This was my first orchestral score by David Newman on CD. I had the LP's for CRITTERS and THE KINDRED and MY DEMON LOVER and the CD of HEATHERS (a synth score), but this was JUST..SOMETHING..ELSE. BIG! DARK! GRAND! SYMPHONIC!
The film is a pretty lame re-do of IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE, but not without some charms. It always seemed weirdly shot and dubbed to me. Like one of those Digital Video films as opposed to the cinematic real deal. But I had a big crush on Linda Hamilton as the time (before T2, when she was still cute and feminine). James Belushi was always likeable in lead roles. And even Michael Caine wasn't terrible (and not a lot of people know that). The music helps propel things along, with some powerfully dark cues for the 'lowest ebb' moments (Larry Meets Jerry is fantastic in this regard) and the romantic/emotional bits are just glorious, text-book David Newman music. There's even a nod to THE NATURAL by Randy 'He's My Cousin' Newman, no doubt from the temp-track. 30 minutes is on the Varese CD, but with the unused End Title opening proceedings (5 minutes), that takes the score run time down to 25 minutes. I can't remember how much music is in the film (it's been years since I've seen it and it rarely gets shown on TV, if ever), but I imagine we might be missing quite a bit. 20 minutes at least? Plus, although the CD sounds decent enough, a remaster wouldn't do it any harm either. I wonder if Varese have perp rights, with the Disney connection, or is it Intrada territory? Tell us what you think, and let the charge for the Deluxe Edition begin here!!
(True story...I used to get stick from my soundtrack mates, back in the day, for being the only one of us who liked David Newman's music "Every track goes - descending - nee-nerr, nee-nerr, nee-nerr" they would hoot, (Hi Dave, Hi Roy) but I think they've all come around to appreciating his scores a bit more now.
(I)ts curious passivity is underscored, if that is the word, by the quietest soundtrack I can remember. As someone who believes most movies have too much music, I was surprised to find myself noticing how little is in "Mr. Destiny." In the quiet, an innocent little fable grows, blossoms and is harvested, to no great moment. -- Roger Ebert
You've been in the back of too many police cars, haha. Seriously. One of his best. Haven't played in a while , maybe next, after Demetrius. The end title is worth have the disc for. It used to make the hair stand up on my neck( wonder if it still does).
Yup, it sounds Americana like but not the usual. Like it's been fed through a (Newman) filter. And it always sounds like he's going off the rails and pulls it all back together. The only slightly negative thing is that jazz/source cue. Not because it's shit , just could have been by anyone, unlike the rest.
This was my first orchestral score by David Newman on CD. I had the LP's for CRITTERS and THE KINDRED and MY DEMON LOVER and the CD of HEATHERS (a synth score), but this was JUST..SOMETHING..ELSE. BIG! DARK! GRAND! SYMPHONIC!
The film is a pretty lame re-do of IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE, but not without some charms. It always seemed weirdly shot and dubbed to me. Like one of those Digital Video films as opposed to the cinematic real deal. But I had a big crush on Linda Hamilton as the time (before T2, when she was still cute and feminine). James Belushi was always likeable in lead roles. And even Michael Caine wasn't terrible (and not a lot of people know that). The music helps propel things along, with some powerfully dark cues for the 'lowest ebb' moments (Larry Meets Jerry is fantastic in this regard) and the romantic/emotional bits are just glorious, text-book David Newman music. There's even a nod to THE NATURAL by Randy 'He's My Cousin' Newman, no doubt from the temp-track. 30 minutes is on the Varese CD, but with the unused End Title opening proceedings (5 minutes), that takes the score run time down to 25 minutes. I can't remember how much music is in the film (it's been years since I've seen it and it rarely gets shown on TV, if ever), but I imagine we might be missing quite a bit. 20 minutes at least? Plus, although the CD sounds decent enough, a remaster wouldn't do it any harm either. I wonder if Varese have perp rights, with the Disney connection, or is it Intrada territory? Tell us what you think, and let the charge for the Deluxe Edition begin here!!
(True story...I used to get stick from my soundtrack mates, back in the day, for being the only one of us who liked David Newman's music "Every track goes - descending - nee-nerr, nee-nerr, nee-nerr" they would hoot, (Hi Dave, Hi Roy) but I think they've all come around to appreciating his scores a bit more now.
TBH I believe about 10-12 minutes of unreleased and maybe one or more film version cues.
Thanks Omni. So not that much. I'll have to watch the film again to listen out if those 10 or so minutes are vital or not. The 30 minutes we already have are excellent enough (sans the short jazz cue) and the original programme does play very well.
Honestly, I don't know the movie, and only picked up the CD in recent years because of another thread around these parts praising it to the nines. And then I think I only listened once, so not much to say, except I remember it fondly.
So having another listen, thanks to this thread. Appreciated, KeV.
Thanks Omni. So not that much. I'll have to watch the film again to listen out if those 10 or so minutes are vital or not. The 30 minutes we already have are excellent enough (sans the short jazz cue) and the original programme does play very well.
My pleasure, I hope I'm right lol regarding the extra music and possible film version(s). I bet the un-used suite could have been used for the closing credits. But the song "Only You" by The Platters was used instead.
