The Power of Movie Soundtracks and Scores

     Movie soundtracks and scores may not be the top music on MP3′s and iPods, but it is one of the most powerful ways to recall memories of a movie and/or a particular scene.   

     After a film ends, I like to listen to the end credits.  The credits always contain the best parts of a score composed into one perfect song.  Each song makes me remember that perfect fight scene or that one moment the hero(es) saved the day.

     Who can’t listen to the Raider’s March, also know as the Indiana Jones theme song, and not picture Harrison Ford running from a boulder, cracking a whip, or the famous map scene with the red line showing the distance traveled? 

     What about listening to the Back to the Future theme song?  Do you automatically imagine Marty McFly driving the Delorean trying to reach 88 mph?  Can you see the lightning bolt striking the clock tower? 

     How about one of my favorites, the Superman theme?  I can see the late Christopher Reeve running down the street revealing the “S” under his shirt then soaring through the sky of Metropolis as Superman. 

     While watching a movie, the score of the film can also add excitement to a scene or make you feel its sadness.  The beginning of Star Trek (2009) was a powerful scene due to Michael Giacchino’s Labor of Love score.  The beginning may have been an action scene, but the score reminded you of its intended sadness.

     A lot of remakes of earlier films are hitting theaters.  A great way to link the remake to the original film is to incorporate the original theme song.  It doesn’t have to be the same, but a mild tweak can still give tribute to the original film and its creators.

     Whether people realize or not, a movie soundtrack or score leaves a lasting impression that remains longer than your average music.  I only hope people learn to appreciate it more.

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

     The Pirates of the Caribbean franchise has been a huge hit for Disney.  I’ve seen all three films, but believe the first Pirates of the Caribbean movie was the best of the bunch. 

     The first film provided simple yet entertaining action scenes and comedic moments while introducing us to new characters including the famous Captain Jack Sparrow played by Johnny Depp.  The film also introduced Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean ride to those who have never been to the attraction. 

     The sequels, Dead Man’s Chest and At World’s End, were filmed simultaneously.  Bit of a rush?  Yeah maybe.  I won’t say the plot destroyed the sequels.  I’m leaning more towards the comedic scenes becoming more frequent and annoying instead of funny.

     Elizabeth Swann, played by Keira Knightley, was a likeable character in the first film.  She quickly became very irritating in later films due to her whining and conflicting love between Jack Sparrow and Will Turner.

     Thankfully, to my delight, Keira Knightley and Orlando Bloom will not reprise their roles in the next Pirates of the Caribbean film.  Johnny Depp will return along with Geoffrey Rush as Barbossa.  The fourth film will focus on Jack and Blackbeard searching for the Fountain of Youth. 

     Some films can’t afford to lose main characters, but eliminating Swann and Turner was a good move by the writers.  Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides hits theaters May 20, 2011.

Scream 4

     The first Scream movie created a new generation of teen slasher films along with one of the top Halloween costume since its release in 1996.  The first scream movie poked fun at horror movie clichés including running up the stairs instead of out the door when a maniac is after you, who will die in which order, and more.

     After Scream pulled in $173,046,663 worldwide, it was only a rule of thumb for the studio to make another in 1997 and a third film in 2000.  The three films made a total of $507,244,240 worldwide.

     A movie franchise often ends with a trilogy; however, if a studio runs out of ideas or decides to reboot a film (the “in thing” for Hollywood now), the studio will release a fourth film. 

     Wes Craven is returning to direct the fourth installment of the Scream franchise due to be released later this year.  A specific date has not been set.  Neve Campbell, Courtney Cox Arquette, and David Arquette will reprise their roles in the film. 

Question is who will be the killer this time?  ****SPOILERS AHEAD****

     First film, the killer was Sydney’s boyfriend, Billy, and his friend.  Billy was upset Sydney’s cheating mother slept with his father and destroyed his family. 

     Second film, Billy’s mother, Ms. Loomis, and Mickey were the killers.  Ms. Loomis wanted revenge for her son’s death.  Mickey just wanted to take part in the murders to get arrested and become famous for the killings. 

     Third film, the killer was revealed to be Roman.  Roman was Sydney’s half-brother and Maureen Prescott, Sydney’s cheating mother, illegitimate son.  Roman was also revealed to be the brains of all the murders including convincing Billy to start his killing spree.

     In summary, the franchise is based off of Sydney’s cheating mother and the lives her mom destroyed along the way.  Will they stick to this storyline or try something new?  We’ll see later this year.

Strawberry Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

•1 cup (2 sticks) butter or margarine, softened
•2 cups all-purpose flour
•1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
•1/4 teaspoon salt
•2 cups (12-ounce package) Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips, divided
•1 can (14 ounces) Sweetened Condensed Milk
•1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)
•1/3 cup strawberry jam

PREHEAT oven to 350° F. Grease 13 x 9-inch baking pan.

BEAT butter in large mixer bowl until creamy. Beat in flour, sugar and salt until crumbly. With floured fingers, press 1 3/4 cups crumb mixture onto bottom of prepared baking pan; reserve remaining mixture.

BAKE for 10 to 12 minutes or until edges are golden brown.

MICROWAVE 1 cup chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk in medium, uncovered, microwave-safe bowl on high power for 1 minute; stir until chocolate is smooth. If not yet smooth, microwave for 10-15 extra seconds.  Stir until smooth.  Spread over hot crust.

STIR nuts into reserved crumb mixture; sprinkle over chocolate filling. Drop teaspoonfuls of strawberry jam over crumb mixture. Sprinkle with remaining chocolate chips.

BAKE for 25 to 30 minutes or until center is set. Cool completely in pan on wire rack.
*Makes 36 bars*

*If you would like to make a smaller batch, you may add only 1 stick of butter and 1 cup of flour.  Continue to use 1/2 cup of brown sugar or decrease the amount to 1/4 cup.  Melt 1 cup of chocolate chips and 7 oz . of sweetened condensed milk.  Instead of a 13 x9-inch pan, use an 11 x 7-inch pan.  The adjusted recipe will make 18 cookie bars.*

Nutella Marble Cheesecake

Once I discovered the delicious taste of Nutella, I had to combine it with my other favorite dessert. CHEESECAKE!! If you are a Nutella fan, give my recipe a try.

50 Nilla Wafers

1-1/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) margarine or butter melted

3 pkg. cream cheese

1/2 cup sour cream

1 tsp. vanilla

3 eggs

Nutella

Heat oven to 325F. Finely crush 50 wafers. Mix with 1/4 cup of sugar and melted margarine or butter. Press onto bottom of 9-inch springform pan. Sit aside.

Beat cream cheese and remaining cup of sugar in large bowel with mixer until well blended. Add sour cream and vanilla; mix well. Add eggs one at a time, beating on low speed after each egg until blended. Pour over crust.

Add as many Tbs. drops of Nutella you want on top of the batter. Marble (do not blend) Nutella with a knife. Don’t be afraid to push some of the Nutella down into the batter. This will create deeper marbling.

Bake 45-50 min. or until center is almost set. Gently run small knife around rim of pan to loosen cake. Cool before removing rim. Refrigerate 4 hrs. In my opinion, best if chilled overnight.

Another Men in Black movie…Yes, You Heard Right

     Men in Black III is shooting for a 2011 release year. An official date isn’t set nor any confirmation if Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones will reprise their rolls, but highly doubt Sony Pictures will do the movie without Will Smith.

     The first Men in Black film made $589,390,539 worldwide while Men in Black II pulled in $441,818,803. Still a bankable franchise for Sony if done correctly.

     Will Sony take advantage of the IMAX 3D craze? It sure would help with ticket revenue.