Gladiator score Review. Hans Zimmer and Lisa Gerrard
Sometimes you hear a piece of music and you know this is history in the making. That this song will be loved in the centuries to come, similar to the way people love Nessun Dorma now. That this song captures every emotion you have ever felt in your life in 4 fleeting minutes.
The score misses many great tracks and can’t fully contain all of the gold that exists but gosh, it completely changes how you view scores as a genre.
The instruments and tones used in ‘The Emperor is Dead’ and ‘The Might of Rome’ is a departure from the rest of the score yet brilliant nonethess. If I recall correctly, ‘Might of Rome’ was Wagner inspired?
The tone of ‘Slaves to Rome’ was epic, and large, despite sounding completely different to the rest of the score. It sneakily contains a hint of whimsy and conveys so much in the breif moment its heard.
‘Barbarian Horde’ is a song that still manages to make your stomach churn from fear. Its a brilliant piece of music – one of the best – but captures the life or death desperation a little to well. Fits in perfectly with the movie but outside its almost too effective; rendering some to fear for the lives or at the very least, there nightmares of Rome.
“Now we are free” is possibly my favourite song from any score. Lisa Gerrard is a genius and I adore the reworkings of it. Its inspired many a movie clip.
The follow up to this in interesting from a curiousity perspective, but not much beyond that. I am thankful however that it was brought out because it was fascinating for the first listens.
Simpsons Movie Score Review Hans Zimmer
I was reading a review of this in a magazine where it said that Hans Zimmer is the greatest living composer. Take that, you synth haters!
Its quite different to his Usual far and simultaneously different to what ones come to expect from the Simpsons. The orchestral version of the theme song is fun just to hear it with more grandeur.
The entire score had a sense of whimsy about it, yet is more orchestral the in the actual series. The instrumention harks back to the original theme tune while differentiating itself.
There were only two tracks that were really different from this which I had trouble connecting with. They were ‘Release the hounds’ and Recklessly Impulsive. I listen to these two tracks seperately from the rest of the score. They break the theme and mood too much, despite being so interesting and experimental.
Tracks such as ‘Why does everything I whip leave me?’ and ‘Barts Doodle’ show a completely different side of Zimmers work, yet proves how extremely versatile he is as a musician and composer.
The greatest track of all – and possibly one of the greatest tracks of all time – was Spiderpig. No words can explain it. Track it down any way possible.
Whilst not for the Casual Zimmer fan its a sublime score.
Shortbus
I admit, I had never seen a nude man before except for an occasional glimpse in a film. The first 10 minutes of Shortbus showed me more than I will probably ever see. Of course, I did lend the film to someone who’d actually had some experience, and they dry retched as well, so its not prudishness. Never listen to a years with of Get this podcasts over a short period of time.
Yet, once you got over how confronting some of the footage it was, it was one of the best films I’d seen all year. It was frank, honest, and brilliantly done. It was actually art. All sex scenes were shown within a context and weren’t gratuitous.
By the end of the film you had forgotten it was even about sex; despite it being the main premise. It was an exploration of peoples core, which is where sex often lies. It was visual confronting and yet appealing. The soundtrack was different yet brilliant. The cast and characterisation was unconventional yet fresh.
The final orgy scene was the BEST thing I have ever seen. When I lent it to mum, I showed her the last 10 minutes. I then mentioned I wanted a marching band for my 21st – something immediately rejected. Upon seeing the whole film, she was doing the marching.
This film changed my views on sex completely. I’m not in any hurry to have it, but there is nothing wrong with exploring your sexuality provided your doing so safely.
Pirates of Penzance 19/5
I only saw this because David Hobson was in it. Again, choose a seat near the back and couldn’t even listen to the CD I’d borrowed out. It didn’t meet my expectations. It exceeded them by so much! All I knew going in was what I’d read on the information sheet I got going in. That was all you needed to know.
It was a complete spectacle! The aim of the show was to take the mickey out of itself. I was mentally bagging the lighting department for having flickering lightbulbs until one learnt that was part of the show. Set changes, intermission and overtures were thus rendered entertaining. I refused to use the restroom during intermission because of this.
Warlow was far better than my cast recording. It was an obvious ripping off of ‘Jack Sparrow’ from Pirates, yet it worked so well. The same characteristics that made Jack such an appealing character fit the tone of the performance. Vocally Warlow carried it off spendidly. I only wish I’d bought the DVD.
The hilarity ensued. ‘Poor Wandering One’ was fantastic – watching Frederic attempt to find where the notes were coming from. ‘When you had left our pirate fold was alliteration at its best – all those q’s! That one song managed to sum up the entire mood of the performance: deadly jovial.
I loved the policeman. I was tarantara-ing for days afterwards. It was even funner when they appeared later in the performance, seemingly hanging from the sides of the stage.
Seeing this is was like opening up an entire new and brilliant word. I’m never listening to a gilbert and sullivan CD until I can see it live. You lose a certain something by being able to preempt the performance. Next month (October) I am seeing a local production of ‘The Mikado’.
I do hope they bring more down to Melbourne.
Pirates of the Carribean: At Worlds End
Ironically my landlord and I saw this film at the exact same time on the same day, just at different cinemas. So when I got home I was so proud and was discussing Zimmers brilliant use of ‘Parley’ during that scene with the sweeping ocean and sandbar shots. He didn’t notice it. Nyah, I know whos the biggest score nut.
About a week later I was listening to ‘Hoist the Colours’, which is the opening track they played during the hanging at the start. That scene was created around that piece. Into the second track, had a knock on the door and an impromptu chat about who is the best composer.
The opening bars of ‘Singapore’ are reminiscent of Fentons ‘Anna and the King.’ This turned me off this track immediately. As in the movie, Multiple Jacks can’t be tolerated for two long. The music fits in with the movie but outside of it, is too trippy. Its interesting instrumentally though!
Up is down one of my favourite pieces of musical. Sweeping and whimsical and can be relistened to again and again. Its one of Zimmers many, many highlights. Parley was brilliantly executed and one of the reasons I took up electric guitar. I only rewatch the movie to hear that scene
I would have preferred if ‘I don’t think now is the best time’ to be separated somewhat. Whilst the themes connect strongly, there is too much going on in that one scene. One day is just sublime musically.
Drink up me Hearties was the perfect ending track. Utilized the granduer of Upside Down instruments, whilst reminding the Zimmer nut of similar uses of synth.
Rating: 5/5
Being a female nerd
I’m by no means sexist, but do find some differences between the male and female nerd.
- 10 reasons why being a female nerd is alienating
- Feminism and Nerdism
- Geek shops are sexist