I’ve been listening to a lot of (relatively) recent soundtracks: Dario Marianelli’s score for Atonement, Yann Tiersen’s orchestrations for both Le Fabuleux Destin d’Amélie Poulain and Good Bye, Lenin!, Little Miss Sunshine (contributed by Devotchka), and I liked the Where the Wild Things Are soundtrack even more than the film. I grew up listening to John Williams, Danny Elfman, and everything Disney (some clearly better than others.) I like to walk around listening to soundtracks. It makes me feel as though I’m in the movie.
Some films have introduced me to bands or artists that have become my favourite. I wish I could shake Wes Anderson’s hand for including a Nick Drake song (“Fly”) in The Royal Tenenbaums.
If a movie has music that gets on my nerves, I will be less inclined to enjoy it. This is a problem I have had with action films in particular (I’ll zone out.) Inception is a good example of a recent action film where the score didn’t feel obtrusive to me.
I can also deeply appreciate a movie without any music at all. The silence that followed Wendy and Lucy was captivating.
I love musicals, too. Especially Singin’ in the Rain and My Fair Lady.