Art of the Modern Musical Credit Sequence

The right musical accompaniment at just the right moment can elevate even the most powerful endings over the top and right into the forefront of the mental queue every time. And sometimes having a great piece of music spliced in at just the right moment can take even the most mediocre of cinematic flairs into the back of the human brain, giving them ample opportunity for memory. Though it would all be for not, in my opinion, if they didn't have the right graphical makeup to bring it all together. However, in this day of copycat cinema, I'm more than willing to accept something that's just beautiful, or over the top fun. So, for your listening enjoyment, amusement, or in some cases frustration, I give you some of my favorite credit sequences from the last few years:

Note: Some spoilers lay ahead - enter at your own risk

There are quite a few others I would include but simply couldn't find good videos for them. They include Extreme Ways for Bourne Ultimatum, Into the West for Return of the King, and Jai Ho for Slumdog Millionaire, among others.

So, what are some of your favorite music + credit title combos of the last few years?

Tunes For a Desert Island

Bad things happen when you're trapped on a desert island. You begin talking to a volleyball, get stuck with your sworn enemy with whom you share no common language, fall in love with Brooke Shields, run into polar bears, and of course the inevitable clash with Michael Emerson. However, all of that happens later. Right now you're still smoking from the explosion, you've got a limp, and are weighing your udder distaste for seafood against the possibility of this island lacking a Steak n' Snake or Pizza Hut. Tough times lay ahead. So what do you need? The right CD to carry you onward. Without it, all you'll find your stay quite an uncomfortable one. However by some incalculable odds of fate, the on CD that survives this whole ordeal happens to contain 12 tracks, all from movie soundtracks. It's almost like this scenario is entirely hypothetical. As if, happened to me just the other day. Thank god I was rescued by those... I think they called themselves 'Somali Pirates' or something like that. We're still working out some of the 'kinks' in the conversation but I think it's going rather well.

I'm rambling, aren't I? I suppose you're there just thinking 'shut up and tell me your 12 tracks.' Fine. Here they are.

1. Cast Away, End Credits by Alan Silvestri - Cast Away
- Because I'm a sucker for irony


2. Superfly by Curtis Mayfield - Superfly
- Because it's Curtis F*@(!#*@ Mayfield and Superfly!


3. Mrs. Robinson by Simon and Garfunkel - The Graduate
- Do you even know me? I would go crazy without a bit of Simon and Garfunkel!
LISTEN HERE

4. The Blue Danube Waltz by Johan Strauss - 2001: A Space Odyssey
- Oh Johan Strauss, you devil you. True pioneer of aviation.


5. Tiny Dancer by Elton John - Almost Famous
- Any chance I can call in a substitution on Brooke Shields for Kate Hudson?
LISTEN HERE!

6. I Believe by Stevie Wonder - High Fidelity
- Simply put, I love this song.
LISTEN HERE!

7. Eye of the Tiger by Survivor - Rocky III
- For those days when I feel like working out like a boss.
LISTEN HERE!

8. Ecstasy of Gold by Ennio Morricone - The Good, The Bad and the Ugly
- I would marry this entire soundtrack, let alone this tune!


9. The Untouchables Main Theme by Ennio Morricone - The Untouchables
- You always double down on Ennio Morricone - universal rule.


10. New Slang by The Shins - Garden State
- Wait, it is a requirement to have at least one song from Garden State, right?


11. Gondola No Uta by Takashi Shimura - Ikiru
- For those moments of great introspection and sadness. I'll accept this one might be a bit of a cheat since they never really did soundtracks, but I'm willing to stand by it.


12. Into the West by Annie Lennox - Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
- Perfect capping off for any journey, no matter what.

Thank you for going on this journey with me. Be sure you check out all the lists over at Anomalous Material!

20 Best Film Scores of the 2000's

When it comes to things I love about movies, the musical scores the accompany films always ranks among my most beloved factors. Their ability to make or break a scene, build or crush a world, it's just mind blowing and amazing. And, while so many musical scores have become streamlined in recent years for big budget action films, I would like to take the time to point out those that helped defined this past decade. The ones that most attach themselves to my particular tastes. So, sit back, hit the play button and just enjoy these works of musical art.

Get your ears ready and continue on!

Each selection is accompanied by a select piece representing not only my favorite part, but much of the varying tones the scores encompassed (when possible).

So, here they are without further ado!

Unbreakable, Composed By: James Newton Howard
Selected Piece - Visions


Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Composed By: Tan Dun
Selected Piece - Silk Road


Road to Perdition, Composed By: Thomas Newman
Selected Piece - Cathedral


Catch Me if You Can, Composed By: John Williams
Selected Piece - Catch Me if You Can


Up, Composed By: Michael Giacchino
Selected Piece - Married Life


Sunshine, Composed By: John Murphy
Selected Piece - Surface of the Sun


WALL-E, Composed By: Thomas Newman
Selected Piece - Define Dancing:


In Bruges, Composed By: Carter Burwell
Selected Piece - Shootout:


Requiem for a Dream, Composed By: Clint Mansell
Selected Piece - Requiem for a Dream


Gladiator, Composed By: Hans Zimmer
Selected Piece - Now We are Free:


The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, Composed By: Howard Shore
Selected Piece - Return of the King


Apocalytpo, Composed By: James Horner
Selected Piece - The Story Teller's Dream


The Dark Knight, Composed By: Hans Zimmer
Selected Piece - Agent of Chaos


Bubba Ho-Tep, Composed By: Brian Tyler
Selected Piece - All is Well


3:10 to Yuma, Composed By: Marco Beltrami
Selected Piece - Chinese Democracy



V for Vendetta, Composed By: Dario Marianelli
Selected Piece - The Red Diary


Amelie, Composed By: Yann Tiersen
Selected Piece - La Valse D'Amelie (Piano)


The Fountain, Composed By: Clint Mansell
Selected Piece - Together We Will Live Forever


The Assassination of Jesse James..., Composed By: Nick Cave & Warren Ellis
Selected Piece - Song for Bob


Cast Away, Composed By: Alan Silvestri
Selected Piece - Main Theme (End Credits)



Alrighty, that about wraps it up, hope you enjoyed my selections. No matter what you think of the 2000's, there was some amazing scores produced that decade. To be honest, this list could go on to 100, but I had to draw the line somewhere!