Some of my friends have known that one of the reasons I love movies is the soundtracks that go with them. That is true - a soundtrack can easily help make me appreciate a film a little bit more or a little bit less, even if the film is so good or even bad otherwise. After so many films I've gone through, some have asked: "What are your favorite soundtracks?" That was never an easy question, but once I truly familiarized myself with a lot so they could appeal to my ears, I could finally decide. So, here's my top 10 favorite movie soundtracks - you might be surprised which ones I've picked, and I hope I picked some of your favorites, too. Also, I'd highly recommend these films because the sountracks truly make the films, even ones that may seem less than superb. Like I said - music can make a huge difference.

10) Escape from New York(1981) - John Carpenter and Alan Howarth

One of John Carpenter's most critically acclaimed movies that was both full of awesome actors, pulpy action and contained an excellent screenplay. Yet the music is what grabs us first in the opening credits, and throughout the film the soundtrack gives us a techy, electronic sound that is perfect for the (then) futuristic plot. A more subtle score than Halloween, it's still a bold, badass score that screams toughness. I happen to enjoy the techy type music from the 80's and this is for sure one of my favorites.

9) Polar Express(2004) - Alan Silversti

Polar Express is probably not one of Robert Zemeckis' best films, but it sure is one hell of a charming and magical Christmas film that gives a unique plot of doubting the belief in Santa Claus. Alan Silversti surely added to the magic mix by providing this ultimately beautiful score that is full of heart and wonder.

8) Sherlock Holmes(2009) - Hans Zimmer

The new Sherlock Holmes film of 2009 was a movie that at first didn't interest me, but when I finally got around to see it....I never regretted it. Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law were terrific, and Hans Zimmer did a bang up job delivering a spellbinding soundtrack that I'd listen to over and over again. It's so mysterious, tense and overall exciting - just like the film. Now, some say it's too over the top or ridicculous, but the performances and soundtrack surely makes those faults almost ignorable.

7) Jaws(1975) - John Williams

Of course a classic in film history, Jaws, the famed great white shark attack story, was Speilberg's first blockbuster and ultimately made him a household name. John  Williams score was so ingenius that everyone laughed at it at first, but no one laughed when it was put into the film. The shark theme fully gives the mood of unstoppable fear, terror and hunger 100% fitting for the main antagonist of the movie, but there's also a sense at times of adventure, relaxation, carefreeness, and bolness on the side. If there's one thing I know about the Jaws score, it's simple but VERY effective - almost everyone will be afraid to swim when they hear the music from Jaws.

6) Up(2009) - Michael Giacchino

Pixar makes so many outstanding films. Up was no exception - I thought it was a complete masterpiece of animated movies, and of all of those Pixar films, I thought Up has to have the most memorable soundtrack. I did like the ones in Toy Story and Cars, but ultimatley Up had the most heartfelt soundtrack. There were ones for peril and bravery, as well as ones of love and freindship, and each sounded so wonderful, especially the main "Married Life" theme which would be the most recognizable. And if I could sum up the soundtrack in one word it would be "sweetness."

5) Indiana Jones(1981) - John Williams

I just had to have this one as a favorite. Indiana Jones is for sure one of my favorite movie series' and one of the few to not go downhill with each passing film. Like the Jaws theme, it's one of John Williams' most famous scores and most recognizable main themes in movie history. Unlike Jaws which was mostly focused on fear, the Indiana Jones music was one you can put on a smug smile on when it plays. It's one of those themes perfect for a feel good, fast paced adventure that almost always ends up right - which pretty much always happens to Jones in his films.

4) Deja Vu(2006) - Harry Gregson-Willaims

I kind of consider Harry Gregson-Williams one of the most underrated composers of today. While they may not be overpowering and shouting like Bernard Herman, Williams can do both beautiful tearfelt tracks as well as intense high speed tracks. Deja Vu, one of Tony Scott's coolest movies despite its flaws, had Denzel Washington in a very likeable and strong role in his quest to save a girl and prevent a ferry bombing. The soundtrack was pure dynamite when it was used. The film's pulse-pounding action sequences and it's romantic or sad scenes were really made in Williams' diverse soundtrack.

3) Christine(1983) -  John Carpenter and Alan Howarth

For sure one of the more overlooked horror movie soundtracks, John Carpenter's Christine had a sort of unigue combo of Halloween, Escape from New York, and the Fog's themes all in one. The film's premise of a killer car would otherwise seem totally absurd, but the way it was delivered totally went against it. While the talking and development scenes with soundtracks were good enough, I must say the music for the attack or death scenes makes them more scary than they would without it. Admittingly, it's not as terrifying as Halloween's score, but it's underrrated, still utterly creepy and subtly gives the feeling that Christine is still after you, especially the one here used during the climax.

2) Back to the Future(1985) - Alan Silversti

There's no way I would not include the Back to the Future soundtrack in my top ten favorites! Like the Nostalgia Critic said, the word that best describes the score is EPIC - It's an near perfect combination of action, fantasy, suspense and victory. And of course, that means you're gonna put a huge smile on and feel good about yourself. Alan Silversti here surely helped make the music as much a modern classic as Robert Zemeckis' film itself.

1) Unstoppable(2010) - Harry Gregson-Williams

Like I said, Harry Gregson-Williams is underrated. Now, for this one - Tony Scott's final (and certianly one of his best) films about a runaway freight train starring Denzel Washington and Chris Pine - I know that Williams did make this track sound like Hans Zimmer's the Dark Knight famous track, but at 4:29 into this one - that is by far my favorite part in the whole soundtrack. But for the whole soundtrack, each is loaded with speed, bravery, suspense, peril, and pretty much never forgets the heart and importance of the meaningful main characters in the film. It's a perfect blend of classical moments and industrial rock, and the little extra sounds and effects are perfect for the metal and sounds for the loud and relentless trains at the center of the story. It's the soundtrack I NEVER get tired of hearing and almost always either makes my neck hair stand up or put a caring smile on me.

And that wraps it up: my 10 favorite film soundtracks. But I'd still like to hear what you, both watchers and friends, are some of your favorites so we can both see why we like some or others and appreciate each.