Are we hoping for too much?

[King Mark 3,729]

What if the score to Prisoner of Azkaban is nothing special?What if it doesn't have memorable concert versions like PS or CoS?What if Williams went totally weird on this one,used a bunch of electronics and all the cues sound like The Matrix?

So we have waited a year and a half for this,longer than any other Williams scores,but will Williams deliver?Expectations have never been so high.Will life be worth living May 26th if turns out so-so?

K.M.

[Henry B 51]

What if the score to Prisoner of Azkaban is nothing special?What if it doesn't have memorable concert versions like PS or CoS?What if Williams went totally weird on this one,used a bunch of electronics and all the cues sound like The Matrix?

All evidence points to the contrary.

[Lurker 5]

I have faith that this will not dissapoint. Keep in mind that faith is not very scientific.

Neil

[King Mark 3,729]

Here's what worries me basically.

This Cuaron guy seems to have made a distinct point of making this film "hip" and "cool" and appealing to teenagers.So far he's removed the "traditionnal" Hogwarts uniforms in most scenes so that the cast look more trendy.I hope he didn't go as far to ask JW something like...hey..all those orchestral flourishes and themes sound real nice,but it sounds too formal,but could you write something more like a rebellious teen might relate to?

K.M.

[Kendal_Ozzel 36]

I think it'll live up to expectations. I've been going through JW withdrawl for a while, so I may be a bit overhyped. But I still think he will deliver. If the bits of "Something Wicked..." that we've heard from the trailers are any indication, I think we're in for a real treat.

[Adam 1]

If people are looking for concert arrangements, they might be disappointed. Personally, I wouldn't mind less concert arrangments if this is a movie that provides for a lot of compelling underscore. For COS, concert arrangements helped save the album from the fact that there's a lot of reuse of earlier stuff in the underscore. For PoA, though, I'm expecting the direction to be more imaginitive and stylized, giving JW more opportunity to shine (not to mention, he's doing the whole score this time). The first two scores were top-quality, but somewhat restrained by the straight-forward direction of the story, I thought.

Anyway, I'm very hopeful that this score will be the best of the 3 films so far.

- Adam

[Ray Barnsbury 8]

I can definitely understand your worry KM, and to answer your question, no, life will NOT be worth living if it turns out to be "so-so." But like the others in this thread, I really don't think that will be the case. And even if it is somewhat different then what we were all expecting, that's not saying we couldn't grow to love it as much as or more than the previous two scores. Also, you mentioned that expectation have never been higher. I know for me that's certainly true, but is it really the case, especially with past scores like TPM and such? Or maybe we weren't all together back then, so it can't be measured.

Ray Barnsbury

[King Mark 3,729]

Yeah,in the TPM days we weren't around to talk about it for a year and a half beforehands.We also waited a year for The Patriot,but then again we weren't expecting too much either.And for A.I.,we didn't know what to expect at all.

K.M.Who will be even more anxious in May 2005.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,434]

Keep in mind that faith is not very scientific.

Neil

Words to live by.

[diskobolus 3]

Well for me HP as a whole is an obsession, so yes I will be hugely disappointed if POA score is not mind-blowing. I'm not expecting to shed tears over The Terminal, frankly.

[nja 0]

This Cuaron guy seems to have made a distinct point of making this film "hip" and "cool" and appealing to teenagers. . . I hope he didn't go as far to ask JW something like...hey..all those orchestral flourishes and themes sound real nice,but it sounds too formal,but could you write something more like a rebellious teen might relate to?

K.M.

If there's one thing JW has proved, it's that despite his ability to think outside the box, he is has a knack for understanding the dramatic ambience of a film and writing music that fits it like a glove.

Also, considering how he tends to maintain at least some similarity of style in series of films and what we have already heard from the trailer, I'm a little surprised anyone is worried. It may not be everyone's favorite, but little doubt it will be great.

[King Mark 3,729]

. I'm not expecting to shed tears over The Terminal, frankly.

Me neither.I'm already pretty sure only two or three cues from this will be good for repeated listening.If that c.d is not a dust gatherer i will be pleasently surprised.

K.M.

[JoeinAR 1,953]

So far he's removed the "traditionnal" Hogwarts uniforms in most scenes so that the cast look more trendy.

Not true KM, there are alot of scenes from this film where the kids are in uniform.

My life isn't built around POA's score being all that and then some. It could be one of these scores that we love instantly, it could also be a score that grows on you like Catch Me If You Can. It could even be a score that will finally click when we see the film. Or it could be like AOTC and make you roll your eyes and say what happened.

If thats the case there is always 2 to 3 weeks later when we get the Terminal score. There is always hope.

[nja 0]

. I'm not expecting to shed tears over The Terminal, frankly.

Me neither.I'm already pretty sure only two or three cues from this will be good for repeated listening.If that c.d is not a dust gatherer i will be pleasently surprised.

K.M.

. . . and the faith level plunges to even greater depths. It's time we faced it folks- Williams is washed up.

[King Mark 3,729]

No that's not what i'm saying.Lots of Williams scores have only a few cues that I keep playing repeatedly after the initial excitement of the c.d. has worn off.Like CMIYC has The Float and Learning the Ropes.From what i've seen of the previews and trailers of this film i expect it to be that type of score...unless i'm wrong.

K.M.

[Morlock 11]

I just can't wait 'till May 28th when you all will be dissapointed by the absolute crap-fest this score will be.

HPFan- who told you so

(Morlock- who can't wait for the score, and is reasonably confident that it'll be great)

[Yoda Longbottom 0]

And to the utter contrary, and unlike when the CMIYC was fresh out, today I think The Float is the weakest cue on the album.

I quite like the shade of other Williams score, Presumed Innocent. Although Terminal is more or less "comedy" so that kind of suspenseful approach would be oout of place here, I would like to hear that PI kind of score in that film. Or, flat-out jazz score, but then either void of period songs or Williams should pen jazz songs by himself and have contemporary singers like Diana Krall sing them. Tackling the whole album by himself with JW-penned songs would gather much more credit for him than CMIYC, where songs were like cut off zillion's period compilationsss

[Morlock 11]

I still love The Float, but I wish he'd get more jazzy. That was much more regular Williams than the rest of the album.

[Yoda Longbottom 0]

I perhaps have undue expectations for what the jazz scores should sound like, but I don't think CMIYC is "any" that much jazzy at all (Earthquake comes to mind). Except for the use of a few instruments that would make a perfect jazz score, I agree that CMIYC is a typical Williams and The Float is all too much HP-inspired.

I like the score Goldsmith wrote for the Russia House. That's jazzy for me. Or "Diamons Are Forever" (Barry's Bond) or even Grusin's Random Hearts (hence the mention of Diana Krall to perform some stuff for Williams.

[Docteur Qui 1,575]

I have absolutely no fears for this score. Partly because I like the direction Cuaron is taking the film, but also because Williams wouldn't stray far from his established material. But even if Williams pulls out all the stops and creates something completely new we pretty much know it will be good.

[A24 4,588]

I'm skipping it altogether and wait for The Terminal instead.

[Chris ChrusherComix 47]

When Williams takes a lot of time off, he usually doesn't disappoint. It's when he spreads himself too thin and scores several films in one year... that's when he tends to make some weaker scores. The underscore is usually stronger with long layoffs, although main themes always seem up to par no matter what the layoff.

May 2005 is the countdown for me. Anything before it is just filler scores to me.

-Chris, Who wishes that they'd just go ahead and release complete Star Wars scores upon their 1st release... almost everybody who buys a Star Wars score wants the whole thing anyways, their a different breed of score compared to most others....

[Morlock 11]

I don't know about that. After his 1994 break, he came out with Sabrina and Nixon, and followed them up with Sleepers. Hardly a coup-du-grace. Those 3 are concidered among Williams weakest scores.

[Yoda Longbottom 0]

And even there I think "Sleepers" is nonpareil among his not-so-good feats. This must have been released under Williams name by mistake. Really, who wrote it?

[Yoda Longbottom 0]

Those 3 are concidered among Williams weakest scores.

As far as Sabrina is concerned, leave me out of the bunch.

[Rogue_Leader 2]

With JW high expectation are usually fitting. Sadly sometimes his works fail to live up to those expectation.

Case in point: Attack of the Clones!

Personally I am expecting a superior score to the 2nd film. Which is fairly reasonable.

[Justin 2]

I have faith that this will not dissapoint.  Keep in mind that faith is not very scientific.

Can you proove that?

Justin - Making a joke. Making it clear that he is.

*Joke. Not serious.*

[Adam 1]

With regard to the score for Sleepers, the movie seemed to be calling out for a score that was dark, suspenseful,and emotionally cold. Williams delivered on this, also capturing the urban feel of the movie when necessary or the religious overtones when necessary. In other words, I think Sleepers yet another example of JW's extrordinary range and dramatic sensibilities.

It so happens that its not going to be the best listening experience for a lot of people. But that shouldn't be the measure of his inspiration. I'm glad to have scores like these, where he creates a unique musical universe, so different from any of his other scores. There are times when Sleepers is just the kind of music I want to hear - likewise for a lot of his less heralded scores.

- Adam

[Adam 1]

When Williams takes a lot of time off' date=' he usually doesn't disappoint. It's when he spreads himself too thin and scores several films in one year... that's when he tends to make some weaker scores. The underscore is usually stronger with long layoffs, although main themes always seem up to par no matter what the layoff.

By JW's own account, he's writing music all of the time (its like breathing is for us) so I'm skeptical that the time in between movies is much of a factor. The exception would be when he's literally not given enough time, as with what apparently happened in HPCOS. I love his scores from 1989-1990, Indiana Jones, Always, Born on the Fourth of July, Stanley and Iris, Presumed Innocent, Home Alone. That's a lot of films in two years and he finished it off with the hugely popular Home Alone which became one of the biggest money-makers in history and a brilliant score, IMO. I think a lot of examples like this could be given.

- Adam

[Morlock 11]

And even there I think "Sleepers" is nonpareil among his not-so-good feats. This must have been released under Williams name by mistake. Really, who wrote it?

I think Sleepers is a fine score. I think Nixon is a very good score. I don't like Sabrina at all.

I think most people would like at least one of them, but I've yet to meet somewho likes all three scores.

[MrScratch 295]

Here's what worries me basically.

This Cuaron guy seems to have made a distinct point of making this film "hip" and "cool" and appealing to teenagers.So far he's removed the "traditionnal" Hogwarts uniforms in most scenes so that the cast look more trendy.I hope he didn't go as far to ask JW something like...hey..all those orchestral flourishes and themes sound real nice,but it sounds too formal,but could you write something more like a rebellious teen might relate to?

K.M.

Watch Cuaron's A Little Princess and you may have a little more confidence in him, or even further - read the liner notes to that films soundtrack.

POA isn't about teenage rebellion. It's more coming-of-age, inner demons and the past hauting the present, the stuff that great music is made of. I'm sure Cuaron knows that "modern" pop music is not the way to score the happenings in the centuries-old Hogwarts.

Jeff

[A24 4,588]

I think most people would like at least one of them, but I've yet to meet somewho likes all three scores.

I'll bet he exists though.

[A24 4,588]

Watch Cuaron's A Little Princess and you may have a little more confidence in him, or even further - read the liner notes to that films soundtrack.  

Jeff

I watched it years ago and think this is one of the best kids movies from the 90s. It possesses much more magic than the Potter movies. I can recommend it even for adults, which is something I never could with Harry.

----------------

Alex Cremers

[Morlock 11]

Great Expectations' first half hour is really great.

[diskobolus 3]

Watch Cuaron's A Little Princess and you may have a little more confidence in him, or even further - read the liner notes to that films soundtrack.  

Jeff

I watched it years ago and think this is one of the best kids movies from the 90s. It possesses much more magic than the Potter movies. I can recommend it even for adults, which is something I never could with Harry.

----------------

Alex Cremers

About when did Cuaron's version come out? I've seen one version about ten years ago...

[A24 4,588]

About ten years ago.

[Morlock 11]

That's be right. I believe it came out in 95'.

[Morlock 11]

That's the second time I was beaten to a post by a minute today! banghead

Anyway, Y Tu Mama Tambien is really his best movies, and it's the movie that got him the job.

[Ray Barnsbury 8]

Dammit KM, your thread gave me a bad dream . . . my brother and I were listening to the new soundtrack, Buckbeak's Flight specifically, and somehow we were listening to the second half of the track first, and it was a bunch of weird electronic noises, kinda like the E.T. opening titles, and then the first half of the track was a fast little theme that I didn't think really related to Buckbeak. Thank God I woke up soon . . .

Ray Barnsbury

[A24 4,588]

I once had an omen too. In my nightmare Return of the Jedi turned out to be horribly bad. A year later it came true. Let's hope your omen is totally bogus.

[Ollie 1,140]

And even there I think "Sleepers" is nonpareil among his not-so-good feats. This must have been released under Williams name by mistake. Really, who wrote it?

I think Sleepers is a fine score. I think Nixon is a very good score. I don't like Sabrina at all.

I think most people would like at least one of them, but I've yet to meet somewho likes all three scores.

I like all 3 scores.

[Ollie 1,140]

I never let myself get overhyped for things anymore. I try to remain neutral that way I'm either pleasantly suprised or not too disappointed.

I'm sure Williams will due his usual solid job on HP3.

[Rogue_Leader 2]

BTW is JW scoring anything else besides this and The Terminal?

I thought I heard some people talking about possible projects for later this year.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,434]

I once had an omen too. In my nightmare Return of the Jedi turned out to be horribly bad. A year later it came true. Let's hope your omen is totally bogus.

Wrong, you would have dreamed that Revenge Of The Jedi was horribly bad.

[nja 0]

I once had an omen too. In my nightmare Return of the Jedi turned out to be horribly bad. A year later it came true. Let's hope your omen is totally bogus.

Wrong, you would have dreamed that Revenge Of The Jedi was horribly bad.

Go Steef.

[KarmBee 0]

Morlock wrote:

Yoda Longbottom wrote:

And even there I think "Sleepers" is nonpareil among his not-so-good feats. This must have been released under Williams name by mistake. Really, who wrote it?

I think Sleepers is a fine score. I think Nixon is a very good score. I don't like Sabrina at all.  

I think most people would like at least one of them, but I've yet to meet somewho likes all three scores.

I think Sabrina and Nizon are very good. After my first listen to Sleepers it stayed on the self for a year, because I hadn't seen the movie and was surprised and disappointed by what I'd heard. I dusted it off later and was surprised again when I finally got it. It's pretty good in some places.

Just don't get me started on Rosewood...

~Karm

[Chris ChrusherComix 47]

I like Rosewood, Nixon, Sleepers, and Sabrina... in PARTS. But overall I think they are weak. Nixon having the most good cues of them all. Plus, none of those scores are action/advanture/fantasy, which I believe are Williams best scores. Even if I think Potter scores are the weakest series of this genre/type so far, I still think Potter will be more enjoyable than those (other than parts of Nixon that I thouroughly enjoy).

As for faith, it has a scientific explaination. :

Main Entry: 1faith  

Pronunciation: 'fAth

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural faiths  /'fAths, sometimes 'fA[th]z/

Etymology: Middle English feith, from Old French feid, foi, from Latin fides; akin to Latin fidere to trust -- more at BIDE

1 a : allegiance to duty or a person : LOYALTY b (1) : fidelity to one's promises (2) : sincerity of intentions

2 a (1) : belief and trust in and loyalty to God (2) : belief in the traditional doctrines of a religion b (1) : firm belief in something for which there is no proof (2) : complete trust

3 : something that is believed especially with strong conviction; especially : a system of religious beliefs

synonym see BELIEF

- in faith : without doubt or question : VERILY

Plus, many sciences, philosophies, and religions need and use faith to explain their positions. I personally believe faith is the belief in something that can be pointed out with scientific facts, but you may need some faith to connect some of the dots. I think every belief system in the world falls into that catagory. Including people who feel John Williams is the best living composer (which, most people on this board, me included, believe).

Also, even though Justin meant it as a joke, it's true. If it can't be utterly proven, then you have to have faith to believe in it.

To RL: I love every Star Wars score to date. I think AOTC's score may be the weakest overall, but still extremely good. And Phantom Menace only has two lulls (during the mostly dialogue segments of the Tatooine and Coruscant sections, which were lulls in the movie too). But the weakest Star Wars score is still better than mostly everything else in my opinion.

Lastly, as for the overall topic, I'll leave one of my favorite quotes that a friend of mine wrote as his quote for the school yearbook:

"I try to keep everybody's expectations low so that they are never disappointed."

Poor Williams. He can't do that because he's his own worst enemy... he has such a high standard of excellence to live up to.

But, alas, I also like to keep an even keel on almost everything. I learned from watching sports for years to never get too high after the wins and never get too low after the losses. It's healthier that way and keeps you focused more.

[A24 4,588]

I was a big 'Stone-Williams' fan until Nixon came along. This score made it easily into my "Scores That Disappointed Me Most" list. My hopes were really high on Nixon, but for a long time I could not believe that Williams was the man behind this score.

Many scores from that era made me think twice before buying the next Williams soundtrack. It started with Jurassic Park, then came Sabrina followed by Nixon (damn, even Stone could no longer make Williams shine) and Sleepers. I didn't even bother to check out Rosewood or The Lost World. Leaving the store without buying the latest Williams was quite a new experience to me.

Due to cellist Yo-Yo Ma, I bought Seven Years in Tibet, which very sadly was another major disappointment to me. I didn't buy Amistad nor Saving Private Ryan. Since most of his "new and lesser" work were all grand-scaled epics, I did go home with Stepmom, for I hoped it would be one of those smaller scores like The Accidental Tourist or Stanley And Iris. It was the first soundtrack, after a really long time, that made me hear a little bit of the good ol' Williams again.

After so many letdowns and missteps, the The Phantom Menace came. The videoclip 'Duel of the Fates' that aired on MTV work like an injection needle inserting both hope and faith back into me. I even ended up with collecting all of the missing soundtracks, except for The Lost World.

----------------

Alex Cremers

[MSM 126]

Those 3 are concidered among Williams weakest scores.

As far as Sabrina is concerned, leave me out of the bunch.

Me too, please.

[Chris ChrusherComix 47]

I even ended up with collecting all of the missing soundtracks, except for The Lost World.

Remedy that immediately. I like it better than Jurassic Park, similar to the way that I like Jaws 2 better than Jaws.