Once On This Island - Original Cast

Advantages: Really impressive action adventure score, one of the best of 2005
Disadvantages: Some action scenes a little unremarkable

...with Steiner's original three-note Kong motif. These two motifs create the backbone of the entire score, the Island Theme being more extensively used as we work our way toward Skull Island in the cues "It's in the Subtext," "Two Grand" and "The Venture Departs" and of course continues as the cast go around the island in "It's Deserted" and "Something Monstrous… Neither Beast Nor Man." Howard centres the more romantic material for the character of Anne Darrow. Introduced in "A Fateful Meeting", the Romantic Theme is very lyrical and beautiful which is something Howard is well known for. This theme will get its best workout in the two cues concerning Anne and Kong bonding in "Beautiful" and "Central Park." In all three instances of this theme's appearance on album, it is led by the piano with other instruments hugging and turning over next... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: good songs
Disadvantages: bad film

...This is a (somewhat) wonderful compilation of songs. I love listening to it on sunny, breezy days (the few that we have here in Britain!) and it really does give a sense that you are somewhere in a tropical island or lounging on 'the beach' or on a sailboat headed to a secret island resort. The much aired song Porcelain by Moby is very soothing to listen to, as are Voices by Dario G (remember SunChyme? that was great) and the final score by the composer who did the Twin Peaks theme, Angelo Badalamenti. It also features some lines from the film, which are very meaningful and a must if you want to fall asleep listening to Leonardo Dicaprio's voice! Spinning Away by Sugar Ray is also great and a really happy song. And Pure Shores by All Saints must be one of their best songs to date. The song Lonely Soul also features Richard Ashcroft... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average not helpful

Advantages: The final flourish from Britain's best loved Classical duo.
Disadvantages: Patchy musically with some pleasant "highs"; rather weak and ponderous libretto.

...is celebrated throughout Greece and to which many authors testify to its exceptional wholesomeness') with the Egyptians. When I wrote the first draft of this article my searches for more recent references were less forthcoming. My "World Atlas of Wine - 5th Edition" (edited by Johnson and Robinson) is unhelpful, spelling the name of the island 'Lesvos' in its more modern version. "The Eyewitness Travel Guide: The Greek Islands" notes that the island is rich in olives and the town of Plomàri produces Ouzo. I have confirmation that there is indeed a flourishing vinyard on the island. Under the direction of owner and vintner, Yannis Lambrou, the ancient red grapes of Lesbos have been reintroduced to the island. Growing in the crater of a volcano which once formed part of the Petrified Forest, these grapes are used to produce the classic red wine... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful