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As we all tend to our Star Wars: The Force Awakens hangovers and enjoy the rest of the holiday season, the Music Branch of the Academy is (hopefully) taking a serious look at the scores of the 2015 to select the five most worthy of an Oscar nomination. In the December issue of FSMO, I provide an analysis of this race and lay out the scores that have the best chance of making the cut, along with some lesser profile scores I think the music branch should seek out before they mark their ballots. This memo is their reminder. 

 

Here are the scores I’ve singled out, and while you might not be an Oscar nominator, it’s a still good list to prepare yourself for the upcoming awards season…

 

 

Most Likely

Bridge of Spies—Thomas Newman

The Danish Girl—Alexandre Desplat

The Hateful Eight—Ennio Morricone

Inside Out—Michael Giacchino

Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens—John Williams

 

  

Good Shots

Anomalisa—Carter Burwell

Carol—Carter Burwell

Cinderella—Patrick Doyle

The Martian—Harry Gregson-Williams

The 33—James Horner

 

 

Long Shots

Everest—Dario Marianelli

The Good Dinosaur—Mychael Danna and Jeff Danna

In the Heart of the Sea—Roque Baños

The Revenant—Ryuichi Sakamoto and Alva Noto

Sicario—Jóhann Jóhannsson

  

 

For Your Consideration

Far From the Madding Crowd—Craig Armstrong

Crimson Peak—Fernando Velázquez

Mr. Holmes—Carter Burwell

Spotlight—Howard Shore

Testament of Youth—Max Richter

 

 

Best Song

“Cold One”—Ricki and the Flash

“None of Them Are You”—Anomalisa

“One Kind of Love”—Love & Mercy

“See You Again”—Furious 7

“Simple Song #3”—Youth

“Writing’s on the Wall”—Spectre

  

Please send any comments or your own Oscar selections to wongsturn@yahoo.com, or post below.

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Comments (16):Log in or register to post your own comments
"The Revenant" score is not elegible and neither is the song One kind of Love from "Love & Mercy".

I am pretty sure the nominees for best original score will be:

Inside Out (Michael Giacchino)
Carol (Carter Burwell)
Star Wars: The Force Awakens (John Williams)
The Hateful Eight (Ennio Morricone)
Bridge of Spies (Thomas Newman)

Possible surprises would be James Horner's "The 33" taking Thomas Newman place as a love gesture for the late composer or Alexander Desplat's "The Danish Girl" which I found a predictable score and it is not winning any accolade except a Golden Globe nomination (which doesn't always translate into Academy Award nomination in the case of the French composer)

"The Revenant" score is not elegible and neither is the song One kind of Love from "Love & Mercy".

I am pretty sure the nominees for best original score will be:

Inside Out (Michael Giacchino)
Carol (Carter Burwell)
Star Wars: The Force Awakens (John Williams)
The Hateful Eight (Ennio Morricone)
Bridge of Spies (Thomas Newman)

Possible surprises would be James Horner's "The 33" taking Thomas Newman place as a love gesture for the late composer or Alexander Desplat's "The Danish Girl" which I found a predictable score and it is not winning any accolade except a Golden Globe nomination (which doesn't always translate into Academy Award nomination in the case of the French composer)

SICARIO is not only the best score of the year matched with an equally amazing film- It's one of the Best Albums of the year period.


I am pretty sure the nominees for best original score will be:

Inside Out (Michael Giacchino)
Carol (Carter Burwell)
Star Wars: The Force Awakens (John Williams)
The Hateful Eight (Ennio Morricone)
Bridge of Spies (Thomas Newman)


Sounds plausible. Much as I was saddened by Horner's premature departure, I don't think The 33 represents his best work.

frankly Scarlet I don't give a d..m!

I haven't heard more than a track or two from any of them, but I'd love for Morricone to pick up a competitive Oscar to balance the honourary one.

"The Revenant" score is not elegible and neither is the song One kind of Love from "Love & Mercy".

I am pretty sure the nominees for best original score will be:

Inside Out (Michael Giacchino)
Carol (Carter Burwell)
Star Wars: The Force Awakens (John Williams)
The Hateful Eight (Ennio Morricone)
Bridge of Spies (Thomas Newman)

Possible surprises would be James Horner's "The 33" taking Thomas Newman place as a love gesture for the late composer or Alexander Desplat's "The Danish Girl" which I found a predictable score and it is not winning any accolade except a Golden Globe nomination (which doesn't always translate into Academy Award nomination in the case of the French composer)


Desplat is a perennial nominee, so expect him to be in there. I'm also holding out hope for Daniel Pemberton for his very creative approach to Steve Jobs. And of course there's also going to be a number of votes for both Mad Max and The Martian.

This is how I think it will come down with the AMPAS Music Branch (going against popular opinion):

Sicario (largely atmospheric, but really works in film)
Steve Jobs
Star Wars: The Force Awakens
The Danish Girl
Bridge of Spies

Predicted winner: Thomas Newman, Bridge of Spies (because it's time, associated with strong awards contender film)

If there is any justice, the "Sicario" score will be nominated for the Oscar. The music is amazing and is perfect for the film. "Bridge of Spies"? Really? I love Thomas Newman but his score for the Spielberg film is anything but memorable, not to mention that last piece during the epilogue that should have been removed from the picture.


Desplat is a perennial nominee, so expect him to be in there.


Desplat works usually gets nominated if the movie is up for best picture and director as well. This is not the case and I find his "Danish Girl" a bit average.

frankly Scarlet I don't give a d..m!

OK but you must notice is the composers those who nominate. Take a look past years contenders and you'll find an excellent representation of best film music.

If there is any justice, the "Sicario" score will be nominated for the Oscar. The music is amazing and is perfect for the film. "Bridge of Spies"? Really? I love Thomas Newman but his score for the Spielberg film is anything but memorable, not to mention that last piece during the epilogue that should have been removed from the picture.

Why should it have been removed from the picture? Because it was too good? Unless you're talking about that terribly cheap-sounding trumpet, in which case I agree. What the hell was that all about?

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