabeast	Jan 6th, 2009 06:23:13 PM
Can it even be calculated??
A balanced perspective on TDK score and other issues. by jerseycajun	Jan 6th, 2009 06:27:55 PM
For those defending TDK score as superior, I must disagree. It was extremely effective, yes. It was put to excellent use - within the context of the film. But it was to the movie overall what good seasoning is to a fine meal. It contributes great "flavor" but it's not a feast in itself. The best music scores are like a separate course that complements the rest of the meal, but also tastes great as leftovers. TDK score sticks in my mind mostly for its association with the scenes they go with, not because the cues are in themselves outstanding. I agree with Scorekeeper,however. Giacchino is one of the finest, if not the finest composer currently working in Hollywood. "Roar!" plays as a complete listening experience and I'm glad to see it making the list especially after I thought folks would forget about it after so much time and for having only been played over the credits (the best parts of it come well into it's running length.) Looking forward to see what he comes up with for Star Trek and Pixar's "Up".
And for those... by jerseycajun	Jan 6th, 2009 06:45:09 PM
taking the opportunity to put down all the other aspects of TDK alongside the soundtrack, well, I can't fathom what you thought was lacking. It gets better every time I see it. A rare feat.
Yes SomaShine, I've heard of JAWS & thanks for biting by D.Vader	Jan 6th, 2009 08:32:51 PM
You think I'd could be this big of a film fan and not think of comparing the Jokers theme to that of JAWS? The difference is, Williams didn't just rely on those two notes along wih a pre-existing theme to build his score. He had other leitmotifs that ranged from rousing adventure music, tense horror-filled cues, and fun, fanciful themes played by a French horn. All of JAWS is brilliant. I'm not saying TDK isn't a good score. I'm saying an argumet built around a defense of "The jokers two note theme is brilliant!" is not enough. You've gotta be like Williams and have something equally great behind it.
Giacchino? Your list is shit and so are you by Bass Cadet	Jan 17th, 2009 11:25:08 AM
A man who has, let's face it, written ONE good film score (Incredibles) gets a lot of sackriders on this forum. Desplat's Benjamin Button score completely outclasses everything you have on this list. Your taste in film music is in your ass. Go watch your Lost fanboy boxset and leave serious film music discussion to people who know what they're talking about (people who can see how amateurish your Ifukube reference is). "Roar!" ? Nga PLZ.

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