This documentary offers an intimate look at the electronic music pioneer Gary Numan during the making of his album 'Splinter (Songs From A Broken Mind)'. While not a narrative film with a composed score in the traditional sense, the music is the absolute subject of the film. You get to see the creative process, the struggles, and the impact of his iconic sound on his life and career. For anyone interested in electronic music and the life of a unique artist, the 'BSO' here is the artist's entire body of work and the new music being created.

Much like "(500) Days of Summer," the charm of "Juno" is heavily amplified by its distinctive soundtrack, curated by director Jason Reitman and star Ellen Page. Featuring artists like The Moldy Peaches, Belle & Sebastian, and Sonic Youth, the acoustic and indie-folk heavy soundtrack perfectly embodies the film's quirky, authentic, and slightly offbeat tone. The music helps define the protagonist's personality and the film's overall aesthetic, making it a crucial element of its indie darling status.

While not driven by a traditional score, the soundtrack of "(500) Days of Summer" is undeniably a central character. Featuring a fantastic collection of indie pop and rock songs from artists like The Smiths, Regina Spektor, and Feist, the music reflects the emotional arc of the protagonist's relationship. The film famously uses a split-screen sequence set to music to contrast expectation versus reality, highlighting how integral the songs are to conveying mood and narrative beats. It's a soundtrack that became almost as beloved as the film itself.

Michel Gondry's mind-bending romantic drama features a score by Jon Brion and a memorable soundtrack. Brion's score is often quirky and experimental, mirroring the film's fragmented narrative and visual style. The soundtrack features a mix of artists, including Beck (who covered The Korgis' "Everybody's Gotta Learn Sometime" for the film) and The Polyphonic Spree. The musical landscape of the film perfectly complements its themes of memory, love, and identity, contributing significantly to its unique emotional resonance and surreal atmosphere.

As a modern silent film, the score for "The Artist" is not just important; it's absolutely fundamental to its existence and storytelling. Ludovic Bource's Oscar-winning score acts as the voice and emotional core of the film, guiding the audience through the highs and lows of its silent-era Hollywood story. The music perfectly captures the melodrama, humor, and romance of the period, using leitmotifs for characters and situations. It's a brilliant example of how a score can carry an entire narrative when dialogue is absent.

Wes Anderson's films are known for their distinctive visual style and equally distinctive musical choices. "Moonrise Kingdom" features a delightful blend of Alexandre Desplat's score and a carefully curated selection of classical pieces, particularly those by Benjamin Britten, and folk songs. The music is essential to establishing the film's whimsical, nostalgic, and slightly melancholic tone. It feels like a character itself, guiding the audience through the quirky adventures of its young protagonists on their island escape. The soundtrack album is a must-listen for fans of the film's unique mood.

The score for Spike Jonze's futuristic romance "Her" was primarily composed by Arcade Fire and Owen Pallett, with additional music by Jon Brion. It's a subtle, melancholic, and deeply atmospheric score that perfectly complements the film's themes of love, connection, and loneliness in a technologically saturated world. The music is often understated, allowing the emotional performances to shine, but it weaves a delicate tapestry of sound that resonates long after the credits roll, capturing the tender and bittersweet nature of the story.

Another monumental score from Hans Zimmer for Christopher Nolan. The music in "Inception" is famous for its signature low, brassy 'BRAAAM' sound, which became an instant cinematic meme. Beyond that iconic note, the score is a masterclass in building tension and atmosphere, blending electronic and orchestral elements to create a soundscape that perfectly fits the film's complex, layered dream world. The music is integral to conveying the disorientation and escalating stakes of navigating subconscious architecture.

Hans Zimmer crafted an absolutely colossal and deeply emotional score for Christopher Nolan's epic sci-fi journey. Utilizing a prominent pipe organ, Zimmer's music for "Interstellar" is designed to convey the vastness of space, the weight of time dilation, and the profound connection of love. It builds from quiet contemplation to overwhelming power, often mirroring the film's stunning visuals and the characters' desperate mission. The score is as much a character in the film as the astronauts themselves, driving the narrative and amplifying the sense of awe and isolation.

Step into the whimsical world of Montmartre with Yann Tiersen's enchanting score for "Amélie." Dominated by accordion, piano, and violin, Tiersen's music is as charming and quirky as the film's titular character. It evokes a sense of Parisian romance, innocence, and playful mischief. The score became incredibly popular worldwide, launching Tiersen's career and forever associating his distinctive sound with the film's visual poetry. It's a soundtrack that can instantly transport you to a sunny afternoon in Paris.

Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross delivered a landmark electronic score for David Fincher's look at the founding of Facebook. Moving away from traditional orchestral sounds, their score is atmospheric, unsettling, and perfectly captures the cold, digital, and sometimes alienating world of early social media. It's minimalist yet incredibly effective, creating a sense of unease and underlying tension that mirrors the complex relationships and betrayals depicted on screen. It rightly won them an Academy Award and solidified their place as innovative film composers.

Alejandro G. Iñárritu's visually stunning and technically audacious film is accompanied by one of the most unique scores in recent memory. Composed primarily of solo jazz drumming by Antonio Sánchez, the music in "Birdman" is not just background; it acts as the frantic heartbeat of Michael Keaton's unraveling character. It's often diegetic, played by street drummers, or seamlessly integrated into the film's rhythm, mimicking the protagonist's internal state and the chaotic flow of the narrative. It's a bold, unconventional choice that pays off spectacularly, making the score an inseparable part of the film's identity.

Prepare to be absolutely blown away by the sound of "Whiplash"! Damien Chazelle's intense drama about a young drummer and his demanding teacher is not just a film with music; it is music. The jazz pieces, the relentless drumming, the clash of cymbals – it's all visceral, powerful, and utterly central to the narrative and emotional core. Justin Hurwitz's score, along with the incredible performances and diegetic music, creates an electrifying atmosphere that perfectly captures the passion, pain, and sheer dedication required to pursue greatness. It's a masterclass in how sound can drive storytelling.