# Best Soundtracks/Scores of Movies **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 17, 2000, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-soundtracks-scores-of-movies/45987 "2000-12-17T04:43:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Nen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Nen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nen)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2000, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-soundtracks-scores-of-movies/45987/41 "2000-12-19T05:02:05Z")
Mishima. ---
**Author:** ![andygirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a9adbd/32.png) [@andygirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andygirl)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2000, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-soundtracks-scores-of-movies/45987/42 "2000-12-19T05:17:25Z")
The only movie soundtrack that I’ve purchased and greatly enjoyed has been for _All Over Me._ The movie was, at best, mediocre… but damn, the music made up for it. As for scores… what you all said. ---
**Author:** ![silent\_rob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@silent\_rob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silent_rob)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2000, 7:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-soundtracks-scores-of-movies/45987/43 "2000-12-19T07:55:20Z")
My favourite soundtracks are: any of the _Cowboy Bebop_ soundtracks (though they’re really scores with some songs), _Trainspotting_ and _Shine_. _Cowboy Bebop_ is so eclectic, with every piece wonderful, and just such a great collection. Some great jazz on there. _Trainspotting_ is just one of those soundtracks. So many different songs, and the piece as a whole adds to the movie and completely brings me back to it. _Shine_ is another soundtrack/score that completely reminds me of the movie. I can listen to the wonderful piano pieces on it over and over again. ---
**Author:** ![Timchik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c0e974/32.png) [@Timchik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Timchik)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2000, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-soundtracks-scores-of-movies/45987/44 "2000-12-19T12:59:28Z")
I second Magnolia and Trainspotting. Would add Wings of Desire (Der Himmel Ueber Berlin), a great spooky angular score by Juergen Kneiper (sp?) with songs by Nick Cave and Laurie Andersen thrown in; and One from the Heart, a Francis Ford Coppola film that stank up the box office and bankrupted Zoetrope Studios. The soundtrack is a great unknown Tom Waits album (with Crystal Gayle singing along). ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2000, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-soundtracks-scores-of-movies/45987/45 "2000-12-19T12:59:33Z")
Not a movie, but the soundtrack from “Cosmos” is great. (Anyone remember Carl Sagan or am I aging myself here?) And I’m sure the soundtrack to “Rent” would be awesome, were I to fork over the $40. As far as actual movies, “City of Angels” is an awesome soundtrack, too. “Forrest Gump” is good. “Flashdance” is great for working out. And “Top Gun” isn’t bad. For kids, I love the Disney collections. ---
**Author:** ![screech-owl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/82dd89/32.png) [@screech-owl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/screech-owl)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2000, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-soundtracks-scores-of-movies/45987/46 "2000-12-19T13:20:59Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by PunditLisa \* > **Not a movie, but the soundtrack from “Cosmos” is great. (Anyone remember Carl Sagan or am I aging myself here?)** Carl Sagan. My hero. Great soundtrack. > [@](#): > > **And I’m sure the soundtrack to “Rent” would be awesome, were I to fork over the $40.** Where did you see it for $40?!? Chiesu, I bought mine for $24.99 (and probably overpaid on that)! Once you get past the ripoff of, er, homage to _La Boheme_, and some of the singing is belted and strained, but it’s still a good soundtrack. ---
**Author:** ![Why\_A\_Duck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/13edae/32.png) [@Why\_A\_Duck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Why_A_Duck)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2000, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-soundtracks-scores-of-movies/45987/47 "2000-12-19T16:59:42Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by PunditLisa \* > \*\*Not a movie, but the soundtrack from “Cosmos” is great. (Anyone remember Carl Sagan or am I aging myself here?) > \*\* I had a cassette of this soundtrack for years, loved it. Could never find a CD, so I wound up putting together one from it’s components. I bought “Heaven and Hell” by Vangelis on CD (the Cosmos theme lasts approximately 45 seconds) and then “Albedo 0.39” also by Vangelis. And as long as we’re not limited to movies, I thought Trent Reznor’s Quake soundtrack was pretty cool. ---
**Author:** ![Philbuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e9a140/32.png) [@Philbuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philbuck)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2000, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-soundtracks-scores-of-movies/45987/48 "2000-12-19T17:13:50Z")
The soundtrack from _The Hunt for Red October_, by Basil Poledouris, is easily my favorite. Too bad the CD’s so short, though. ---
**Author:** ![Phobos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Phobos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phobos)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2000, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-soundtracks-scores-of-movies/45987/49 "2000-12-19T17:28:18Z")
As my personal favorites, I’ll also agree with… \*\* Amadeus Repo Man Clockwork Orange \*\* but I’ll add one that I don’t think was mentioned yet… **Last Temptation of Christ** Peter Gabriel’s album _Passion_ is amazing. On NPR last night, they were praising the soundtrack of **Wizard of Oz** which I can kind of agree with considering that it was a nearly wall-to-wall musical that is still very popular. > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by PunditLisa \* > \*\*Not a movie, but the soundtrack from “Cosmos” is great. (Anyone remember Carl Sagan or am I aging myself here?) > \*\* Carl is da’ Man! I remember seeing Cosmos on TV when it first came out. I’ve watched the tapes many times since then. I think PBS recently offered the soundtrack to Cosmos as a gift for new members. ---
**Author:** ![Hodge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Hodge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hodge)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2000, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-soundtracks-scores-of-movies/45987/50 "2000-12-19T19:28:56Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by silent\_rob \* > \*\*My favourite soundtracks are: any of the _Cowboy Bebop_ soundtracks (though they’re really scores with some songs), _Trainspotting_ and _Shine_. > _Cowboy Bebop_ is so eclectic, with every piece wonderful, and just such a great collection. Some great jazz on there. \*\* What Rob said. Yoko Kanno is a great! There’s not only some great jazz on _Cowboy Bebop_ but also some country, blues, and even a bit of psychadelia. I’ve been trying to hunt down the sdtrk CDs (3 or 4?) but apparently they’re not available on the domestic North American market. Does anybody know of a reliable online store I can import these from? Cheers, Hodge ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2000, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-soundtracks-scores-of-movies/45987/51 "2000-12-19T22:05:13Z")
Two nobody has yet mentioned: **_Dead Again_ by Patrick Doyle** – A great pastiche/tribute to Bernard Herrmann’s Hitchcock scores. Plus Doyle’s sense of melody and texture makes it a great listen even for people not familiar with the source of inspiration. **The rap collection from _Bulworth_** – Yeah, I know, a lot of people hated this movie. But if you liked it, you have to admit that the well-chosen rap soundtrack goes a long way toward infusing the film with energy and propelling it along. ---
**Author:** ![AETBOND417](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/47e85d/32.png) [@AETBOND417](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AETBOND417)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2000, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-soundtracks-scores-of-movies/45987/52 "2000-12-20T00:20:36Z")
I want to support **Magnolia** and throw in **The Matrix** and **Fight Club**. I don’t have too much movie experience, so pardon me. ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2000, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-soundtracks-scores-of-movies/45987/53 "2000-12-20T00:52:50Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Cervaise \* > **The rap collection from _Bulworth_** – Yeah, I know, a lot of people hated this movie. But if you liked it, you have to admit that the well-chosen rap soundtrack goes a long way toward infusing the film with energy and propelling it along. \*\* Absolutely. Made me appreciate hard-core rap for the first time: I still play the CD. ---
**Author:** ![DigitalMuse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecccb3/32.png) [@DigitalMuse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalMuse)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2000, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-soundtracks-scores-of-movies/45987/54 "2000-12-20T01:26:14Z")
Movies with cool Soundtracks: The Lion King The Matrix The Faculty X-Files: Fight the Future Scream 3 The Nightmare Before Christmas Interview with the Vampire ---
**Author:** ![silent\_rob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@silent\_rob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silent_rob)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2000, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-soundtracks-scores-of-movies/45987/55 "2000-12-20T02:16:38Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Hodge \* > **What Rob said. Yoko Kanno is a great!.._Cowboy Bebop_…I’ve been trying to hunt down the sdtrk CDs (3 or 4?) but apparently they’re not available on the domestic North American market. Does anybody know of a reliable online store I can import these from?** [Tokyo 7](http://www.tokyo7.com/), a store where I live & where I rent all of my anime, is where I bought all of the soundtracks. They have an on-line store, too, so I would think that’s one of your best bets. I just checked, though, and they’re currently updating their site. So, you might have to wait a little while. Though, they’re almost every day, so you could call & order directly. Oh, it’s in Canadian dollars to (I’m a Canuck) so they’re actually pretty cheap. ---
**Author:** ![DeskMonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f14d63/32.png) [@DeskMonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeskMonkey)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2000, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-soundtracks-scores-of-movies/45987/56 "2000-12-20T03:07:46Z")
Clockwork Orange Lady Sings the Blues (from the Diana Ross flick) Nightmare Before Christmas any Fred Astaire (I love that they include the tapdancing) ---
**Author:** ![Hodge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Hodge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hodge)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2000, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-soundtracks-scores-of-movies/45987/57 "2000-12-20T03:58:06Z")
[Tokyo 7](http://www.tokyo7.com/), a store where I live & where I rent all of my anime, is where I bought all of the soundtracks. They have an on-line store, too, so I would think that’s one of your best bets. I just checked, though, and they’re currently updating their site. So, you might have to wait a little while. Though, they’re almost every day, so you could call & order directly. Oh, it’s in Canadian dollars to (I’m a Canuck) so they’re actually pretty cheap.\*\* [/QUOTE] Cool. Thanks for the recommendation. The site still appears to be mostly offline, but i’ll keep checking. Cheers (from a fellow Canuck), Hodge ---
**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2000, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-soundtracks-scores-of-movies/45987/58 "2000-12-20T14:57:02Z")
Good stuff… ---
**Author:** ![yosemite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/3ab097/32.png) [@yosemite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yosemite)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2000, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-soundtracks-scores-of-movies/45987/59 "2000-12-20T21:43:30Z")
Oh my. I am a serious soundtrack geek! I am glad to see someone else mention the 1979 (Frank Langella) version of **“Dracula”**. That John Williams score is excellent. A lot of Williams’ pre-“Star Wars” soundtracks are under-appreciated. Like **“The Eiger Sanction”** (Clint Eastwood film), **“The Missouri Breaks”** (that is a bizarre one - you’d never guess it was Williams if all you know are his “Star Wars” scores!) and **“The Cowboys”**. As a _ **big** _ Jerry Goldsmith fan, I’ll second **“Under Fire”** , **“Planet of the Apes”** , which have been mentioned before. Also want to add **“The Mummy”, “The Shadow”, “The Ghost and the Darkness”, “The Flim-Flam Man”, “The Wind and the Lion”, “Freud”, Patton", “Alien”, “L.A. Confidential”, “Papillion”** , and oh so many more. (Like I said, I’m a **BIG** fan.) Ennio Morricone’s **“Rampage”** is complete genius. Also, **“Frantic”** and **“Marco Polo”**. (“Marco Polo” is a TV score, but what the hell.) Does anyone know where I can get a CD of “Frantic” or “Marco Polo”? I only have LPs. Also, **“Days of Heaven”** , by Morricone. Beautiful. (I only have the LP for that score, too.) Anything by Bernard Herrmann. I NEED to get the CD for **“Taxi Driver”**! Shame on me for not having that already. Well, this is my _short_ list! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![tracer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tracer/32/20578_2.png) [@tracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tracer)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2000, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-soundtracks-scores-of-movies/45987/60 "2000-12-21T00:04:14Z")
**Superman**. (The 1978 one starring Margot Kidder and Christopher Reeve.) This is perhaps the finest score John Williams has ever done – better, even, than any of the scores to any of the _Star Wars_ movies. Pay attention to the trombones during the loudest parts of the opening fanfare. I was studying music composition and orchestration at the time, and those passages made me crap my pants with envy. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-soundtracks-scores-of-movies/45987.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-soundtracks-scores-of-movies/45987.md?page=4)