This year 5 nominees are up for Best Original Score:

James Horner for the 3D extravaganza, Avatar.
Alexandre Desplat for the stop-motion animated film, Fantastic Mr. Fox
Marco Beltrami and Buck Sanders for the war drama, The Hurt Locker.
Hans Zimmer for the action packed film, Sherlock Holmes.
And Michael Giacchino for the latest Pixar-animated film, Up.

It’s great to see two animated films being represented in the Original Score category.  Some of the great film scores come from animated films, and at times it seems they hardly represented.  Although, Giacchino’s work for the Pixar-animated film Ratatouille was nominated two years ago.

Avatar was last year’s most anticipated film of the year.  And another James Horner score to accompany a Cameron epic had everyone a buzz about what the score would sound like.  And what was the score like? Well, the usual Horner motifs.

[Audio clip: view full post to listen]

[Audio clip: view full post to listen]

Parts of the score were beautiful and majestic, however I felt it didn’t match to the wonderful visuals of Cameron’s world.  Leaving the theater (almost 3 hours later) I couldn’t really remember the film music, which for such a huge film, I thought was a rather huge disappointment.

Wes Anderson’s stop-motion animated film, Fantastic Mr. Fox was a delight.  Anderson did such a great job of making this film enjoyable for all audiences.  The music is such a joy.  It felt like the rodents from the film were providing the accompanying music.  It was a clever choice on Desplat and Anderson to keep the orchestra intimate and minimal.

[Audio clip: view full post to listen]

[Audio clip: view full post to listen]

[Audio clip: view full post to listen]

Anderson wanted a sort of a Peter and the Wolf feel for the film’s music. Giving each character a them and instruments associated with that character.  My favorite piece was the Ennio Morricone influenced theme for the rat in the secret cider cellar.  And the lovely march for the game Whack-Bat.

Marco Beltrami and Buck Sanders’ score for The Hurt Locker among the nominees was a big surprise for me.  The is not the normal traditional score and it was designed to put you on the edge of your seat, which worked for me.  This was a great film. Very suspenseful, yet for being a war drama, there is a simplicity to it which I appreciated.

[Audio clip: view full post to listen]

[Audio clip: view full post to listen]

An actual score creeps out at the end but for the majority of the film the score is more of a sound design than actual music.

Sherlock Holmes was actually one of the few films I missed last year.  I’m so bummed I didn’t get a chance to see this film, because after hearing Zimmer’s score, I bet the film was one fun ride.  Although, much of this score has that typical Zimmer sound and feel to it, I thought parts of this score was really clever.

[Audio clip: view full post to listen]

[Audio clip: view full post to listen]

[Audio clip: view full post to listen]

I love the percussion elements throughout the score.  Lot’s of fun.

And finally there is the Pixar gem, Up.  I embraced this film and the music within the first 15 minutes of the film.  How can a film pack in so much emotion in one segment?  Well Giacchino’s simple nostalgic score helped.  Although the themes were simple, Giacchino’s orchestrations made them more complex and brought the character to life.

[Audio clip: view full post to listen]

[Audio clip: view full post to listen]

I love film scores that tell a story and evolve and you listen to them.  Therefore my pick for this year’s award has to go the Giacchino’s lovely work for Up. His scores are simple, yet carry a lot of emotion and add more depth to the film.  Way to go Michael Giacchino for making us listen.  I sure hope to hear more from him in the near future.

Michael Giacchino, Up

Marvin Hamlisch, The Informant!

James Horner, Avatar

Abel Korzeniowski, A Single Man

Carter Burwell, Where the Wild Things Are

Calling all Giacchino fans (And film score enthusiasts).  Land of the Lost soundtrack clips are now available to preview on Amazon.com.  The album will be available for download starting Tuesday, June 9 and the audio CD can be purchased on Tuesday, June 23rd.  I don’t know about you, but I’m loving the electric guitar additions.  This will be an interesting soundtrack, indeed.

Read on for the track list.

Land of the Lost
Music by Michael Giacchino
Conducted by Tim Simonec
Recorded and Mixed by Dan Wallin
Edited by Stephen M. Davis and Alex Levy

1.  Swamp And Circumstance (1:25)
2.  The Lighter Side of Archaeology (1:03)
3.  Food Coma For Thought (1:01)
4.  A Routine Expedition (:48)
5.  The Greatest Earthquake Ever Known (3:12)
6.  Matt Lauer Can Suck It (1:22)
7.  Chaka Chasedown (:43)
8.  The Ones That Got Away (4:17)
9.  Enik Calls For Marshall (1:16)
10.  Sleestak Attack (2:01)
11.  Enik The Altrusian (3:20)
12.  The Cosmic Lost And Found (1:34)
13.  When Piss On Your Head Is A Bad Idea (3:54)
14.  A New Marshall In Town (1:37)
15.  Pterodactyl Ptemper Ptantrum (:42)
16.  The Crystal Cave (1:43)
17.  In Search Of … Holly (1:34)
18.  Undercover Sleestak (2:18)
19.  Never Trust A Dude In A Tunic (4:17)
20.  If You Don’t Make It, It’s Your Own Damn Vault (2:40)
21.  Holly Mad As Sin (:50)
22.  Sleestak Showdown (:53)
23.  Stakbusters (2:33)
24.  FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT (1:27)
25.  Crystal Clear (2:31)
26.  Mystery Cave Reunion (1:22)
27.  Ready And Will (1:36)
28.  End Credits Can Suck It!  (3:26)
29.  Pop Goes The Sleestak (:16)
Bonus Tracks:
30.  A Routine Expedition (Version 1) (:50)
31.  The Devil’s Canyon Mystery Cave (Version 1) (2:04)
32.  Crystal Clear (Film Version) (2:19)

Hooray!  Scoring Sessions.com just uploaded photos from the recording session to Michael Giacchino’s score for
Land of the Lost.

Conducted by Tim Simonec, the score was performed by the Hollywood Studio Symphony, an 88-piece ensemble, and a 35-person choir. The scoring took place at 20th Century Fox’s Newman Scoring Stage and at the Eastwood Scoring Stage at Warner Bros. Dan Goldwasser of Scoring Session.com describes the music as “big and dramatic, with a strong main theme and lots of percussion to provide a more primal edge to the music.”   I guess that would explain the French horn section playing conch shells.  Goldwasser also describes the end titles track as a “a fun cue that combines a driving energy with guitars, banjo, rock band elements and drum kit with full orchestra.”

Land of the Lost is a film adaptation of the classic television show from creators Sid and Marty Krofft .  Directed by Brad Silberling and staring Will Ferrell, Anna Friel and Danny McBride.   Land of the Lost will hit theaters tomorrow, June 5, 2009.  The soundtrack from Varese Sarabande, will be available on June 23.  Can’t wait!

Check out Scoring Sessions.com for more photos, including pictures of the log drum. What?

Well, not really.  I just headed out to Dark Delicacies in Burbank, CA for a composer signing event by La-La Land Records.  Yup, I embraced my geeky-ness and joined a few other L.A. nerds to meet some composers.  But hey, it was a lot of fun.  I’m so glad I went.
As you can probably tell, I’m a huge fan of Giacchino’s scores, so it’s no surprise I acted like a little teen at a Jonas Brothers concert when I approached him.  Well, I wasn’t that extreme.  That would have been embarrassing.  Anyway, our conversation was really short, but I’m glad I met one of the greatest film composers around today.  Unfortunately, I didn’t get a chance to ask if he knew anything about the last season of LOST or for any hints on his next project.  Next time.

What a year Michael Giacchino is having.  He was the conductor to the 81st Academy Awards, he provided scores for the TV show Fringe and another season of LOST. Earlier this month his score for J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek was released and now he is celebrating his third feature film with Pixar Animation Studios, Up.

Up is another fine achievement for Giacchino.  The score is touching, moving, gripping, exciting, and so uplifting.  I have never been such an emotional wreck while watching a movie.  But then again, I’m always an emotional wreck; I’m not surprised I keep sobbing during this film.  But, that is why I like this film and the score; it’s character driven, and Giacchino’s music is the force behind it.  Gosh, I was so invested in these characters and their adventures.  Basically, the score revolves around two main themes.  However, Giacchino constantly changes the themes to coincide with the character’s development.  It helps attach the audience to these characters and constantly reminds them of what our hero’s ambitions and the many obstacles he is forced to deal with.

[Audio clip: view full post to listen]

The first theme you hear in the film is Charles Muntz’ theme set to lyrics in the track “The Spirit of Adventure.”  Giacchino describes it as a celebratory theme, very innocent, and embraces that excitement of discovering a New World.  When our old protagonist, Carl Fredricksen, finds Muntz in his cave he is so excited to see his beloved childhood hero and again we hear his theme.  However, when Muntz shows his true colors, the theme suddenly changes.  It almost sounds like a LOST episode.  No sudden ‘boom’ sounds here, though.  What a drastic change a minor chord can do.  Suddenly the opening theme to the movie isn’t so bright and innocent anymore.

[Audio clip: view full post to listen]
[Audio clip: view full post to listen]
[Audio clip: view full post to listen]

The main theme to the film is Ellie’s theme.  Ellie is Carl’s wife and reason for him to up and move his house to the remote Paradise Falls in South America.  The film’s director, Pete Docter, told Giacchino to keep the theme nice and simple.  And it is.  A nice little melody, however it has a bit of depth to it.  Giacchino added, what he called, a “tinge of sadness to it.”  The theme starts out so light and simple because it’s introduced when Carl and Ellie are little kids.  Again, the theme changes with them as they live their lives together.  So, brilliantly in just over 4 minutes, Ellie’s theme showcases her life story without a word of dialogue.  “Married Life” is a moving piece of music.  A great composition.

[Audio clip: view full post to listen]
[Audio clip: view full post to listen]

The theme is carried out in the film, honoring Ellie’s spirit.  And anytime you hear it, you are reminded of Ellie and why Carl sets out on his adventure.  However, Giacchino doesn’t just repeat the theme, he builds it into something grand.  In “Carl Goes Up”, the simple theme grows into a grand movement full of life and color and the balloons pulling Carl’s house out of its foundation means more than just turning the house into a big Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade float.

[Audio clip: view full post to listen]

Finally, the two themes battle each other during the film’s climax.  What a gripping and exciting way to wrap up the film.  You have these two old geezers giving it all they got with the culmination of their scores in the background.

[Audio clip: view full post to listen]

Giacchino has proved, yet again what a brilliant composer he is and has become.  His scores tell a story and bring characters to life.  And this is just the beginning of his career.  I hope we hear more of his work for years to come.

Music by Michael Giacchino
Music orchestrated and conducted by Tim Simonec
Music recorded and mixed by Dan Wallin
Music Editor: Stephen M. Davis

(P) 2009 Walt Disney Records/Pixar © 2009 Disney Enterprises, Inc./Pixar Burbank, CA 91521

Michael Giacchino is on a roll!  Just earlier this month he celebrated the releases of his soundtracks to the highly anticipated Star Trek film and to season 4 of the hit TV series LOST.

Up, the latest film from Pixar Animation Studios, is coming to theaters in Disney Digital 3D on May 29, 2009.  The first full-length Pixar 3D film, premiered at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival to rave reviews.  This will be Giacchino’s third Pixar animated film for which he provided the score.  His other Pixar projects include the surprise hit score for The Incredibles and the Oscar^®-nominated score to Ratatouille.  I’ve been looking forward to this soundtrack for a really long time. Giacchino has such a wide range of scores this latest installment will surely be a treat.  The album will be available for purchase on Tuesday, May 26, 2009, however you can preview the album now.

I can’t wait to hear Michael Giacchino’s latest work.  Star Trek, directed by J.J. Abrams, has been one of the most highly anticipated movies of the year.  What a great start to kick off the summer blockbuster season.  J. J. Abrams is the creator or co-creator of hit TV shows including Felicity, Alias, LOST, and Fringe.  Abrams’ director credits include Mission: Impossible III and this weekend’s release of Star Trek.  Giacchino and Abrams have had a long working relationship.  Giacchino has provided the scores to several of Abrams’ work, including LOST, Alias and a compiliation for the film Cloverfield.  I’m a huge fan of Giacchino’s work.  Not only has he created these amazing scores, but he has also provided scores for two Pixar Animation films including The Incredibles, for which he won an International Film Music Critics Association Award, and Ratatouille, giving him his first Academy Award nomination.  His next project with Pixar Animation is UP, coming out May 29, 2009.  Giacchino is having a big year. He was the conductor for the 81st Academy Awards and his third film score of the year, Brad Silberling’s Land of the Lost, will be released on June 5, 2009.