Best movie intro music of all time?

[mkirshner]

I'm wondering what you think is the best intro music (main title music) for a motion picture of all time (OK, the one you like best).
My vote goes for Vertigo (Bernard Herrmann). This one really grabs me and sets the tone for the movie.

And Signs (James Newton Howard) is not too shabby either.

[autopilot]

No Contest for me

Trumpet fanfare at the top of Star Wars

Makes me cry tears of joy every time

[scottnorma]

Add another vote for Star Wars.

[scottnorma]

I think Morriconi's opening for The Untouchable's was also quite good.

[MikeGraybill]

I don't think I could choose a single favorite over all, but one of the first ones that came to mind for me was the opening of The Last of the Mohicans, Randy Edelman. I loved so much of that music, and while I wouldn't include the overall score in my top ten fav's, the opening did set the scope of the film up nicely I thought.

[epexegenesis]

Mike Oldifeld's Tubular Bells, used in The Exorcist.

[dcoscina]

Superman The Movie had a great title sequence with awesome music. The string writing on that march by Williams is still mind-blowing!

[Scott Cairns]

I was standing in a private theatre of a hi-fi shop a few years ago and just as I walked in Gladiator started playing. I was the only one there and the timing was kind of weird as it started when I entered the room.

I love that film and the music in it. I especially like the musical swell just as the word "Gladiator" comes on the screen.

Sets the mood very nicely for me. :)

[FredProgGH]

Also Sprach Zarathustra and 2001, of course!!

Unless we're talking original scores. I'd think very seriously about giving the nod to Wizard Of Oz in that case. (I think Exorcist is a good pick as well).

Also, Magnificent Seven and possibly The Great Escape. Oh, and Patton, for a different approach.

[dcoscina]

folman just reminded me of a couple others:

Elfman's HULK- love how Ang Lee cut the film like a comic book including those white panels with split screens, wipes, dissolves accompanied by Elfman's Herrmannesque 6 note descending motif.

Talented Mr. Ripley with the fragmented images of Tom Ripley accompanied by "Lullaby for Cain" (Yared).

I love ALIEN opening credits. Brilliant Goldsmith music with the aleatoric string pizz. along with col legno strikes through the ol' Echoplex. And the low flute lines. Ahhh. Nothing was more eerie and a perfect contrast to the Star Wars post-romantic style associated with sci-fi films leading up to ALIEN.

Elfman's BATMAN was pretty amazing too, where his bombastic theme follows the camera around the BAtman logo.

David Shire's TAKING OF PELHAM 1,2,3. Okay, anyone who writes a 12 tone big-band chart gets top marks in my books! Excellent '70's score.

THE SHINING- expansive mountain vistas accompanied by Wendy Carlos' scary-~~~ synth rendition of the ancient Dies Irae. The vocals still send shivers down my spine when I hear this music. Amazing stuff. :eek:

[EricWatkins]

I love that film and the music in it. I especially like the musical swell just as the word "Gladiator" comes on the screen.

Sets the mood very nicely for me. :)



What he said

[MikeGraybill]

Totally forgot about Batman! That opening sequence had SUCH a profound effect on me. Might even be the moment I decided deep down what I wanted to do the rest of my life. And it was because it was an opening, no people talking, no action sequence to distract, NOTHING but imagination, anticipation and a great score psyching everyone up for what was about to happen.

[Maraxalamanta]

Best intro-sequence music:

Dinosaur - JNH
Hulk - Elfman
Spider-Man 1&2 - Elfman
Harry Potter PS & Jurassic Park -Journey to the Island - Williams
Star Wars is an absolute classic and is inarguably the best main titles music written for any film, but being such an obvious choice it probably isn't going to get the amount of attention it deserves in this topic (just like it's too boring to give Williams the Oscar every year, even though he deserves it, because he's already got a bunch of 'em and controversy is much more exciting.)

[FredProgGH]

Star Wars is an absolute classic and is inarguably the best main titles music written for any film

I'll argue happily. The main title is the weakest part of the whole score and that run down to the root note but going up an octave instead motif is like fingernails on a chalk board to me. How's that. :D

(That said, the bang of the first chord along with the title zooming back is genius, so I'll grant you three seconds worth. :D)

[Alexcremers]

Blade Runner - Los Angeles 2019 - The camera progresses over the city of flames - cars fly by - gigantic eye close-up intervals.

------------
Alex Cremers

[James W.G. Smith]

Hmm, too many to choose...

James Newton Howard:
The Village - Main Titles *wasn't on the CD* (Simple but REALLY effective, totally draws you in)
Signs - Main Titles (not my fav cue in the score but it does set the tone nicely)

Danny Elfman:
Batman - The Batman Theme (First score that caught my attention)
Batman Returns - Birth of a Penguin (Even better the scond time around)

Michael Kamen:
/w Orbital - Event Horizon - Main Titles (Don't know why but I love it)
Robin Hood - Overture And A Prisoner Of The Crusades (Classic)

Williams:
Star Wars (Not a big fan of Williams but this is a theme that will live on forever)

'I'm gonna get shot for this one'
Tangerine Dream:
Legend (Shut up, I liked it) :D

Thats it for now

James W.G. Smith

[Maraxalamanta]

FredProg: Given enough repetition ANYTHING can (and will) get boring. Personally I can't stand the Star Wars theme now because I've heard it a million times already. The fact that I HAVE heard it a million times is the reason why it's on my list. :)

[Steve Rees]

I love the opening of 'North by Northwest'.

Steve

[josejherring]

I like the music that goes beyond just being film music:

John Williams:
Schindler's List
Star Wars End title(cheating I know)

Jerry Goldsmith:
Alien(main title)
Basic Instinct(credits and end titles)

Bernard Herrmann:
North by Northwest
Cape Fear

Prokofiev:
Alexander Nevsky(spelling)

Quincy Jones:
In Cold Blood

Henry Mancini:
Sherade

Maurice Jarre:
Lawrence of Arabia

So many others. But its late now.

Cheers,

Jose

[T Parks]

Amadeus

BANG! BANG! - those two fateful chords from Don Giovanni

[PaulR]

I think Morriconi's opening for The Untouchable's was also quite good.

Yep - that's a really good one - one of the best. The starter of this topic said 'best' and not favourite right? ;)

Vertigo - I keep the DVD next to the computer ready for loading at all times
North by North West - Saul Bass geometrics - tremendous
Psycho - Frighteningly good
Taxi Driver
Citizen Kane
The Ghost and Mrs Muir
Cape Fear

The Magnificent Seven - that's probably the best ever in it's genre
The Big Country - Jerome Moross
The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
The Odd Couple

2001

How could any of you morons forget The Pink Panther? :D

Edit: How did I forget The Third Man??? Allow me to join the moronic masses as an Honourary Member! :p

[MarkEdmonds]

Some others I don't think mentioned so far...

The Third Man
Terminator 2
Blue Velvet
Wild At Heart
Ghostbusters

Current fave end credit music: The Incredibles

Mark

[Theodor]

A Beautiful Mind - James Horner if i remember correctly

[Steve Rees]

Actually when I was a kid the Star Wars films had a huge impact on me. As a result, the 20th Century Fox logo music always gets my attention in a big way before the main film even starts.

Steve

[Herman Witkam]

I really love the opening of the LotR The Return of the King, with the fishing scene. The 19th century theme dissolves beautifully into the main ring theme, and then via a Shire-ish part into a neo-classical theme. Then the ring theme comes back with the solo violin.

[dcoscina]

Blade Runner - Los Angeles 2019 - The camera progresses over the city of flames - cars fly by - gigantic eye close-up intervals.

------------
Alex Cremers

Excellent! Thanks ALex for reminding me about that. I love that shot- and the music score too!

[Tomke]

Williams' score for Close encounters was very good. That intro is nothing much music wise - basically just a cluster crescendo - but added with the whole thing ... man :). I watched that film in the theater, in the dark, 10 years old ...
Alot of aliens, space, wars stuff has been around for as long as the film medium has ... but that intro, intro text with just dead silence. Usually it's alot of whispering, talking, noisy paper candy bags and stuff in the theater, but here .. things just quited down ... dead silence .. things were holdings its breath ... and then this slow growing .. it just told me "kid, this is *serious*, no cartoons".

[PaulR]

I really love the opening of the LotR The Return of the King, with the fishing scene. The 19th century theme dissolves beautifully into the main ring theme, and then via a Shire-ish part into a neo-classical theme. Then the ring theme comes back with the solo violin.

What - you think that's the 'best' do you? The bloke at the beginning of this thread said the 'best' - not favourite. LOTR? Jesus!

Just goes to show that the moronic masses have always had a penchant for buying things in packets of three.

LOTR? How out of touch with reality is THAT?!?!

[MarkEdmonds]

Nice post PaulR :D A little brusque perhaps but nice :D

A lot of modern movie scores which people go nuts over leave me completely cold. In fact, I am not even aware of any structure or melody to them yet they often get referenced here as being greats. It is like being dabbed with lukewarm cotton wool.

One of the most impressive intros now I come to think about it is of course, Apocalypse Now. One of the few occasions I've heard 1000 people go spontaneously quiet and shhhh each other ... then Ray's guitar (is was Ray right?) fades up and the hairs on your neck go.

Now that is power.

LOTR? I didn't even know there was music in it! ;)

Mark

[PaulR]

Nice post PaulR :D A little brusque perhaps but nice :D

A lot of modern movie scores which people go nuts over leave me completely cold. In fact, I am not even aware of any structure or melody to them yet they often get referenced here as being greats. It is like being dabbed with lukewarm cotton wool.

One of the most impressive intros now I come to think about it is of course, Apocalypse Now. One of the few occasions I've heard 1000 people go spontaneously quiet and shhhh each other ... then Ray's guitar (is was Ray right?) fades up and the hairs on your neck go.

Now that is power.

LOTR? I didn't even know there was music in it! ;)

Mark

Mark, Ray Manzerak is the only Ray I can remember from The Doors and I think he was keyboards( maybe there are two Rays). But no matter - I know what you mean regarding that movie.

Brusque - maybe, but to me when one reads posts about scores I've got to the point now, arrogantly maybe, where I now believe that a lot of people that want to write film or TV scores for a living have a lot to learn about what is actually 'best' as opposed to 'favourtie'. I mean, quite frankly, I put it down to some of them only actually having ever seen 10 films in their lives - seriously.
Another theory of mine is this. A lot of people will quote nonentity scores becasue they are crap musicians themselves - and tend to identify with mediocrity - almost as a failsafe mechanism.

I have absolutely no interest whatsoever in the word 'favourite'. It's like - they may as well tell me their favourite colour or toothpaste so as to cure any insomnia I may have at the time.

If we're talking about the best, then objectively - if one doesn't have at least 3 Herrmann intros in their list - then they deserve to be taken out into the square - preferably Time Square - and thrashed to death with Bernard Herrmann manuscripts. :D

[Alexcremers]

What - you think that's the 'best' do you? The bloke at the beginning of this thread said the 'best' - not favourite. LOTR? Jesus!

Just goes to show that the moronic masses have always had a penchant for buying things in packets of three.

LOTR? How out of touch with reality is THAT?!?!

I thought the fishing scene was easily the best thing of the trilogy!

[FredProgGH]

Another vote for Blade Runner. I wouldn't put it in the category of the others I picked on music alone but in terms of music and visuals and how the scene works it's very effective.

[fozzy]

Wow. We must be on the same cosmic wavelength. The first thing that popped into my head when I read the title of this read --without having seen your post- was, "Just about anything by Bernard Herrmann." :)



I'm wondering what you think is the best intro music (main title music) for a motion picture of all time (OK, the one you like best).
My vote goes for Vertigo (Bernard Herrmann). This one really grabs me and sets the tone for the movie.

And Signs (James Newton Howard) is not too shabby either.

[SHAOLIN95]

Star Wars is a given. I love Indiana Jones and of course who can forget Rocky!
There is one guilty pleasure that somehow moves me everytime I listen to it, sort of takes me right into the mood in the few seconds it lasts, a tv series called Forever Kinght....
Regards

[James W.G. Smith]

A Beautiful Mind - James Horner if i remember correctly

Can anyone say Bicentennial Man? hehe

As for the "LOTR crack", have you ever stopped to think that a score can affect different people in different ways? I mean hell, I liked the opening to Legend and it's just a solo synthy flute thing, and I may be the only one who thought it was an effective way to set up the story. Remember, film composers write for the masses, not snobby music critics :D .

James W.G. Smith

[PaulR]

As for the "LOTR crack", have you ever stopped to think that a score can affect different people in different ways? I mean hell, I liked the opening to Legend and it's just a solo synthy flute thing, and I may be the only one who thought it was an effective way to set up the story. Remember, film composers write for the masses, not snobby music critics :D .

James W.G. Smith

Are we talking about 'best' here - or 'favourite'.

[MarkEdmonds]

The Doors' guitarist is Robby Krieger.


I hang my head in shame at forgetting his name :(

[JohnnyP]

James,


Can anyone say Bicentennial Man? hehe
James W.G. Smith
Now now now. I think I made a post a while back about this. I had seen Beautiful Mind but never Bicentennial Man-Then I heard the soundtrack.

NOW HUSHhttp://www.northernsounds.com/forum/images/smilies/wink.gif

Sincerley,

Jonathan

[Stephanie Pray]

IMO, it has to be the intro for "The Rock". Very moving.

[Hasen]

Another vote for Superman - simply breathtaking intro. :)

[mbmb]

Chariots of fire - > (not my personal favourite)
1492 conquest of paradise
Pop Corn - some eddi murphy movie...cant remember
paul nymann - the piano
e morricone - the mission

and my personal favorite

peter gabriel - the last temptation of christ by m scorsese
(breathtaking)....

[greatzed]

Are we talking about 'best' here - or 'favourite'.

... Because the almighty PaulR is God and gets to say what's best and what isn't. Didn't everyone KNOW that already?

Edward Scissorhands is one of my favorites.

[§eth]

[QUOTE=mbmb]Chariots of fire - > (not my personal favorite)

e morricone - the missionQUOTE]

I'd have to agree "Chariots of Fire" has to be one of them. I saw that when I was just a wee lad. Something about the theme inspired me to get into film and theme music. I think i was like 6 or 8 then. I did not enjoy the movie but years later I was in a national championship competition and I went into a rest room and that song was playing and I knew then that I was going to do well. We did indeed do well missed a perfect score by 7 points and came in 3rd out of over 300 teams:)

Also agree with "The Mission"
I would add the opening to "Hackers" as a personal fav.
and would say Theme to Braveheart has a place in my heart too.

[Marcussen]

beatiful mind is also miles better than bicentinal man... ofcourse he had more time to develop it the second time around :D

[Joanne Babunovic]

Not sure if it's the intro, but always like Elmer Bersnstien's theme for To Kill a Mockingbird. Comparing this to the action based, more spectacular themes chosen by most ( Star Wars, Bladerunner etc.), I definitely think there's a difference between blue booties and pink booties, and what moves us :)

[Nick Batzdorf]

I wish I could think what the movie was called or even what it was about, but Henry Mancini really told a story with his opening music while the picture was just showing...I think it was a shot of the desert.

It was an example they showed us in one of the film scoring classes at Berklee, and it was just amazing. I'll post if I remember what it was.

[josejherring]

I definitely think there's a difference between blue booties and pink booties, and what moves us :)

I like pink booties....oh,....you're talking about shoes. Never mind.

Cheers,

Jose

[handz]

STAR WARS! without doubt.

[PaulR]

... Because the almighty PaulR is God and gets to say what's best and what isn't. Didn't everyone KNOW that already?

Edward Scissorhands is one of my favorites.

Does that mean you think I'm the best - or just your personal favourite? :D

Ask Mummy and Daddy if you can stay up late one night and watch Psycho - then come back and try to make an intelligent comment Nigel.

Edward Scissorhands? - yes, that's sweet. :o

[Steve Rees]

Trying to get to grips with the difference between 'best' and 'personal favourite'. If those are completely different things then it's possible for one person to think 'that's 'the best' opening to a film I've ever seen but I actually hate it', and also 'that's my 'personal favourite' opening to a film I've ever seen but its rubbish'.

Humm, don't you need to be a bit schizophr.....skizo.....skitzofr.....don't you need multiple personalities to do that?

Paul, sounds like you are suggesting 'personal favourite' is subjective, but 'best' is objective, like some absolute truth. But everyone's perception of 'best' is bound to be subjective also isn't it? Discuss he he.

Steve

[PaulR]

If something is you personal favourite you're bound to also think it's the best aren't you since they are both going to be subjective, as objective as one would like to think one can be about what 'the best' is?
Steve

BUUZZZZZEERR!!! Wrong answer! Hahahaha! Next! :D :D :D

[Steve Rees]

BUUZZZZZEERR!!! Wrong answer! Hahahaha! Next! :D :D :D

Quite possibly, but I edited my post before I'd realised you replied he he. Yours is definitely my favourite post on this thread though. It's rubbish, but it's my favourite :D

Steve

[PaulR]

Quite possibly, but I edited my post before I'd realised you replied he he. Yours is definitely my favourite post on this thread though. It's rubbish, but it's my favourite :D

Steve


:D :D :D

Which one?

[fictionmusic]

I love the opening of 'North by Northwest'.

Steve


Yep me too. I also think The Trouble with Harry has an excellent opening as well, certainly not bombastic, but totally evocative of New England fall and the movie's sense of playfulness. Hermann was a piece apart.

I just saw Planet of the Apes again last night and I think Goldsmith (via Aurthur Morton) did an excellent job, he was able to capture the "other worldiness" beautifully.

What is interesting about some of the old scores was how well they captured the mood with far less bombastic over-the-top-stormdrumz-epic horns-oriented theme music.

BTW I always though the score for Batman sounded like Mathis Der Mahler.

[mbmb]

....and !!!! before i forget !!!

War of the Worlds - Jeff Wayne

[Steve Rees]

....and !!!! before i forget !!!

War of the Worlds - Jeff Wayne

Ermmmm. What movie intro was that used in?

[James W.G. Smith]

Trying to get to grips with the difference between 'best' and 'personal favourite'. If those are completely different things then it's possible for one person to think 'that's 'the best' opening to a film I've ever seen but I actually hate it', and also 'that's my 'personal favourite' opening to a film I've ever seen but its rubbish'.

Humm, don't you need to be a bit schizophr.....skizo.....skitzofr.....don't you need multiple personalities to do that?

Paul, sounds like you are suggesting 'personal favourite' is subjective, but 'best' is objective, like some absolute truth. But everyone's perception of 'best' is bound to be subjective also isn't it? Discuss he he.

Steve

Well, some people seem to forget that music (and FILM music) is an artform. And art is subjective. So HA! :D

James W.G. Smith

[A_Sapp]

Spartacus!

[PaulR]

Hmm, too many to choose...

James Newton Howard:
The Village - Main Titles *wasn't on the CD* (Simple but REALLY effective, totally draws you in)
Signs - Main Titles (not my fav cue in the score but it does set the tone nicely)

Danny Elfman:
Batman - The Batman Theme (First score that caught my attention)
Batman Returns - Birth of a Penguin (Even better the scond time around)

Michael Kamen:
/w Orbital - Event Horizon - Main Titles (Don't know why but I love it)
Robin Hood - Overture And A Prisoner Of The Crusades (Classic)

Williams:
Star Wars (Not a big fan of Williams but this is a theme that will live on forever)

'I'm gonna get shot for this one'
Tangerine Dream:
Legend (Shut up, I liked it) :D

Thats it for now

James W.G. Smith

Yes, that's a very nice list James. Lovely! Jolly good! :D

You 'almost' got one right. Carry on old son! Hahaha! :p

[greatzed]

Does that mean you think I'm the best - or just your personal favourite? :D

Ask Mummy and Daddy if you can stay up late one night and watch Psycho - then come back and try to make an intelligent comment Nigel.

Edward Scissorhands? - yes, that's sweet. :o

Don't talk down to me, snooty snoot.

[PaulR]

Don't talk down to me, snooty snoot.


:D :D :D :D :D

Oh, that's fabulous! Can't stop laughing. This thread is the best fun!!!

Snooty snoot -hahahaha! That's brilliant.

You're not gonna go into a flat sulk are you? :p

[josejherring]

Yes, that's a very nice list James. Lovely! Jolly good! :D

You 'almost' got one right. Carry on old son! Hahaha! :p

Paul,

Don't antagonize the Americans. Remember, Bush is our President. Don't make me call him. You know what happens to the enemies of the state. ;)

Jose

[JerryPettit]

I can't believe I haven't seen anyone say "Jaws".

2 notes.

Scariest 2 notes you ever heard.

That's all it took.

Jerry

[PaulR]

Well, some people seem to forget that music (and FILM music) is an artform. And art is subjective. So HA! :D

James W.G. Smith

It's too much fun Jose. hahaha!

Film music is definitely NOT an artform - film as a whole is an artform - filmscore is an art. Go figure.

I'm so looking forward to the my next lesson. :D

[James W.G. Smith]

Paul,

Don't antagonize the Americans. Remember, Bush is our President. Don't make me call him. You know what happens to the enemies of the state. ;)

Jose

lmmfao

And to Paul: Since when is film music not an artform? So if I basically just "do the math" I can write something that will get an academy award (not like that is saying too much :p )? Sure, there are certain things that anyone can learn, but even some people with all the music education in the world can't write a good piece of music if thier life depended on it :D .

James W.G. Smith (I hate these science vs. art topics, I'm done with it now :) )

[greatzed]

It's definitely an artform. People just won't recognize it as such until many years down the road. It seems with commercial art, it always takes a long while until it is considered fine art. I don't understand why.

[PaulR]

The above two posts........ I'm communicating with zombies. :D

[greatzed]

Good for you.

[dpc]

Glad to see Spartacus finally made it in. One of the most dramatic titles ever with Alex North's perfect musical sensibility and execution. Also one of the best examples of visuals and titles married together.

Nick,

Mancini's Night Wing is the score I think you're talking about and it is a stunning and hip piece of music (horns in parrallel minor 11ths, harp arpeggios and ethnic flute.) Imagine my thrill at discussing it with the composer.

Dave Connor

[dpc]

Also,

I don't think it's nonsense to distinguish between favorite and best. My favorite car might be a Ford Pinto but that's not quite a formula race car.

DC

[sbkp]

Also,

I don't think it's nonsense to distinguish between favorite and best. My favorite car might be a Ford Pinto but that's not quite a formula race car.

DC

True, but "best" doesn't necessarily mean "fastest." It might mean, "it'll get me to and from the market with a loaf of bread and a bag of apples."

Real race cars may be the "best" on lots of axes, but they aren't street legal. So they're absolutely useless to the vast majority of people.

So is the "best" score the one that follows the rules of counterpoint without fail? Or is it the one that evokes exactly the right emotion for the film? Or does it require both? And other than PaulR, who's the authority on this? ;)

- Stefan

[dpc]

By that logic you can have someone say that the Pinto IS the best car ever. Anyone with even a remote understanding of what makes up a decent car would beg to disagree and consider that choice totally uninformed. So there is a certain amount of objectivity regarding the quality of anything. The use of the term "favorite" allows for the Pinto to grab the top spot. But under no conditions could it ever qualify as best.

Film titles I agree ARE far more subjective. My original point was that it's not ENTIRELY subjective and therefore do not think a distinction between favorite and best is inappropriate but even helpful.

Dave Connor

[josejherring]

True, but "best" doesn't necessarily mean "fastest." It might mean, "it'll get me to and from the market with a loaf of bread and a bag of apples."

Real race cars may be the "best" on lots of axes, but they aren't street legal. So they're absolutely useless to the vast majority of people.

So is the "best" score the one that follows the rules of counterpoint without fail? Or is it the one that evokes exactly the right emotion for the film? Or does it require both? And other than PaulR, who's the authority on this? ;)

- Stefan

I think the "best" is a combination of two things: 1) the technical rendering of the music 2) what the music has to say or the message of the music.

If both those things are excellent then the music is great. To say it's the best is not correct because best implies an absolute. And absolutes are unobtainable. Even absolute zero is 3 degrees above absolute zero. See.

The only question I have a hard time answering is, from a purely compositional standpoint, what is this elusive thing called technique? Coming from a performance background I've always found this a bit perplexing when it comes to music composition.

Cheers,

Jose

[sbkp]

By that logic you can have someone say that the Pinto IS the best car ever. Anyone with even a remote understanding of what makes up a decent car would beg to disagree and consider that choice totally uninformed. So there is a certain amount of objectivity regarding the quality of anything. The use of the term "favorite" allows for the Pinto to grab the top spot. But under no conditions could it ever qualify as best.

Film titles I agree ARE far more subjective. My original point was that it's not ENTIRELY subjective and therefore do not think a distinction between favorite and best is inappropriate but even helpful.

Dave Connor

Oh, I agree. Poking holes in analogies is just a hobby of mine, you see? ;)

- Stefan

[dpc]

If a poll was taken of a group of auto experts (those with a thorough knowledge of all aspects of design, construction, functionality, etc.) I guarentee you if they listed the top ten, the lists would be very similar with a few exceptions. (Which is basically what happend in this poll so no big deal really) Nonetheless even among differences all the candidates would be worthy of consideration. Why? Because of the expertise and objective understanding of the art and craft of auto construction/design. The '62 Ford Falcon is not going to be on anyone's list. It just won't.

The point is that without a certain objective ability to know what is quality and what isn't it becomes a free for all where everyone is an expert.

Having said that, I wouldn't say that a dreadful piece of music wouldn't work over a title perfectly (in a comedy perhaps.) That's clever editing and filmaking but do we compare it to Logans Run? Also should overly simplistic music written by former record producers (that works in a way) be compared to To Kill A Mockingbird?

Grey areas occur in nature but we all should be able to tell the difference between Norman Rockwell and DaVinci.

Dave Connor

[dpc]

All in good fun Stefan. My previous post was in response to the one above yours.

DC

[native son]

I obviously "lurk" way more than I post. But I had to check in because I can't believe that nobody said:

The theme from SHAFT !!!

One of the coolest movie intros ever. Probably not my favorite, mind you ... But really captures the attitude and essence of the movie.

[JerryPettit]

Re: Shaft.

Good one!

That even beats my JAWS "two note" selection--cuz it's basically a repeated one-note theme...

Another repeated one-note theme that's classic: the screaming violins from PSYCHO.

Jerry

[FredProgGH]

The above two posts........ I'm communicating with zombies. :D


Who is the greater zombie- the zombie or the zombie that communicates with him. Sorry, it. :D

[PaulR]

Who is the greater zombie- the zombie or the zombie that communicates with him. Sorry, it. :D

Awww Alf - steady on old bean! :D

[kitekrazy]

Blade Runner - Los Angeles 2019 - The camera progresses over the city of flames - cars fly by - gigantic eye close-up intervals.

------------
Alex Cremers

I was thinking of that as well. There's a lot of good electronic music in there. It was done by V~~~~~~~ I think.

[kitekrazy]

Nice post PaulR :D A little brusque perhaps but nice :D

A lot of modern movie scores which people go nuts over leave me completely cold. In fact, I am not even aware of any structure or melody to them yet they often get referenced here as being greats.
Mark

I notice that too. I have an appreciation for it because they are thinking outside the box of tradition.

[FredProgGH]

I was thinking of that as well. There's a lot of good electronic music in there. It was done by V~~~~~~~ I think.
V~~~~~~~.

I'll be danged. What the heck is wrong with invoking the name of the V guy here?? Let me guess: V angel is.

Huh,that's not it.

[kitekrazy]

I can't believe I haven't seen anyone say "Jaws".

2 notes.

Scariest 2 notes you ever heard.

That's all it took.

Jerry

Definitely. Even young kids today who have not even seen the movie can recognize the theme.

[kitekrazy]

V~~~~~~~.

I'll be danged. What the heck is wrong with invoking the name of the V guy here?? Let me guess: V angel is.

Huh,that's not it.

Yeah that was odd that it was censored.

[Lixir]

- J.Williams StarWars
- Elfman's Batman Return
- Eric Serra's Big Blue (One of the purest intro ever, I don't say that because I'm french :) )
- Silvestri's Predator, and even if the whole score is pretty bad : the intro of Terminator 2 from Brad Fiedel
- Children of Dune from Brian Tyler
- last one is an old tv serie "V" ' s intro from Dennis McCarthy, I'll never forget that intro :D

[fiori]

Rodney Allen Bennett: Equus

[Marcussen]

Nowhere near all time greatest... but intro of The Shining deserves a mention :)

[RJones]

Bruno Coulais score for Winged Migration

Rodney

[mbmb]

mike batt - caravans

[tomhartman]

Are 3 way ties allowed? ;)

1 Superman

2 The Towering Inferno

3 Jaws


TH

[noenoeil]

1- Vertipsycho by northwest (B. Herrmann - PaulR X3 certification passed)
2- Lawrence of Arabia (M. Jarre)
3- The sand peebles (J. Goldsmith)

Absolute bliss : the original screening of 2 and 3 began with music only, quite long cues over a still image... You do that now, the audience may leave the theatre.

4- Forbidden Planet - music credited as "electronic tonalities", from Louis and Bebe Barron, sets the mood for a- the movie and b- your nerves, great avant-garde work!

Oh, Alien3, fox fanfare's ending Xfades to creepy violins (if I remember well)... I think it was the first time someone did that trick? Now a standard.

Christian

[noenoeil]

Need to kill a thread? Call me anytime. :D

Christian

[Eyecatcher]

Ditto on Superman. He even outdid Star Wars with that one.

Of course, let's not forget the Zarathustra theme on 2001.

[dpc]

Has Amityville Horror been mentioned? Lalo Schifrin creates one of the scariest titles ever - masterful. I don't think it was written for that film strangely enough. I thought of the film because there's a trailer out now for a remake.

dpc

[ziggy]

How about the "HBO Logo Flying over the City Suite" that intro'ed all the movies that played on HBO in the 80's. Does that count? I guess not.

Signs was an instant favorite for me, so creepy!