Trumpeteer

You should know that more than anyone.

Though I agree with Neil and others, I wouldn't completely rule out an Honorary Oscar for John Williams. No, he does not deserve one to make up for slighting him 40 times so far. No, he does not deserve one because they made some major error. He would earn it for the same reason Sidney Poitier did, for continuing to hold the industry of film composition at such a high standard through a productive career. If he announces a retirement, it would come shortly after that, and only Spielberg is the person to hand it to him. The more I think about it, the more I think it is possible. I can't imagine he will ever stop writing film scores as long as Spielberg is making movies, though.

I'll be brief. I will always watch the Oscars. Have been watching in earnest for 20 years. Every year there is someone who doesn't deserve to win an award but gets it anyway (a few of the victories over John Williams, Shakespeare in Love), but I anage to get over it by the next year. Just because they brought out Lucas, Spielberg and Coppola (great banter) didn't mean Scorsese was a lock. So I was really nervous before Spielberg called his name. His win will be the most memorable moment of the Oscars since Halle Berry. I was shocked by the "Pan's Labyrinth" snub in the foreign-film race, but from what I have heard, "The Lives of Others" is an excellent film. And whoever votes in this category is required to see all five films, which is a good idea for the Best Picture Oscar, too. Anyway, "Amelie" suffered the same fate to a film that was very good ("No Man's Land"). Abigail Breslin and Jaden Smith were the best presenters. They read from the teleprompter better than anyone and Jaden's little goof was cute and seeing Will and Jada made me go "awwwww." Jaden is destined for something great if his mom and dad don't push him to be the next Jodie Foster. I was suprised that Melissa Etheridge won (lesbians were in at the Oscars!). The last two times a film had three songs, one of them won. But in both instances, the winning song was so memorable you couldn't ignore it. I agree that the original songs in "Dreamgirls" aren't at the level of "Beauty and the Beast" and "Can You Feel the Love Tonight," but they had passion and power, which Melissa's song had too, added with a social message that I had a feeling would be recognized. Pilobolus was astounding. I've seen them live and there are no words to describe them. Their best interpretation was "Snakes on a Plane." OK, now to Best Original Score. I am equally stunned, shocked, befuddled and outraged. When the nominations were announced, I wondered how the score bypassed the rule that the majority of the music had to be original. How fitting, though, that right after Morricone got his Honorary Oscar as a makeup for not getting it for "The Mission," they give the score award to someone that did the same thing Herbie Hancock did to "'Round Midnight." Thomas Newman, hilarious in the opening montage, wrote a good score but it wasn't going to win and he knew it. But I do feel that today's society thinks the Newman family (Alfred and Lionel) got too many Oscars in the past and the current ones don't need them. Thomas Newman will win one outright, even if it's a consolation one like his cousin Randy got. Franz Waxman. Alfred Newman. Adolph Deutsch. Andre Previn. Leonard Rosenman. Alan Menken. Add Gustavo Sanataolalla to that list of composers who won the score award in consecutive years. It makes my stomach turn. And did you hear his acceptance speech? He said "Again, I have to thank....," meaning he used the same speech as last year, replacing Ang Lee with Alejandro! This guy is becoming our new James Horner. Looking back, it is a travesty that the score award has become a consolation prize for a Best Picture nominee for the past three years. And it goes back to "Life is Beautiful," "Il Postino" and "Fellowship of the Ring." We'll have to prepare ourselves for this next year, when John Williams and others lose next year to some hotshot upstart who will never be heard from again. Yes, I said I would be brief. Believe me, I was.

I'm on a communications blackout. I know it's live everywhere, but I turn off the phones, shut down the computer, etc., the second the show starts. I was going to come here after last year's score debacle, but I was too busy throwing things to think of turning on the computer. Hope you have fun without me. I'll be back Monday morning.

I think a lot of you are following the guidelines of the poll, but many of you are not. Remember to not vote based on whether the score deserved the Oscar or not, but if the score is actually good. It quite all right to discuss its worthiness of an Oscar, but don't let that rule your vote. Who am I kidding? The Oscar voters don't vote that way. Hell, they gave Rachel Portman on Oscar instead of giving it to Alan Menken for "Hunchback" because they probably didn't think he deserved to have nine Oscars. And I love "Hunchback." Dear Jeff, I really appreciate you taking the time out to write me such a nice, thoughtful letter. I, too, felt pretty cheated at this year's Academy Awards. "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" was one of the greatest experiences of my career and responses like your validate that for me. Stephen Schwartz and I are now adapting our animated film score for the Broadway stage (via Berlin). With any luck the world will take more notice this time! Best wishes, Alan Menken (Sept. 10, 1997) I guess he's not bringing it to Broadway. Right now, he's bringing "The Little Mermaid" to Broadway, adding a few new songs. (To answer the question of why he hasn't been writing new musicals).

It would be too easy to ask what was the best Oscar-winning score of the past 35 years. So I'm asking you to think of the worst score from 1971-2005. I do not mean the score that was not deserving of the Oscar, as most of you will inevitably pick a score that beat a John Williams score. But I want you to try to be objective and pick the score based on its merits (or lack thereof), not the fact that it won an Oscar. For example, if you think "Chariots of Fire" is a good score, do not vote for it simply because it beat "Raiders of the Lost Ark" for the Oscar. And don't vote for a score you haven't fully heard or go on the general consensus that a particular score is bad. If you're not sure about a score, don't vote for it. There are two polls above (I'm only allowed 20 choices per poll). Vote in each of them. The highest vote-getters in each category will square off Monday (the score from 1971-1985 against the score from 1986-2005).

When I saw TPM for the first time (also my first listen to the score) I perked up when I heard the tuba underneath the fanfare and smiled a little at the hint of Jabba's theme.

What does he need the tissues for? Does he start weeping after every cue? Or did he have a cold?

What's up with the Dagobah cave? There is a reel change in the middle of the cue, I think, but if you're referring to the change at the end, the S/E put back the Vader theme statement that Williams originally wrote. The 1980 version tracked in bits from "The Imperial March." Is that what you mean? Which is the one you don't like? When "Vader" appears and he and Luke raises their lightsabers, they cut out part of the brass. Very minor, but it irks me every time. And the only thing I like about the SE movies is the replacement of the music at the end of the cave scene and when Slave I takes off.

If there are problems with the CD, I could care less. As long as I can hear the music without having to turn up the stereo too far past the normal setting, then it's fine with me. As far as the movie edits go, the only one I have issue with is in the cave on Dagobah. Don't watch the SE. You'll drive yourself crazy.

I had always thought there were two pianists in that end credits music. Though I'm not a musician, I always found it difficult to mimic the piano. No one's hands could master that piece. It has to be two people. That said, it is a beautiful performance, whoever it is. Performers on John Williams scores rarely get recognized unless they have prominent solos in the score, or are famous, like Itzhak, Yo-Yo or Tim Morrison.

I'm sure there's a JWFan member who was able to go to the Grammy pre-show. Does anyone know if John Williams came to accept his awards, or if he stayed away? If he came, what did he say? And by the way, congratulations Randy Newman! (His fourth Grammy.)

The answer is no. "Hook" is definitely not a masterpiece.

As we saw last year, winning a BAFTA has no effect on the Oscars. I am surprised, though, that they didn't give the music award to "The Queen." Maybe there's some latent hostility towards the French (i.e. Desplat).

Mark, sometimes they show a still shot of the pre-show winners before the real show's commercial break. I am not watching the show this year, so I don't know if they will do that fo JW, who surely has nothing better to do than show up and accept both awards (unless he's working on some unannounced score!). This totally makes up for last year's tragedy. I hope JW gave the middle finger to Gustavo. Kidding. Congratulations, John! I hope this is a satisfying belated 75th brithday present. I knew he'd win for "A Prayer for Peace." Looking at the other nominees (even "Sayuri's Theme") I knew that was the class of the field. Winning the soundtrack award was a big shock when I read it. And don't diss the Grammys. At least those people know music. The Academy members are mostly actors who hate when music takes over a scene or tech guys who wish they didn't have to mix music into a really cool sound effects scene. "A Prayer for Peace" on repeat

Saturday begins the 12th annual John Williams Film Fest. Fiddler on the Roof Jaws Star Wars ET Schindler's List You see the common link. Edit: Also The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi

Mako is dead, Joe. A very sad day when I heard that. But on topic, *spoiler* Nathan is Claire's father.....wow. I write a TV blog and I made that prediction about three hours before the show aired where I live. I didn't see anyone else making that prediction, and I was shocked and excited that I got it right. The fact that they wouldn't show his face gave it away that we know who he is. And Nathan is the only guy on the show that would be old enough to have a 16-year-old daughter. I'm loving the possibilities. They could be the Incredibles! Or just a really kick-ass super family.

I never underestimate this score. The first minute of this score instantly makes it a masterpiece. That achievement does not diminish through the remaining two hours. But there are many others I need to submit to this test.

"Dangerous Liaisons" is the better choice, if not only to see Keanu Reeves in period clothes. And for Glenn Close's boobs. Oh yeah, and the acting is superb. "Valmont" is good, but is a high school production compared to "Dangerous Liaisons."

I saw "Notes on a Scandal" and was enamored with Philip Glass' music. I know people tend to push him aside because of his looping melodies and reliance on strings, but darn it if he doesn't make it work in every film he's done. Some of the music was a little bit overbearing compared to "The Illusionist" where it was more subdued, but the music kept the film driving forward without going into cliche. When I got home I put in my CD to "Kundun," and yes some tracks on there had similarities to "Scandal," but I wouldn't say Glass is a classier Horner. He was a perfect choice to score "The Hours" to underline the repetitiveness of life, the cycle of the days, the hours that go by and how nothing really changes from day to day. I'm so glad his colleagues in the Academy's music branch continue to honor him.

It's been a long time, but I remember liking the score and thinking it should have won the Oscar over "The Right Stuff." I'll have to watch the movie again. I remember someone dies shockingly, and that it involves journalists in danger.

As I said above, we might need to put him on suicide watch. Poor guy. I would imagine it stings more since "American Beauty" got passed over for a more superior film score.

I want Hiro to get his powers back. And I want Nathan to fly again.

I sat at home and listened to all the nominated songs today. They are all awesome, though "Our Town" drags in the middle. If they get Beyonce to perform (shouldn't be hard since she sang three times in 2004), I hope she can belt all the notes she hits in the song. Now, to discuss voting for a song you want to see performed on the show, maybe it's true, but this year there were so many superstars singing songs that it's hard to say this year. They could have picked Prince's song, or the song from "Bobby" that Aretha Franklin sang, or the song from "Idlewild" and had OUtkast add flavor to the show. Anyway, I can't pick which song I would vote for. And as a bit of history, only two films that had more than one song nominated lost the award. The first was "Yentl," which lost to "Flashdance," also a double nominee. The second was "Cold Mountain," and nothing was getting in the way of "Return of the King." Anyway, I can't wait to see/hear "Notes on a Scandal." I'm a casual fan of Philip Glass, and I'm interested to see how his style fits in this movie. Plus, to see Dame Judi as a lesbian is too juicy to miss. If I had to vote now I'd pick "Pan's Labyrinth" for best score. I saw it last night, and that lullaby is still in my head. I would be glad to see Thomas Newman on the stage, though. Sooner or later, he's going to commit suicide on live TV if they pass him up again. Maybe he should take advice from his cousin and just wait for the "honorary" Oscar.

Song: "I Need to Wake Up," An Inconvenient Truth (first song nominated from a documentary) "I Love You I Do," Dreamgirls "Listen," Dreamgirls "Our Town," Cars (Randy's back after five years) "Patience," Dreamgirls (third film to have three song nominees) This means Jennifer Hudson, Beyonce and Eddie Murphy might perform at the show. That's why they nominated the songs. "Never Gonna Break My Faith" from Bobby was shunned. Shocker. But the film as a whole was ignored. As for score, I'm a little shocked James Horner didn't get in. But I saw Pan's Labryinth last night and I agree the score is great. I hope Gustavo doesn't get swept up in another groundswell for a much-loved film even though the score is just OK.