Miss Ramdini ~ Movie Soundtrack Playlist ~

I feel the need…the need to blog! Haha sorry, that was really lame. I tried to come up with a clever line from a movie that transitioned well here and that was the best that I could come up with, don’t judge me! If you’ve read my video game blog, you already know how much I believe music is an essential element for setting the mood and direction for an audience. Have you ever downloaded or bought cd’s simply to listen to the score of a film? Can you imagine a particular film without the use of a powerful score? Take for example, the Star Wars films; just picture in your head what it would be like to see the menacing Darth Vader and not hear the powerful “Imperial March” theme. Pretty weird, right? To me, composers produce scores that fit with a particular scene or individual to describe what is going on without having to convey words and also fills in gaps. When I listen to music in a film, it can change my mood as well and I find that when the music is disconnected from what I see on screen, my enjoyment goes down. With all that said, I hope you enjoy a few of my favourite soundtracks/films! I won’t lie, a lot of it is a little geeky and I even have a few Disney songs (no Frozen…no Frozen at all…SORRAY) Also, some of the songs aren’t directly used in the movies themselves but, they are part of the soundtracks.

 

John Williams – Star Wars Main Theme (Star Wars)

 

 

Gotta start off strong and what better way to begin then with the original cinematic opening song! One of the most iconic scores from any 20th century film in my opinion. You can take so much from this amazing opening, the beginning is hopeful, middle is a bit ominous, and the ending gives a little uncertainty which compliments the complexity of the Star Wars universe. I believe this is the national anthem for all my fellow geeks. WELL??

 

Hans Zimmer – Discombobulate (Sherlock Holmes)

 

 

Another of my favourite composers, Hans Zimmer is no stranger to iconic music. In my opinion, all of his pieces are truly amazing! Every instrument has its own role and gives life and a story to tell. Also, can I just talk about the epic “bass drop” (0:21) on this which jolts you out of your seat and may even give you a heart attack if you’re not expecting it.

 

Mission: Impossible I II III Theme

 

 

I can’t imagine anyone else other than Tom Cruise when I hear this theme (yes, I still love Tom Cruise, I DO WHAT I WANT!). This video has three awesome composers (Danny Elfman, Hans Zimmer, and Michael Giacchino) having their own unique spin on the theme. Who hasn’t pretended they were a spy in elementary to this song?

 

Alan Menkin – Go The Distance (Hercules)

 

 

One of the most underrated Disney movies, WHY ISN’T THIS POPULAR??! This song is the perfect blend of heroism which made me think there’s more to humanity than meets the eye. Such an inspirational and feel good song – I think anyone can envision themselves as Hercules in this if you’ve ever been under pressure or feel like you’re meant for something more.

 

Santa Esmeralda – Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood / Esmeralda Suite (Kill Bill Vol: 1)

 

 

If I didn’t mention one Quentin Tarantino movie/song, I would have to disown myself. The “Esmeralda Suite” is a great blend of trumpets, guitar, and drums together working flawlessly. A haunting track used during the last fight between The Bride and O-Ren Ishii and is one of the stand out songs on the film as a whole.

 

Elton John – El Dorado (The Road to El Dorado)

 

 

Another sadly underrated film 🙁 The whole soundtrack is a reunion for Elton John, Tim Rice, and Hans Zimmer since 1994’s The Lion King. This title track is full of amazing instrumentals and is a stand alone song.

 

Hans Zimmer – My Enemy (The Amazing Spider-Man 2)

 

 

I know a lot of people hated the use of dub-step in this track but, when you think about it, I really thought it showed Max Dilion’s character development from a normal every day guy trying to be someone and spiraling into something he can’t control. I really loved this as Electro’s theme in the way they synced the visuals with the music. Hans Zimmer, you have done it again, my friend!

 

Steve Jablonsky – It’s Our Fight (Transformers: Dark of the Moon)

 

 

Listen, say what you want about Transformers, but, the actual score for the movie is pretty great. When I hear this I get an instant vision of other soundtracks from movies such as Inception, Batman, and The Matrix. A perfect theme for a small group of heroes who were near hopelessly outnumbered, but are now finally turning the tide.

 

Hans Zimmer – Molassus (Batman Begins)

 

 

Lol it seems like all I have on this list is Hans Zimmer compositions but, that just goes to show how wide-ranging his influence has on film scores. He acknowledges the darker aspect of Batman and creates that grittier atmosphere through his music. “People need dramatic examples to shake them out of empathy and I can’t do that as Bruce Wayne, as a man, I’m flesh and blood, I can be ignored I can be destroyed but as a symbol, as a symbol I can be incorruptible, I can be everlasting.”

 

Howard Shore – The Prophecy (The Lord of the Rings)

 

 

The opening is something that I can’t even describe properly but, it matches perfectly the mystery of the prophecy for The One Ring. Just by listening to the music, I can picture each scene in the movie as though I were watching it. “Listen! It speaks to those who were not born to die. One ring to rule them all. One ring to find them. Over the land lies a shadow. It reaches westward. The herald of death. One ring to bring them all. And in the darkness bind them. One ring to rule them all.”

 

James Horner – A Kaleidoscope of Mathematics (A Beautiful Mind)

 

 

This song emits motivation, courage, and the joy of a new discovery. This is a soundtrack that completely captures the core curiosity in the human mind.

 

Ramin Djawadi – Pacific Rim Main Theme (Pacific Rim)

 

 

What I find with Ramain Djawandi, is whenever he creates an actual theme with a memorable melody, we get badass stuff like this. It just screams giant mechs from all over the world are coming together to fight as one for humanity. Also, if you don’t know already, Ramain is responsible for composing the theme song to Game of Thrones.

 

Michael Giacchino – Star Trek Main Theme (Star Trek Into Darkness)

 

 

I really love that this theme fits so well with the new films “high energy” style. It sounds incredibly uncanny and powerful! This theme couldn’t be any more fitting. I’ve never been a big Star Trek fan until the new movies (I’m a Star Wars kind of girl) but, this theme is awesome, and it can have any sci-fi fan pumped up.

 

John Williams – Hedwig’s Theme (Harry Potter)

 

 

You know, I honestly had no idea that this was called “Hedwig’s Theme.” I always just thought it was the Harry Potter Main Theme. I still remember going to see the first Harry Potter movie like it was yesterday and this music has a lot to do with it. Hedwig’s Theme, the themes from Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Jaws, Superman, E.T….John Williams is a genius who has scored the English-speaking world’s collective childhood.

 

Phil Collins – Son of Man (Tarzan)

 

 

I just loved this song when I was young but, later on I got inspired by the lyrics too, this song is for sure one of my favourites from Disney. It’s crazy that now that some of us are older, we fully understand what the lyrics are saying rather than when we were little and just found the song catchy lol. Long live classic Disney!

 

Kenny Loggins – Footloose (Footloose)

 

Omg, remember these lyrics? “I’ve been working so hard, I’m punching my card. Eight hours, for what Oh, tell me what I got,I’ve got this feeling,That times are holding me down. I’ll hit the ceiling or else I’ll tear up this town.” I totally feel this way now and who else hasn’t wanted to dance angrily after a hard day at work like Kevin Bacon?

 

Lebo M – He Lives in You (The Lion King 2: Simba’s Pride)

 

 

I had a little confession to my friends over the weekend in that I tear up every time I hear this song…every…single…time 😐 This is one song among sequels that clearly outshone the original and I might be the only one that thinks that but, I needed to say it. Great song, still have very clear memories of it the first time I heard it. A perfect opener to the film.

 

Hans Zimmer – Deliver Us (The Prince of Egypt)

 

 

This song is epic and the singing is absolutely amazing. The scene when Moses’ mother, Yohemed, sends him adrift on the Nile river is heart-wrenching. I don’t think you need to be religious to love this movie and the themes that surround it either.

 

Clint Mansell – Requiem for a Dream (Requiem for a Dream)

 

 

When people hear this song, they usually associate it with The Lord of the Rings however, this was actually used for the movie Requiem for a Dream staring Jared Leto and Jennifer Connelley regarding the depiction of drug addiction. If you haven’t seen the movie, watch it. You’ll never do drugs. Ever 😐 This song reminds me how hard and ugly life can be but, also how beautiful!

 

John Williams – Duel of the Fates (Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace)

 

Started with Star Wars so you know me, gotta end with it too. Despite your opinions of the prequels, you have to admit that this was a good piece of music (and Darth Maul is badass) and one of the best that John Williams has composed. The lightsaber fight goes perfectly with this theme – deliberate, methodical and above all, shows a battle of two powerful forces.”This choral piece, which has to do with the sword fight and comes at the end of the film, is a result of my thinking that something ritualistic and/or pagan and antique might be very effective.” – John Williams

This doesn’t conclude my list of my favourite soundtracks – I actually missed a few that I wanted to touch on but, got carried away. If you want to hear more of the songs, check out my link below to my playlist.

 

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHTITI2hQqRzQ7Jz9AA4oZMas–dmGZrB

 

Did I hit some of your favourites? If not, what are some of your personal favourites? Leave a comment below and may the force be with you!