In Memory of My Cousins Grandfather

Whether it's someone close to you or someone close to your friends and family, no words can express the loss of a loved one.  I have been through the passing of hundreds of people and they say it's the circle of life but it never gets easy.  For every day you wake up, never forget those around you.  Cherish them and create happy memories with them. Their bodies may wear out and fade over time but the memories will forever remain with you.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year!  No resolutions but to be who I am and appreciate those who make me a better person every day.

In Time - Craig Armstrong

I haven't seen the movie yet, but with Craig Armstrong composing, I had to check out the score.

Favorite: Track #08 -  08 - Waking Up in Time

Pearl Harbor - Hans Zimmer

Franklin D. Roosevelt: "...December 7th 1947... a date that will live in infamy..."

This is definitely a date that should not be forgotten. The movie is typical Hollywood, but it depicts the massive destruction and casualties that occured on that fateful day. I originally saw the 1st teaser trailer for Pearl Harbor in the theater and it captivated me. The teaser trailer integrated the beginning portion of FDR's speech and had the score from Hans Zimmers A Thin Red Line. Unfortunately the teaser was pulled due to issues with using the score from A Thin Red Line.  Never forget the men and women of our armed forces protecting us.

Favorite: Track #03 - Brothers

Listen to Your Heart - Kent Moran

"Music's a powerful thing. A song can change your mood. Make a memory. One song can change your whole life."  Such a true statement from the movie.  Music can resonate so many emotions that you're feeling.  I originally saw this movie on the Lifetime channel. (Definitely not a channel that I normally watch)  The music captivated me from the start.  Kent Moran starred as Danny in the movie and also composed the soundtrack and score.

The movie touches upon a variety of things.  Danny buys a paper everyday from a guy on a street corner yet he doesn't read the paper and ends up throwing it away at the end of the day.  His reason?  He likes the guy that sells them.  No one likes buying a paper from someone like him, they'd rather buy it at a store... at the end of the day it's the same paper.  It's the little things that a person does that can have a profound affect on others.

There are 23 tracks on the album.  The first seven tracks are vocal music while the remaining 16 tracks is score.  The score is comprised mainly of piano and strings.  Many of the tracks are short which is somewhat of a tease as it makes you wanting more.  The feel of the score to me feels like you're reminiscing.  I would have never came across Kent Moran had I not seen the movie.  Glad I didn't change the channel that day.

Favorite: Track #09 - Café Dinner

August Rush - Mark Mancina

"The music is all around us. All you have to do is listen" August Rush was a movie about an orphaned boy gifted with musical talent looking for his parents. He composes music which he hopes to bring his parents back to him. Mark Mancina composes August's Rhapsody which fits perfectly for the grand finale of the movie. It's something that I wish Michael Kamen would have done for the grand finale of Mr. Holland's Opus. That was a score that didn't really catch my ear.  The ending music for that movie was just a let down.  It's possible because it was more classical music sounding.

Favorite: Track #10 - August's Rhapsody

Vangelis - 1492 - Conquest of Paradise

I think this is the only score that I have composed by Vangelis.  He's probably best known for the Chariots of Fire theme.

Favorite: Track #02 - Conquest of Paradise

The Pacific - Hans Zimmer

To all the men and women in our armed forces on this Veterans day and every day... THANK YOU! So many people go through their daily lives more concerned of petty problems, they don't realize that you are out there protecting our freedoms.  I don't think anyone reads this blog, but  I want to make sure that your duty in the armed forces does not go unnoticed.

Special thanks goes out to Big Jake and Frost Sphere.

Favorite: Track #18 - Dear Vera

The Cider House Rules - Rachel Portman

Everyone has to go out into the world to experience things to find oneself... and sometimes things come full circle.

Favorite: Track #16 - Homer Returns To The Orphanage

I Am Legend - James Newton Howard

The movie was interesting.  Sometimes you try to do what's best for humanity... yet sometimes you're blinded by the repercussions. CGI is nice in some movies, but sometimes they over do it and it just makes the movie look fake.  The score is reflective and haunting.

Favorite: Track #06 - Sam's Gone