Score: A Film Music Documentary (2017)

Very best movie i ever watch

One of my all time favorites.

Memorable, crazy movie

Great movie! If you want to be entertained and have a few good laughs, see this movie. The music is also very good,

Score is the sort of documentary that anyone with more than a passing interest in film can enjoy - financed partially by 1,870 backers it explores in real depth the process, the creation, the orchestration, engineering and history of the past 30 years in film.Score starts ambitiously, looking at movie scoring in the 30s, 40s, and 50s, before turning to the great composers of the 70s Jerry Goldsmith and John Williams. It then turns to look at more recent favourites. There are plenty of interviews and plenty of scores.However, the film is restricted by studio choices to only being able to use certain scores, and some of the really great film scores that one would love to know more about just aren't there. In particular, with the tragic death of James Horner, having only a two minute piece (a very good piece though) in the end credits is a real shame. I sat through the whole film waiting for the section on James Horner that simply isn't there.Again, it is a well-made and interesting insight to the world of film scoring and deserves viewing, but for this viewer by not being able to get all the studios to release their soundtracks at a minimal cost the film ends up focusing on only some of the great scores.

From opening on an altered piano used to score The Hurt Locker to hearing the live acoustics of Abbey Road Studios, Score: A Film Music Documentary takes us on an intriguing journey through the history, process, and personalities of film music. This vast ground is covered without feeling like a chaptered class lecture, and the composers, along with their scores, are presented with full freedom to shine on their own. Given that documentaries have recently seen a rise in popularity, it is always exciting to find those that break from the crowd; especially those which focus on a particular niche of an industry. It is easy for a niche documentary to become inaccessible to many audiences because of its disparity in common knowledge. Score, however, removes itself from this danger in two ways: first, by attaching composers' interviews to clips from numerous films that are very much in the public eye. For example, nearly everyone can relate to the "less is more" principle that is touched upon when put into the example of Jaws and it's unmistakable theme. Secondly, Score allows us to connect with the personable, quirky side of these composers rather than harping on their craft and process alone. Every composer becomes relatable. The authenticity of these composers grants us raw insight into their personal methods along with their insecurities. We see Hans Zimmer, the master of the modern film score (Gladiator, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Dark Knight), confess that he does not know where the inspiration for music comes from and that there is "always the fear that someone is going to switch off the tap" in his creative process. Meanwhile, on the lighter side, it is charming to follow Brian Tyler into the theater as he gets a kick out of observing audience members' reactions to his music. We get to be a fly on the wall to witness the genius of Steven Spielberg and John Williams as they create E.T.'s legendary score. We are ultimately given a wider, renewed appreciation for the musical aspects of the films we know and love.What the film boils down to, however, is what gave me the greatest spark of inspiration as a student composer: the recognition of film scoring as its own art form that requires its own special set of instincts for emotional translation through music. This notion was best revealed to me when Score examined President Barack Obama's victory speech in 2008 and the decision to play music from Remember the Titans in the background. The emotional impact of the score in its original film was so strong and memorable that it was deemed the best fit for a real-world event as significant as this presidential victory speech. Score convinces its audience that while we are not always aware of it, film music plays an essential role in the films we love and the feelings we walk away with afterwards.As a film score enthusiast and budding composer, Score was a complete thrill that seemed almost tailor-made to my dreams. It encompassed nearly every question I had wondered and supported my seemingly lonely doubts with a resounding "Me too!" from the world's greatest film composers. I have no doubt that this documentary will inform and inspire the industry's next generation. Prepare for the itch afterwards to rewatch your favorite films with a renewed ear for the score!

When I heard about this documentary, I was very interested in seeing it because I love the special features of DVD's and Blu-ray disks. Also, much of my music collection is movie soundtracks. The film was shown at the Calgary International Film Festival and this gave me the opportunity to not only see "Score: A Film Music Documentary" but also to meet director Matt Schrader and composer Christophe Beck. The film was very thorough on the subject. It presents the history and creation of film music in such a captivating way. I also loved how the film highlighted some of today's great film composers. As someone who already knew the value of a film score however, I wonder about the impact this movie would have on someone who took the musical score of a movie for granted. If it alters their perception, then as many people as possible should see "Score".

Score is a documentary that aims to highlight an important, yet often overlooked aspect of films: their soundtrack. The documentary takes the subject on mostly in chronological order, from early piano scores to the modern marrying of orchestral and electronic mediums. Along the way, the filmmakers interview film historians, directors, and the composers themselves. It really is amazing to witness how much emotional impact a film's score can have, down to little details like the volume of a french horn. Though I don't think I will ever truly understand how one creates this music, this is undoubtedly a worthwhile film for any movie-lover. My only disappointment is that the filmmakers were unable to interview the great John Williams (though he was covered extensively).