Sorry folks but this thread is getting a little sickly! Ok, maybe it just FEELS that way because of the accumulation of praise after a few posts, but seriously!
Agreed!
I hate Jon Broxton and James Southall! They are enemies of the State.
I was just reading James’ and Jon’s reviews of the new Independence Day movie score (and thinking I won’t buy this CD after the reviews) and decided to resurrect this topic.
First of all this topic is over two years old, and we’ve had a lot of new people join FSM in the past two years. Maybe by bringing it back, we can hook a few new “newbies” into reading their reviews. Those reviews sure help me know when to tune in or when to bring ear mufflers.
Also, I noticed that “Karol” chimed in when I first wrote this topic. Just wanted to let Karol that I often read his reviews also.
(So when are we all going to get James and Karol to move to the U.S to join Jon?)
Anyway, I hope new readers join in reading this thread, and that they take extra time to read film score reviews. We are never too Young or too Old to learn. We don’t always have to agree with various reviews, and that’s okay. Most importantly, ignorance is NOT bliss, and these men help stamp out movie music illiteracy and obliviousness.
I also love Jon and James' reviews and always read them, even though I only comment on them occasionally. Their tastes don't always mesh with mine, but it's so nice to read reviews that go beyond the usual "this sucks" .
Their contributions are invaluable, as are yours, Joan.
"Go Karol." Of course, and go Charlie too as I've been discovering Films On Wax lately.
Thank you MikeP, you are very kind. I grow weary of negativity and having some kudos and positive strokes illuminated now and then is just plain necessary.
James, at first I was a bit nervous that you were quitting your critiques. Glad to see that isn’t true. Maybe your purpose is to no longer push people to purchase scores, but I still think that aspect works for many of us. I may not check out youtube or a movie score until I read your (and Jon’s or Karol’s) reviews. Your analysis points me towards or maybe away from scores. You are a bit like the pied piper leading our ears to hear more depth and finer details in certain scores. That’s an invaluable service for me and for others.
You wrote that you enjoy, “good film music has that dramatic flow at its heart.” Me too. So I’m glad that you will keep on writing and enjoying your “me time,” and that we get the privilege of piggybacking on to your journey.
Members, please do read his 20 year journey or reminiscence.
Let me belatedly echo your sentiments, joan. While ruminating over points in the The Shape of Water/Oscar thread I clicked on Mr. Broxton's review and then Mr. Southall's. These are the kind of "fair and balanced" critiques accenting scores that come from lovers of film and music and film music, not unlike what has gone on at this place for a couple of decades but it is always refreshing to see it done right. Yeah, there's the commercial aspects underneath it and all but good writing is good writing regardless of subtext.
