Bland and boring. Four stars? The themes are weak. Without Howards strong themes his scores would be nothing but a waste of time. Much like Hidalgo.

Howard is not a mediocre composer . I give you three scores that are not mediocre: Snow Falling on Cedars, Waterworld and SIGNS.In fact they are damn good . Good enough to establish Howard in top of film music industry.

Yep, Signs score is very, very good. Maybe not so enjoyable listening like Waterworld but it is much better in da movie.

I think that Howard's music works really great in Shyamalan's movies.
Both have great talents. Music for Sixth Sense, Unbreakable or Signs is fantastic. Three best scenes from these films are so special partly beacuse of Howard's music. Sixth Sense - when Bruce Willis finds out the truth, Unbreakable - when Bruce (again )comes out from the pool and fights the murderer, Signs - final confrontation between Gibson, Phoenix and an alien. And thru whole mvoies, from begining to an end - music steers your emotions. Wish they both (Shyamalan and Howard) could always work together.

Watch out for later on this year. Shyamalan has another movie coming out called "The Village." And guess who's scoring that? That's right, James Newton Howard.

James Newton Howard turned out to be my favourite composer. That's why I can't say he's a mediocre composer. His scores for Waterworld, Dinosaur, Signs, Vertical Limit, The Village, Wyatt Earp... They are all masterpieces to me. In my opinion none of his scores are mediocres, at least all the ones I've listened to.
I'll also comunicate you that Shyamalan is going to direct a new thriller called "Lady in the Water", starring Paul Giamatti. The music is going to be composed by Mr. Howard.
JMG

> Howard is not a mediocre composer . I give you three scores that are
> not mediocre: Snow Falling on Cedars, Waterworld and SIGNS.In fact they
> are damn good . Good enough to establish Howard in top of film music
> industry.