Film music that scored Great soundtracks that matched sight and sound BY MICHAEL GILT~ A great film score doesn't always equal a great soundtrack. (Do you really want to listen to the John Williams music for "Jaws" while driving home?) And sometimes a bad movie can produce a great soundtrack. ("Streets of Fire," anyone?).</p><p> So, after you buy the "Dreamgirls" CD, hel'e are the best soundtracks and scores re leased in 2006 -the CDs you'll actually want to listen to after the movie is over. • "LEONARD COHEN: I'M YOUR MAN" This concert film tribute to the Canadian musical bard was peopled by curator Hal Willner with built-to-endure talents like Antony.</p><p> U2 and Rufus Wainwright.</p><p> Among many highlights , Teddy Thomp son's aching "Tonight Will Be Fine" stands out, II "LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE" The secret weapon in this indie comedy's success ful run at the box office was the play ful score of Mychael Danna, along with Sufjan Stevens and super freak Rick James thrown in for good measure. • "THE ILLUSIONIST" Philip Glass de livers a more typical score for "Notes on a Scandal," but here proves how adaptable his distinctive, increasingly romantic style is, ..</p><p> SING·A·LONGS & LULLABIES FOR THE FILM "CURIOUS GEORGE" No other movie soundtrack united the entire family the way this amiable work did, thanks to mellow surf er-musician Jack Johnson, songs like "Up side Down" and friends like rockers the White Stripes, .. "THE PROPOSITION" Nick Cave and War ren Ellis of the Bad Seeds deliver the eeriest, most provocative score for a Western since Neil Young's music for "Dead Man." Spooky.</p><p> I'll "A PRAIRIE HOME COMPANION" DELUXE EDITION Garrison I~eillor, Lily Tomlin, Woody limreison and Meryl Streep ail shine as per· lormers in Robert Altman's final film.</p><p> The t'OIlUS DVD contains even more treasures. j THE J MONKEY SHINES "Curious George" had swin· gin'tunes. " "THE FOUNTAIN" Audiences may have been confused by this ro mantic sci-fi-fantasy, but the mourn ful score by Clint Mansell (with help fmm Kronos Quartet and Mogwai) won't be de nied, II "BABEL" The globe-trotting movie has an appropriately globe-trotting soundtrack with moody film music by Gustavo Santaolalla alongside Japanese pop and a good helpirig of norteno. ' . • "VOLVER" Pedro Almodovar's long-term : collaboration with composer Alberto Iglesias is the most fruitful in cinema since Federico Fellini stayed faitllful to Nino Rota.</p><p> III "BREAKFAST ON PLUTO" An eccentric, winning collection of offbeat pop songs, like Harry Nilsson's "Me and My A!TOW," the title tune by Don Partridge and even, yes, Morris Albert's U Feelings," which takes on creepy connotations after you've seen the film .•
