His most old-school theme in many ways, and also one of his very best. It's somewhat schmaltzy and sugary sweet but helps enhance many of the film's highlight scenes from pure corniness to rousing, enjoyable sequences.
9. Finding Nemo
Not his best animated film score, but it's rather fitting for the film's tone as it carries so much of the youthful exuberance and wonder at ocean life that the audience needs to get with its flow.
8. Little Women
Wonderful work by Newman as he brings the March household to life beautifully through this old-fashioned set of tunes to accompany a rather lovely, old-school film. It's so moving and tender yet also with this sense of youthful sprightliness to it that's quite remarkable.
7. American Beauty
Man, I'm not a fan of the film but I have to admit...what a score. What a spellbinding score that actually manages to make some of the horrendously pretentious scenes somewhat bearable to watch.
6. Bridge of Spies
It's Thomas Newman doing John Williams, and doing it rather well. I actually think, contrary to some who believe it hinders the film, that the powerful soundtrack helps to underscore many of the most dramatic or pulsating scenes of the film. I particularly like how it's utilized in the 'Standing Man' scene and of course, the ending.
5. Wall-E
The most iconic musical moment in the film may go to Louis Armstrong, but it's Newman's soundtrack which does an incredible job in carrying the opening, dialogue-free scenes of the film with such aplomb. When the film itself expands to outser space he does an equally good job in matching the tonal change.
4. The Green Mile
Minimalist but I think it's great work from a great composer. Newman's work here is fantastic as he manages to very simply, craft a tune that is so haunting and despairing, and yet with a tinge of beauty to it that suggests the glimmers of hope we see throughout the film's dark expanses.
3. Skyfall
The best Bond soundtrack and we have Newman and Adele to thank for that. Newman technically is somewhat limited by the fact that a Bond soundtrack has to always fit a certain sort of criteria, but he never feels constrained, matching each action sequence with remarkable flair and power.
2. Road to Perdition
The film is okay but not something very special in my opinion, nor do I really care for Sam Mendes in general, but this. Score. RULES. Though the visual aesthetic of the film isn't all that much to my liking, nor is the screenplay, or the characters, I still managed to be invested in key moments due to Newman's incredible work at nailing both the atmospheric, sombre moments where he quietens the impact and makes the big, more grand sequences stand out.
Love his score for Road to Perdition and Skyfall. I really liked his score for Saving Mr. Banks as well. I have to admit I really don't care for his score for Bridge of Spies, I found it rather overbearing and not particularly inspired.
Disappointed not to see Saving Mr. Banks on here.
ReplyDeleteOtherwise I'll just say that he's my #2 ever.
Love his score for Road to Perdition and Skyfall. I really liked his score for Saving Mr. Banks as well. I have to admit I really don't care for his score for Bridge of Spies, I found it rather overbearing and not particularly inspired.
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