One final reflection

Just one more thing I'd like to share with you all before this class is officially over. This is a video directed and started in by a guy named Cameron Duncan. He was the inspiration for the song "Into the West" which I'm sure most of you know won Return of the King one of its 11 Academy Awards.

Cameron Duncan, unfortunately, was a victim of cancer, and died shortly after making this film. It's really an incredible piece, and very sincere. Definitely take some time to watch it in honor of Cameron Duncan if you haven't already:

Short Film

Here's our final short film for editing class. Our group consisted of:

Nathan Corder
Josiah Wood
Lindsey Berggren
Robert Scheribel
Sam Doughty
Kelsey McCoy

From concept to render, it was a 4 day process. We had four weeks for the project, but things fell apart with our original story and plan and we had to get creative. Like Leeper says, limits can be a good thing... enjoy

Favorite Scenes

I will not lie, this final scene from "October Sky" makes me tear up every time. For whatever reason this film has been incredibly meaningful to me over the years. Perhaps because I relate to Homer, I'm not sure, but it really gets to me. I wouldn't be surprised to find out that someone thought this film to be rather average in general, but it is one of my personal favorites. If you haven't seen it, I think it's at least worth a watch.

Favorite Scenes

Say what you will about the fact that this film is called "Little Women," but it is actually a fantastic film. The performances are superb and the music is breathtakingly wonderful.

The scene below features Claire Danes, who I consider to be one of the most under rated actresses of her generation. If you haven't seen her performance in "Temple Grandin" then go do so now; she's phenomenal!

Favorite Scenes

I mean, my reasons for liking this scene are pretty self-evident. All you have to do is watch the scene (if you're one of the 1% who hasn't already seen it) and you'll know exactly why it's one of my favorites.



In this case I think it's best to let the clip speak for itself, because it does so very well...

Favorite Scenes

I know this film gets a lot of criticism, but personally I think it's fantastic. This scene demonstrates pretty well why. It's both well written and well acted. If you haven't seen "The Village" I think you should at least give it a chance, it's not for everyone, but I love it.

Favorite Scenes

Another one of my favorite scenes. This one gets me right in the heart every time. Love the creepy edge the film takes on at this point, but also the deepness of despair. This scene, in my opinion, is what keeps this film from becoming overly sentimental.



It also has two of my favorite quotes "Ya see George, you really had a wonderful life, don't you see what a mistake it would be to throw it away" and "Strange isn't it? One man's life touches so many other lives, and when he isn't around it leaves an awful hole." Both of these lines get me ever time. So much truth, and so powerfully portrayed. Both performances here are excellent!

Favorite Scenes

Time to share just a few of my favorite scenes from film. These aren't necessarily my favorite scenes of all time, nor are they in any particular order, but I thought I'd just sporadically post whatever "tickles my fancy" if you will. ;)

Let's kick things off with good old Harvey:



I actually saw this scene from Harvey before I had even seen the movie. For one reason or another it touched me deeply. Jimmy Stewart's acting here is absolutely phenomenal; there is such an innocence and honesty about his character that's incredibly endearing. If you haven't seen the film it's definitely worth your time.

My Top 15 Film Score Tracks

1.) Up - Married Life by Michael Giacchino



It's all come down to this... My favorite film score track of all time. The first time I saw Up I was completely blown away by the opening 10 minutes, much like the rest of the world. I've never seen life so successfully condensed into ten minutes, ever. Not ever! The ten minutes are so touching that they are more worth watching than the full 2 hours of most movies.

^
Truth

Honestly, the first time I saw the movie I didn't even think about the music. I consider this to be good film making , as I was so engrossed in the movie I didn't have time to consider the music, design, etc. It was only upon my second viewing that i realized how mind blowing the music truly was. This is probably one of the most unique scores I've ever heard. It seamlessly integrates elements of the 1950/60's Jazz era with a more orchestral sound. Absolutely beautiful and totally unexpected. I was overjoyed when this score received an award at the Oscars, not only because the score itself was brilliant but also because Micheal Giacchino totally deserved it; he's quickly becoming the best composer around.

So that about wraps up this list. Hope at least some of you have enjoyed it! If you haven't seen them already, feel free to go back and look over my previous entries.

My Top 15 Film Score Tracks

2. The Two Towers- Samwise the Brave by Howard Shore.



Yes, another Lord of the Rings entry, because it's deserved. ;)

I'm not gonna' lie; this scene in the film makes me want to cry every time. Sam really has to be the greatest character in Lord of the Rings (he has the majority of my favorite lines too). He's really, in many ways, the heart and soul of the story. His little speech he gives to Frodo when their hope is waning thin is truly one of the most touching moments in movie history. The music Mr. Shore wrote for this is absolutely perfection. You could not capture the character of Sam in a piece music better than Shore did here.

My Top 15 Film Score Tracks

3.) Inception - Time by Hans Zimmer



Predictable entry, I know, but I couldn't help entering it anyways. This track is completely mind blowing. Maybe just because one associates it with the actually film, but none the less, it is a significantly intellectual piece of music. This song perfectly encapsulates the emotion pull of the movie and helps curve your train of thought to follow the film. Hans Zimmer is truly a genius and really should probably be on here more than once. If there weren't so many good composers it would make this a lot easier. ;)

My Top 15 Film Score Tracks

4.) The Empire Strikes Back - Imperial March by John Williams



Okay, this list really couldn't be complete without a track from Star Wars, even if just for it's pure iconicness. John William is an absolute master of scores. He's almost certainly written more memorable and iconic themes than any other composer of the past; Indiana Jones, Jaws, Jurassic Park, Harry Potter, the list goes on and on! This particularly track is probably one of the most recognized pieces of music in the world. The loud, heavy, and dark rhythm of it completely personifies the character of Darth Vader. Strangely, however, my actual favorite moment this theme is used is when Luke pulls off his father's mask and we here a soft gentle whisper of it in the background. Almost gives me chills just thinking about it!

My Top 15 Film Score Tracks

5.) The Fellowship of the Ring - The Breaking of the Fellowship by Howard Shore



How could I have a soundtrack countdown without including Lord of the Rings? I seriously believe the LotR scores have to be some of the best fantasy music ever written, and perhaps some of the best soundtrack music period. There are so many fantastic tracks that I found it extremely difficult to narrow it down. Ultimately though, I think this track is one of my favorite because it is plays over one of my favorite quotes of all time "All you have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to you." Such a meaningful quote to me, and this song characterizes it so well. Another one of the few film score tracks that can truely move me.

My Top 15 Film Score Tracks

6.) Little Women - Valley of the Shadow by Thomas Newman



Yes, Thomas Newman again! I know this is probably not the most popular film for a guy to like, considering the movie is CALLED "Little Women", however, I've been watching this ever since I was a kid, and it really is a good film. The performances from the major cast are particularly excellent and the soundtrack (as a whole) is probably one of my favorites ever. Around our house it's considered a Christmas movie (although it's not necessarily one) and we watch it annually. This particular track is played during one of the most moving scenes in the film. If ever there were a film track that made me reflect on my life and become nostalgic for my childhood it is this one; An incredibly thought provoking song.

My Top 15 Film Score Tracks

7.) Wall-E - Define Dancing by Thomas Newman



Oh yes, Wall-e! Probably one of the greatest animated films of all time.Again, enter thomas newman. The entire scene where wall-e and eva dance together for the first time has to be one of my favorites scenes in the film. Incredible that the filmmakers could elicit such a emotional reaction from two characters (who barely talked in the movie) that were robots! Thomas Newman's score here is also perfection. Simplistic but perfect! Love it!

My Top 15 Film Score Tracks

8.) Vertigo - Prelude and Rootop by Bernard Herrmann



Now this is a true classic thriller/horror soundtrack. While not quite as popular as the Pyscho soundtrack, the soundtrack from Vertigo is equally important, I think. The solomn runs of the violin have somewhat become a staple for horror films today; This film is one of the earlier films to employ this technique in a modern way. It also is, I might had, done significantly better than most soundtracks that try to pull off the same thing in horror films today. I'm somewhat ashamed to say that I only just saw this film for the first time more recently. I've had a desire to see Alfred Hitchcock films for a long time, but I never got around to it until recently. This is actually the first Hitchcock film I saw, and it's also one of my favorites. Absolutely brilliance in creepiness which is only enhanced by it's top-notch soundtrack.

My Top 15 Film Score Tracks

9.) The Pursuit of Happyness - Opening by Andrea Guerra




This is probably one of the most unique entries on my list. It's not a very popular score, but I find it to be an incredibly original one. I loved it from the first moment I heard it, and have ever sense. It's one of those songs that can instantly instill pleasurable feelings in me. It's so upbeat it keeps me going on days when I feel down. I also like this movie, btw; Will Smith is fantastic and has been so ever sense his Fresh Prince days! Oh yes!

My Top 15 Film Score Tracks

10.) Finding Nemo - Nemo Egg (main titles) by Thomas Newman



Thomas Newman is one of my favorite composers. His simplistic, sorrowful, nostalgic music is absolutely breathtaking. The man has been nominated for an academy award 10 times, but has not won a single award. GIVE THE MAN AN AWARD! He's also the son of famous composer Alfred Newman and the cousin of 20-time-nominated and 2-time Academy award winner Randy Newman, which makes him pretty much incredible. I think it's safe to assume this man will appear more than once on my countdown.

I still remember the first time I saw Finding Nemo. I was only ten years old, and my whole family watched it together. I remember being really incredibly touched by the opening of the film. Somewhat pleasantly surprised, I think, by the depth of it. That was the first moment when I realized how powerful animation could be; that it didn't have to just be silly or funny or childish, but that it could also be very deep. Of course, I didn't consciously come to this conclusion right away, but I credit this moment as the first time I really took animation seriously and learned to LOVE it. Every time I hear this song I'm ten years old again, sitting on the floor in my living room, rediscovering my love of animation all over again.

My Top 15 Film Score Tracks

11.) Cast Away End Title by Alan Silvestri



Cast Away. Yes, the success of the film rests largely on the performance of Tom Hanks, but it's such a brilliant performance that it hardly matters. The sheer fact that the film, with a 143 minute run time, can sustain your interest despite the fact that it's pretty much about a guy trapped on an island talking to a volleyball is marvelous. This is truly a story where it all comes down to the characters (or really, in this case, character). The song which plays over the loss of "wilson" and over various other places in the film is pretty much the only music in the film, but it's a melody so touching that no one seems to mind. Probably in my top five for most poignant film tracks ever. Really moving.

My Top 15 Film Score Tracks

12.) Saving Private Ryan - Omaha Beach by John Williams



Saving Private Ryan is, I think, one of the most powerful films to be made in the past two decades. I remember the first time I saw it, my dad made me and my brothers and sisters sit down and watch it, because he wanted us to understand what it was like for soldiers who had fought for us. I'm sure my mom wasn't too thrilled about it, seeing as it's an "R" rated film, but we watched it anyways. We skipped some of the more lewd parts, but we watched all the violent bits, not because somehow we believe violence is okay, but because it realistically portrayed for us what these men had to endure, and that was important to my dad, esp. since he is an ex-marine. John Williams score perfectly underlines the film, in my opinion. It's not overly complex, but it works well that way. It also introduces a lot of classic "war" music elements without overdoing it. I think it's a delicate balance and Mr. Williams struck it well. Totally moving piece of music.