Customer Reviews

Being John Malkovich: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

When I saw this EXCELLENT film in November, I knew I loved the music. I went out to buy the soundtrack and discovered it wouldn't be released until Dec. 14! That was an ENTIRE month away! Well, I waited and finally got what I wanted. Was I happy with it? More than happy. The packaging itself is something that you rarely see. It flips open to reveal a pamphlet with a bunch of Malkovich heads on it! Then, inside, it contains about thirty to fourtyfive minutes of the script's dialogue! It's the weirdest thing I've seen! Getting to the CD, there are a handful of good ones. Namely the hysterical (if you've seen the movie) "Malkovich Masterpiece Remix". That's crazy and cool! Bartok's "Allegro" is a neat piece and Carter Burwell's score is really moody and interesting (though quite repetitive). Each track sounds very similar, just with a different name. But still, the soundtrack is very innovative and strange. ALSO, you can see visuals on the CD when you put it into your computer.

I bought this mainly because it included the first new Björk material in a long time. "Amphibian" is one of the most amazing songs I've ever heard. It uses piano washes that slowly evolve with the sparse bass line while Björk's vocals seem loop and evolve as well. If this is a sign of what's to come from Björk, then her new album will be breathtaking. I just wish I could find some more music that is in the same vein as "Amphibian"...if you know of something, e-mail me(Nander514@Aol.com). Also, the symphonic music by Carter is amazing, and it flows so well that you won't even notice what track you're on. Contrary to some people whining that Björk or the "Malkovich Masterpiece" flaw this album, they actually flow together amazingly and the album works very well as a whole. Listen to it from start to finish!

I thought this cd was fantastic. I mean, I loved the movie, but the cd is even better. I especially liked the Malkovich Masterpiece Re-Mix done by Mario C and Spike Jonze. It sounds like they took the original song from the movie and sprinkled a little gold on top. I also loved the Bjork song. She has such a big voice for such a tiny person. Carter Burwell's score was great too. Keep your kids safe from Hollywood, buy this CD.

Like the score to "Donnie Darko", this one also captures the feel of the movie, and is also one of the best film scores I've ever heard. Carter Burwell is one of the greatest composers, and this CD proves it. This score brings out the mixed emotions in the movie, and words cannot describe how awesome it is. There aren't many scores like this one. You should find it and buy it as soon as you see it.

Great score. Buy it NOW!

Carter Burwell, best known to soundtrack fans as the composer to the Coen Brothers, here creates strange, yet pleasant music that fits perfectly with Spike Jonze's brilliant yet bizarre film. I'm not a big Bjork fan, so the opening and closing songs aren't my favorites. I do love the excerpt from Bartok's "Music for String, Percussion and Celesta".

This soundtrack cd is the perfect compliment to the visionary film--Cater Burwells score is a pitch-perfect aural equivocation of the profound sadness and blithe absurdity on display,with his sense of minimalist suggestiveness and rich textural instincts shining bightly.Also an added bonus of the above-mentioned dream combination--Bartok's "Allegro"(I know diddly about classical music,but Bartok rocks!!),and a typically great Bjork song"Amphibian"(in two versions),that book-ends the album with an etherial,dream-like haze.

...you'll enjoy adding this music to your collection. It's so original and eerie. I really love this film, so I like being reminded of its wonderful moments when I listen to this album. Bjork's song is amazing, and there are a couple of humorous tracks as well.

On the first listening of this cd, my first thoughts were that the album was too short (the average track is about 2:00 minutes long) and that there was some repetition. However after listening to it again, I've warmed to this CD and it's mix of styles. From Bartoks' Allegro to Burwells' Puppet Love, there is something here to cover every aspect of the movie. Bjork's Amphibian is the perfect way to start and finish the album, with its soothing strings and the underwater imagery it conjures up. I would highly recommend it, but try and see the film first.

No other word but magical. I don't usually listen to instrumental CDs.. but this.. is one of the few exceptions. It's simply enchanting. Wonderful. I literally couldn't stop listening to it.. Perfect for a day you want to get immersed in a CD. Also made me feel like watching the movie again (which was also incredible!).

Also, I must say that the creators of the CD put some annoying animations and graphics on it, thus, (probably not by intention) prevented me from being able to listen to it on a cdrom! I actually needed to find a specific program to play it for me... and hey, I bought the CD, this is not fair, no reason to have this limitation (I only listen to music on cdroms, for example). However, I don't believe this should affect the ranking of the CD which is wonderful. Just be aware that if you intend to listen to this CD ONLY on a cdrom... be ready for trouble.

Firsly, I have to admit that I have never heard of the guy until I went on my hunt to find this score, because when I saw the movie, i realised that the score was indeed so strange and evocative, so beautiful and moving, that I had to have it.

Carter Burwell isnt a John Williams or a James Horner, but dont let this put you off.He is a genius in the making and its obvious he will someday be just that, if he isnt already.

His sweet, yet mysterious forming melodies, roll gently off his clever use of piano. This is one of the few scores you can play in the background for serenity or to induce sleepiness. Burwell sounds very much like Danny Elfman did in his Beetlejuice days.At first, i thought it was an elfman tune, given the extent of its innovative swing.

However I have only one big gripe and yes its a very annoying one too. Why do beautiful scores continue to hold pop music in scattered assortment on their cd's? I mean, why on earth do they need to include bjork and a film wannabe malkovich rap of bjork's version. All I want is the score , so I can go to bed with the strange sounding, yet peaceful aquiring carter burwell pieces in my head, not some pop artist screaming. NO offence to Bjork fans, but this is a 'motion picture score'!

Burwell's effort is 5 stars, unfortunately with the pop music, I have to take a star off! Movie exec's take note!