Tag Archives: Ennio Morricone

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Song of the Day #5,592: ‘The Thing Main Theme’ – Ennio Morricone

Like all sci-fi films, Sci-Fi Horror movies depict incredible circumstances that are tied to scientific advancements or alien technology. They depict things that could happen, in the future or an alternate version of the present.

Often, these films toe the line between horror and action, and the distinguishing question is how much they seek to scare as well as thrill the viewer.

One of the best-loved films in this sub-genre is Ridley Scott’s 1979 Alien, a thrilling, claustrophobic monster movie that confines its action to a manned spaceship. Scott dials up the tension and dread until the titular Xenomorph makes a memorable entrance through the chest cavity of an unlucky crew member. Once the creature reaches full size, the film becomes a showdown between the alien and Sigourney Weaver’s Ellen Ripley, one of cinema’s great heroes.

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Song of the Day #4,608: ‘On Earth As It Is In Heaven’ – Ennio Morricone

Happy Valentine’s Day, readers, but more important, Happy Birthday to my daughter Fiona, who turns 15 today.

This is a Random Weekend, so I get to spin the wheel and see if the Random iTunes Fairy can serve up something appropriate for the occasion.

Let’s give it a whirl…

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Song of the Day #2,031: ‘Vita Nostra’ – The Mission Soundtrack (Ennio Morricone)

missionEnnio Morricone’s soundtrack to The Mission was one of the first instrumental soundtrack I ever owned (second only to Star Wars, I think) and remains one of the few in my collection.

While the movie has faded in my memory, this music has stayed with me for decades. The haunting ‘Gabriel’s Oboe’ melody, which shares space in this cut with the chanted vocals, is one of my favorite pieces of music ever.

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Song of the Day #459: ‘Gabriel’s Oboe’ – Ennio Morricone

missionI have a philosophical objection to movie soundtracks. It traces back to my album fixation… I feel that if you’re introduced to some new songs you like via a movie soundtrack, it’s your responsibility to seek out those songs from the original source. Movie soundtracks are just a step above greatest hits collections in my book.

But I do have exceptions. And this week I’ll highlight a handful of songs from film soundtracks I’ve owned over the years.

The distinction I make between a worthy soundtrack and an unworthy one is this: a good soundtrack is not really about the songs, it’s about the movie.

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