Music

Soundtrack Review: Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries – Music from the Television Series (2012)

By Jen in Music, Rating: 4, Reviews, TV No Comments Tags: , ,

Soundtrack Review: Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries – Music from the Television Series (2012)

Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries is one of the most lavish and endearing costume dramas on Australian television, and it’s been a delight to look forward to a new episode every Friday night (only three left now—sad face anyone?), considering I hardly stay committed to watching live TV. It owes its popularity to a strong cast with great chemistry, slightly absurd but charming murder plots with a touch of Christie grandeur, meticulous set and costume designs and that quintessential Australian-ness. 1920s Melbourne has never looked classier.

And then there is the fabulous music.

Notes of Desplat – Nine Films, Nine Sounds, Nine Perspectives

By Jen in Film, Music No Comments Tags: ,

Notes of Desplat – Nine Films, Nine Sounds, Nine Perspectives

If it isn’t clear enough, I’ve been on a particularly obsessive Alexandre Desplat bent lately, so I thought I would expand on what films I have already seen that feature Desplat as the music composer. His filmography has grown dramatically over the last five years, and I know there is much I’ve yet to discover of his range and creative process.

I have taken on an ambitious task of so watching nine films composed by Desplat that cover the gamut of genres in no particular order, and I will concurrently review the soundtracks along with the movie. It’s a chance to appreciate, enjoy and critique the broad scope of Desplat’s skill and niche. The reviews will be bite-sized but detailed – I am consciously trying to cut down on my word count as a test of discipline (!).

Soundtrack Review: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2 by Alexandre Desplat

By Jen in Film, Music, Rating: 4.5 2 Comments Tags: , ,

EDIT (October 2011): It’s come to my attention that I’ve been cited on the DH2 score’s Wikipedia page as a music critic. I just want to confirm that I am NOT a professional writer, just a curious and passionate fan. Late last year we heard rumours that John Williams would return to the Harry Potter [...]

Soundtrack Review: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince – Nicholas Hooper

By Jen in Film, Music, Rating: 4.5 1 Comment Tags: ,

I’ll have my review of the film soon enough, but I thought I’d jot down my thoughts on the score now while my enthusiasm’s still this amazingly high. Once again, British composer Nicholas Hooper takes up the mantle of composing the Harry Potter films for director David Yates. I thoroughly enjoyed his interpretation of The [...]

2008 in Review

By Jen in Books, Film, Life, oh Life!, Music No Comments Tags: ,

Seems like every blog’s got to have one, but this year was certainly one to remember. So many good things and bad things, possibly more bad than good, if the media has anything to do with it. We’ve had the best Olympic Games in history (in my opinion, not that I’m biased or anything), some [...]

Crikey, was that Anastacia or Australia?

By Jen in Film, Music, Rating: 3 No Comments Tags:

I’ve decided after 3 listens, I love Anastacia’s new album, Heavy Rotation. A lot of people dislike her not quite “white”, yet not quite “black” voice; her not quite “manly” yet not quite “womanly” voice, but it’s so powerful and versatile. This album reveals more of her funky, soulful style, and to great effect. My [...]

Music Meme

By Jen in Music No Comments Tags:

Stole this meme off someone’s blog! If someone new were in your car, what song on your player would you be quickest to skip out of embarrassment: Probably the Harry Potter soundtrack/s or Pussycat Dolls or something like that. Nah, I like whatever sounds good–and if my fellow passengers can’t get over that, then they [...]

Soundtrack Review: The Dark Knight by Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard

By Jen in Film, Music, Rating: 4.5 No Comments Tags: ,

Hehe, finally, I update with reviews! Just as The Dark Knight surpassed all expectations, so too has its music score—a remarkable creative achievement from the collaboration between two of Hollywood’s A-list composers, Hans Zimmer (Gladiator, The Last Samurai, The Da Vinci Code) and James Newton Howard (The Village, Blood Diamond, Signs). Where Batman Begins set [...]