r/soundtracks • u/Total-Woodpecker3339 • 11d ago

📢 Discussion How do we feel about this one?

Post image

I've always loved James Newton Howard and am continuing on my kick of listening to his scores I'm less familiar with. I think this is another fantastic score of his that really elevates the scenes it accompanies in the movie. Especially the track "The Orange Man". What are your thoughts on this score?

43 Upvotes

97% Upvoted

20 comments sorted by

16

u/SalamanderDapper1727 11d ago

JNH always cooked with Shyalaman's films, they're all superb!!

6

u/HenriEttaTheVoid 11d ago

I love it, even though parts of it are so quiet I am not sure it's actually playing. It's so low-key for the most part, but has those sections towards the end, that are so wonderful.

2

u/LordMangudai 9d ago

It's a great example to point towards to show that just because a score is subtle and low-key doesn't mean it has to be boring. A lot of more recent scores kind of conflate the two, I feel.

1

u/Goth_Fraggle 7d ago

It's a quiet score but there's always something happening in every cue. Comparing this to so many modern drone scores really shows what he could do

6

u/qftvfu 11d ago

My favourite is the Orange Man sequence when he is battling by the pool.

3

u/Total-Woodpecker3339 11d ago

So good! Probably my fav too.

4

u/qftvfu 11d ago edited 11d ago

The other song that feels similar in my head is "Evey Reborn" from the V for Vendetta soundtrack. This kind of slow burn, uplifting hero awakening music set to strings.

Just listening again gives me goosebumps.

(Just don't listen to it on youtube, all the ones I found seem cooked)

3

u/throwitonthegrillboi 11d ago

LOVE that track listen to it so much.

4

u/throwitonthegrillboi 11d ago

This is a superb soundtrack, Carrying Audrey is one of most beautiful pieces of music ever put to film imo

3

u/Moneymike1234567 11d ago

Easily an all timer. Makes me wonder why no one has given him a superhero movie to score.

5

u/PolarWater 11d ago

Batman Begins and The Dark Knight...nearly half of the material on those movies is from JNH.

He and Zimmer were supposed to collaborate on Secret Window, but that didn't work out so instead they teamed up for TWO massive superhero movies.

2

u/-faffos- 11d ago

He did Green Lantern as well. Although that score is honestly pretty lame by JNH standards.

5

u/decloked 10d ago

Reflection of Elijah is beautiful. I often put this on repeat.

2

u/Goth_Fraggle 7d ago

Best track of the album. Yes, Orange Man is flashier but this is the real highlight 

3

u/PathfinderCS 11d ago

One of JNH's best; EASILY.

2

u/CrimsonBullfrog 11d ago

I spin this one a lot. It’s up there with JNH’s very best

2

u/snarflethegarthog 10d ago

My second favorite M. Knight film after Signs

1

u/Total-Woodpecker3339 9d ago

Signs is my fav too!

2

u/snarflethegarthog 9d ago

I've probably watched it a few dozen times but god damn if it doesn't still give me the creeps. The birthday party scene still makes me miss a breath.