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10 Best Film Scores of All Time

// April 23rd, 2011 // movie talk, na na na, tv

My song picks for my 30 Days Song Challenge today inspired me to make a list of my favorite film scores of all time. So, here it goes:

1. Godfather (Nino Rota)

The most haunting piece of music that I’ve ever heard. Definitely best of the best. No question on why the theme of this movie became classic just like the movie itself.

2. Up (Michael Giacchino)

Especially the track called Marriage Life. When the music is playing during the movie, you will experience the best of 4:21 minutes in cinema history. No kidding.

3. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 (Alexandre Desplat)

I have been a fan for this franchise for years, but never really care with the score, until Deathly Hallows Part 1 hits the theatre. At least there three favorite tracks of mine: Obliviate, Snape to Malfoy Manor and Farewell To Dobby. I am so happy to know Desplat will do the second part as well.

4. Love Story (Francis Lai)

Not really my favorite movie, but it wasn’t a bad movie at all and I could understand why it became such a classic. However, the best part is obviously the score. You will probably have heard it even when you haven’t seen the movie.

5. Psycho (Bernard Herrmann)

Alfred Hitchcock favorite composer. He at least has written the scores for almost every Hitchcock masterpiece from The Trouble with Harry (1955) to Marnie (1964), of course the one for Psycho (1960) no doubt was his best work.

6. The Omen (Jerry Goldsmith)

I almost couldn’t play this one while I am alone. Someone said this is the Lord of all horror soundtracks. Listen to it yourself if you don’t believe me. I played this while I am writing this, but maybe I shouldn’t as my neighbor might think I started a cult or something.

7. The Exorcist (Steve Boeddeker)

Quite confusing on whom did the score. It seemed it was done by many different artists, but the one that I love the most is called ‘Tubular Bells” composed by Mike Oldfield.

8. Lust, Caution (Alexandre Desplat)

I was so intrigued by every element at the movie: acting, story, direction, cinematography, and more especially the score. I thought it was brilliant and couldn’t wait to find out the person behind it. I was so happy to find out that it was no other than Alexandre Desplat.

9. Kill Bill Volume 1 and 2 (RZA)

I’d love to have Quentin Tarrantino playlist, it seemed we might like the same kind of music. Thanks to him, I got to know Nancy Sinatra and Shivarree’s goodnight moon. However, the track that caught my attention the most was called The Lonely Shepherd – Gheorghe Zamfir (produced by RZA), at the end of Kill Bill volume 1 (what a perfect ending).

10. Forrest Gump (Alan Silvestri)

My earliest memory in paying attention at movie scores. It’s still one of the best scores of all time.

Honorable mention: Rosemary’s Baby (Christopher Komeda), Life Is Beautiful (Nicola Piovani), Let Me In (Michael Giacchino), The Golden Compass (Alexandre Desplat), Heaven and Earth (Kitaro), The Chroncles of Narnia: The Lion, The Wich, and The Wardrobe (Harry Gregson-Williams) more especially the track called Evacuating London), Midnight Express (Giorgio Moroder)

Some scores that I love, but never seen the movie, here as follow: Breakfast at Tifanny’s (Henry Mancini), Romeo and Juliet (Nino Rota)

What about television show? There was one and only score that I love the most. It’s from the Twin Peaks and it’s written by Angelo Badalamenti.