I Heart Soundtracks

When I was about 14 years old, I bought my first soundtrack.  My mom, sister, and I were on our way to Tennessee to visit a family friend.  For the trip, mom let us buy a CD each.  For some reason, Lexia and I decided we wanted to buy soundtracks.  She got "Braveheart," and I got "The Last of the Mohicans."  Immediately after listening to them, Lexia said, "Yours is better."  And at the time, maybe it was.  It had a few songs that were more thrilling, anyway.*  I think now, though, Lexia and I would agree wholeheartedly that "Braveheart" is the stronger soundtrack of the two.  In fact, I think it's the best I've ever heard.  After listening to it recently, I was thinking about my favorite soundtracks -- the ones I listen to over and over and over again -- and of course I decided to blog about it.  So without further ado, here are my top soundtrack picks.  (I'm only including original motion picture soundtracks in this list.)

1. Braveheart, James Horner
2. Little Women, Thomas Newman
3. Meet Joe Black, Thomas Newman
4. Chocolat, Rachel Portman
5. Mansfield Park, Lesley Barber

Honorable Mention: The Last of the Mohicans, Legends of the Fall, In America

And finally, two of my most favorite soundtracks that are instrumental, but not original scores:

• Amadeus
  In today's world, it could be called "Mozart's Greatest Hits."
• The Pianist
  Janusz Olejniczak's performs Chopin beautifully.

*I'm specifically thinking of The Kiss.  What a great song.  I defy anyone who doesn't like it.


Thing I'm thankful for: motion-picture composers.  Truly.  I'm convinced that at least half of the emotional impact of a movie is the music.