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How to nearly ruin a movie with awful music: Exhibit A

posted 8 years ago by ChainsawFuneral
26 replies | jump to latest

This soundtrack nearly took me out of the film. It was so out of sync with the tone and pacing. I can't help but think Manhunter might've aged better with a different audio direction and didn't lean so heavily on such generation-specific music (not including Iron Butterfly at the end).

For instance, think about how silly Star Wars would seem now if it was packed full of disco music.

Whether you agree or disagree, can you think of any other movies you liked whose soundtrack you couldn't stand?

[–] Mickyfinn 8 years ago

Thank you for your opinion. I think you will find many that disagree with you. I think the music was highly effective with the pacing. The synths while Graham is with his wife (the lighting and cinematography really work well with that), the use of "Strong as I am" in the scene where Dollarhyde abducts Reba, and the build up when Graham comes to the realization about how the families were chosen. It's an 80's film - it has 80's music.

Now I will say that I really don't care for the song playing with the rolling credits.

You just have to be resigned-
You're crashing by design

[–] Doom 8 years ago

I agree.

The ending song is really the only one that made me raise an eyebrow.

------

Wait a minute... who am I here?

[–] JudgeNotLestYeBeJudgeReinhold 8 years ago

I haven't seen this movie in at least 15 years, but I don't recall anything wrong with the musical score. It's funny - I watched a film called The Woman (2011) the other day, and the thing that really stood out to me about that movie was the unique choice in music director Lucky McKee chose to use. I thought it was brilliant, but when I went on its IMDb board, it seemed the music was what divided viewers into either loving or hating the film. I for one loved it. If you've never seen it, I highly recommend it. Here's the IMDb link:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1714208/?mode=desktop&ref_=m_ft_dsk

***Quick edit -- The Woman is a very disturbing film, and not for the squeamish.

[–] Legendary_Badass 8 years ago

I really enjoyed the track that played when Will was dreaming on the plane and near the beginning at the beach house. I think it's Seiun by Kitaro.

THE MOST ORIGINAL YOUTUBE CHANNEL YOU'RE NOT WATCHING:
http://bit.ly/1pPzoBc

[–] shiftylee 8 years ago

I love that scene and that song. Great soundtrack all around. Really captured the mood. I think the op is a child of the 90's.

[–] lioninoil 7 years ago

I think the op is a child of the 90's.

Nailed it!

"You're innocent when you dream" -- Tom Waits, "You Dream" 

[–] parknourie 8 years ago

I can sort of see how one might get annoyed by the 80s disco songs used here.
But I liked it, they have nostalgic tang and all the songs used in this film felt like it had bittersweet melancholy in them and helped with the mood.

Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down and a Wagging Finger of Shame

[–] Mickyfinn 8 years ago

Disco?

You just have to be resigned-
You're crashing by design

[–] gluserty 8 years ago

Well Mickyfinn, some people believe that New Wave music was the 1980's version of Disco (as it's jokingly said in a commercial on the Flash FM music channel in the game "Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories", "I'm not repurposed Disco").

[–] Mickyfinn 8 years ago

Thanks Glu: Having lived through many musical eras, I was confused by 'Disco' mentioned here. I will say I like 80's "New Wave" much more than 'Disco'. Disco has had some bad PR in my opinion - it wasn't as bad as you'd think. And I think I'll be unpopular here, but the "Technopop" or "Club Mixes" or whatever it is nowadays give me a migraine.

You just have to be resigned-
You're crashing by design

[–] timbliz 8 years ago

I had this film playing in the background and at some point the music turns into the verse of "Comfortably Numb". Same progression, sounded like the same key too Bm/A/G/Em/Bm. Try singing along! "Hello! Is there anybody in there?"

I hate Illinois Nazis

[–] Mickyfinn 8 years ago

I think you are talking about Graham's Theme. And its been discussed before. I think it is very similar, but not a 'rip off' ala the Ghostbusters theme.

You just have to be resigned-
You're crashing by design

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[–] dominicshaw-80761 8 years ago

Mann is excellent at applying the right music to his films and this film is no different. I appreciate your opinion but I honestly don't understand it. To say that it nearly ruined the movie just sounds ridiculous to me.

[–] milo44 8 years ago

I am a music lover ... but this sound track would put you in a coma .. or you would wish you were in one .

"A man that wouldn't cheat for a poke don't want one bad enough".