CD REVIEW - The Holiday & News from Costa Communications
The Holiday
Music by Hans Zimmer
Varese Sarabande VSD 6784 (EU)
22 Tracks 48:23 mins
Nancy Meyers' likeable romantic comedy was perfect for the Christmas season and though it may not have gone down brilliantly with the critics, with a cast like Kate Winslet, Cameron Diaz, Jude Law and Jack Black, what's not to enjoy.
Similarly, Hans Zimmer's score was a light, enjoyable affair, if a little familiar at times. For instance, the opening track here, "Maestro," starts off with a nostalgic, piano-lead theme, which is very Morricone, before picking up with guitars and very Craig Armstrong-like strings (I'm talking Romeo & Juliet here). There's also a Reinhardt/Grapelli-like duet in "Light My Fire."
The Morricone-like material makes a few telling appearances here and there throughout the remainder of the score, but it's mostly light and romantic, at times breezy and optimistic, though now and again a little melancholy. There's a slight retro feel to the source-like cues, the Bossa-styled "For Nancy," and lounge tracks "Verso e Prosa" and "Meu Passado," with Heitor Pereira's vocals and Herb Alpert's trumpet. All in all, an enjoyable, undemanding listening experience, which will please those who prefer Zimmer's more intimate style of scoring to bombast.
From Costa Communications
JOHN FRIZZELL SCORES "THE REAPING"
Warner Brothers Pictures Release March 30
(HOLLYWOOD, CA)- Composer John Frizzell scores the upcoming supernatural thriller release "The Reaping." The film, starring Hilary Swank, is directed by Stephen Hopkins and produced by Joel Silver. Frizzell has previously worked with producer Joel Silver on such films as "13 Ghosts", "Ghost Ship," and "Cradle 2 The Grave." Warner Brothers Pictures is set to release the film March 30.
In the film, Hilary Swank plays a former Christian missionary who lost her faith after her family was tragically killed, and has since become a world renowned expert in disproving religious phenomena. But when she investigates a small Louisiana town that is suffering from what appear to be the Biblical plagues, she realizes that science cannot explain what is happening and she must regain her faith to combat the dark forces threatening the community.
For his most recent release, "Primeval," Frizzell spent weeks submerged in the world of African music, listening to over 20 hours of traditional recordings and mining vintage Smithsonian film footage in order to gain a holistic understanding of the art form.
Frizzell has written scores for a variety of genres and has proven his musical talent, creativity and versatility. For "The Prizewinner of Defiance, Ohio," starring Julianne Moore, Frizzell recruited Newgrass band Nickel Creek to play on his Americana score.
John Frizzell's other credits range from comedies such as "Beavis and Butthead Do America" and the cult classic "Office Space," to the dark comedy "Teaching Mrs. Tingle" and the sci-fi drama "Alien Resurrection." Recent credits include "Gods and Generals," and "First Born," starring Elisabeth Shue.
The Holiday
Music by Hans Zimmer
Varese Sarabande VSD 6784 (EU)
22 Tracks 48:23 mins
Nancy Meyers' likeable romantic comedy was perfect for the Christmas season and though it may not have gone down brilliantly with the critics, with a cast like Kate Winslet, Cameron Diaz, Jude Law and Jack Black, what's not to enjoy.
Similarly, Hans Zimmer's score was a light, enjoyable affair, if a little familiar at times. For instance, the opening track here, "Maestro," starts off with a nostalgic, piano-lead theme, which is very Morricone, before picking up with guitars and very Craig Armstrong-like strings (I'm talking Romeo & Juliet here). There's also a Reinhardt/Grapelli-like duet in "Light My Fire."
The Morricone-like material makes a few telling appearances here and there throughout the remainder of the score, but it's mostly light and romantic, at times breezy and optimistic, though now and again a little melancholy. There's a slight retro feel to the source-like cues, the Bossa-styled "For Nancy," and lounge tracks "Verso e Prosa" and "Meu Passado," with Heitor Pereira's vocals and Herb Alpert's trumpet. All in all, an enjoyable, undemanding listening experience, which will please those who prefer Zimmer's more intimate style of scoring to bombast.
From Costa Communications
JOHN FRIZZELL SCORES "THE REAPING"
Warner Brothers Pictures Release March 30
(HOLLYWOOD, CA)- Composer John Frizzell scores the upcoming supernatural thriller release "The Reaping." The film, starring Hilary Swank, is directed by Stephen Hopkins and produced by Joel Silver. Frizzell has previously worked with producer Joel Silver on such films as "13 Ghosts", "Ghost Ship," and "Cradle 2 The Grave." Warner Brothers Pictures is set to release the film March 30.
In the film, Hilary Swank plays a former Christian missionary who lost her faith after her family was tragically killed, and has since become a world renowned expert in disproving religious phenomena. But when she investigates a small Louisiana town that is suffering from what appear to be the Biblical plagues, she realizes that science cannot explain what is happening and she must regain her faith to combat the dark forces threatening the community.
For his most recent release, "Primeval," Frizzell spent weeks submerged in the world of African music, listening to over 20 hours of traditional recordings and mining vintage Smithsonian film footage in order to gain a holistic understanding of the art form.
Frizzell has written scores for a variety of genres and has proven his musical talent, creativity and versatility. For "The Prizewinner of Defiance, Ohio," starring Julianne Moore, Frizzell recruited Newgrass band Nickel Creek to play on his Americana score.
John Frizzell's other credits range from comedies such as "Beavis and Butthead Do America" and the cult classic "Office Space," to the dark comedy "Teaching Mrs. Tingle" and the sci-fi drama "Alien Resurrection." Recent credits include "Gods and Generals," and "First Born," starring Elisabeth Shue.
posted by jeffhall | 8:40 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home