Well, I think clearly FSM wouldn't be able to launch in 2006 since you were one of the founders and now you don't like film music. You make valid points but I still think there are composers fighting the good fight. From what I've read you don't like Danny Elfman anymore but I can still hear him writing his ass off. Patrick Doyle has done a lot of great work and I'm not about to write him off because Harry Potter wasn't up to his usual standards. James Newton Howard has been consistently terrific on the M Night movies. Williams has showed no signs of fatigue. I don't like James Horner but I'm glad he's still around. Not a lot of Howard Shore fans at andyfilm but he's always pusing the envelope, trying something different. Thomas Newman is a real innovator and has also written some gorgeous melodies (like How to Make an American Quilt). So yes, things are definitely bad, but not as bad as you say. It's not over yet.
MrsB you are not totally correct. I am not a big fan of current film music -- but I happen to love GOOD film music just fine and as much as I always did
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I even mentioned Williams and Horner specifically as the last great composers still working REGULARLY today.
Other than that, yes I think it goes without saying there isn't nearly as much great film music being written as there used to be. I also can tell you I'm not the only "founder" who feels this way, either, especially about the "new generation" which continues to flounder and show little sign of writing anything memorable on their own merits. Trying to launch FSM right now in the climate of a dark period in film music would not be viable -- it just wouldn't.
One problem with these other composers you mention is that, indeed, it's a case of what have you done for me lately. Not that they can't write great film music...but when was the last time it happened?
-Newton Howard's collaboration with Shyamalan has indeed resulted in some terrific scores -- some of the best of this decade so far, I totally agree with you, particularly THE VILLAGE. Outside of that, JNH hasn't hit a home run in some time. KING KONG wasn't so hot and I don't need to hear the excuse that it was because he had to score it in 2 weeks -- Goldsmith had an even tighter schedule on STAR TREK THE MOTION PICTURE but look what he produced.
-Thomas Newman HAS written some wonderful melodies. When was the last great score he wrote? SHAWSHANK was 12 years ago. QUILT was even older than that. It's been a while.
-Doyle has written some WONDERFUL scores. Sadly I can't think of one since his illness that approaches the work he did before he came sick. Just being honest. I named A LITTLE PRINCESS the best of '96 and I loved NEEDFUL THINGS as well, so I know his potential and still listen to some of his older scores (the Branagh works in particular). Recent results, though, indicate he is sadly past his prime from over a decade ago.
-Elfman and Burton have produced some wonderful work together. I did not care for CORPSE BRIDE but SLEEPY HOLLOW was great and I really enjoyed CHARLIE. Outside of his work with Burton, though, when was his last, truly memorable work? Elfman rehashing the same super hero score he's written since the early '90s has exhausted itself to the point where even some of HIS work was being tossed out of SPIDER-MAN 2.
Just my two cents. I still get pumped up over a new Intrada or Varese release routinely and can't wait to see what newly remastered CDs are coming, so don't mistake my comments for a lack of enthusiasm over film music in general.