I think I'll pass on this one...

[Paul MacLean]

Royal Brown (who you don't like) was perhaps the most well known and respected film music critic prior to FSM, and he raved about Shore's work for years before Lord of the Rings.

How do you know what I think of Royal S. Brown?

And Mr. Brown was not the most well known film music critic prior to FSM. I'd say that award goes to one Page Cook (of Films In Review). And I would say, among informed film music fans, that Randall Larson was more respected reviewer.

So did Lukas Kendall actually, but maybe somehow he doesn't count as a film music fan or maybe you've never met him.

Lukas and I are good friends, and have been for 15 years.

You honestly believe that there were no fans of the Cronenberg-Shore collaboration prior to LOTR, which is incidentally what got him the job on LOTR in the first place?

Actually New Line's first choice was Horner. Peter Jackson's first choice was Kilar. Shore was the first choice of neither.

Maybe the reason you hate Shore is that you're sour over the fact the George (yawn) Fenton's and Trevor (double yawn and uses ghost-writers) Jones's careers never took off.

Wow, you must really be a devoted fan of mine (or perhaps a stalker?) to be able to name my every like and dislike. (You're not my ex-girlfriend are you?)

In any case, Jones and Fenton don't need my defense -- their work (and success) speaks for itself.

[mrsbrody]

I don't understand what kind of juvenile, bitter point you guys are trying to make by reinforcing that Shore was not the first choice on LOTR. Bill Conti was not the first choice for Rocky, David Shire was, but still millions of people love the Rocky music, just like millions of people love the LOTR scores. That might frustrate you but it's true.

Paul, I am not stalking you, but I do have a good memory, especially when it comes to opinions I disagree with. I don't care if you don't like Howard Shore. What I don't like is when you presume to tell me what *I* think of his work, when you insinuate that other people, some of whom are frankly a lot more knowledgeable on the subject of film music than even you are, are somehow feigning their love of the music because they like the movies a lot. And I also don't think Basil would have liked you using his quote to spread such hatred.

And if you really know Lukas, you know just from reading the magazine that he was a fan of Shore's before LOTR, so when you say "I've never met a Shore fan before 2001" it's not true.

Best,
Mrs. Brody

[AndyDursin]

"If we really know Lukas..."

Give me a break. I assisted in the launch of FSM and Paul was there at the very beginning too. And with all due respect to Lukas, whether or not he likes Howard Shore, frankly, has nothing to do with it!

The point is that, sure, there were fans of Shore's around -- but nowhere near the legions of LOTR kool-aid drinkers who have since descended and proclaimed him one of the all-time geniuses of film music. Where were those people before? That's what we were talking about. And in my opinion, it has less to do with the "obscure" films he was scoring but rather the style of his music.

As far as "hatred" and "bitterness" goes, nobody here is spouting either, so there's no need to engage in that kind of talk. Save it for the folks on the FSM board.

Finally, the Pats lost to the Colts tonight, so don't press me

[Paul MacLean]

What I don't like is when you presume to tell me what *I* think of his work, when you insinuate that other people, some of whom are frankly a lot more knowledgeable on the subject of film music than even you are

Well I'm not sure who you're referring to when you say "more knowledgeable". Nor was I aware you had such intimate insight into my cinematic / musical expertise to be certain that those people are in fact more knowledgeable. (Or is my mere dislike of Shore's work "proof" that I must know less than they?)

And I also don't think Basil would have liked you using his quote to spread such hatred.

I didn't know Basil Poledouris (God rest him) well enough to say one way or the other. Perhaps you did. In any case, the only "hate" I see around here is your punitive attitude and invective toward people you disagree with. I invoked Basil because he made a good point, which was totally appropriate to the discussion (certainly more appropriate and tactful than your saying "I'd like to see Doug Fake eat you for breakfast").

And if you really know Lukas, you know just from reading the magazine that he was a fan of Shore's before LOTR, so when you say "I've never met a Shore fan before 2001" it's not true.

Whatever. Lukas is too good a friend for me to insult by arguing over what he may or may not have said over a decade ago.

Don't you have anything better to do than whine and stew over all this?

You don't see me having a temper-tantrum over your innacurate criticism of Trevor Jones.