Category: CD’s

SUMMARY:                          RUNNING TIME: 3:45 Min.

As Track # 3, this Ennio Morricone instrumental narrates how ‘The Untouchables’ quietly await to intercept an illicit liquor shipment crossing the U.S.-Canadian border.  The orchestra, however, isn’t identified. 

REVIEW:

Its suspenseful sound probably doesn’t merit a solo download, as “Waiting at the Border” isn’t a distinctive cue.  Yet, it’s still an effective transition into one of the film’s best audience pay-off sequences.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                6 Stars

SUMMARY:                             RUNNING TIME: 2:10 Min.

As Track # 6, this Ennio Morricone instrumental narrates how the tide has finally shifted against Robert DeNiro’s Al Capone and his army of thugs.  The orchestra isn’t identified. 

REVIEW:

The track isn’t remarkable, but its miscellaneous bits and pieces are cohesive building the story’s narrative.  “Victorious,” in that sense, sums up the gutsy tactics Eliot Ness and his squad deploy as the so-called ‘Untouchables.’  For fans of the films, perhaps the best element of this segment is when its recurring heroic motif unmistakably soars.      

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                    6 Stars

SUMMARY:                              RUNNING TIME: 3:12 Min.

Oddly appearing as Track # 1, the film’s send-off theme is an instrumental by composer-conductor Ennio Morricone.  The orchestra isn’t identified. 

Note: As clarification, this track is essentially a full-length reprise of the same-named Track # 11, which narrates the mob-busting heroics of Elliot Ness and his squad earlier in the film.  

REVIEW:

The magic of this instrumental endures.  Bringing Eliot Ness and his squad’s virtuous quest soaring to life, Ennio Morricone is at the peak of his storytelling powers.  Courtesy of Morricone, “Al Capone” (Track # 2) and Track # 11 define both sides of the movie’s battlefront.  The ominous main title: “Strength of the Righteous” (Track # 8) then pits them against one other. 

Ultimately, this reprise spells out which side prevails, no matter the personal cost.  For instrumental and soundtrack enthusiasts, this one (and/or as Track # 11) is absolutely worth adding to a favorite playlist.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                    9 Stars

SUMMARY:                             RUNNING TIME: 2:45 Min.

As Track # 9, this Ennio Morricone instrumental portrays Kevin Costner’s Eliot Ness as a soft-spoken and happily-married family man with a young daughter.  The orchestra isn’t identified. 

Note: For the film’s dramatic purposes, both Patricia Clarkson’s Catherine Ness and the daughter (portrayed by Kaitlin Montgomery) are fictional.    

REVIEW:

Presenting the soundtrack’s only blissful piece, the track works exactly as it’s supposed to.  “Ness and His Family” doesn’t necessarily merit a solo download so much, but it’s vital to the film’s narrative backbone.  With a classical-like lilt, this thoughtfully low-key and poignant track should appeal to instrumental enthusiasts – it’s a kindred spirit reminiscent of 1980’s Somewhere in Time.   

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                    7 Stars

SUMMARY:                                   RUNNING TIME: 7:01 Min.

As the concluding Track # 13, this music box-like Ennio Morricone instrumental narrates a pivotal, slow-motion train depot shootout late in the film.  The orchestra isn’t identified. 

REVIEW:

As macabre as it is, one must credit some brilliant storytelling to Ennio Morricone.  Juxtaposing a children’s music box lullaby to rising dramatic tension, “Machine Gun Lullaby” is pitch perfect for this near-silent sequence late in the film. 

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                  9 Stars

SUMMARY:                               RUNNING TIME: 8:19 Min.

Composed and conducted by Alan Silvestri, ‘The Outatime Orchestra’ performs this instrumental track for 1985’s Back to the Future.  In the film’s climatic 1955 sequence, it narrates “Doc” Brown (Christopher Lloyd) coordinating Marty McFly’s (Michael J. Fox) climatic time-traveling ride back home to 1985.

REVIEW:

Considering that this track narrates the movie’s most pivotal sequence, composer-conductor Alan Silvestri absolutely delivers the goods.  Much like John Williams, without a single word, Silvestri impressively conveys a storyline’s emotional impact on its characters.  This track is proof of orchestral magic.  For soundtrack and instrumental enthusiasts, the overture synonymous with Marty McFly’s time-traveling adventures is a Hollywood gem.   

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                      9 Stars

IMAGE NOT AVAILABLE

SUMMARY:                               RUNNING TIME: 2:47 Min.

Appearing as Track # 7, this Ennio Morricone instrumental precipitates a fateful showdown between Sean Connery’s Jimmy Malone and an assassination squad – among them, Billy Drago’s Frank Nitti (aka Al Capone’s chief henchman).  The orchestra isn’t identified.    

REVIEW:

Playing off shades of the main title (“Strength of the Righteous” – Track # 8), Ennio Morricone masterfully sets up one of the film’s most suspenseful sequences.  While this quietly sinister track itself isn’t a must-have, it’s ideal for enhancing the film’s sense of operatic-like violence.     

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                    7 Stars

SUMMARY:                                RUNNING TIME: 2:26 Min.

Despite appearing out of order as Track # 8, this ominous Ennio Morricone instrumental foreshadows the showdown between Elliot Ness’ intrepid squad vs. Al Capone’s horde of Chicago mobsters.  The orchestra isn’t identified.    

REVIEW:

This superb track inflicts maximum impact in only two and a half minutes.  Ennio Morricone delivers an ideally sinister preview of the dangers the Untouchables face, with Al Capone’s forces seemingly lurking at every corner.  As a signature piece of cinematic scoring, “The Strength of the Righteous” deserves its place among the best-ever main titles.    

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                    9 Stars