Sony
's two-disc
Essential Hollywood
compilation collects 27 of the silver screen's greatest themes. While most choices are obvious (
Jaws
,
Gone with the Wind
Star Wars
Lawrence of Arabia
etc.), a few, like
Max Steiner
's
"King Kong/The Forgotten Island/Natives/Sacrificial Dance/The Gate of Kong"
and
Erich Korngold
"Kings Row/Main Title"
are pleasant surprises. There are countless other collections like this out there, but as far as quality goes
features a decent cross-section that pays its respects to both the past and the future of celluloid without coming off as over-bearing. ~ James Christopher Monger