Trinity and Beyond *Soundtrack Review*

Two short notes before the actual review:
-The preview player has been upgraded; It's now more simplified and compact. Press triangle to play and square to stop it.
-Due to the size of album I'm not able to analyze each track separately. Therefore I only describe the music superficially only with a few elucidating samples. This will also be my principle with the forthcoming soundtrack reviews.
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Conducted by: William Stromberg
Performed by: The Moscow Symphony Orchestra And Chorus
Year Released: 1996
Total duration: 56:43

Track listing

1. Monument Site / 100 Tons of TNT
2. Newsreel
3. Fat Man and Little Boy
4. Hiroshima / Nagasaki Requiem
5. Operation Crossroads
6. Armada Annihilation
7. Deus Vult
8. Nautical Graveyard
9. Operation Sandstone
10. Improved Stockpile Bomb
11. Russia Gets the Bomb
12. Operation Ranger-Able
13. Operation Greenhouse
14. Boosting with Tritium
15. The George Device
16. The Atomic Cannon
17. Castle Bravo
18. Operation Wigwam
19. Cherokee Deliverable H-Bomb
20. The Hood Device
21. Operation Hardtack / Teak and Orange
22. Russian Monster Bomb
23. Operation Dominic
24. Christmas Island Tests
25. Thor Missiles
26. China Gets the Bomb

Review
When people talk about common soundtracks, they tend to consider them movie soundtracks. However, it's naive to think that only films would have a musical score. If we take a closer look to the programmes we watch on television, we're likely to notice that most of the shows contain some kind of background music. Whether it's some kind of stock music, unmemorable synthesizer sounds or various incidental music, it does not matter. The fact is, that music (or lack of it!) is as essential ingredient for the film makers as the footage itself.
In this case we would have rather mighty material already. Trinity and Beyond is a documentary film, directed by Peter Kuran, that basically depicts the history of nuclear testing in the mid-20th century. Containing fully restored archive footage, we are to observe the true power of destruction in its own horrifying beautifulness.

Bombastic film needs a bombastic soundtrack. A relatively unknown composer William Stromberg was asked to make a score for the movie. With the help of John Morgan, he managed to pull together a musical masterpiece that challenges the works of John Williams, Howard Shore and other contemporary movie conductors.

Before going any further, I just want you to listen to this 1st track of the album. Try to sense its emotional message, try to feel the threatening note of the music. And turn up the volume to absorb it fully.

Now, if you have recovered from the musical shock, we shall continue.

First of all, the soundtrack is a vast compilation of varying degree of symphonic music. From the faintest strings the music exceeds itself with a whole usage of the orchestra and choir. This changing aspect of score reflects distinctly the shape of nuclear bomb; Amid a pristine tranquility suddenly all hell brakes loose. Similarly, after a long period of pure silent a cluster of horns along with strings and powerful timpani strike out of blue with tremendous force. While witnessing the sea of fire on the screen, we're being captivated by the ominous and somewhat hypnotic chorus that accompanies the moments of the film with the most breathtaking interpretation. It's the shivering feeling you face; feeling that the time stops, that everything stops before a total destruction. You're being paralyzed by the punch of emotion. By listening the soundtrack, we go more and more inside the events of the film, ultimately becoming part of it.
Let's listen the second track:

It's about war, always. Nuclear testing took primarily place during the Cold War. It was a psychological warfare between the United States and the USSR, in which both of the superpowers aimed to outperform each others' military strength. The footage of the film predominantly comes from the US archives.
Not only the music portrays the bomb explosions but also the pushing political circumstances which led these nations to test and improve their nuclear preparedness. The marching sound is attitude of "invisible" troops, the entrance of the mental army and loyal and powerful one.

#4 Hiroshima And Nagasaki - Requiem

For starters we hear traditional high-pitch Japanese style music which later on gets more attacking, thus picturing the disciplined state of the nation. I can't really make out what language the lyrics are, but I'd suggest them to be Japanese. Fast paced track but turns into totally different, eery mood, from 2.13 onwards. Perhaps indicating the miserable destiny of these unlucky cities.

I've only tried to choose the best tracks of the album that stand out from musical point of view. Next we jump at number 14, Boosting With Tritium / The George Device.

At once we do not hear pompous thundering, as the previous 3 track could be described. Instead we're being introduced with the beautiful main theme of the movie. Being both melancholy and sinister, it's probably the touching piece of music, created by a few strings and with minor differences in notes. Strongberg at his best.


#15 The George Device

Considerable queer and atonal beginning music contains sign of raising. Something is growing bigger and bigger. The music fits so perfectly, despite of not ever seeing the documentary you can predict that we're heading to something grand. Finally, at 1.25 a huge chorus bursts out singing. Wonderful scheme.

#16 The Atomic Cannon

Now this track brings me back some memories. Thanks to this music I got to know the film better and finally watch it myself. Initially I stumbled on this while browsing through some misc videos on the Internet many years ago. I happened to open some low-resolution clip that actually was taken from the movie. It depicted an atomic bomb test in some wasteland. But rather than being interested in what I was seeing, it that I was hearing. Absolutely masterful music in the background. First I thought it might be some composition of Dimitri Shostakovich added to the film, the similarities of work of the 20th century Russian composers were amazing. Without knowing one would easily think the music origins from Stalin-era USSR.
The musical pattern itself in this track is something that we don't meet with regular soundtracks, no scene would be as long and as dramatic. However, nuclear explosion squeezed in notes would sound just like that.


#20. The Hood Device

Another menacing march that, interestingly, becomes louder and louder and reaches the maximum at 1.12. The latter part of the track is also very spooky.

The 7 samples were chosen to give the best impression of the album. They are to give reasons why the album ought to be listened and the movie watched. The rest of the tracks are quite similar to the examples, but not completely. There many more original melodies included, #3 and #4 to mention two tracks which I shall recommend. The overall is pretty loud, which frankly anyone can except considering the film's theme. The musical effect, strength of instruments and the essential role of choir makes me wish that the local symphonic orchestra would take this to their repertoire. Unfortunately, it would need a miracle.
Anyhow, if there's a person who dislike this soundtrack and find it tedious, I still insist him to get this album. It's too good to be skipped.
And last but to least I'm proud to give this album highest possible grade

*****/*****

Simpsons: Double, Double, Boy in Trouble - *Episode review*

As you may have noticed, it's been two weeks since my last activity. I can't say I've been busy recently, that's not an excuse. The truth is that it's not a simple task to write such comprehensive reviews that I've accustomed to do. Each review usually requires hours of work. Therefore I have to think twice before starting "a new project".
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Double, Double, Boy in Trouble

Series: The Simpsons
Season: 20
Season episode: #3 (423)
Written by: Bill Odenkirk

Plot

******Warning! Contains spoilers!******
-Chalkboard: There is no such month as "Rocktober".
-Couch gag: After getting on the couch a Tornado appears and suck them and the sofa into the air and, in a parody of The Wizard of Oz, are landed to a farm picture turning black-and-white.

Homer and Bart are buying groceries from the Kwik-E-Mart. Homer is tempted to buy a lottery ticket. Meanwhile Bart is acting childish. He jumps from a shelf to another, but suddenly loses his balance and falls down. Homer comes to rescue him.

At the same time Lenny happens to buy the lottery ticket of which Homer was about to buy. It's the winning ticket, prize of 15000$. Homer gets mad at Bart whose fault the huge loss obviously was. So is Marge when he hears the news.

Lenny decides to have a grand party due to his great victory. Every citizen of Springfield is invited. Lanny sings a songs in which he thanks everyone for being friend.

Acting immature for the whole evening, Bart finds a peculiar way to trick the guests; He launches dozens of Vacuum bots to spread chaos to the party.

The Springfield police is needed to stabilize the situation. Bart gets caught and is punished by Marge.

While washing hands in the restroom, Bart meets his complete look-alike(who's bespectacled though) and the boy's father who also bears resemblance to him. Both are bored to their regular life and decide to change the roles.

Bart, who now pretends to be Simon Woosterfield, realize his nerd-counterpart is from a uber-rich family and lives in a mansion with all the luxuries available.

On the Evergreen Terrace Simon already finds The Simpsons very lower-class people, Homer being the most repulsive person of the family.

Meanwhile Simon's half-sister Quenley and half-brother Devan are planning to get rid of Simon so they would inherit the entire fortune. They lock "Simon" up to the mausoleum. Luckily Mr. Burns happens to walk past and manages to free Bart with the help of Smithers.

Mr. Burns tells a valuable story about his large family, and that everyone except himself survived through their youth.

Simon's evil siblings are taking Bart to a ski-trip to Aspen. They make him to run the most hazardous trail, in order to finish him.

But, Lisa has become aware of the boy's little role-game and after being informed that "Simon" could be killed anytime soon, Homer and the family hurries to save Bart. Homer accidentally falls from the ski-lift, forms a giant snowball which hits Bart and saves both of them.

Both Simon and Bart return to their own families. Bart is no longer dissatisfied with his life but instead says before falling asleep: This is the life.

Picture and Audio

The visual impression is as perfect as always. In fact, I kinda long for the old shaky drawing style. It still had some emotionality in it, but even though current style is awesome, it's also kinda sharp and straight-forward and too calculated. Though, for example Bart's embryo scene is beautifully implemented. Furthermore, it's always fascinating to see how the animators keep concentrating on the shadows. They create a certain mood to the scenes.
In terms of music, the episode is pretty much average. As a fan, it's great to see that Lisa's varying saxophone solo is still used.
Interestingly, the episode includes no popular music. We briefly heard light music while Lenny is singing and apart from few drama-segment cues it's very speech-oriented episode.



Major character appearances
Guest Stars:

• Joe Montana
  

New Characters:

• Simon Woosterfield
  

• Mr. Woosterfield
  

• Devan
  

• Quenley
  

• Woosterfields' limousine driver
  

Recurring characters:

• The Simpson family
• Apu
• Lenny
• Moe
• Barney
• Todd
• Mayor Quimby
• Chief Wiggum
• Lou
• Krusty
• Milhouse
• Smithers
• Mr. Burns
• Grampa

Did you notice that..?
-Moleman was eaten by the crazy vacuum bots, but is later seen alive in the background

-Milhouse has replaced the face of Luanns boyfriend with Kirk's face.

-The episode pokes fun with Saddam Hussein.

Pros and Cons

+ No idiotic subplots that ruin the main story.
+ Bart-centered episode instead of endless Homer-doing-this-and-that ones.

+ Ending was well-chosen had a sense of emotionality

+ Barney crying like a girl


+ Marge's flashback of "drinking" alcohol while being pregnant


+ Simon's Milhouse look-alike mother



- The idea of changing roles is badly worn out,yet surprisingly never use in The Simpsons.
- The first 9 minutes of the episode suggested it would tell about Bart's misbehavior. Then that part was was totally forgotten
- 9 minutes? The appearance of Simon and his family took place quite late.
- Woosterfields ares richer than Mr. Burns, and still never heard of them before? And what they were doing in Lenny's party in the first place?
- Homer stumbling and making himself a snowbal=lame.
-Joe Montana had only a 20-secs role, so why on Earth he's depicted on the promo picture?
- How Simon could be alive at the age of 10 if his siblings always try to kill him? No idiotic

Summary
The 20th season continues with mixed feelings. The first episode was horrible and made the fans fear the worst. Fortunately the following episode showed a slight improvement, giving a faint sign of hope. But when pondering this episode it hard to say whether the season is going towards success or failure. The plot itself may not be the most original one, and somehow it was predictable that it would Bart who will change the role. The first half of the episode is confusing. It's all about Bart doing tricks and misbehaving. But all of sudden a couple of Bart clones shows up out of blue and the episode turns totally different. It like the 8 minutes were totally pointless. There must have been better way to introduce Woosterfields. The whole Lenny-winning-and-having-a-party could have been dropped out(which kinda reminds me of Homer Simpson, This Is Your Wife in which Lenny has invited everyone to watch his HD-television. How come they can use Carl instead?). Despite many pointless and utterly unthinkable parts, the episode is saved by many strong jokes and good variety of characters. I also appreciate the ending which, contrary to usual joke, is realistic and shows Bart as a 10-year-old son who loves his mother.

***½/*****

Simpsons: Lost Verizon - *Episode review*

Ok, time for another Simpsons episode review.
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Lost Verizon

Series: The Simpsons
Season: 20
Season episode: #2 (422)
Written by: John Frink

Plot

******Warning! Contains spoilers!******
Seymour and Agnus are driving on the highway when they suddenly run out of gas. His mother orders him to get some gas.

Seymour faces difficulties while crossing the highway, and Milhouse on the bridge notices this hilarious moment and call everyone from the school to withness it.
Drunk Barney mistakes principal from beer can and starts chasing him making the situation is even more absurd.

Bart, however, totally unknowing about the thing since not owning a cell phone, is having a imaginary tea party with his sister Lisa. Being upset for missing the spectacle as not having a cell phone, Bart begs one from his mother but to no avail.

Incidently, Bart ends up a golf course where he gets a job; Finding the missing balls. Unfortunately Groundskeeper Willie halts his growning business.

Meanwhile, Denis Leary gets annoyed by the phone rinning and throws away his cell phone which lands near to Bart. Bart keeps it, ignoring the fact Leary might possibly get mad.

In the following week Bart makes several prank calls to taverns all over the world, for example Australia and Swedish.

Marge soon finds out about Barts doings, but after short discussion with Leary, gives it back to Bart but with tracking device hidden into it. Hence, she can always know if Bart's doing something naughty.

Lisa becomes aware of their parents' action and tells Bart about it, who decides to trick them by removing the tracking chip and placing it onto the leg of bird. Homer and Marge, still believing they're following Bart, get worried while "Bart" seems to have gone to a filed outside Springfield. Lisa checks from the Internet the bird they're following winters in Machu Pichu. Lisa, always wanting to see the place, shoos the bird so they can trace it to Peru.

Bart is living at home by himself, though being scary in nights. At Machu Pichu Marge sees a dream where ancient Maya leader urges her to allow Bart to take care of himself and not to be that strict mother.

The family returns to home and Bart while embracing his mother tell her not to leave him alone ever again. In the end they remember that they forgot Maggie in Machu Pichu. There, she has become a maya leader.

Picture and Audio
Like with the previous episode, high quality animation continues. No any reasons to complain The zoom effect shown when Bart makes his prank calls is nicely realized. Also the scene change, when the golf balls goes towards the camera is cool.
Sound enviroment can be considered quite basic. Two popular songs are used in this episode, though I was unable to find the names of the songs.

Major character appearances
Guest Stars:

• Denis Leary
  

• Brian Grazer
  

New Characters:

No real new characters, if not the Swedish bartender is count

Recurring characters:

• The Simpson family
  
• Seymour Skinner
• Agnus Skinner
• Barney
  
• Milhouse
• Nelson
• Doctor Hibbert
• Groundskeeper Willie
• Rich Texan
• Krusty
• Moe
  

Did you notice that..?

• Nick Riviera, who was allegedly got killed in The Simpsons Movie, is seen as Dr. Hibbert's caddy
  

• Wendell has a speaking role

• Before the credits there's a dedication to Paul Newman

Pros and Cons
+Bart having a tea party with his sister and wearing Mad Hatter's hat.
+Maggie writing "ME SAD 2"
+Dr. Nick returning from death
+Bart's prank calls
+ Marge: "Bart, how did you get a cell phone?"
Bart: "The same way you got me. By accident, on a golf course."
+Moe and FBI scene
+Bart's acting like a real 10-year-old boy

-Barney chasing Seymour. Too must-be-funny scene.
-Denis Leary have too much lines considering his minor role
-Marge inside a coffin that Bart digs up in the cemetery. What the heck?
-Do Marge & homer really think Bart's gone to Machu Pichu and even decide to go after him?
-Maya leader's "moral lesson" looked artificial.
-Ending was anticipated and ridiculous.

Summary
After the sizeable disappointment the first episode Sex, Pies and Idiot Scrapes caused, this was true an improvement. The writers had not added unnecessary subplot, which usually splits badly the main plot as it did to Sex, Pies and Idiot Scrapes. By following only one story, it makes the episode much more consistent and reasonable. Despite some unfunny scenes with no logic, the episode goes on without major holes in the plot. Also, it's nice to see Bart centered episode which depicts him as both a reckless kid who likes to do pranks, and realistic child who miss his mom. This pattern gives the episode extra emotions. And compared to many Homer-doing-this-and-that episodes it's refreshing to see Homer as a minor character. Though there are some gags made by Homer, which frankly, are quite unnecessary. If Homer's not needed, let him keep low profile.
The straightforward plot accomppanied by some well made jokes guarantee this episode as many stars as:
***½/*****