Best of Lorne Balfe

Born in the U.K. in 1976. Eclectic and highly prolific, Balfe is particularly comfortable with fantasy and action scores. My favorite: The Black Adam theme.

My Oscar Predictions 2026

One year ago, the Oscars were marked by uncertainty. Wildfires had ravaged parts of greater Los Angeles and dampened the mood. How would Conan O'Brien do as host his first…

Why We Need Film Critics

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnP9PU71LaQ I've just been browsing through "American Film Criticism", a book edited by Stanley Kaufmann and Bruce Henstell. Published in 1972, it is a compilation of reviews of significant films…

Best of John Cardon Debney

Born in the U.S. in 1956. Film score aficionados love him for CutThroat Island (1995), but my favorite is The Passion of the Christ (2004).

My Oscar Predictions 2025

We're one week away from the Oscars. What will the show look like this year? When the wildfires ravaged parts of greater Los Angeles, the impact was so devastating that…

Best of Dario Marianelli

Born in Italy in 1963. Won Oscar for Atonement. Has worked with Joe Wright several times; his scores often rely on piano supported by an orchestra. My favorite score: Atonement.

Best of Marco Beltrami

Born in the U.S. in 1966. Best known for dark adventures and horror movies, having scored several Wes Craven films. Often uses percussion to great effect. My favorite: Scream.

Best of Carter Burwell

Born in the U.S. in 1954. Known for his moody, brooding scores, often in collaboration with the Coen brothers. My favorite: True Grit.

Best of Jóhann Jóhannsson

1969-2018, born in Iceland. Known for his minimalistic, brooding soundscapes, the composer was at his most successful working with Denis Villeneuve. My favorite: The Theory of Everything.