Thursday Token Themes

Welcome a weekly feature here at Movies With Abe. I’m a hugely enthusiastic fan of film scores, and music is far too often an element of cinema that goes unrecognized. Therefore I present a platform for a look – or rather, a listen – to some fantastic film scores. I’ll be selecting a composer and one or more of their film scores for your listening pleasure, embedded from YouTube.

This week’s featured composer is Danny Elfman. The Los Angeles native has written a slew of memorable themes over the past twenty-five years. A frequent collaborator with director Tim Burton, their most recent joint effort was “Alice in Wonderland,” for which Elfman composed the mesmerizing and magical theme for Alice. Previously, he wrote the frightening and moody anthem for “The Wolfman, and he provided a fresh introduction to a classic theme for “Terminator Salvation.” He composed sentimental, inspirational main titles for “Milk,” and an exciting musical success montage for “Wanted.” His stylized, action-packed opening titles for “The Kingdom” helped to establish an intense tone, while his music for “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” was a delightful and exciting introduction to the magic of Willy Wonka. He set the tone for “Big Fish” with a sentimental, sad musical concept of this fantasy universe. His scores for Marvel superhero films “Hulk” and “Spider-Man” were appropriately epic and enthralling. He gave “Chicago” great instrumentals to go with all the songs, and I love the superb, haunting, foreboding score for “Red Dragon.” Elfman wrote the serene, melodical theme for “The Family Man” and the quiet, rhythmic end credits for “A Civil Action.” He also composed the mood-establishing, mysterious theme for “A Simple Plan” and the inspirational and happy score for “Good Will Hunting.” His energetic action score for “Mission Impossible” enhanced an already existing and memorable tune, and he wrote two of the more memorable anthems from recent sci-fi fantasy history: “Men in Black” and “Batman.”

Alice in Wonderland (2010)



The Wolfman (2010)



Terminator Salvation (2009)



Milk (2008)



Wanted (2008)



The Kingdom (2007)



Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)

Not embeddable – click here to listen

Big Fish (2003)


Hulk (2003)



Spider-Man (2002)



Chicago (2002)



Red Dragon (2002)



The Family Man (2000)



A Civil Action (1998)



A Simple Plan (1998)



Good Will Hunting (1997)



Men in Black (1997)



Mission: Impossible (1996)



Batman (1989)