Fave movie score? Indy rock, baby

It's a nightmare going to the movies with me. And not just for the obvious reasons. I insist on getting there at least 30 minutes prior to a flick. I need time to look at all the posters, order up a buttery vat of heart-clogging corn (extra salt please) and I can't miss a single trailer, or I'll pout like a baby. Most people assume this is my OCD rearing its (melon)head, but it's deeper than that.

When I was 11, my mother drove me and some pals to the theater (Rt. 3 Cinema in Chelmsford, Mass.) to see a new movie called Raiders of the Lost Ark. I'm not sure who I saw it with, maybe John Hickey or Keith Marciniak. Anyway, we stumbled into the theater 15 minutes late. Hmmm, we thought, this movie gets off to a slow start. We noticed a few people smirking at us, but we weren't sure why. When I saw Raiders again a week later (and again, and again), I realized why people were snickering. Holy crap! We had missed the most rousing opening in movie history. The spiders! Satipo! The giant frickin' ball! I would never make that mistake again. Ever.

You ask me my favorite movie of all time, 27 years later I still give the same answer. Raiders would also goose my love for soundtracks, for big bad rousing scores. I totally geek out for John Williams, but I also dig Danny Elfman, Randy Newman, Thomas Newman and more.

So here are my 15 fave movie scores, all of which are on my iPod. No doubt about No. 1, baby.

By the way, I'll be there May 22 for Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Might actually get to the theater an hour early for that one. Say hi if you see me. Maybe I'll buy you some popcorn...

Comments

[Marissa]

I'm so glad I'm not the only score geek. I am not quite as intense about it as you, Sean, but those musical compositions take me away like a Calgon bath. In fact, prior to leaving for work I was listening to "The Raiders March."

I dig the tunage from "The Gladiator" and "Lord of the Rings," too.

[Brad]

Tangerine Dream, yeah. That's the good stuff.

[Julie Rothera]

C'mon, Sean. Has the Red Bull affected your memory that much?

You saw the movie with me.

BTW, in case you wondered, the answer is "Yes".

[Bassnote]

Great list Sean. I too am a movie score geek. I'll add a few of my favorites:

For Love Alone (Against All Odds) - Larry Carlton
Crystal Voice (Firestarter) - Tangerine Dream
Main Titles (Edward Scissor Hands) - Danny Elfman
Descent Into Mystery (Batman) - Danny Elfman
Main Title (Ladyhawke) - Andrew Powell
Breakfast Machine (Pee Wee's Big Adventure)

[jane]

Gotta go with the percussive genius of the Rumble Fish soundtrack, composed by Stewart Copeland. I dig the whole thing in its entirety.

[Marissa]

Ah the thick plottens. Tell us more, Julie.

[Sean Daly]

Oh lord, I'm nipping this one in the bud right now. "Julie Rothera" is not Julie Rothera. That's merely this blog spiralling off into another bizarro directions.

[Marissa]

Doesn't it often spiral in bizarro directions?

[Bassnote]

A few more scores to add:

Legend - Tangerine Dream (there was another score by Jerry Goldsmith, but TD's was better)
Star Wars & Empire Strikes Back - John Williams
Jaws - John Williams
Beetlejuice - Danny Elfman

My new favorite is the Iron Man soundtrack by Damin Djawadi.

[Tonianne]

No love for Ennio Morricone? The Good, the Bad the Ugly, Once Upon a Time in America, The Mission.

It takes just the first few notes of his theme from Cinema Paradiso to reduce me to tears. His music gets me on a gut level.

[sparky]

No Beverly Hills Cop Soundtrack or 48Hours?!?

[Miguel]

Hi Sean, we don`t have to stick to the 80s here, do we? Because probably my favourite movie score ever is Edward Scissorhands by Danny Elfman(anything he did for Tim Burton is great).

[Bassnote]

Let's not forget the awesome score for 'To Live And Die In L.A.' done by Wang Chung.

[Michelle]

You need some Mark Isham:

"Film Music" with "Mrs. Soffel" and "Never Cry Wolf"
"A River Runs Through It"

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