Film Favorites: Uèle Lamore

“Featuring the great musical collective Geinoh Yamashirogumi, the mix of gamelan, chanting, and synth exploration is simply mesmerizing. It also fits perfectly with the animation. One cannot speak of Akira without mentioning its soundtrack.”

“The intro music of Ghost In The Shell is one of the most intense things I can think about when speaking of soundtracks. It is very traditional yet so modern and futuristic. I absolutely love it.”

“This is my favorite soundtrack from Joe Hisaishi. It is the most symphonic and has a series of memorable, lengthy, and beautiful themes. It really is a gem.”

“I watched a mini documentary featuring Howard Shore where he explained his research process behind the scoring of Lord Of The Rings. It was so interesting. Especially when he spoke about the themes created for the Orks and the Uruk-Hai and how he used instruments reminiscent of pre-historic times for percussion such as lithophones.”

“The main theme of World War Z is so interesting. Alone, you wouldn’t think that it could work. But in the context of the movie, and especially the story, it is so efficient and iconic. It just stays in your head and for some reason makes your skin crawl in fear every time you hear it. Just brilliant.”

“I think that Kill Bill taught me how music can make a scene truly unforgettable and iconic (the sword fight in the snow, the nurse in the hospital.) Of course, we are talking more of sync than scoring, but they go hand in hand. The choice of music is just pure genius and really serves the movie in giving it that hip B-series aesthetic.”

“Not exactly a movie but rather a series. For me, Hunter X Hunter has the best score in anime. The use of recurrent themes is well thought out and are so beautiful. It is, at the end of the day, mainly a reinterpretation of classical music classics. However, it is done with such taste!”

“Vangelis paved the way for so many composers with this classic synth-infused soundtrack. This is another example of a movie that is almost inseparable from its soundtrack. I really love the cyberpunk jazzy melancholia soundtrack and those everlasting synth pads!”

The Lord of the Rings (2001)

 “I’m a massive fan of every work Tolkien has ever produced, finished or unfinished. Peter Jackson completely gave life to this deep, intricate universe and gave it the franchise it deserved. From the casting, to the costumes, to the settings, everything is perfect and ages very well as time goes by.”

The Thing (1982)

“This is one of my favorite sci-fi horror movies. John Carpenter’s version adds that special “je ne sais quoi” that makes it so iconic. And of course, Kurt Russel!!! The Thing has a really cool design, and I love the old-school special effects and costumes. They are just the coolest. Aliens, the Arctic, and guns! What else do you need to be happy?”

The Lost City of Z (2016)

“The casting of this movie is amazing. I also love the way the story is told over a very long period. There are so many topics in this movie. Some that have to do with the historical setting of course, but others that have to do with just being a man with a passion that comes before everything else. Apart from that, the photography is beautiful and so is the music.”

Akira (1988)

“I think that for every fan of anime, it is just impossible to not talk about Akira when being asked about our favorite movies. This film changed so many things in the genre. It truly represents a milestone in the history of anime.”

Grave of The Fireflies (1988)

“I can’t watch this movie without crying. It is the saddest movie ever made. Yet, it is so gentle, subtle, and kind. It shows the horrors of war while still presenting as a movie for children. A very difficult exercise that is mastered to its paroxysm in this case.”

Spirited Away (2002)

“I had to put a Miyazaki movie on this list, but it was so hard to choose which one! However, I think Spirited Away stands out from the others. There is something about it that is so mysterious and whimsical, everything about it is intriguing and beautiful. How could we ever forget about No Face or the parents turning into pigs!”

Get Out (2017)

“I think that Get Out really represents renewal or a new era for horror movies. It is almost the beginning of a new genre of its own. I think that Jordan Peele is one of the best directors around at the moment or at least one that is starting a small revolution.”

True Grit (1969)

“I’m a huge fan of Westerns, and True Grit is not your average western. The way the story is told is very atypical from what you would expect, and the characters do not fit their usual stereotypes. The way the characters speak is so classy. Watching the movie made me read the book which I strongly recommend.”

Jackie Brown (1997)

“I like all of Tarantino’s films, but for some reason, Jackie Brown is my favorite. Pam Grier is hypnotic and has such a strong presence on screen. The soundtrack is just so good!”

Alien (1979)

“Again, another classic of horror sci-fi, with who else but Ridley Scott to direct it! The tension is so palpable from beginning to end. I also love that it takes quite some time before we see the “alien”, you get the sense of terror of being stalked by this monstrous creature, lurking somewhere in the dark. Also, the way the “alien” is designed and thought of really makes it one of the most dangerous monsters ever created in movies!”