For Scores of Twenty Years Ago

Today I read a commemoration of The Goonies' 25th Anniversary.  I happened to catch most of it on TV a few weeks ago, as it's one of those nostalgic films that just grabs my attention if I stumble upon it.  But one thing that really struck me was how great the score was, especially the "Fratelli Chase" song.  Just a few notes of that take me back instantly to the movie.  And then I realized -- I don't know any modern movie scores.  When did they get so boring, or replaced by shitty popular music?  If the Goonies were remade today, is there any doubt that the opening segment would instead be drowned out by some popular "alternative" band who just happens to be represented by the music arm of the conglomerate that owns the movie studio?  (Yes, I know the Cyndi Lauper segment kind of invalidates my whole thesis.)

Think back to all the classic scores.  Jaws.  The Godfather.  Raiders of the Lost Ark.  The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly.  (My personal pick for Best Score Ever:  Aguirre the Wrath of God, with the music by Popol Vuh.  It so perfectly fits the mood and visuals.)  Is there anybody still making them like John Williams and Ennio Morricone?  Hans Zimmer seems to win tons of awards, but I can't say he has a distinct style that stands out to me, or has done anything that really holds in my subconscious.  I like Clint Mansell's work, though it's mostly just that Requiem for a Dream song that gets used in all the trailers.  (I also preferred him back in Pop Will Eat Itself, but that's another story.)

I suppose the real issue is that for the most part scores have been replaced by soundtracks, and all too often those are the lazy way out.  If I see one more montage of lonely people over a sappy love song, one more dude walking away from an explosion in slow motion to crap rock, one more Aerosmith anything I'm going to puke.  A good soundtrack can be a wonderful thing, but for every Tarantino out there who picks perfect yet unexpected songs (krautrock in a kung fu flick!) there are 50 directors going for cheap emotional tugs or a Family Guy-esque "Hey, do you remember [x]? I love the 80s!" nod.  Put some effort into it, people!