A top picks list of soundtracks from film and television composed by Danny Elfman, who created the theme for "The Simpsons" and "Desparate Housewives." The music was chosen for technical difficulty as well as the mood it creates.
1. "The Nightmare Before Christmas"
What a delightful and underrated masterpiece of animation and music this is! (Can you tell how much I love this film?) Not only does Danny Elfman provide fun, scary, and touching songs for this dark film, he also sings Jack's part!
2. "Batman"
Many feel that "Batman" was the first successful comic book movie. It was certainly one of the first successful movies of that kind in the last thirty years. The dark mood of the movie, for that matter the dark mood of Bruce Wayne, was underscored wonderfully by Elfman's music. Yet, there was also a champion theme from the film that I'm sure we all can still remember easily.3. "Batman Returns"
"Batman Returns" is one of my favorite films of all time for three reasons: 1) Michelle Pfeiffer was glorious as the dual-personality-challenged Catwoman; 2) It was dark, creepy and funny, and 3) The music made use of the champion theme, but added strings and screeches for suspense and overall eeriness.4. "Pee Wee's Big Adventure"
This film is surreal and syrupy, but so delightful. It is one of the few films or TV shows that can be fully enjoyed by children and adults. Danny Elfman's silly and whimsical melodies add to the enchantment.5. "Big Fish"
Okay. This wasn't one of my favorite films. But I did love the music. And I give Elfman considerable credit for the sheer volume of music he had to write. How else could a film so long and plodding continue except without a soothing or intense soundtrack to carry it?6. "Beetlejuice"
"Beetlejuice" is an example of how perfect Tim Burton and Danny Elfman are as a team. Burton created a gothic, Dali-esque world and Elfman provided a musical backdrop. It was a match made in, well, heaven.7. "Edward Scissorhands"
Here's another brilliant Burton/Elfman collaboration. The entire soundtrack is a wander through the moods and mind of Edward. If you're a fan of this tender, thoughtful film, you will most certainly enjoy the soundtrack.8. "Men in Black"
I'm not talking about the Will Smith rap song (though it is catchy.) I'm talking about the out-of-this-world theme Elfman wrote for "MIB." It lends punch to the punchline of this zany caper.9. "Sleepy Hollow"
Have you noticed a trend on this list? Yes, I love Tim Burton's films. Yes, I love the music Danny Elfman provides for them. Almost every film Elfman has scored has been a Burton film, so don't blame me if there are a lot on this list! To me, "Sleepy Hollow" was the gothic romance Burton had been buildling up to with his other dark films. It was beautiful to watch, the story was eery, the mood was elusive and the music accompanied it all so sadly and beautifully.10. "Proof of Life"
Say what you will about the whole Meg Ryan/Russell Crowe romance killing the film. I don't care. I liked the film a lot. And this film gave Danny Elfman a chance to break out of the dark a little, and find some South American beats. He used a variety of instruments to create an edgy, suspenseful soundtrack.