It’s been a while since we chatted with Tom Holkenborg (aka Junkie XL), and boy how his career has soared. It wasn’t enough to follow George Miller to the ends of the ear and destroy the sonic landscape with such raw and powerful drums. As an artist, he had to push farther, and we’re so glad he did. His signature blend of rhythms – a style that comes from deep down in his DNA – can be heard in all his scores no matter how far apart they seem on the surface. Are we saying that Mad Max: Fury Road, Mortal Engines and Sonic the Hedgehog are the same? Yes.…
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Sweet Trailer…’Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice’
Jimmy Kimmel showcases some bad ass trailers, and after wowing us with Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Captain America: Winter Soldier and the like, here now is Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. Maybe he likes films with a hefty colon in the title? Anyway, this second (third if you were at SDCC) look at rock star Zack Snyder‘s Bats v Supes epic throwdown has all the making of greatness…unless you’re the internet and have picked holes in everything from Batfleck, to Doomsday looking rather underwhelming, or Jesse Eisenberg looking like Jerry Lewis just stumbled into the wrong movie. Well, you can’t please all the people all the time. We…
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3rd Annual ‘Musical Anatomy of a Superhero’ At 2015 Comic-Con
Of all the fans who flock to San Diego Comic Con, some of the most die-hard enthusiasts (aside from cosplayers, obviously) have to be film score fans. Well, for those of you who adore that big Hollywood symphonic (and synthetic) sound to all the tent pole comic films, here is a panel that is right up your alley. Just like last year, several A-list composers will be attending SDCC and their panel, Musical Anatomy of a Superhero will provide insight on the process of creating a theme, transforming the theme throughout the story line while following the often uphill battle that our heroes travel. From the ominous horns of Jaws…
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G-S-T Review…Mad Max: Fury Road
Ah, to ride through the gates of Valhalla, shiny and chrome. Tis the dream of any action junkie, right? That wouldn’t be a bad way to go. If you haven’t seen Mad Max: Fury Road yet, you have probably been just too busy or, like me, tied up with a new baby. But we’ll let you in on a little secret…it’s spectacular! It’s also everything every critic, everywhere, has said about it. Now the film is really something special, but even more remarkable is that at 70 years of age, George Miller is still making some of the best entertainment out there. He not only raised the action bar, he broke it,…
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Interview…Composer Tom Holkenborg (Junkie XL) on the Emotion Behind the Adrenaline in ‘Run All Night’ and ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’
When it comes to working in the film industry, and if you happen to be a talented and in-demand composer like Junkie XL, 16-to-18 hour days are the norm. Suffice to say, a composer’s work is never done but they also need to carve out time for necessary levity. A bit of a practical joker when it suits him (just ask his then assistant and now good friend Sam Estes about the in-office pranks), Tom Holkenborg has put his stamp on the music world with his bombastic drum kit and adrenaline-themed cues. He also knows how to help the director get to the heart of their story. Whether it’s a segment or two in The Animatrix,…
