Top Ten Movie Scores

For this Movie Monday, I decided to try something else. Because I haven't seen a new movie since Divergent, and I'm not seeing one until Thursday (The Amazing Spider-Man 2), I thought to myself - "why not try to expand this Movie Monday universe?" and then I got the idea for this post.

So, it's not surprise to anyone who knows me, or have read my past reviews, that I have a strong love affair with film scores and their composers. So here is my Top Ten of Movie Scores!

10. Batman Begins (Hans Zimmer & James Newton Howard)
This score for me is just the epitome of Nolan's dark and gritty Batman, and I absolutely love it. The two composers collaborated on separate themes for the "split personality" of Bruce Wayne and his alter ego, Batman. Which I totally dig, and I also find it hella cool that the names of the tracks, are the Latin names of different species of bats.

All in all to me, this score is the shiz, and I encourage all of you to give it a listen. [x]

09. Sherlock Holmes (Hans Zimmer)
Another Hans Zimmer score? Yeah, get used to it. That man is magic and genius all rolled into one.
What I love about this score is that is sounds so squeaky and wrong, like everything is played on broken instruments. Which is partly was, because according to Zimmer, they "did hideous things to a piano." It is what makes this score unique and wonderful.
You feel so adventurous and strangely empowered when you listen to it. [x]

 08. Remember Me (Marcelo Zarvos)
This score for me is just an emotional punch to the gut every time I listen to it. The heavy use of violins and piano, is what makes this score so hauntingly sad and beautiful. And it fits the movie to a T. You get to experience the heavy emotions of the movie all over again  and I love it when a score can take you back into the movie. Especially the track "I Know You Can Hear Me" is an all time favourite of mine, and the one track I always come back to. It takes you through so many different strong emotions in just about 7 minutes. [x]

07. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (Klaus Badelt)
OH YEAH! LET'S GO STEAL SHIT AND HAVE SWORD FIGHTS!
Nothing more is really necessary to say, to be honest. I think everybody who's ever seen the movie, or just listened to the score knows what feeling you get from it. [x]

06. The Lion King (Hans Zimmer)This score will always have a special place in my heart, because this movie was the first movie I fell in love with. There's really not much more to say. This score was a huge part of my childhood and will always be special to me. This score was also the thing that started my love affair with everything Hans Zimmer ever made. [x]

05. Harry Potter & The Half-Blood Prince (Nicholas Hooper)
Again, not much to say other than this is my favourite Harry Potter score. And it's magnificent and full of emotion.
[x]












04. How To Train Your Dragon (John Powell)
This score is made of friendship and magic, with just a bit of heartbreak added to the mix. Just... just listen to it. And try not to cry. I dare you. [x]

03. Divergent (Junkie XL)
Even if this score has only been in my life for about 2 weeks, it quickly planted itself deep in my heart. Again, the emotions that runs through me when I listen to it are overpowering and strong and I feel both invisible and utterly crushed at the same time. Especially the track "Faction before Blood" makes me want to curl into a ball and cry forever. [x]

02. The Host (Antonio Pinto)
I'm getting emotional just thinking about this score. I've had no real experience with Pinto before this movie, because he's mostly done Brazilian scores, but boy was I pleasantly surprised. This is a score that deliverers on the whole spectrum of human emotions and still manages to make you feel like you are in outer space.
I don't know really how to put into words how much I love this score. There's just something about it, that makes me fill up with joy and sadness. [x]


01. The Hunger Games (James Newton Howard)
This score is truly a gift to my soul and ears, and I want each song to be played at my funeral. My last wish would be for everyone attending to listen to the whole score and remember me as I was. Because the songs on this score resembels every emotion I have ever been through, and will eventually go through again.

I don't really know what to say more about this score, because it always leaves me speechless.
[x]




That's it! That's my list! And of course the list really could go on, but I had to cut the list off at some point. Because really, there are so many beautiful scores out there, that deserves to be acknowledged. And I'm sure if you asked me in about a week, this list would look different. My preferences tend to shift with my mood, so not all of these are set in stone. But by all means, go listen to them all now! I've linked to one song from each score, so you can start with those! Go experience the magic of a good score. Go on!