Showing posts with label Kevin Costner. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kevin Costner. Show all posts

Wednesday, 27 July 2011

Incredible Soundtrack #19: Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves (Kamen)

The music attached to a film creates the environment, I believe, moreso than the literal environment depicted through the visuals...

Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves was discussed only within the last year when Ridley Scotts versio of Robin Hood was released. One thing which Scott's version did not have - was a good soundtrack. Michael Kamen's score for Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves is immediately recognisable. Even now, prior to every Disney film, the theme rings over the Disney titles. Or at least all my Blu-Ray's start with this music.

1. Overture and a Prisoner of the Crusades - This is the song which is used in the Disney openings. In the film, it plays over a very slow pan across the Bayeux Tapestry. Wihtout music, it could appear boring and uninteresting ... but with this epic music it gives the 2D tapestry life and energy. As if history may appear flat and 2D, the reality is that it was filled with adventure and excitement. A brilliant start to the film.




7. Marian at the Waterfall - Back in 2002 I purchased a CD which included a broad range of tracks from Universal soundtracks. I vividly remember seeing this track 'from Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves' and, as I didn't have the soundtrack at the time, I was keen to have tracks from the soundtrack. It was not the song I thought, but a sweeter, sensitive version of the love theme from the film. The more I listened the more I enjoyed the almot-tudor sound to the music.




9. Everything I Do (I Do It For You) (Bryan Adams) - How many weeks was this at the Number #1 spot for? It spent sixteen weeks at the number #1 spot in the UK and it has been covered by artists including Hank Marvin, Henry Mancini, Brandy and Faith Hill and Katherine Jenkins. And The Wombats. A great song and, the original, played during the credits remains strong... but, personally, for a long time I got Kevin Costner and Bryan Adams mixed up.



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Tuesday, 15 March 2011

A-Z #56: Dances With Wolves

You can pick up hundreds of DVD's for a round-pound each - it doesn't matter. Its never about quantity, its about quality. A-Z is my way of going through my collection, from A-Z, and understanding why I own the films ... or you can tell me why I should sell 'em


#56 - Dances With Wolves 

Why did I buy it?

For many, many years I hated Dances with Wolves. In fairness, I hadn't seen it. But my reasoning was how it nabbed the Best Picture gong from Scorsese when he was nominated with Goodfellas. Real shame. But then I bit the bullet, purchased the triple-disc, and watched winner of the Academy Award for Best Picture, 1991: Dances with Wolves

Why do I still own it?
 
I have only watched it once and it was incredibly good. Kevin Costner has been mocked for many years - ever since Waterworld - Costner seems to be a bit of a joke. He has recently been cast as Superman's Dad in the upcoming Zack Snyder reboot of the man of steel and it is pretty incredible to know how great an actor - and director Costner is. There is nothing unpolished about this film - the scale and scope are captured gloriously in widescreen, showing vast vistas of buffalo and desert in Fort Sedgwick, Colorado.
 
I think, Avatar has alot to answer for and, what makes this film that much more refined, is the finale as Dunbar (Costner) does not 'win' or 'defeat' the enemy, but he decides to leave the tribe, knowing he has put them in danger. I doubt Jim Cameron could've been so brave with his Jake Sully (Worthington) who, easily enough, became not only of the Na'vi, but additionally, the best Na'vi there has ever been. 'Dances With Wolves' (Costner's tribe name) was good, but he was never 'the best' member of the Sioux tribe.
Should I sell it though?
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