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As do its various spin-offs.

aox wrote: Tue Jul 07, 2026 5:16 pm As a thought experiment, I've always wondered what the Nolan trilogy would be like with the iconic Elfman score. I've seen the Nolan trilogy probably 10-15 times since its release, and I couldn't hum a single measure of their scores.

Nolan's always had a tin ear for music, and yet he slathers his films with a non-stop barrage of it (I swear to God, Oppenheimer had about 170 minutes' worth of music in its 180-minute running time). The Zimmer soundtracks are a blight on his Batman films.

The Batman Returns soundtrack was my second most played tape in the 90s after the Twin Peaks score. Badalamenti, Elfman and Elliot Goldenthal (his music for Interview with The Vampire came in third) were my favorite film composers of that decade.

Finch wrote: Wed Jul 08, 2026 3:02 am The Batman Returns soundtrack was my second most played tape in the 90s after the Twin Peaks score. Badalamenti, Elfman and Elliot Goldenthal (his music for Interview with The Vampire came in third) were my favorite film composers of that decade.

I think Elfman has really stretched himself with his Gus Van Sant collaborations. Some of his most experimental and sophisticated music. Really love that title cue for Matthew Bright’s Freeway as well. It is very sad how he’s distanced himself from Oingo Boingo. He’s said that hearing damage prevents him from performing live with them again, but he’s done solo shows. He’s so unique in that he doesn’t orchestrate, conduct, or transcribe music. He plays melodies on keyboard and former Boingo guitarist Steve Bartek takes over on all of those duties


I’m glad you mentioned Goldenthal. I’m very partial to his non-film works and his score for Alien 3

I do like his Alien 3 score too.

Speak of the devil, Elfman is actually touring this fall in support of a new album. (It was just announced that he's coming to NYC in September.)