Mr. Holland's Opus (1996)

The producers of the soundtrack for Mr. Holland's Opus attempt a neo-Mr. Chips heart tugger that mostly goes the sentimental Big Chill route: pleasant oldies that push the nostalgia button so the movie itself won't have to do the work. Ironically, Boyz II Men's Shawn Stockman proves he can create dandy movie music on the opening cut, while film scorer Michael Kamen comes a cropper with the bilious symphonic-rock closer that's meant to represent Mr. Holland's lifework. No wonder the guy never made it past high school. B