Film directors frequently have a regular cast of characters they choose from (see Christopher Guest, Wes Anderson, etc.) and many times they have a cast and crew they’re fond of working with.
Steven Soderbergh is no different and the man seems to love Irish electronic producer David Holmes who has scored all the “Ocean’s” films, plus “Out Of Sight” – Soderbergh’s commercial breakthrough after a number of post critical breakthrough, “Sex, Lies, and Videotape,” flops (.
While the ‘Ocean’s’ films are routinely criticized for being breezy and blithe, but vacuous (not an entirely off-the-mark censure), one of the trilogies consistently reliable trademarks are the impeccable taste of Holmes’ scores. Utilizing a smorgasbord of hip sources, Holmes’ loots, pilfers and sample from nimble spy films, groovy Italian soundtracks and obscuro Euro-disco to create an assured hybrid of chic instrumentals that brilliantly underscore the characters effortless cool, easy-going jocularity and flawless style (Holmes draws on influences like Ennio Morricone, Quincy Jones, Serge Gainsbourg, Roland Vincent and Lalo Schiffrin to name just a few).
Holmes 1995 classic, This Film’s Crap Let’s Slash the Seats, received a lot of critical acclaim at the time and the ambient, soundtracky moods of the film quickly found him work in the world of movie scores. Soon thereafter the track “No Man’s Land” from ‘Seats‘ was used in the score to Darren Aronofsky’s 1998 debut, “PI.” The same year, Jersey Films (Danny Devito’s production company) comissioned Holmes to compose the “Out Of Sight” score. The 2001 Ocean’s Eleven soundtrack also borrowed songs from his albums Let’s Get Killed (1997) and Bow Down to the Exit Sign (2000).
“I come in at script level, I read it straight away and [then] ideas start to form. I then compile CDs and send them to Steven [Soderbergh] and we communicate via email. If he’s feeling positive about something he lets me know and the other stuff he just ignores [laughs].” Davis Holmes from Indie London.
The terribly lame “Ocean’s Thirteen” soundtrack trailer is here.
Update: The Times review says, “The third time really is a charm, ‘Ocean’s Thirteen,’ is also a gas; it’s lighter than air, prettier than life, a romp, a goof and an attentively oiled machine. “
Download: David Holmes “Paper Underwear” (from David Holmes Presents The Free Association)
Download: David Holmes – “11, 12 and 13” (from Ocean’s Thirteen Soundtrack)
Download: David Holmes – “$165 Millions + Interest” (from the Ocean’s Twelve Soundtrack)
Download: David Holmes – “Gritty Shaker” (from Let’s Get Killed/Ocean’s Eleven)
Watch: “Ocean’s Thirteen” trailer
