Film
MusicFilm
Music
"Blast From the Past" is a movie
starring Alicia Silverstone, Brendan Frasier and is directed by Hugh Wilson.
Steven Dorff composes the music. Steven Dorff composed the music
for other movies like "Blade" and "In Love and War". He is also famous
for his song writing ability. He wrote the song "Through the Years"
which is performed by Kenny Rodgers. "Blast from the Past" is about
a couple that is living in 1962 and the husband is a scientist. During
this year Americans were worried about bombs so the husband built a shelter
underground. One day he thought that they were going to be bombed
so he took his pregnant wife and went into the shelter. He set the
locks for 35 years because that is how long radiation lasts. In the
shelter a baby boy is born named Adam and they live down there for 35 years
until the present day. Then Adam is sent to the top to buy food and
supplies since he has never done this before he finds a young woman to
help him named Eve. The whole plot of this romantic comedy is for
Adam to win Eves heart.
Steven Dorff took a different
approach to this film then what other composers might have done.
Instead of having constant music in the film there are many scenes that
are silent. For example, in the opening clip there is no music just
the chatter of the crowd. Eventually, the music starts as they are
entering into the shelter. The music is jazzy to fit the time period.
Choir is used to have a spiritual effect that is portrayed when Mr. Webber
first opens the vault.
There is a lot of source
music through out this movie. When Adam and Eve are driving in the
truck the source music is coming from the radio. After this scene
there is a very melodic, flowing music to fit the action of Adam telling
Eve that he needs her and that he cannot do any of this without her.
Once they arrive at Eveís house Adam is very interested in the large speakers
she has and the rock music coming out of them. The composer really liked
to use source music whenever possible. When they were at restaurants
it would come from the jute box, if they were at the bar it would come
from stage, or in the car the radio was always on.
Steven Droff also did a lot
of music that fit the time period. He liked to use jazzy or swing
music that represented the music of that time era. He also incorporated
modern music that was very up lifting and vigorous. When Adam was
learning how to rollar blade there was rock music being played that fit
the action perfectly. When he would stop to talk to someone it would
be a quite part of the song. Suddenly when Adam saw the ocean the
music changed into the sounds of a large orchestra. Drums, bells,
choir, and trumpets were present. The music made you feel the excitement
Adam was feeling and helped you relate to the movie.
When Adam was back at Eves
house Troy was teaching him how to dance the way people do in the 90ís
so the YMCA was playing full blast and he was dancing, it was a very funny
part of the movie and the music hit the action. Suddenly after this
it changed to a new scene of Adam at a baseball game and the music still
played underneath.
Music became a very important
part of the movie when Adam and Eve went to the 40ís nightclub. There
was a live band on stage that played thick swing and jazz music.
This music was enormously exciting there are a lot of trumpets, horns,
and drums. Adam ends up swing dancing in front of everyone at the
bar. The music during the whole time they are there lasts for 10
minutes and 9 seconds but it does stop for a moment in between songs.
After the club Eve is looking for Adam there is very anxious music being
played for about 40 seconds to emphasize the emotions that were coming
over her.
At one point in the movie
I found it strange because Adam sings one verse from the song "On the Street
That You Live" and there is no music to accompany him. Music does
start up right after he sings this because they kiss for the first time.
There is a very pretty saxophone and piano put together. Suddenly
it changes to a somewhat mystery music because Eve is finding out where
Adam is really from. A couple of scenes later Adamís mother is going
up the elevator and strings and choir are very loud.
Once Eve thinks that Adam
has left for good a guitar and one solo voice humming is heard. It
is very slow and sad but at the same time beautiful. Once Eve finds
out that Adam was not lying about where he is from, the music fits the
moment because it is hopeful yet sad. There is piano music added
to the scene when Eve is driving in the car. She is in a daze so
the music plays that out through the action. Once she sees Adam again
the music changes into a saxophone. The same theme was used the first
time they kissed and then when they found each other again.
Adam brings Eve to meet his
parents and the music is funny and up beat. It plays through the
action all the way up to when they get their new house. It only stops
one time when Adam and his father are talking. Then starts up again
with the jazzy theme that is played periodically through the movie.
This movie was very creative
and funny. Steven Dorff did an excellent job with the music.
He did his research on this era and put the music of the 60ís through out
the movie. The only thing that I found strange was that when people
were talking there was usually no music being played. There were
time though that the music was played for a long time under several scenes.
I would recommend this refreshing comedy to many people.
25/25
Öexcellent observations concerning
the music. I can tell by your writing that you are connecting well
to the music. Good job and keep listening and enjoying music.
Dr. Hoch