Comments 10

Re: The "Live-Action" Mega Man Movie Could Be On The Way To Netflix

SpaceEcho

@Dafirelive what? I practically only play nintendo games. I'm just saying a video game movie adaptation is basically a $100million+ unplayable cutscene that takes two years to make and, try as I might, I can't get excited. In fact, I think adapting a game into a movie cheapens both forms of media.

Re: Quick Beats: Grant Kirkhope On How Batman Inspired Banjo-Kazooie

SpaceEcho

What a great read!

Memorable film scores went out-of-style around 2000. I personally blame Gladiator for kicking off the trend of scores that emphasize interesting instrumentation and atmospheric sounds over melodies. Not every score needs a memorable melody (hell, not every movie needs a score at all; refer to No Country for Old Men), but it seems like Hollywood views big, melodious scores as outdated and lame.

I also posit that digital audio technology advances in the early 2000s expanded the sonic pallette of film music forever, but also introduced such levels of convenience and cost-savings that major studios became resistant to spending cash on things like a real orchestra or even recording studio time. Why would they when some dude/dudette with an iMac and a few Gigasampler libraries can bang out a generic score in a weekend.

The 21st century did produce some memorable bangers, though:

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World's original score isn't particularly melodious but is infinitely memorable due to the film's editing - the score, digenic sound, and visuals are so gloriously married together that it's the best movie I've ever listened to.

Mad Max: Fury Road. Though sparse and lacking in musical complexity, there's a few bits that will leave an indelible mark on your brain. Whenever I see a bunch of souped-up hot rods get sucked up into a violent, fiery dust storm and explode, I think of this score (you'd be surprised how often that is).

Thor: Ragnarok was up there, too, although it functions more as an epic, unofficial Devo instrumental album. Great score, even though I hate superhero movies that aren't The Crow.