JAMES HORNER

Ugh. Composers who think they're directors are just as bad as directors who think they're composers.
(Well. With the possible exception of John Carpenter)

Ah!
Another two of movie music's most diplomatic, cuddly and lovable individuals!

Michael and Southall, you're defending him 'cause you like his work, it's pretty natural. But cinema is such a multi-angled and complex venue, there's strict specialization that has to be followed in order for the whole processes to work. Everybody must mind their own business and whether some composers like it or not, the whole burden and responsibilities a director takes in such a high-profile venue as hollywood, are of such magnitude that he has the RIGHT to demand total control over the whole production, if the composer or all the other sub( OR 2ndary, whatever)-cast (it's like that whether we like it or not) wants to have a final say on the final product, the production will result into an endless, never-ending mess.

MOST IMPORTANTLY though, in every business the most crucial aspect is to RESPECT YOUR COWORKERS and SUPERVISORS (i am sure he doesn't like to admit there's such a thing as a "supervisor" in cinema, but that's the truth like every other job) in PROFESSIONAL ways FIRST and foremost, before talking your mind or anything else, especially publically.

As I said, it makes for a fun read for us and this perhaps why you like him, but the “cold” and typical-appearing other composers in their interviews clearly show more professionalism than what he does. Let’s face it, what one professional SHOULD do is be ok with his superiors and co-workers and then look how to satisfy fans with their sayings. And who said that someone who actually enjoys working with directors and shares their views, is lying?

Perhaps Malick is overrated? We haven't heard his story. Perhaps his ego is as big as that of the length of his movies multiplied by the number of movies he made and the number of monologues in TTRL.

I am not defending Mallick, just to clarify, i like TTRL a lot but overall i think he's overrated. In any case though, what i am discussing is a different topic.

Well, he does come across as arrogant generally. That might not be Mallick's problem. DOn't get me wrong, i love Horner's music. What we're discussing is different.

He can't self-destruct. He's James Horner. He can pretty much say whatever he wants and get away with it. And even if it should cost him some job offers, he could live off his TITANIC residuals untill he's 247 years old.

Which is EXACTLY what Horner is doing by saying that he does what the director asks him to do even when he knows the director is wrong, and tries to persuade him to do it another way - but always does what the director asks. Completely professional.

I think it's absolutely scurrilous and beneath you to suggest that a composer of James Horner's stature and success is unprofessional. If he were unprofessional he simply wouldn't have got where he has. You can't do it if you're unprofessional.

As for moaning about him speaking his mind and speaking the truth - I never have a problem with people telling the truth. If it's OK for me or you to come on this forum and slag Michael Bay off then I don't see why it's a problem for James Horner to do it - in a considerably more diplomatic way.

Weel, schmooch talk? Listen to Horner talking about colors!

Americanisms and Hollywood-isms is what i do find disgusting in many behavioral types. But that alone doesn't mean that whoever who likes working with a director and enjoying his work is automatically a liar.

Did he really call Malick an idiot?

I'd rather watch any film directed by James Horner than suffer through any score composed by John Carpenter, thank you.

The best way to see things, actually. I too think he is one of the few remaining 'greats' of our times. As for what i said about James and Michael, whilst i know it came out wrong, or at least not exactly as i thought in my mind, still i am pretty sure that if we asked someone neutral, a third person who does not know HOrner nor Mallick, such comments like Horner's would surely make an odd impression. FOr us is different...it's OUR HOrner.

True. I'm willing to ignore his less-than-charming personality in favour of his music. Those who aren't fans of his music would probably be less forgiving (but probably more forgetful since they wouldn't care what he had to say in the first place!)