Not so easy listening: Film scores that move and inspire

Film still from the movie Amelie

I was listening to Pandora the other day and came across this fantastic Italian pianist, Ludovico Einaudi, whose moving compositions could make for a great film score.  The song, A Fuoco, conjures feelings of mystery and mourning yet a bit of promise and is ever-so romantic.  I imagine it could compliment a story of war and lost love. It seems my favorite film scores come from those type of stories.

On Love:

The score in the stunning French film Amelie comes to mind. When listening to L’Valse D’Amelie, I’m immediately transported to Paris, France, where I’m working in eccentric cafe in Montmarte, wearing polka dotted dresses and scheming ways to bring happiness to others . The bitter loss of a loved one and the path to understanding death is so beautifully told through Clint Mansell’s Death is the Road to Awe from Darren Aronofsky’s artful film the The Fountain. It’s notable to mention that Mansell is also the genius behind the Requiem for a Dream score.

On War:

And on the subject of war, there’s Erroll Morris’ beautiful film Fog of War, which is ever-so perfectly highlighted by the compositions of the prolific and talented Phillip Glass. 67 Cities expresses the complexities of war yet also the profound loss of life in Vietnam. Glass’ Metamorphosis 1 may just be my favorite song of all time.  The Betrayal (Nerkhoon) is the most meaningful documentary I’ve seen on the human condition and the lasting effects of war.  The film’s score by Howard Shore is as layered and moving as the subject it carries.

This year’s Oscar-nominated scores:

This clip has a collection of this year’s Oscar nominated film scores from How to Train Your Dragon, 127 Hours, Inception, The King’s Speech, and The Social Network, whose score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross ultimately took home the Oscar.

It has to be said that music, just like movies, has the ability to transport you to another place, to move you and inspire you, explaining human emotions that words often fail to do. When images and music are working in tandem, the result is profound. What are your favorite film scores?