Perfect Soundtrack Collection

News has finally surfaced on the last of the Godzilla Perfect Soundtrack Collection. In celebration of Godzilla's 50th Anniversary (6 years ago), Toho was slowly releasing these limited edition volumes featuring updated version of the movie series' soundtracks. The last volume contains the soundtracks to the last movies in the Millennium Era, which are still fairly easy to find on their own.

Unfortunately, I already own the highlights of the collection: the three scores by Michiru Oshima. The main appeal of this collection is the expanded version of Oshima's Megaguirus score, and the two soundtracks I don't own, GMK and Final Wars. I'm not a big fan of Final Wars, and I'm sure how they can devote three discs to one movie.

The dealbreaker might be that the bonus disks for the set are going to be David Arnold's full score to the American Godzilla movie. It is a great idea, except that it's identical to the limited edition version released by La La Land Records years prior. Which means either you get a second chance at owning the score or it's just another repeat in a set of repeats.

iTunes Find

A nice treat for us soundtrack/comic book geeks. iTunes is offering soundtracks to Marvel's and DC's animated (Direct to DVD) movies. La La Land Records had offered a few physical albums (thanks to their contract with WB.) but everything they didn't cover is on iTunes. DC's soundtracks run for $7.99 while Marvel's run for $11.99.

It's a pleasant surprise and definitely unexpected by me. Christopher Drake's work on Wonder Woman and Public Enemies seem the most appealing to me right now.

Peter Graves (1926 - 2010)

Peter Aurness changed his stage name to "Graves" so that he would not overshadowed by his brother James Aurness of Gunsmoke fame. Like his brother, Graves was known for one role in particular, that of Jim Phelps of the 60s spy show "Mission: Impossible." Despite this, Graves was a prolific actor in both film and television.

Younger generations would best know him as the host of A&E's Biography series or his frequent guest spot on "7th Heaven." Graves had recently been honored with a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame. Keeping fit, the 83 year old actor was still pursuing roles to portray.

I will always remember him for his silver white hair and his deep, authoritative voice.

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Elfman in Wonderland

I just read a review for the new Alice in Wonderland movie, in which the reviewer commented that Burton of '89 would made a far different and arguably better film. This comment may or may not be substantiated, but I know that the soundtrack is pure Danny Elfman of the 90s.

Alice's Theme was not what I was expecting, but definitely the highlight of the album. It's sadly the only theme in the score. I was worried that the music may be redundant what with all the tracks named Alice's Theme # 3 and so forth, but the variations on the theme are varied and most welcomed. Some of the underscore reminded me of vintage Elfman from the Batman Returns-Sommersby-Black Beauty era, but I can also see where people are comparing it with Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Serenada Schizophrana are coming from.

I've only had to listen to the score a handful of times, but it's a strong showing for Elfman in '10.