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Thoughts on the 2015 Oscar Nominees

posted 9 years ago by wearyourlove
2 replies | jump to latest

What do you think of the scores the Academy selected as the Best Original Score nominees for 2015? Who would you choose to win?

We've got Thomas Newman for Bridge of Spies, Ennio Morricone for The Hateful Eight, John Williams for Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens, Carter Burwell for Carol, and Jóhann Jóhannsson for Sicario.

Solid lineup, I think, although the Newman and Williams nods smack of laziness, automatic votes for two modern composing titans (and yet Newman has never won!). Both men have done much better work in the past. I much prefer the Morricone and Burwell scores, and am so pleased - yet still mystified - that this is Burwell's first nomination. I need to listen to Jóhannsson's score again, but I remember it being quite effective and unnerving. It's his second nomination in a row after his nod last year for The Theory of Everything, which couldn't have been more different than his work here.

As for disappointing omissions, I wish Michael Giacchino was in this lineup for Inside Out, my favorite score of the year. They snubbed him for The Incredibles back in 2004, but I figured since he won for Up he would have had a better shot this year. Don't understand how he missed. I also would have liked to have seen The Good Dinosaur get in for Mychael and Jeff Danna's lovely work, and Junkie XL for Mad Max: Fury Road, which is another one whose absence confuses me considering the Academy showered the film with 10 nominations.

So what is your preference? Who do you think will win?

[–] ivanziv-1 9 years ago

Ennio.

[–] snowleopard 9 years ago

Morricone has one honorary lifetime Oscar, but none the traditional way, so he might make an deserving pick. I believe he is also 87 years young, which is cool.

I haven't seen Carol, but Carter Burwell is an interesting choice. He's a talented guy who has done a variety of scores in different styles, many of them very non-traditional. This is his first nomination, and some say he is way overdue.

Jóhannsson is another interesting pick, as he's an outsider (of sorts, from Iceland at least) and the Oscars have a long history of rewarding new artistry in almost any category that is a bit different, and both deft and fitting of the film. His music tends to be minimal, and striking, so kudos for the nomination here.

Tom Newman won't win, because he's jinxed, and on his way to setting the record for most nominations without winning, regardless of how great his music might be on any score (only half joking here!).

John Williams won't win, as he has enough of those things, and he's perfect fodder to nominate almost every year (half joking here too!).

One thing people need to remember, peers nominate artists, but the entire academy votes. So think older, respected people from a wide cross section of cinema voting. However, while the peers know very well the composer tied to the film, the Academy when choosing the winner will only see the name of the film. Of course they can look the composer up, and may remember it quickly. But their ballot will say:

Best Original Score:

Bridge of Spies
The Hateful Eight
Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens
Carol
Sicario