Friday, June 29, 2007

First iTunes Purchase/Music Review



I have made my very first iTunes purchase since buying my iPod Nano (8 GB). I couldn't resist any longer and absolutely had to have the new Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End Soundtrack. I have always loved filmscores with a great passion and the original Pirates filmscore has always been one of my very favorites. Klaus Badelt was the composer and although the entire filmscore was performed on a synthesizer, it is still very well done and very "piratey", for lack of a better word, lol. Well, when I went to see the latest Pirates movie, I was struck by the immensity of this new score. It is composed by Hans Zimmer (who happens to be the mentor of Klaus Badelt) and is a work of genius. The themes are sweeping and awe-inspiring. He takes that original, unmistakeable Pirates theme and builds on it to turn it into a work of art. Although I was a bit disappointed with the way this latest movie installment was concluded, the creation of the score alone was worth going to see it. I highly recommend checking this one out to those of you who enjoy filmscores...you will not be disappointed! My favorite tracks are:

One Day
Drink Up Me Hearties Yo Ho
Up Is Down
At Wit's End

Confessions of a Jane Austen fan

What is there not to love about Jane Austen? And, who isn't in love with Mr. Darcy? I find myself getting caught up in the romance of it all, and by the end of a book or movie, it's difficult to come back to "real" life :) I just recently finished watching Emma and Pride and Prejudice. There's something about that world that is so enticing. If only there was such a perfect place where women are graceful yet independent, witty yet perfectly demure. Where men are noble and honorable, above reproach and perfect!

My favorite Austen character has to be Elizabeth Bennet. She always has a clever remark that's perfectly suited for the occasion, she's loyal and good to her family, and she's willing to admit being wrong about Darcy. She's that charming girl you always want to be :) Bottom line, Jane Austen's books transport you to a place that you hate to leave, where love conquers all. If you haven't explored them, you must! If you have, you know exactly what I mean. Now, I must go and start reading Pride and Prejudice again... it's been far too long.