Far be it from me to disagree with our staff, but I would hard-pressed to name 30 films from 2015 that I would consider among the “best” of the year.
The same can’t be said for film music, though. As predictable as each superhero template or franchise reboot may have been this year, composers keep finding new ways to reinvent the sounds of the cinema. Not to mention that the ever-widening landscape of VOD and streaming service-produced projects has increased the room with which artists can flex their musical chops.
2015 was an embarrassment of movie score riches. In indie horror gem Bone Tomahawk, Jeff Herriott & S. Craig Zahler inject hope and despair into a bleak, cannibal-stricken Wild West, where feeling anything is better than the unflinching mortality facing its characters. Patrick Doyle’s warmhearted Cinderella continued Disney’s tradition of attaching amazing scores to frivolous live-action do-overs, while on the other end of the spectrum,...
The same can’t be said for film music, though. As predictable as each superhero template or franchise reboot may have been this year, composers keep finding new ways to reinvent the sounds of the cinema. Not to mention that the ever-widening landscape of VOD and streaming service-produced projects has increased the room with which artists can flex their musical chops.
2015 was an embarrassment of movie score riches. In indie horror gem Bone Tomahawk, Jeff Herriott & S. Craig Zahler inject hope and despair into a bleak, cannibal-stricken Wild West, where feeling anything is better than the unflinching mortality facing its characters. Patrick Doyle’s warmhearted Cinderella continued Disney’s tradition of attaching amazing scores to frivolous live-action do-overs, while on the other end of the spectrum,...
- 1/3/2016
- by David Klein
- SoundOnSight
As Martin Scorsese once said, “Music and cinema fit together naturally. Because there’s a kind of intrinsic musicality to the way moving images work when they’re put together. It’s been said that cinema and music are very close as art forms, and I think that’s true.” Indeed, the right piece of music — whether it’s an original score or a carefully selected song — can do wonders for a sequence, and today we’re looking at the 35 films that best expressed this notion this year.
From seasoned composers (e.g. Ennio Morricone, John Williams, Carter Burwell, and Michael Giacchino) to accomplished musicians (e.g. Jonny Greenwood and Johnny Jewel), as well as a smattering of soundtracks (e.g. Mistress America, Magic Mike Xxl, and Tangerine), each musical example perfectly transported us to the world of the film. (It’s worth noting that we would include Paul Grimstad...
From seasoned composers (e.g. Ennio Morricone, John Williams, Carter Burwell, and Michael Giacchino) to accomplished musicians (e.g. Jonny Greenwood and Johnny Jewel), as well as a smattering of soundtracks (e.g. Mistress America, Magic Mike Xxl, and Tangerine), each musical example perfectly transported us to the world of the film. (It’s worth noting that we would include Paul Grimstad...
- 12/28/2015
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Either I’ve been staying on top of my homework or 2015 has been an exceptionally strong year for film scores already. From blockbuster disappointments to indie oddities and mindless action sequels, film music has once again shown it can transcend its respective dreck just as much as it can enhance the cinematic experience. With film festival season on the horizon, let’s check in with the best movie music of the year:
8. Chappie — Hans Zimmer, Steve Mazzaro, Andrew Kawczynski
Neil Blomkamp’s movies seem to be getting worse, but Hans Zimmer’s sensibilities are getting more exotic and daring. Course-correcting from the massive publicity stunt that was The Amazing Spider-man 2, the master of bombast continues to experiment with digital textures, recruiting pupils Kawczyksnki and Mazzaro for a score that humanizes and contextualizes the childish perspective of its Robocop with a heart of gold.
“It’s a Dangerous City” introduces...
8. Chappie — Hans Zimmer, Steve Mazzaro, Andrew Kawczynski
Neil Blomkamp’s movies seem to be getting worse, but Hans Zimmer’s sensibilities are getting more exotic and daring. Course-correcting from the massive publicity stunt that was The Amazing Spider-man 2, the master of bombast continues to experiment with digital textures, recruiting pupils Kawczyksnki and Mazzaro for a score that humanizes and contextualizes the childish perspective of its Robocop with a heart of gold.
“It’s a Dangerous City” introduces...
- 7/22/2015
- by David Klein
- SoundOnSight
David and Nathan Zellner started making films together when they were kids, acting in their own home movies shot on camcorder. "I think that's what first got is interested in making films is wanting to perform," says David, director and co-star of their new feature Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter. It premiered at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival (where it won a Special Jury Prize for the score by The Octopus Project), was picked up for distribution by Amplify and has made stops at Fantasia and Nextfest this summer. It's not their first feature—they've made four previous feature-length productions if you count a film they made right out college (it's not available and they don't even include it on IMDb), and that doesn't take into account the many short films they've made in between—but it is poised to be their break-out film. Based on an urban legend of a Japanese...
- 3/22/2015
- Keyframe
David and Nathan Zellner started making films together when they were kids, acting in their own home movies shot on camcorder. "I think that's what first got is interested in making films is wanting to perform," says David, director and co-star of their new feature Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter. It premiered at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival (where it won a Special Jury Prize for the score by The Octopus Project), was picked up for distribution by Amplify and has made stops at Fantasia and Nextfest this summer. It's not their first feature—they've made four previous feature-length productions if you count a film they made right out college (it's not available and they don't even include it on IMDb), and that doesn't take into account the many short films they've made in between—but it is poised to be their break-out film. Based on an urban legend of a Japanese...
- 3/22/2015
- Fandor: Keyframe
The Zellner Brothers latest film, "Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter" doesn't hit theaters for another couple weeks. To prepare you for the film we're premiering two exclusive tracks off the soundtrack -- "Bunzo" and "Hotel Clock" -- which was produced by the indie electronic band The Octopus Project. "Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter" follows a Japanese woman named Kumiko who, after finding a copy of the film "Fargo" on VHS and mistaking it for a documentary, sets out on a journey to recover the stolen cash that Steve Buscemi's character, Carl, buries in the ground. Amplify will release "Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter" in theaters on March 18. In the mean time, you can listen to the atmospheric tracks below. You can pre-order the soundtrack here. Read More: Trailer for 'Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter' Takes 'Fargo' At Face Value...
- 2/23/2015
- by Travis Clark
- Indiewire
Kumiko the Treasure Hunter is an excellent, slightly strange film about a young Japanese woman who comes to the United States in search of treasure. Part of the film’s success can be attributed to the score, created by The Octopus Project out of Austin, TX. This is the band’s second collaboration with filmmakers Nathan and David Zellner, and the […]
The post Exclusive: Hear Two Tracks From the ‘Kumiko the Treasure Hunter’ Score appeared first on /Film.
The post Exclusive: Hear Two Tracks From the ‘Kumiko the Treasure Hunter’ Score appeared first on /Film.
- 2/23/2015
- by Russ Fischer
- Slash Film
★★★★☆ A quirky modern folktale from the Zellner brothers, Kumiko, The Treasure Hunter (2014) is not only a testament to the transcendental powers of the imagination, but to filmmaking itself. After mysteriously unearthing a VHS of Fargo (1996), Kumiko (Rinko Kikuchi) becomes increasingly obsessed with the scene in which Steve Buschemi buries a suitcase of stolen cash near Brainerd, Minnesota. Thus she embarks on an actual and metaphysical quest for buried treasure that puzzles and compels with its pervasive unreality. Although our heroine refuses to speak till quite late in the film, thanks to Kikuchi's expressive visual cues and a seething soundscape by The Octopus Project, she doesn't have to.
- 2/17/2015
- by CineVue UK
- CineVue
Looking forward to SXSW 2015 already? Here's your first taste of the musical lineup. Jessie Ware (watch her "Say You Love Me" video below), The Dodos and Ben Kweller are just a few of the better-known artists who have been announced for the festival, which will take place in Austin, Texas from March 13-22 (the music portion is slated for March 17-22). Check out the full preliminary list of artists below, and stay tuned for updates as more names are announced. Agoraphobia (Boiro Spain) Agosto (Buenos Aires Argentina) Alvvays (Toronto Canada) Angus & Julia Stone (Sydney Australia) Babes (New Orleans La) Baby In Vain (Copenhagen Denmark) Lee Bains III & the Glory Fires (Birmingham Al) Ballet School (Berlin Germany) Ball Park Music (Sydney Australia) The Barberettes (Seoul South Korea) Courtney Barnett (Melbourne Australia) James Bay (Hitchin UK-england) Be Forest (Pesaro Italy) Big Phony (Seoul South Korea) Bishop Nehru (New York NY) Blacklist Royals...
- 10/22/2014
- by Chris Eggertsen
- Hitfix
David and Nathan Zellner started making films together when they were kids, acting in their own home movies shot on camcorder. "I think that's what first got is interested in making films is wanting to perform," says David, director and co-star of their new feature Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter. It premiered at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival (where it won a Special Jury Prize for the score by The Octopus Project), was picked up for distribution by Amplify and has made stops at Fantasia and Nextfest this summer. It's not their first feature—they've made four previous feature-length productions if you count a film they made right out college (it's not available and they don't even include it on IMDb), and that doesn't take into account the many short films they've made in between—but it is poised to be their break-out film. Based on an urban legend of a Japanese...
- 9/3/2014
- Fandor: Keyframe
David and Nathan Zellner started making films together when they were kids, acting in their own home movies shot on camcorder. "I think that's what first got is interested in making films is wanting to perform," says David, director and co-star of their new feature Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter. It premiered at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival (where it won a Special Jury Prize for the score by The Octopus Project), was picked up for distribution by Amplify and has made stops at Fantasia and Nextfest this summer. It's not their first feature—they've made four previous feature-length productions if you count a film they made right out college (it's not available and they don't even include it on IMDb), and that doesn't take into account the many short films they've made in between—but it is poised to be their break-out film. Based on an urban legend of a Japanese...
- 9/3/2014
- Keyframe
From the very moment David Zellner’s poignant drama Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter begins, the talented young filmmaker is playing with our perceptions, implementing a “this is a based on a true story” credit, only to then proceed into a fantastical, surrealistic universe of sorts, where, ironically, our titular character falls for that very same impression, taking the Coen brothers masterpiece Fargo on face value.
Rinko Kikuchi plays Kumiko, an introverted youngster, fed up of working in a dead-end job for a boss who undervalues her, and a mother who wants nothing more than to find her a husband. However Kumiko finds some hope in the form of a videotape, as she discovers a battered copy of Fargo buried under the sand. Unaware it’s a Hollywood production, she becomes transfixed by the scene when the briefcase of money is hidden in the snow, convinced it’s genuine treasure, still to be uncovered.
Rinko Kikuchi plays Kumiko, an introverted youngster, fed up of working in a dead-end job for a boss who undervalues her, and a mother who wants nothing more than to find her a husband. However Kumiko finds some hope in the form of a videotape, as she discovers a battered copy of Fargo buried under the sand. Unaware it’s a Hollywood production, she becomes transfixed by the scene when the briefcase of money is hidden in the snow, convinced it’s genuine treasure, still to be uncovered.
- 2/6/2014
- by Stefan Pape
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
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