Top 10 Best Original Film Soundtrack

    As time progresses and music evolves, it's hard to define today's orchestral music in classical terms. Perhaps, today's original film scores are tomorrow's classical works. In that case, I've compiled a list of what I consider to be the Best Original Film Soundtracks since 1998.

 

1. Meet Joe Black - Thomas Newman (1998)

Umvd Labels

This is without a doubt, the album that started it all... my obsession with original film scores. Thomas Newman, a Hollywood heavyweight composer, has composed music for many movies, including Wall-E, American Beauty, Finding Nemo, and The Green Mile. Newman has a unique style of writing, and once you are familiar with it, it's easy to recognize. He composes in themes and reintroduces them in new ways - sometimes lighter, sometimes deeper. Because Meet Joe Black is about death, the soundtrack is somber and reflective, with lyrical melodies and lush symphonic orchestrations.

2. Crouching Tiger,Hidden Dragon - Tan Dun (2000)

Sony Classical (P) 2000 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT

Tan Dun's impressive work effortlessly combines the music of the West with the music of the East. With the help of Yo-Yo Ma, Dun paints a vivid picture with a minimal sound. From the heart-pounding drums to the solo cello, his score (though not as flashy as the movie) is a subtle work of art.

3.Chronicles of Narnia - Harry Gregson -Williams (2005)

Walt Disney (C) 2005 Disney

This blockbuster movie of 2005, based on the novel by C.S. Lewis, boasts a fantastic soundtrack. Each song masterfully depicts the movie's drama, so even without the picture, the score stands solidly. Gregson-Williams fans agree that this is one of his greatest triumphs. The works on the Chronicles of Narnia soundtrack are rather eclectic - it's a mix of modern and classical with a dash of folk. And like the movie, it both inspires hope and ignites your imagination.

4. American Beauty - Thomas Newman (1999)

Dreamworks

American Beauty, the winner of the Academy Award for Best Picture in 1999, has an amazing score. Composed by Thomas Newman, the music brings out the emotional subtleties words alone cannot do. Tastefully written, Newman's musical intuition to stay away from overly powerful, somewhat cliché musical themes adds to the movie's inherent beauty. The music of American Beauty is more of a framework, a hollow shell accented with "mile markers", which allows the listener to fill in the gaps with their own emotions and feelings.

5. The Lord of The Rings Trilogy - Howard Shore

Reprise (c) 2007 New Line Productions, Inc.

Like the music of John Williams' Star Wars, Howard Shore's The Lord of the Rings is instantly recognizable. Its music evokes many of the movies' most memorable scenes - from the great battles to the even greater victories. And with over nine hours of content to cover, a lack of musical variety is not an issue here! Shore effortlessly captures the action, emotion, and atmosphere of the movie and translates them to notes on a page. The trilogy features several artists, but one in particular I am quite fond of... Renee Flemings. Fleming lent her beautiful voice and recorded a few tracks for Shore. I find that I listen to these the most.

6. Slumdog Millionaire - A.R.Rahman (2008)

Interscope Records (C) 2008 Celador Films Ltd./Channel Four Television Corporation

This album is starkly different from the other albums on this list. Rahman's Slumdog Millionaire, winner of the 2009 Golden Globe for Best Original Score from  a Motion Picture, is definitely a youthful soundtrack fusing hip-hop and the typical Bollywood soundtrack into a modern day upbeat masterpiece.

7. Finding Neverland - Jan A.P. Kaczmarek (2004)

Decca (C) 2004 Universal Classics Group, a Division of UMG Recordings Inc.

Youth, joy, and wreckless abandon are the themes of this fantastic soundtrack. Kaczmarek, a polish composer, envisioned the meaning of Peter Pan and transformed it to music. Childrens chorus, solo piano, strings, and other energetic orchestrations take the listener exactly where they want to go - Neverland.

8. Star Wars :Episode 3 - John Williams (2005)

Sony Classical (P) 2005 Lucasfilm Ltd.

Star Wars. Almost anyone can name the movie upon hearing the movie's main theme and many can sing the theme if asked. The soundtrack to Episode III is nothing short of spectacular. Williams, whose music for Harry Potter and the Prisoner Of Azkaban was nominated for a Grammy for Best Score in 2005, is another Hollywood heavyweight composer. The music for Episode III is, perhaps, the darkest of the six Star Wars films. However, he doesn't lose the qualities which made us fall in love with his music in the first place.

9. Finding Nemo - Thomas Newman (2003)

Walt Disney (C) 2003 Walt Disney Records/Pixar Animation Studios

Thomas Newman's third entry on the list - his score for Finding Nemo. Gracious in design and impeccable in execution, Newman's music is heartfelt and sincere. In a cold, vast ocean, his music adds warmth and emotional richness that computer animated characters and vivid graphics cannot fully express.

10. Amelie - Yann Tiersen (2001)

EMI (C) 2001 Virgin Music

This delightful French film has a soundtrack that is rather unique. Its french flair and instrumentation are far from cliché. Employing a variety of instruments from accordion to solo piano, this score encompasses the film's fluttery charm and nature. How refreshing!

5 Top Celebrity Secret

They’re paid to make the stars shine – stylists, assistants and make-up artists, catering to celebs’ every need. These insiders are also privy to stars’ outrageous behaviour and deepest secrets – secrets they’re sworn to keep, but can sometimes be persuaded to spill!

‘Celebrities are like everyone – some of them are amazing people and you learn from them, others are not amazing and deeply disappointing,’ says stylist Phillip Bloch, who has worked with such stars as Liz Hurley and J.Lo.

We delve into the secret side of Hollywood, revealed by those who work closely with the stars…

Top 10 Celebrity Secrets

1. ANGELINA JOLIE
She claims she’s toned down her wild side since settling down with Brad Pitt, but an old pal of Ange’s says the star ‘can’t hide the crazy’. In fact, the 36-year-old’s strange habits freak out the staff. ‘When [her] kids get cuts and scrapes, she saves their discarded bandages,’ the friend says. ‘She thinks she’s being edgy and artistic, but to others, she just seems weird.’ Ange is also said to be a tough boss. An ex-staffer tells In Touch: ‘One time, a young assistant was pleading and crying to keep her job, but Angelina coldly turned her away.’

2. SURI CRUISE
She has a bag collection to die for and chooses her own clothes – so it’s little wonder Suri, five, has a reputation for being a mini-diva. ‘Because Suri is being raised a Scientologist, both Katie and Tom have to treat her like an adult’, an ex-employee tells Life & Style. ‘They never tell her anything – they ask… When she demands a manicure at 9pm, she gets it.’ Another insider adds: ‘Tom dotes on Suri. He lets her do anything she wants, from eating cupcakes for breakfast to drawing on the walls. He never says no to her.’ And one source tells the National Enquirer that Suri can throw quite a tantrum if she doesn’t get her way: ‘She’s learnt that she can manipulate people a lot easier if she plays the pestering princess.’

3. JULIA ROBERTS
Julia may be an eco-aware celeb, but it seems her green crusade is at the expense of a commitment to personal hygiene. The 44- year-old star has admitted her grooming regimen doesn’t include deodorants, and there are times she doesn’t even use soap and water! ‘Julia is a total hippie,’ a former bodyguard tells Star. ‘She’ll go days without showering. She likes to save water – she’s really green.’ Saving cents makes ‘scents’ to Julia. ‘She likes the smell of her natural oils. She also says that she can’t wash her hair too often because it’s dry.’ The bodyguard says Julia’s husband Danny Moder shares her ‘better green than clean’ philosophy. ‘He doesn’t care because he’s just as much of a hippie. Those two are the farthest thing away from Hollywood glamour. They’re grunge all the way.’

4. ALL IN A DAY'S WORK (LEE WEAVER)
One of Hollywood’s most sought-after bodyguards has lifted the lid on a 20-year career protecting A-list celebrities. Lee Weaver, 53, tells New Idea the inside story on his former employers, including Sylvester Stallone and Eddie Murphy. ‘I had to save Eddie’s life once,’ Lee says of a dramatic fight in an LA club where he once worked. Catching an attacker’s fist in his giant hand, Lee impressed Eddie so much he was offered the job as his bodyguard on the spot. ‘I never looked back,’ Lee says. ‘Eddie told me: “I need a guy like you.” I went from driving a beat-up car to a Rolls-Royce. And I got to live in his $20 million mansion. It was Cher’s old house!’

Working for Eddie Murphy, Lee reveals he once had a bizarre encounter at Neverland with Michael Jackson’s chimp, Bubbles. ‘All of a sudden, Bubbles punched me in the leg, then he does it again, harder!’ Lee says. ‘I started to panic. I could feel his strength. So I reached into my coat for my gun!’ Michael dragged Bubbles away as Eddie joked: ‘Could you imagine what would have happened if you shot Bubbles?’

Working as a Hollywood minder, Lee spent time on the film set of Demolition Man, where he witnessed Sylvester Stallone and Sandra Bullock re-enact scenes from Rocky – in their underwear! ‘I’m a lady, but I got excited because he has a beautiful body,’ Sandra confessed to him.

5. JENNIFER LOPEZ
J.Lo is believed to be quite a diva, with an on-set source from her new film, What to Expect When You’re Expecting, saying the 42-year-old ‘wouldn’t talk to anyone directly’, reports the New York Daily News. Her assistants also have their work cut out for them, judging by an ad for staff. According to Life & Style, Jennifer was looking for a person who has ‘thick skin’ and could ‘be on call 24/7’. The ad also reportedly said the star required an employee who would ‘know when J.Lo has her snack time. She won’t say she’s hungry, you’re just expected to have food waiting.’ The assistant must also keep the singer’s darkest secret: a source reveals she wears ‘three – or even four – pairs of super-slimming Spanx at a time’.

THE FLY AND THE BULL

Orientation:
Who/what :There was once a little fly flew around and saw Bull.The little fly flew and buzzed around the Bull head and disturb the Bull.
Where :Rice-field
When :Long time ago
Complication :
What happened one day :The little fly flew down and buzzed around the Bulls head.The Bull did not bother him.He went on chewing grass.The fly then buzzed right inside Bulls ear.The bull continued chewing grass.the fly thought,”What stupid animal!”
Resolution :
What happened then :Now the fly decided to land on one of the bull's horn to make the bull notice him.He waited for the bull to say something,but the bull kept quiet.
Complication :
The fly then shouted angrily ,”Oh,Bull if you find that i am too heavy for you,let me know and i'll fly away!”
Resolution :
The Bull laughed and said ,”Little fly,i don't care if you stay or leave.You are so tiny that your weight does not make any difference to me,so please be quiet and leave me alone.”
Re-orientation :
Whats is the end of story :The fly didn't bother the bull anymore.
How is the ending : The bull satisfied and the fly very shame about that.
Happy or sad : I think it with happy story.