String Arrangements: Pop & Film

OK, I wouldn't want to open too many non-classical music threads in this section, but I'd like to ask you something.

1. Could you recommend some great string arrangements from popular music that you like? Now, great can meaning many things - but here I really ask about anything that you liked, even the cheesiest, most syrupy ones. And from any genre, pop, disco, traditional/vocal pop, French pop, Scandipop, pop-rock, Mandopop, Middle Eastern music, jazz... Whichever.

2. Same questions for film music. Which composers write (meaning, usually known for) and which films have some striking, beautiful string writing?

3. In the classical music world, who would you "recommend" as great composers for strings? Who needs to be studied to acquire certain string writing techniques etc.? Starting with Baroque, or possibly even earlier, to the latest, "state-of-the-art", most bizarre string techniques (people like Lachenmann and so on)?

I'm particularly interested in whether anyone's going to mention Mendelsshon and his string symphonies.

:)