Based on Books

Based on Books

Sit back, relax, and listen to a curated set list of cues from films that are based on books.

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Based on Books
  • Ep. 109 - Wojciech Kilar's 'Bram Stoker's Dracula'

    Did you know that was the only Dracula film to ever win Oscars? To us, this version of Dracula is our absolute favorite. Nothing tops Gary Oldman's version of this character and without question, Kilar's score is genius. From the costume design, Makeup, Art Direction, and Cinematography, the musi...

  • Ep. 104 - Krzysztof Komeda's 'Rosemary's Baby'

    To kick off the first week of October and our spooky Snapshot series this month in preparation for one of our favorite holidays, who can forget this iconic film? Interestingly, the lullaby you hear in this title credit sequence is the song 'Sleep Safe and Warm', which was composed by Komeda and a...

  • Ep. 103 - Robert Aiki Aubrey Lowe's 'Candyman'

    Who can question the genius of Jordan Peele? He has continued to re-define the horror genre, and the sequel to the 1992 film of the same name is nothing short of brilliant. The unique blend of social commentary with horror makes it one of the top films we've seen this year. The score, composed by...

  • Ep. 98 - Alan Silvestri's 'Ready Player One'

    There is no question that Alan Silvestri's score to Spielberg's 'Ready Player One' is one of our favorites. From referencing his own music from 'Back to the Future', to quoting music written by Max Steiner, Wendy Carlos, and Akira Ifukube, the three cues featured in this scene are an example of t...

  • Ep. 97 - Thomas Newman's 'Lemony Snicket's a Series of Unfortunate Events'

    We love featuring any score by Thomas Newman, and in this Snapshot we are showcasing his work to 'Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events' - the 2004 adventure film directed by Brad Silberling. This scene comes near the end of the film, where three orphans open a letter from their parents...

  • Ep. 96 - John Williams' 'Jurassic Park'

    Nobody can question that the score to 'Jurassic Park' is one of the most beloved and iconic of John Williams' career. The unforgettable 'Jurassic Park Theme' can be heard in this snapshot to which Williams himself stated that it was an attempt "to capture the awesome beauty and sublimity of the d...

  • Ep. 93 - Thomas Newman's 'Jarhead'

    In today's snapshot, we are highlighting another film in the Thomas Newman/Sam Mendes relationship, 'Jarhead'. Based on U.S. Marine Anthony Swofford's 2003 memoir of the same name, and shot by the incredible Roger Deakins, Newman's work is once again beautifully matched by striking imagery and sy...

  • Ep. 95 - Alan Silvestri's 'Contact'

    Where to watch: https://letterboxd.com/film/contact/
    Listen to the score: https://open.spotify.com/album/45xaa9SptbRpIrAd8KE5Ti?si=JqwPqvSWSrCVitsjTlC3TA&dl_branch=1
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    Every Monday and Wednesday, SCORE CUE SNAPSHOTS brings you iconic scenes married to the corresponding score cue without dialogue...

  • Ep. 94 - John Williams' 'Memoirs of a Geisha'

    Where to Watch: https://letterboxd.com/film/memoirs-of-a-geisha/
    Listen to the score: https://open.spotify.com/album/4wcOu3JLqjWjcFpMwKS69C?si=uofEun7bRIWJSYT-4HlY8g&dl_branch=1
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    Every Monday and Wednesday, SCORE CUE SNAPSHOTS brings you iconic scenes married to the corresponding score cue with...

  • Ep. 91 - Patrick Doyle's 'A Little Princess'

    It is no secret that Patrick Doyle is one of our absolute favorite composers, and we love the score to 'A Little Princess', the 1995 film directed by the great Alfonso Cuarón. The score is filled with so many great cues, it was difficult to pick just one. The mix of western and eastern motifs com...

  • Ep. 90 - Bono & Gavin Friday's 'In The Name of the Father'

    There are some films that grip you from the first frame because of either the imagery, sound, or a combination of the two. This is one of those films.

    'In The Name of the Father' ranks as one of our favorite films from the 90's with incredible performances by Daniel Day-Lewis, Pete Postlethwaite...

  • Ep. 89 - Leonard Bernstein's 'West Side Story'

    Inspired by 'Romeo & Juliet', 'West Side Story' is nearly a perfect film in its craftsmanship between sound & image, and tells a deeply moving story as two cultures collide in New York City. The entire beginning is shot entirely with music, dance, little dialogue, and in our minds is one of the m...

  • Ep. 88 - Rodgers & Hammerstein's 'The Sound of Music'

    Where to watch: https://letterboxd.com/film/the-sound-of-music/

    Listen to the score: https://open.spotify.com/album/6p9jUvfQvXHAzStDArgYj5?si=Prl_gfuyQ2SOnQcLMm47zQ&dl_branch=1
    --
    Every Monday and Wednesday, SCORE CUE SNAPSHOTS brings you iconic scenes married to the corresponding score cue wit...

  • Ep. 86 - Leslie Bricusse & Anthony Newley's Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory

    "Pure Imagination", sung by the great Gene Wilder (who played the character of Willy Wonka), was composed by Leslie Bricusse & Anthony Newley, who both were also nominated for an Oscar for Best Original Score for the film.

    It is without question that this film stands on its own as one of the be...

  • Ep. 85 - Trevor Jones & Randy Edelman's 'The Last of the Mohicans'

    For this snapshot, we decided to publish a cue similar to "Promontory" on the original release. Interestingly, director Michael Mann asked Trevor Jones to provide an electronic score for the film, but it was decided late in production that an orchestral score would be more appropriate. Randy Edel...

  • Ep. 69 - James Horner's 'Patriot Games'

    This is our second Score Cue Snapshot featuring a film directed by Phillip Noyce (the first being "Clear and Present Danger")! Circling around the political turbulence of the IRA, Horner pools in some very unique Irish overtones throughout the score, including the all-too-famous "Theme from Harry...

  • Ep. 65 - Basil Poledouris' 'The Hunt for Red October'

    "Some things in here don't react well to bullets."

    The 1990 John McTiernan film is one of our top favorite movies ever, with an incredible score composed by Basil Poledouris. The film was actually honored at the Academy Awards for Best Sound Editing, Best Sound Mixing, and Best Film Editing.

    I...

  • Ep. 57 - Junip's 'The Secret Life of Walter Mitty'

    "The Life of Walter Mitty" is all about the "quintessence of life”, and taking the courageous leap to become the person you've always wanted to be. With a fun score by Theodore Shapiro, the soundtrack also features Junip a.k.a José González performing a variety of songs throughout that are heartw...

  • Ep. 51 - James Horner's 'Clear and Present Danger'

    Enjoy this score cue from Phillip Noyce's 1994 political action-thriller, Clear and Present Danger. We absolutely love Horner's work on the Jack Ryan series, and it is truly great that an expanded two-disc collector's edition was released in 2013 by Intrada (which is now very difficult to find!)....

  • Ep. 52 - John Cale's 'American Psycho'

    There is no question that 'American Psycho' is controversial for a variety of reasons, however the music is what we are most interested in. While the regular soundtrack features a variety of hits from artists like David Bowie, The Cure, and New Order, and Huey Lewis and the News, John Cale's subt...

  • Ep. 45 - Howard Shore's 'The Hobbit: An Unpexpected Journey' (4K HDR)

    Composed, orchestrated, conducted and produced by Howard Shore, this majestic score was performed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra, London voices and Tiffin' Boys Choir and featured several vocal soloists. 'Over Hill' was one of the few cues that were completely new from The Hobbit film serie...

  • Ep. 44 - Dario Marianelli's 'Pride & Prejudice'

    From the 2005 film directed by Joe Wright, Italian composer Dario Marianelli wrote the score with Jean-Yves Thibaudet performing the piano solos accompanied by the English Chamber Orchestra.

    Interestingly, early piano sonatas composed by Beethoven 'became a point of reference' for Marianelli, wi...

  • Ep. 26 - Thomas Newman's 'Revolutionary Road'

    Ever since Newman composed 'American Beauty' for Sam Mendes' first feature film in 1999, their continued collaboration has been a true gift. There is something unique about Mendes, as he's able to capture incredible character moments while also using the simple tools of cinema to accentuate scene...

  • Ep. 23 - Vangelis' 'Blade Runner' (4K UHD)

    There is no question that the film and the score for Ridley Scott's 1982 movie 'Blade Runner' are both equal masterpieces in their own right. The soundtrack is a dark melodic combination of synth and classic composition which was nominated for a BAFTA and Golden Globe for best original score. To ...