Customer Reviews

Gods And Monsters

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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Carter Burwell's musical score for GODS AND MONSTERS is truly one of the most beautiful and haunting works from the contemporary cinema. It is at times soothing or melancholy, while at other times it is eerie, mysterious, and even downright spooky. The film for which it was written is, of course, Writer-Dirctor Bill Condon's somewhat controversial bio-pic that explores, using both facts and speculation, the last weeks in the life of James Whale, himself a famed film director who is probably best known for his early horror flicks like FRANKENSTEIN and THE BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN. It is only fitting, then, that the music, much like Whale's life and career, fluctuates in both mood and timbre.

Today it is well known that Whale was a homosexual, and the film GODS AND MONSTERS openly addresses this fact. Needless to say, the film itself may not appeal to those who are easily offended by obvious allusions to the gay lifestyle or its inherent practices. However, any movie buff who enjoys the films created by James Whale will certainly enjoy the musical score to GODS AND MONSTERS. In another time, Burwell's music could have easily worked for THE BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN or THE INVISIBLE MAN.

Beautifully melancholy. Perfect for times of quiet introspection and reflection.

I hope it doesn't make the CD sound cheap when i say that it is Sentimental; it's truly a good thing. This music could be nothing but Sentimental. James Whale was a phenomenal character and the music fabulous Carter Burwell created to accompany his story is perfect. It waltzes over and over again stressing the importance of life with a flair. Exactly what James Whale seemed to long for in the film. A life of love and social fun.

Im very satisfy with the sound track, a very nice and comfortable music you can enjoy it and get relax.

This score is what first got me interested in Carter Burwell. After hearing this beautiful soundtrack, I began to notice what other films he had scored, ironically ones that were already favorites of mine, such as 'The Hudsucker Proxy', 'Hamlet' and 'Fargo.' The opening track is haunting and slowly builds up. There is also a lovely waltz theme that comes up throughout the CD which can be heard in the track 'Love in the Trenches'. While parts of the score are very quiet and reflective, but never brooding, other parts are brash and loud, with crashing orchestral bursts. These moments only last a short time, and soon the score resumes its subdued tone again. If you've seen the movie, the music is very effective in reminding you of particular scenes in the film. A beautiful and unique score. Just wish it was longer!

If you've seen the film, this lilting and hauntingly beautiful rendering of its vignettes will take you back to this bittersweet tale of a film director's descent into senility and his growing desperation to end his life before he becomes completely incapacitated. If you haven't seen it, it stands alone as a lovely set of pieces set around the tale's central theme. For movie buffs, the tune you see the old blind hermit play in the movie's version of Bride of Frankenstein is Burwell's. The actual tune played in the real Bride is very different. But who's counting.

Gods and Monsters (Special Edition)Frankenstein (75th Anniversary Edition) (Universal Legacy Series)Frankenstein - The Legacy Collection (Frankenstein / Bride of / Son of / Ghost of / House of)Gods and Monsters

Great score for a fantastic movie about the one and only James Whale.
Director of Frankenstein, The Bride of Frankenstein, the Invisible Man, the Old Dark House, just to name a few. I very much like this score cause it catches perfectly the movie's mood. Just like a grey, rainy autumn day.

This soundtrack really capture with flaire and sensibility all the emotions carried in the movie. The music, subtle and very touching, is a masterpiece in self-restrain and effectiveness. It proves that you don't need a full-blown orchestra to carry emotions. The CD really reflects the mood of the movie and is must to anyone who loved the movie.