Best Score Ranking: 2000

An interesting year, for sure. Relatively solid. By the way, I try to pick my personal favorite track as the sample for each score, in case you were wondering. Oh, and I did this year by request, so take it as a lesson everyone...if you ask me for a year, I'll probably go and do it! :)

5. Gladiator - Hans Zimmer

I know this is going to be controversial because people love this one, but...this score confused me. There were parts I quite liked, there were parts I quite disliked (they sounded meandering or useless), there were parts that sounded exactly like "Mars" by Gustav Holst, and there were parts that sounded just like "Pirates of the Caribbean". The main theme is great, but it's only really used WELL during the end credits. So, overall, it's a "meh" and a "wha?" from me.

4. The Patriot - John Williams

Well, another score from the John Williams Factory. No, that sounds condescending. It's really great, irresistibly Americana but it's by no means Williams's best work. It's not particularly "memorable" either, but it's still very beautiful. And do I hear some foreshadowing of "Harry Potter" in the flutes? Hm?

3. Malena - Ennio Morricone

Well, obviously, Morricone is a legend and this is a great score. I didn't love the movie, which doesn't help, and there is some weird instrumentation sometimes that I really don't like, but overall it's a great score with a lush theme and some truly gorgeous moments.

2. Chocolat - Rachel Portman

Like most of Rachel Portman's scores, this one is very tasteful and while it doesn't take any huge risks, it is really lovely work. I like how she makes it sound almost like a fantasy movie, which gives the movie a "fantastical" vibe that works greatly. And the spicy track at the top is just irresistible!

1. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon - Tan Dun

One of my favorite scores, for one of my favorite movies. There's SO much good stuff about this score. First of all you have the amazing Yo-Yo Ma cello solos (playing that gorgeous theme). Then you have Tan Dun's brilliant decision to score the battle scenes minimally, only using drum beats to exhilarating effect...mmm. Beautiful, brilliant, and a great winner.

Should Have Been Nominated...

There is one horrendous, huge, horrible ommission here, and that's Bjork's haunting score for Dancer in the Dark. I know that not everyone like's Bjork's music, and maybe there was too much singing or something, but the score for Dancer in the Dark is just...beautiful. Haunting, painful, gorgeous, innovative...GAHHH

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So what was your favorite score of 2000? Was Bjork truly snubbed? Do you like Gladiator more than me? Isn't Crouching Tiger awesome? Sound off belowww!

And see the updated ranking heeere

Best Score Ranking: 2001

Another great year! Here goes...

5. A Beautiful Mind - James Horner

I quite like the main theme (what you hear above). The rhythmic tension and use of piano and voice are so effective and exciting. It's too bad the rest of the score didn't quite live up to that. It often sounds too much like a made-for-tv movie

4. Artificial Intelligence - John Williams

Wow, JW was having quite a year, eh? Well, anyway, I really love this score as well, very beautiful. Not one of Williams's most memorable by any means but still very good. After all, Science Fiction is the genre in which Williams really knows what he's doing.


3. Monsters Inc. - Randy Newman

I've said it before, I have such a soft spot for Randy Newman. I just love the theme music. It's different, jazzy, and perfect for the movie.

2. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone - John Williams



Oh, in almost any other year this would have been my choice. This is one of, if not THE best John Williams score besides Star Wars. "Hedwig's Theme" is so memorable, and the instrumentation in this score especially is just perfect. Brings back so many memories!

1. The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring - Howard Shore

Well, DUH! I mean, really, how much is there to say about this. Shore's work for this movie is one of the best scores of all time - it's beautiful, grand, mischevious when need be, moving...and every moment of it is beautiful. Not a note out of place.

Should Have Been Nominated...

Amelie (Yann Tiersen) comes to mind immediately as having been snubbed. Such good music in that one. I also feel like Shrek (Harry Gregson Williams and John Powell) had a very good, and lasting score that probably deserved at least a nomination. After all, Dreamworks uses it in its opening sequence now and it's all over the Universal Studios Theme Parks.

And check out the full updated ranking!

What was your favorite score of 2001? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Catch Me if You Can (2002)

As usual, Amy Adams steals the show. But seriously, this movie was pretty okay...it had a lot of strong moments and the benefit of having a really interesting subject. Actually, I really want to read the book by Frank Abagnale himself now because it's such a fascinating story. However, the movie does drag and it's your conventional biopic. Out of sequence stuff! Troubled childhood! Etcetera. Even if it is based on a true story, you've got to be a little bit more original than that. Christopher Walken and Leo were both quite great but Tom Hanks was really underwhelming and his parts were the worst. It is bolstered by a pretty cool score by John Williams that is a nice departure from his usual stuff. Really, this should have been a documentary.

6/10