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Not even bad movies can ruin an otherwise brilliant original score. With film scores, the composer’s imagination (in the context of the film, or course) is the limit, and has the potential to be so much better than the script itself. If John Williams composed the music to Basic Instinct 2, he’d likely be nominated for an Oscar (okay, maybe not, but you get my point).

Now, in alphabetical order, here are the best scores out there, some extremely obvious, and others in films that can’t hold a candle to their themes. I’m leaving out cartoons and musicals because, to me, those belong on a different list, one devoted solely to films meant for, or are famous for, only their music. Also, purposely lacking on this list are scores to much older films, because I sincerely believe that the most memorable and recognized scores today came out only in the last 40 years, mainly due to the advent of the blockbuster film which virtually requires accompanying blockbuster music. I’m sure the theme from Gone with the Wind is good, how couldn’t it be? But I’d say we’ll be whistling the theme to Star Wars for decades longer as those who actually saw Wind die out.

The Addams Family – Marc Shaiman
Starting with a snoozer, huh? Sure, the 1991 film was silly, but Shaiman’s theme is everything from over-the-top romantic to creepy and sneaky, just like the family. Each track on this album is good, and Shaiman rarely succumbs to composing filler for blah scenes. It’s also got the extended version of Mamushka, sang wonderfully by the late Raúl Juliá who played Gomez. The Addams Family on Amazon

 

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American Beauty – Thomas Newman
With unconventional sounds and instruments, this score doesn’t seem to follow any traditional method of film composing, and it’s a hit. Just a warning – people buy this looking for the song that played as Angela undressed, but it’s not on here. That’s Annie Lennox singing a Neil Young song called “Don’t Let it Bring You Down” which is available on her album Medusa, and not even the soundtrack (not score) album for this Academy Award-winning film. American Beauty on Amazon

 

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Angels & Demons – Hans Zimmer
This album starts off with one of the most in-your-face, exciting tracks Zimmer has composed since the Battle scene in Gladiator. My problem with the Da Vinci Code soundtrack was that it was too soft and generally took too long to build to those monumental moments that Zimmer is known to swat at you, but here, it starts right away, as it should. As for the rest of the score, it’s what it’s supposed to be… lots of violins and choral chanting, some softer tunes, with hints of Da Vinci’s riffs but solid and different enough to stand on its own. Angels & Demons on Amazon

 

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Back to the Future – Alan Silvestri
A brilliant score to a classic movie. The sequels, too, had great music, with change-ups in the sounds based on the era in which Marty and Doc were hangin’ in. Back to the Future on Amazon

 

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A Beautiful Mind – James Horner
Another best picture winner, Horner delivers a whirlwind of music that captures the brilliant yet troubled mind of John Nash in a kaleidoscope of music with lovely soprano backings by Welsh singer Charlotte Church. A Beautiful Mind on Amazon

 

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Bram Stoker’s Dracula – Wojciech Kilar
Here’s another snoozer, but I think it’s the best horror soundtrack, beginning to end, out there. It’s often slow and creepy, music that builds to neck-chomping climaxes with blood flowing everywhere. Bram Stoker’s Dracula on Amazon

 

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Braveheart – James Horner
Another best picture winner scored by Horner, Braveheart’s music is the ultimate soundtrack for British-bashing Scots. I just want to point out that Iron Maiden’s “The Clansman” is also about William Wallace and gives a heavy metal twist to this period. If only Mel Gibson put that in the film… Braveheart on Amazon | More Music From Braveheart on Amazon

 

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Crocodile Dundee – Peter Best
I can’t say that every track on this album is brilliant, considering many were made in the context of comedic incidents by the outback Aussie in New York, but the main theme and supporting themes are unique and memorable, far more serious than the movie turns out to be. Crocodile Dundee on Amazon

 

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The Dark Crystal – Trevor Jones
One of my all-time favorites, Jones composes music that ultimately outlives the puppet-only film and cheesy 80s special effects. Decades after the film was released, a limited-edition CD came out for this film with the entire score on one CD and the limited, ‘best-of’ score on the other. Incidentally, I really wanted to add Labyrinth to this list, but the music in that isn’t for everyone. The Dark Crystal: 25th Anniversary on Amazon | The Dark Crystal, limited-edition two-CD set on Amazon

 

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E.T. – John Williams

At the time, this was the highest-grossing film ever, and the score is over-the-top wonderful, particularly the soothing Over the Moon.

While on the subject of Spielberg/Williams films, I’m leaving Jaws off of this list because the soundtrack as a whole was only okay. That classic, two-note theme is indeed good and memorable, but only fit those shark scenes. And lets be honest – upon repeat viewings of Jaws, those are the only scenes worth watching. E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial on Amazon

 

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Gladiator – Hans Zimmer

Every track on this album is unique, beautiful, intense, and outright brilliant. Zimmer’s musicians were anxious to see this film as they composed this music, and the movie lived up to the score and won best picture.  My favorite track isn’t even on the Gladiator soundtrack, which is available here on Amazon. It’s on the Gladiator: More Music From The Motion Picture soundtrack, called ‘Figurines.’ Check it out:

 

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Glory – James Horner
Another memorable theme backed by the Boys Choir of Harlem, Horner’s Charging Fort Wagner track is the ultimate theme to any battle. Glory on Amazon

 

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The Godfather – Nino Rota
Surely, the theme of the best movie of all time belongs on here, right? While not every track is a solid winner, the main and supporting themes are fun to whistle. The Godfather on Amazon

(EDITOR’S NOTE: Nino Rota’s score was removed from the list of 1973 Academy Award nominees when it was discovered that he had used the theme in Eduardo De Filippo’s 1958 comedy Fortunella. Although in the earlier film the theme was played in a brisk, staccato and comedic style, the melody was the same as the love theme from The Godfather, and for that reason was deemed ineligible for an Oscar. Despite this, The Godfather Part II won a 1974 Oscar for best original score, although it featured the same love theme that made the 1972 score ineligible.)

 

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Harry Potter – John Williams and others
I’ll admit that I’m not familiar with every track to every Potter film’s score, but familiar enough to know that Williams and composers such as Patrick Doyle, William Ross and Nicholas Hooper didn’t disappoint when delivering the themes to these films which will live in children’s memories for decades to come. Harry Potter soundtracks on Amazon

 

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Home Alone – John Williams
The score to this film is yet another example of how great John Williams actually is. The music didn’t need to be good enough to make this list, but yet it was. Ultimately, it’s a silly film that became a huge hit, and it memorably captures the wackiness, loneliness, and spirit of Christmas that will forever be associated with Macaulay Culkin. Home Alone on Amazon

 

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Hook – John Williams
I wasn’t at all a fan of this Steven Spielberg-directed film but Williams didn’t phone in the music (available here on Amazon). Some of my favorite tunes on here aren’t even part of huge moments, particularly Captain Hook’s theme. It starts at about 1:20 of this track:

 

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The Hulk – Danny Elfman
I couldn’t possibly make this list without a mention of Danny Elfman. His comic-book-to-life sounds, often tracked over Tim Burton/Johnny Depp flicks, are always great but seem to always lack that one element that puts it over the top into the greatest soundtracks ever category (which is why I believe he has yet to win an Oscar and rarely gets nominated despite the number of films he’s scored). These include scores such as Edward Scissorhands, Batman, Dick Tracy, Beetlejuice, Spider-man, and many others. But when I heard the Hulk theme (which wasn’t even a good movie), I found my favorite. The Hulk on Amazon

 

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Indiana Jones – John Williams
Williams scored all four Indiana Jones films, but due to so many overlapping themes on each score it’s hard to put one on this list but not the others. However, my personal preference is for The Temple of Doom, which contains my favorite track the Slave Children’s Parade. Indiana Jones on Amazon

 

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Interview With the Vampire – Elliot Goldenthal
I rarely go a day without hearing a track from this film on my Ipod, another vampire score that sounds as if it’s being played by mad violinists. I even enjoy the last track on the album, which is a Guns N Roses version of the Rolling Stones’ Symphony for the Devil. Interview With The Vampire on Amazon

 

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Jurassic Park – John Williams
Okay, maybe I’m just a huge fan of John Williams, but if I can remember the score by heart, it likely means it’s good enough to be on here (BTW, despite owning Saving Private Ryan and several other Williams scores, not all of them make the cut). Jurassic Park on Amazon

 

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The Last of the Mohicans – Trevor Jones
Every time I hear the track The Kiss I wanna grab the nearest chick, ugly or not, and make out with her. Oh, and unlike the soundtrack, which is in my top five favorites ever, I think this movie sucked. The Last Of The Mohicans on Amazon. And if you can get it, buy the Mohicans Special Edition.

 

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The Lord of the Rings – Howard Shore
Explain this to me… Shore won the Best Original Score Oscar for Part I and Part III, but not Part II. But you know what? The Two Towers was my favorite of the three, and a symphony is even playing it to the film on stage. So what gives? Regardless, Shore scored hours of brilliant music in these films and the best way to hear it is to buy the extended edition versions, which cost a lot of money but are an absolute must for true fans. In fact, they cost even more than the DVD movies themselves! Lord of the Rings Complete Recordings on Amazon

 

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Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein – Patrick Doyle
This movie fell flat at the box office but the themes and supporting music are excellent. There aren’t too many people on the same page as me on this because they dismissed the film, but give it a listen and you’ll see what I mean. Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein on Amazon

 

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North by Northwest – Bernard Herrmann
Gotta get a Alfred Hitchcock score on here, right? Or, how about three, starting with what is often thought to be Hitchcock’s best film. Five minutes into watching this I already thought this was bound to be one of my favorite movies, and by the end, it was. North By Northwest: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack. For the best Hitchcock compilation, get Hitchcock: Master of Mayhem.

 

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Pirates of the Caribbean – Hans Zimmer and Klaus Badelt
Even though Part III of this film left a lot to be desired, the scores in each are pure swashbuckling adventure, particularly Zimmer’s Wheel of Fortune in Dead Man’s Chest. Pirates of the Caribbean on Amazon

 

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Psycho – Bernard Herrmann
Shower scene. Best. Score. Ever. The rest of the film has okay music, nothing fascinating or even very memorable. But that shower scene… Psycho on Amazon

 

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Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves – Michael Kamen
Another great score to a fun adventure movie, even if it was Kevin Costner, and it certainly helped to have Bryan Adams’ ‘Everything I do (I do it for you)’ as a base. Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves on Amazon

 

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Schindler’s List – John Williams, with Itzhak Perlman
This score had to be good and that it was. This was Williams’ fifth (and so far, final) Oscar win and I remember when he went up there, he looked as if he expected it. My favorite tracks on this aren’t actually the main themes, but Oyf’n Pripetshok / Nacht Aktion (Ronit Shapira) and Yerushalaim Shel Zahav (Hana Tzur). Schindler’s List on Amazon

 

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Shawshank Redemption – Thomas Newman
Aside from the main theme, which in and of itself wonderful, try listening to ‘Compass and Guns’ without shedding a tear. I wouldn’t even be surprised if people have committed suicide to ‘Brooks Was Here,’ one of the most moving scenes in the film. The Shawshank Redemption on Amazon

 

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Silence of the Lambs – Howard Shore
The main theme here is good but no one can forget the shock of the police officers when they see what Lecter had done, and the overlaying track captures that intensity. The Silence Of The Lambs on Amazon

 

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Star Wars – John Williams
Now, I’ve gotta admit that not every track in every film is a winner, but many are, particularly the end theme of Episode IV, the Imperial March, and my personal favorites, the Arrival at Tatooine from Episode I, which doesn’t get good until 1:53 of the track. Star Wars on Amazon | Special Edition Soundtracks on Amazon

 

And who can forget ‘Duel of the Fates’?

 

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Vertigo – Bernard Herrmann
Music to get dizzy to.

 

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Willow – James Horner
Yet another grand-scale epic adventure movie and a James Horner score that doesn’t disappoint. Forget Wicket the Ewok and the Leprechaun, Warrick Davis will forever be associated with Willow. Willow on Amazon

 

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Other memorable themes:
The Fugitive – James Newton Howard
The Green Mile – Thomas Newman
Superman – John Williams
The Good, The Bad and the Ugly – Ennio Morricone
Alien – Jerry Goldsmith
Terminator 2: Judgement Day – Brad Fiedel
City Slickers – Marc Shaiman
Midnight Cowboy – John Barry

Many, many more, but these all rise to the top.

Last Thursday, Randy Johnson became the 24th pitcher in baseball history to get at least 300 wins. While, relatively speaking, this is a remarkable feat, the way in which the pitcher’s W is calculated in baseball is misleading. Baseball purists will argue till their death that it makes sense, but to me a pitcher’s W in baseball is a deceptive statistic that should only be taken with a grain of salt.

First, the definition. A ‘win’ is a statistic in Major League Baseball credited to the pitcher for the winning team who was in the game when his team last took the lead.

There are two exceptions. The more common exception is that a starting pitcher must complete five innings to earn a win (four innings for a game that lasts only five innings on defense). I’m assuming the rule makers picked five innings because that makes it the majority of the game (they could have also picked six or seven, thus making it even more difficult to earn a win, but settled on five). If the starting pitcher fails to meet the innings requirement, the official scorer awards the win to the relief pitcher who, in the official scorer’s judgment, was the most effective.

One problem with this rule is that a starting pitcher can earn a ‘loss’ in no set number of innings, even though he might not pitch the majority of the game, and even though his relievers can give up runs as well. It makes sense that the pitcher gets the loss, but if he does while pitching less than five innings, than logically he should be able to get a win for pitching less than five innings. That aside, there’s an even bigger reason why the ‘five innings for a starter’ rule does not make sense, and that is because an ‘effective’ relief pitcher can earn a victory without pitching five innings. Simply speaking, that’s inconsistent. Why should a starter be unable to earn a victory without pitching five innings when a reliever can come in, pitch one inning, and get the W? Not fair.

The second exception applies only to a relief pitcher who makes a “brief appearance” and is himself later relieved. If, in the official scorer’s judgment, the relief pitcher was “ineffective,” the win is awarded to the succeeding relief pitcher who was most effective, in the official scorer’s judgment. Again, I understand why baseball does this, but this still meddles with a straightforward formula.

I’ve also got to point out that a pitcher has almost no control over whether he gets a win, since he must rely on the team’s offense to score. Unlike other sports, baseball, relatively speaking, isn’t played in a way that defense can transition to offensive chances. For instance, great defenders in hockey, soccer, football and basketball can create scoring chances themselves. And let’s not forget that a pitcher must rely on his fielders to do their jobs (though if they don’t then they’re assessed errors and the hits and ‘earned’ runs don’t count to the pitcher, but a loss does).

The last thing that is misleading about a pitcher’s ‘win’ statistic is the fact that pitchers often rely on relief pitchers (who get ‘holds’ and ‘saves’) to complete the games for them, therefore putting the starter’s W in another person’s hand completely. Many years ago, it was more common for pitchers to pitch complete games, so when they earned a victory, it meant a hell of a lot more than a pitcher who is there for only 5/9th of a game (and especially a lot more than a reliever who gets the win while only playing one inning). That would be like hockey goalies playing only the first two periods of each game and getting a decision (which technically can happen but rarely does it result in a win). Therefore, complete game victories are the most accurate and unmolested W there can possibly be in this column (and even that relies on an offense to produce, which again is completely out of the pitcher’s hands. Pedro Martinez once retired 27 straight batters but didn’t get the victory because the Expos didn’t score).

So, my point is, MLB should remove the two exceptions to the rule as noted above, and also de-emphasize the stat entirely, and instead focus on ERA and highlight complete game victories.

My next article will be about why the Home Run statistic should be divided up between ‘clean’ and ‘roid-aided.’

As a big Marilyn Manson fan, I discovered recently that there’s a mini version of him paying tribute. His name is Nic Reddy, 22, who stands 3’9″ and rocks audiences using Manson’s in-your-face theatrics. To me, that sounds like good ole’ fun, and I hope to catch his act soon. Here’s the interview:

Basically, your act is to be up on stage and lip-sync the Marilyn songs?

Nic: For now I lip-sync, I usually perform in small clubs or bars with no sound system and it’s just easier. I find that karaoke versions of Manson’s songs are shit and sounds like people made them on a keyboard you would buy from the toy store in 1985. One day I might go live if I can figure out an easy way to do it by myself.

Which songs do you usually do?

Nic: I do any song I’m in the mood for really. It doesn’t have to be one of Marilyn’s hits. I’ll do anything from “Tainted Love” to “Antichrist Superstar.”

Typically, how is the audience reaction?

Nic: People love it… I still can’t figure out why (haha) but it’s usually really die-hard Manson fans that appreciate Mini Manson the most because they know I’m a fan myself and don’t just do it for the money.

Were you in the Kiss tribute band with Terra Jolé?

Nic: Yes I was, that was my first gig. I grew up a major Kiss fan so it was an honor to do that and work with someone with real musical talent like Terra.

What’s your day job?

Nic: I work at a night club called The Box in Manhattan. It’s actually where Mini Manson first hit the stage. Since then I do other performances there but no mini’s. I’m not going to run around as Mini Michael Jackson because someone tells me to.

Have you met Manson and what’s he say about your act?

Nic: I met Manson on his Rape the World tour in ’07. I think he was just as excited to meet me as I was to meet him. You never know how someone you impersonate is going to react so I was really flattered to find out that he shows people that there’s a mini-him running around.

How often do you play and where?

Nic: I only do Mini Manson upon request, I don’t feel the need to shove it down audience’s throats. I usually do a show about once a month but it really picks up around Halloween.

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Six Questions with: Nic Reddy – Mini Marilyn Manson

Nic Reddy, 22, stands 3’9″ and performs as Mini Marilyn Manson. He really rocks the audiences using Manson’s in-your-face theatrics. He even has his own Myspace page (of course).

Six Questions:

Who is your favorite Athlete?
I try not to get attached to athletes just the teams. I learned that when Johnny Damon went to the Yankees. I’m a huge Sox fan.
Who is your favorite Hottie?
Elvira is still f@#%ing hot in my book.
Who is your favorite Comedian?
Brendon Small (creator of Metalocalypse and Home Movies)
What is your favorite Movie?
Give me gore and I’ll take it. So anything from The Omen, Re-animator to Ginger Snaps
What is your favorite Gadget?
My Crackberry
What is your favorite Beer?
Budlight or Amstel

All too often on comedy shows, the children are there as virtual props. Sure, they walk and talk, and recite their lines, but are they usually funny? No. In fact, they’re more likely to be annoying. Only a select few played their parts so well that their natural talents to make people laugh fit in perfectly with the scripts. Here are ten talented people who deserved the roles in which they played (in the last 30 or so years, since children were never funny on TV before 1978).

10. Todd Bridges

Diff’rent Strokes (1978–1986)
We love you Willis. Sure, you weren’t nothin’ without brother Arnold (Gary Coleman), but funny enough to be No. 10 on this list. (I bumped Ricky Schroder in favor of Bridges when I realized that Schroder wasn’t really that funny)

9. David Faustino

Married… With Children (1987-1997)
While Married… With Children was low-brow comedy for sure, Faustino was up (or down) for the challenge of playing the perverted Bud, son of Al and Peggy.

8. Fred Savage

The Wonder Years (1988-1993)
Personally, I thought big brother Wayne (Jason Hervey) made this show funny but Fred Savage was the heart and soul and got his share of laughs, though often helped with the clever narration by Daniel Stern.

7. Tyler James Williams

Everybody Hates Chris (2005-2008)
Obviously it’s Chris Rock who makes this show funny, and Tyler James Williams does a fine job acting as the young Chris in this four-season series.

6. Frankie Muniz

Malcolm in the Middle (2000-2006)
This very well-written and acted show was perhaps the most underrated comedy on television. Yes, it won Emmys, but I seriously doubt Malcolm in the Middle cast a lasting impression among television viewers. Kudos to the other boys in the cast, as well.

5. The Gals of the Facts of Life

The Facts of Life (1979-1988)
Can’t pick just one, so have to give props to Mindy Cohn, Kim Fields and Lisa Welschel, who played Natalie, Tootie and Blair.

4. Jason Bateman

Silver Spoons (1982-1986), It’s Your Move (1984-1985), The Hogan Family (1986-1991).
According to Wikipedia: Jason Bateman’s razor-sharp performance as Derek garnered him much critical acclaim and popularity among young viewers, so much that the producers of Silver Spoons gave him his own starring vehicle.

3. Sara Gilbert

Roseanne (1988-1997)
This middle child tomboy played off of Roseanne Barr and John Goodman better than any of the other kids and her sarcastic wit was plenty to keep the viewer laughing while big momma and papa disappeared behind the curtain. Darlene, my dear, you weren’t the hottest Conner kid (that honor goes to both Becky’s), but you were, by far, the funniest.

2. Jaleel White

Family Matters (1989-1997)
This was an awful show, and I would know because I never missed an episode during the early seasons. It shouldn’t have lasted. It was about a family with a fat police officer father. Big deal. Then comes along Steve Urkel, snapping his suspenders, hiking up his pants and talking in a squeaky voice, and the show found its life. Yes, he was corny, but he played the part so well that the focus on the show went from the family to him. Gotta give credit where credit it due.

1. Gary Coleman

Diff’rent Strokes (1978–1986)
I’d like to say, this is a No. 1 by far. Gary’s most recent project is the film Midgets vs. Mascots (which Gunaxin is helping to promote). Gary, if you see this, you’re still the funniest after all these years, not just in the past 30 but all time!

Not funny: Cosby kids, just about anyone in the 50s and 60s.
Not eligible: Actors who played much younger parts, such as Michael J. Fox, Jimmy Walker and Fred “Rerun” Berry. These guys will go on the list of Top Ten Funniest Adult Actors Who Played Kids on TV.