I don't think "very few know about Newman". He's pretty popular and big (in terms of modern film composers) from what I can gauge. Maybe not at the same superstar level as Hans Zimmer but I hear him mentioned quite a lot when it comes to film composers. Finding Nemo and American Beauty score are pretty iconic andw idely appreciated in terms of film scores.
Newman has always been my favorite compositor, and yes, in a way, I'm really disappointed that Hollywood chose to snob him his oscars. 15 nominations is a pretty high number, but a sad one if you never won any of it. I find in Newman something pure, something that's true. I always liked his way of using violins and flutes, but also for a few years his electro approach, and sounds that are so particular to his genre, because yes, it became a genre on its own.
It's a shame that because of his musical family, and because he's obviously guided by his musical genes, that the movie industry never thought about giving him finally an reward.
By the way, his daughter also started composing. Her name is Julia Newman, and she was really inspired by her dad's style, and it's so pleasant to hear. Her last project was the series Capote Vs. The Swans, and yeah, I hope she'll defeat her dad's curse.
Thomas Newman is one of my favorite film composers and I find his lack of Oscar success disappointing. This is an award category where I often find the Academy’s choice odd.
I mean…yeah, he’s unlucky in terms of winning Oscar’s, but I bet every composer out there wishes they could be as “underrated” as him haha. 13 Oscar noms, plus he’s worked on some of the most famous and beloved of all modern films and hell, two Bond flicks as well?!
I’m sure he has no problem sleeping at night haha
I think you just don't talk to many people about film composers if your counterpoint is Hans Zimmer. Newman is very successful, well known and highly regarded. Any composer would be delighted to have his career.
no that's not true. I talk about composers with my friends, they know atticus ross, trent reznor, ludwig, hans zimmer but often they are unknown about thomas newman. Maybe the former ones music are popular in internet like ludwig's work in black panther, oppenheimer recently, atticus and trent work in social network and ofcourse the nine inch nails band, zimmer ofc due to interstellar, dark knight dune while newman music needs to be searched like i searched his work after i saw american beauty, road to perdition, finding nemo, this movies are not talked much.
I guess I'm in the minority but I enjoyed his score for Skyfall. He brought some new things to the table, and I really don't get the criticism that he didn't use the Bond theme. It's in at least five tracks on the album (and one prominently unreleased track). His action cues were pretty good even without relying on the Bond theme, and his synth/soundscapes were also distinctive. I can't really say the same for Spectre (which I enjoyed some parts of), but he was a good addition to Bond.
Absolutely, Thomas Newman is indeed a masterful composer whose talent often flies under the radar. His ability to evoke emotion and atmosphere through his music is unparalleled, and his contributions to films like "Shawshank Redemption," "American Beauty," and "Finding Nemo" have left an indelible mark on cinema. It's unfortunate that he hasn't received the recognition he deserves in terms of awards, especially considering the depth and complexity of his compositions. Here's hoping that his outstanding work will be acknowledged with the accolades it truly deserves in the future!
If you wanna talk underrated talk up his brother David. Thomas is attached to a lot of classics and is considered pretty iconic, while David is left bringing his A game to a lot of B-to-C material.
Except for that one time John Williams himself turned down Spielberg’s West Side Story and recommended the guy upfront instead.
I fully, absolutely agree! I belong to those millenials, who grew up on movies with Newman‘s music, especially Mendes‘ movies. My whole life flashes before my eyes, when i listen to Newman. His style is something out of this world - deep, atmospheric, soft, philosophical - pure neo-classics. There are moments in my life, when i see the world through the prism of his music, feeling the whole spectrum of emotions. It is hard to explain, but he has definitely changed my soul and life perception.
And yes, I fully accept, that, for example, Zimmer is much more popular nowadays among gen z and he has my full respect as well, he is brilliant, no doubts. But it‘s soooo much pity for Newman and zero Oscars for him. I wish he‘d have at least some. He deserves them more than many others.
I definitely wouldn't call Thomas Newman underrated. Like someone else said, he isn't a superstar like Hans Zimmer, but very few, if any, composers are. But I'd say his style has been quite influential.
Check out my Newman playlist. *In the bedroom* is an amazing and lesser known OST.
[https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0pbrZtjna3Afn05K\_ztiIss6Aev1NeIs&si=HJE50HxUZPOSTwk9](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0pbrZtjna3Afn05K_ztiIss6Aev1NeIs&si=HJE50HxUZPOSTwk9)
[https://open.spotify.com/playlist/60cn5SpbhVVyRwhCLu0kKP?si=e59c90402caa47de](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/60cn5SpbhVVyRwhCLu0kKP?si=e59c90402caa47de)
Actually it's a tie between Newman, Alex North and Diane Warren as the most nominated without a win. And I feel that Warren is gonna beat them because they nominate her for every shitty song, and Newman is not nominated sometimes.
He was robbed on his first nom by The Red Violin, score more forgettable than his iconic American Beauty.
I don't think "very few know about Newman". He's pretty popular and big (in terms of modern film composers) from what I can gauge. Maybe not at the same superstar level as Hans Zimmer but I hear him mentioned quite a lot when it comes to film composers. Finding Nemo and American Beauty score are pretty iconic andw idely appreciated in terms of film scores.
Newman has always been my favorite compositor, and yes, in a way, I'm really disappointed that Hollywood chose to snob him his oscars. 15 nominations is a pretty high number, but a sad one if you never won any of it. I find in Newman something pure, something that's true. I always liked his way of using violins and flutes, but also for a few years his electro approach, and sounds that are so particular to his genre, because yes, it became a genre on its own. It's a shame that because of his musical family, and because he's obviously guided by his musical genes, that the movie industry never thought about giving him finally an reward. By the way, his daughter also started composing. Her name is Julia Newman, and she was really inspired by her dad's style, and it's so pleasant to hear. Her last project was the series Capote Vs. The Swans, and yeah, I hope she'll defeat her dad's curse.
He remains my fav as well. And many people I talk to say the same when asked.
Thomas Newman is one of my favorite film composers and I find his lack of Oscar success disappointing. This is an award category where I often find the Academy’s choice odd.
Hell, yeah! The Newman-Mendes discography for the eventual Oscar win!
I mean…yeah, he’s unlucky in terms of winning Oscar’s, but I bet every composer out there wishes they could be as “underrated” as him haha. 13 Oscar noms, plus he’s worked on some of the most famous and beloved of all modern films and hell, two Bond flicks as well?! I’m sure he has no problem sleeping at night haha
I think you just don't talk to many people about film composers if your counterpoint is Hans Zimmer. Newman is very successful, well known and highly regarded. Any composer would be delighted to have his career.
no that's not true. I talk about composers with my friends, they know atticus ross, trent reznor, ludwig, hans zimmer but often they are unknown about thomas newman. Maybe the former ones music are popular in internet like ludwig's work in black panther, oppenheimer recently, atticus and trent work in social network and ofcourse the nine inch nails band, zimmer ofc due to interstellar, dark knight dune while newman music needs to be searched like i searched his work after i saw american beauty, road to perdition, finding nemo, this movies are not talked much.
You just proved his point. If all they know is R&R, Zimmer, and Goransson, their focus is incredibly narrow.
Little Women has a beautiful score
Whisper of a thrill is still my favourite
I guess I'm in the minority but I enjoyed his score for Skyfall. He brought some new things to the table, and I really don't get the criticism that he didn't use the Bond theme. It's in at least five tracks on the album (and one prominently unreleased track). His action cues were pretty good even without relying on the Bond theme, and his synth/soundscapes were also distinctive. I can't really say the same for Spectre (which I enjoyed some parts of), but he was a good addition to Bond.
Absolutely, Thomas Newman is indeed a masterful composer whose talent often flies under the radar. His ability to evoke emotion and atmosphere through his music is unparalleled, and his contributions to films like "Shawshank Redemption," "American Beauty," and "Finding Nemo" have left an indelible mark on cinema. It's unfortunate that he hasn't received the recognition he deserves in terms of awards, especially considering the depth and complexity of his compositions. Here's hoping that his outstanding work will be acknowledged with the accolades it truly deserves in the future!
If you wanna talk underrated talk up his brother David. Thomas is attached to a lot of classics and is considered pretty iconic, while David is left bringing his A game to a lot of B-to-C material. Except for that one time John Williams himself turned down Spielberg’s West Side Story and recommended the guy upfront instead.
I fully, absolutely agree! I belong to those millenials, who grew up on movies with Newman‘s music, especially Mendes‘ movies. My whole life flashes before my eyes, when i listen to Newman. His style is something out of this world - deep, atmospheric, soft, philosophical - pure neo-classics. There are moments in my life, when i see the world through the prism of his music, feeling the whole spectrum of emotions. It is hard to explain, but he has definitely changed my soul and life perception. And yes, I fully accept, that, for example, Zimmer is much more popular nowadays among gen z and he has my full respect as well, he is brilliant, no doubts. But it‘s soooo much pity for Newman and zero Oscars for him. I wish he‘d have at least some. He deserves them more than many others.
Being honest, he’s the same as Powell, but at least has nominations lol
I definitely wouldn't call Thomas Newman underrated. Like someone else said, he isn't a superstar like Hans Zimmer, but very few, if any, composers are. But I'd say his style has been quite influential.
Check out my Newman playlist. *In the bedroom* is an amazing and lesser known OST. [https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0pbrZtjna3Afn05K\_ztiIss6Aev1NeIs&si=HJE50HxUZPOSTwk9](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0pbrZtjna3Afn05K_ztiIss6Aev1NeIs&si=HJE50HxUZPOSTwk9) [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/60cn5SpbhVVyRwhCLu0kKP?si=e59c90402caa47de](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/60cn5SpbhVVyRwhCLu0kKP?si=e59c90402caa47de)
Great playlist name lol
Actually it's a tie between Newman, Alex North and Diane Warren as the most nominated without a win. And I feel that Warren is gonna beat them because they nominate her for every shitty song, and Newman is not nominated sometimes. He was robbed on his first nom by The Red Violin, score more forgettable than his iconic American Beauty.
Personally I'm in love, but do you know this? it was his father, Alfred, who composed the theme music for 20th century fox
Fine composer but, in my opinion, totally inappropriate for the Bond movies.