Customer Reviews

When a Stranger Calls [Original motion Picture Soundtrack]

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

 

 

I love this score. I had never heard of James Dooley previously or encountered any of his work, but I was very impressed after watching the movie and hearing the quality of work which was presented.

Obviously the director understood that to effectively make a psychological thriller of the sort which, "When a Stranger Calls" is, a central element is the music which both tells the story and supports that which is happening or that which is going to happen.

The tracks which seem to support the sweeping and complex palette of emotions in the movie are: Fateful Drive (track 2), The House (track 3), and Aftermath (track 4).

My favorite track is "Aftermath", which starts with a gentle, sad, yet strangely beautiful melody that eventually gives way to darker, more chilling, and more foreboding melodies supported primarily by the lower strings sections. These all are resolved suddenly and forcefully, implanting doubt in the listener about the fate of Jill.

I am very happy to own this score and highly recommend it to all music score aficionados. Not the easiest listen, but definitely rewarding.

This movie has got to be one of the more disappointing films of the last few years. The teaser on another DVD that I recently purchased clearly highlights the best parts of the film and misleads the viewer into thinking that a very crafty plot is in store. However, nothing happens in the first 75 minutes of the film, except for annoying initial temporary silences for anyone (friend or foe) who calls our heroine, in an attempt to build "some" suspense. For the last 15 minutes of the movie, you feel like you are watching parts of a remake of "Halloween" and "Halloween II" with the only the soundtrack changed. With respect to the ending, although I don't want to spoil it for anyone (which optimistically assumes there is something to spoil), it seems like the only goal is to set the groundwork for the sequel entitled, "When a Stranger Calls . . . BACK". I can already clearly image what is going to happen in the first 15 minutes of that sequel, and if after watching this film you don't know what I mean, just watch "Halloween IV".