Variation 15 (Dunkirk) While Hans Zimmer served as the principal composer for Dunkirk, the score’s soft, ambient, and melodic textures were crafted by Benjamin Wallfisch and inspired by Sir Edward Elgar (1857–1934). The film’s most poignant theme is a reimagining of Elgar’s “Nimrod” from his […]

Brooklyn Baby Lana Del Rey’s “Brooklyn Baby” (Ultraviolence, 2014) is a satirical nod to Brooklyn’s hipster subculture. Produced by Dan Auerbach, it perfectly captures the “California-noir” and psychedelic rock vibe of that era. There is a bittersweet story behind the track: Lana had planned to […]

The Polar Express Released in 2004, The Polar Express tells the story of a young boy who doubts the existence of Santa Claus. On Christmas Eve, he embarks on a magical journey to the North Pole aboard a train called the Polar Express, learning about […]

Midsummers (Acoustic) This song has a great, accidental backstory. For years, fans of the Netflix series Outer Banks believed the pivotal guitar motif from Season 1, Episode 5 was my arrangement of “Lion” by Dustin O’Halloran. It was a case of mistaken identity—the motif was […]

Of the undiscovered country “Hamnet” is a historical drama based on Maggie O’Farrell’s bestselling 2020 novel. The film tells the profound story of love and loss between William Shakespeare and his wife, Agnes Hathaway (historically known as Anne Hathaway, but not the modern actress). The […]

Leyendo en el Hospital The score for The Motorcycle Diaries is widely regarded as one of Gustavo Santaolalla’s masterworks. Directed by Walter Salles, the 2004 film is adapted from the journals of two real-life Argentines, Alberto Granado and Ernesto Guevara de la Serna. Depicting the […]

The Last Samurai “The Last Samurai,” released in 2003, is an epic historical drama directed by Edward Zwick and starring Tom Cruise. Zwick has actually directed many of my favorite films; Glory, Legends of the Fall, and Blood Diamond to name a few. The Last […]

“One Battle After Another” is an action-comedy-thriller film directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, loosely adapted from the 1990 Thomas Pynchon novel Vineland. Radiohead guitarist Jonny Greenwood composed the film score, marking his sixth collaboration with Paul Thomas Anderson. I love all things Radiohead, and Jonny […]

Kids “Kids”, by synth composers Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein, is a central theme from the Stranger Things soundtrack. It perfectly captures the show’s sense of wonder and 1980’s retro vibe. Of all of the musical motifs from the Netflix show, I think Kids (called […]

Exit Music (For A Film) Exit Music (For A Film) is a somber track by the English rock band, Radiohead. Released on their landmark 1997 album, OK Computer — “Exit Music” has become a testament to the band’s ability to create brooding, cinematic music. The […]

F1: The Movie, immerses viewers in the high-stakes world of Formula One racing. The film stars Brad Pitt and is directed by Joseph Kosinski. If you mashed up the films — Top Gun: Maverick, and Days of Thunder (with Pitt’s own Tarantino character) Cliff Booth […]

The Path (A New Beginning) Within the critically acclaimed video game and HBO series The Last of Us, Gustavo Santaolalla’s “The Path (A New Beginning)” symbolizes hope, amidst a brutal world. Whether the song accompanies a hopeful glance across a ravaged landscape, or a moment […]