Movie Soundtracks of 2011

2011 had many big ticket movies released into theaters. But many people ignore or don't really listen to the movie's score. The movie score really helps portray the mood of the film and also fill up the sound when no one is speaking. There may be some composers you know or have heard, but don't know what else they have done. Hopefully, I can enlighten a few people and point out this year's big hit composers.

John Williams: Big, big, BIG composer. Almost everyone knows who he is. And those who don't, will recognize his music (Star Wars, Jurassic Park, and Indiana Jones). This year, he wrote the score for the movies "War Horse" and "The Adventures of Tin Tin." I have not heard these soundtracks, but, knowing John Williams, it will be amazing! *Little known fact* Steven Spielberg almost always uses John Williams as the composer for his films!

Hans Zimmer: Another big composer. He wrote the scores for 5 movies this year! "Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows," "Rango," "Pirates of the Caribbean: Stranger Tides," "Kung Fu Panda 2," and "The Dilemma." You might recognize his work in the movies "Pirates of the Caribbean 1-3," "Gladiator," and "Sherlock Holmes." I've listened to most of the 2011 soundtracks of his and they all pretty much sound the same. Great music, but kind of the same.

James Newton Howard: Some people may not recognize his name, but would recognize his work ("Space Jam," "The Sixth Sense," and "Batman Begins" with Hans Zimmer). He also wrote an amazing amount of movie scores this year (6 in total). You might hear his work in the movies "The Green Lantern," "Water For Elephants," and "The Green Hornet." I only listened to "Green Lantern" and "Elephants" just to do a comparison and he might actually have movie soundtracks that sound different from the other.

Danny Elfman: He's right up there with John Williams and Hans Zimmer in my opinion. A lot of people have heard his music in a lot of odd movies, most of them directed by Tim Burton. Examples of them are "Batman," "Nightmare Before Christmas," "Edward Scissorhands," "Mission: Impossible," and "Men in Black." This year, Elfman only wrote 1 score in full: "Restless." I haven't heard the music for this, but I love Danny Elfman, so I'm hoping for the best out of this!

Tyler Bates: I hadn't heard of Bates until "300" but he also does the movies "Doomsday," and "The Watchmen" (Who watches the Watchmen?) This year he wrote for "Sucker Punch" (for all you boys who like seeing scantily-clad women kicking ass), "The Darkest Hour," and "Conan the Barbarian." If he wrote these movie soundtracks like he did for "300," you're in for a wild ride!

Alexandre Desplat: I know what you are thinking; who in the heck is this guy? Desplat wrote the soundtrack to 3 movies this year, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II," "The Ides of March," and "Carnage." Now you recognize where he's from! Harry Potter; one of the biggest franchises in the movie business alongside Star Wars, Titanic, and, ugh, Twilight. He wrote the soundtrack for other movies, such as "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I," "The King's Speech," and ugh "Twilight: New Moon." (sorry I really HATE Twilight!) So I have obviously heard the "Harry Potter" soundtrack and it is awesome!

And finally...

Patrick Doyle: Another unrecognizable name? Two movies: "Secondhand Lions," and "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire." He wrote 4 movie soundtracks, but 2 will be mentioned; "Thor," and "Rise of the Planet of the Apes." I haven't heard these soundtracks, but, like with most composers I am familiar with, they may be pretty good based on his previous scores.

There you have it; 2011's Big Name composers. These are all based on opinion and if there are any that I have left out, please let me know!