Best Original Score Academy Award speculation from EW

[Ray Barnsbury 8]

In the most recent issue of Entertainment Weekly, the writers predict the winners of every category (supposedly after conferring with Academy members). Their Best Original Score prediction reads:

"Since Philip Glass' music for The Hours annoys as many viewers as it enthralls, this may be a race between two veterans: 42-time nominee John Williams, whose jazzy score for Catch Me if You Can is a striking change of pace, and Elmer Bernstein, whose sweeping Far From Heaven work could earn him his first win since 1967's Thoroughly Modern Millie. Bet on Williams."

Take this for what it's worth, but it's encouraging.

Ray Barnsbury

[Elmo Lewis 6]

It doesn't surprise at all. John Williams has won the award even if he doesn't receive the Oscar. He was won all that comes with an Oscar -- the acclaim, the applause and the bows. When one has this -- who wants one more golden figure?

[Justin 2]

I wouldn't mind him winning another Goldy boy.

Justin -Not expecting Williams to win.

[scissorhands 16]

Scissorhands predicts John Williams will win his 6th Oscar for Catch Me If You Can.

I have been saying this same statement for the last 3 months.

[Jim Ware 428]

I'm surprised that Philip Glass' The Hours is eligible, since it utilises some material from his opera Satyagraha.

I wouldn't mind if Glass won the Oscar, but he should have been nominated for Naqoyqatsi and not The Hours (IMHO, of course).

I suspect that Elmer Bernstein will win.

[King Mark 2,924]

42-time nominee John Williams, whose jazzy score for Catch Me if You Can is a striking change of pace,

Ray Barnsbury

This is exactly what I hope will play in Williams favor this year.He doesn't even get nominated for Star Wars,HP,JP and the likes anymore,and hasn't won since 93 for any dramatic score.

K.M.

[banthapoodoo 0]

God knows that John is my main man and highly deserves the statuette.

But I have to come clean and say that I'm pulling for Elmer. That man has turned in some utterly beautiful work over the years and his score "Far From Heaven" is no excpetion. And to write such a work at his age. This may be Elmer's last chance (he has nothing announced for 2003) and I would love to see him win.

Eric

(who would be happy if Johnny wins; just sad for Bernstein)

[ocelot 445]

I'm sorry, I wasn't too enthralled with Elmer's work on this one. Some parts just glaringly didn't fit and what some people called sweeping, I thought was too chamber orchestra-ish.....

My vote is for Williams this year!

[Guest]

I think if JW wins this year, it'll make Oscar #7 in my book. In 2002, LotR didn't beat out A.I., because A.I. robbed it blind. I know history will tell me otherwise, but history's stupid. A.I. was Oscar-material, because it was just an overall feel-good score and it's so different from anything, for the most part. "To Manhattan/The Mecha World", "Replicas", "The Search for the Blue Fairy", "Stored Memories", "David and the Super Mechas", and "The Reunion" all send me into ecstasy everytime I hear them. In "Replicas", it's the part when David "attempts suicide" and falls into the ocean. In "Blue Fairy" it's probably the beginning and the overall darkness of the cue. In "Super Mechas", it's that little string thing around 0:34s. In "The Reunion" is that other string thing around the 0:30s mark. "Cybertronics" is a decent interpretation of Khachaturian--better than Horner's. I like the "Gigolo Joe" part of "Rouge City" (the part that's not in "Abandoned in the Woods"). "Moon Rising" is pretty neat with that little techno bit and the mixing really made it sound incredibly dark.

All in all, this was the Oscar-winner. If FotR's score is anything like TTT, then the Academy must've had total lobotomies before they voted.

Sometimes it seems like it's not about the music at all. I agree with a lot of the films that have won, but there's a lot I haven't agreed with. In 1997, I'd say that Seven Years in Tibet was way better than Titanic. If for no other reason, it should've won just because of the "Regaining a Son/Elegy" theme. But the main theme was quite powerful, too. The only thing Titanic had going for it was the box office. In '77, I think CE3K was the better score. Again, the box office was the Force behind Star Wars' win. Then there's movies like Ben Hur and The Right Stuff that have all-around decent scores that were really good on many levels in the same way A.I. was.

[Hitch 55]

Hi fans...HAPPY ST PATRICK'S DAY from sunny Barbados

I love to see Goldenthal get it. He deserves it after writing some great scores over the last 15 years even if his music is avant garde for some tastes.

I agree with the comments made about Philip Glass' score for THE HOURS (great movie and should win Best Picture). The music is repetitive and I know Stefan's fondness for minimalistic music. LOL LOL

Watched ROAD TO PERDITION on DVD last night but took more notice this time on Thomas Newman's superb score. I feel that this score could be the dark horse this year. He has been nominated a few times for excellent scores (THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION and LITTLE WOMEN) come to mind. AMERICAN BEAUTY robbed him of the Oscar. He may be repaid with one this year. The Newman curse was lifted with Randy's win last year. It may prove fruitful this year.

Elmer is a legend and rightly deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as John Williams or Jerry Goldsmith. His score for DAYS OF HEAVEN is the best he's written in nearly 40 years. I disagree with the comment that it's chamber music. Chamber music is written for a small stringed orchestra. There is nothing small about this score. Could prove an upset.

Johnny...CATCH ME IF YOU CAN.....I'm afraid you won't be catching Oscar this year. I fear that the Oscar curse will strike him again. I bet they'll honour him on his 50th nomination.

Hitch, who has ringside seats at the Kodak Theater on March 23rd and who'll also be wearing a prosthetic nose and a box of rotten tomatoes that haved aged 30 years. God help Steve Martin if he mocks me....again!

[Dr. Jones 0]

Uh oh, That`s bad for John Williams:

Elmer Bernstein is now 80 years old andgot his only and last oscar in 1968 for Thoroughly Modern Millie.

I think it`s pretty sure that he`ll get the Oscar. But of course I hope that Johnny will get it.(I even dreamed it 3 weeks ago)

[JoeinAR 1,759]

EW picks John Williams to win,

Kiss of Death, man, Kiss of Death

[Trumpeteer 243]

It's not going to be between John Williams and Elmer Bernstein. It's going to be between Thomas Newman and Elmer Bernstein.

Both scores are stupendous. I love "Road to Perdition" more apart from the film than I do "Far From Heaven," but I think Elmer created a wonderful mood with his score, and re-created an era more successfully than Williams did. He will win.

The only person who I would be upset to see on the stage is Elliot Goldenthal. I still can't find anything to like about the score to "Frida," even though I admire Goldenthal as a composer.

This is one of the toughest years to predict, and that goes from the acting categories to the screenplays to the songs to the scores to the costume designs. I can't wait to be surprised, shocked and, most likely, angered.

[Uni 306]

I agree....most of the time I really don't think it's strictly about the music. The popularity of the film plays a big role, and there have been countless years when the true best score lost out to one that was riding on the coattails of a sweep, or where the soundtrack made the big bucks and therefore was the only one the voters seemed to remember.

Then of course there's the perennial question of who best to honor. This is true in most categories; how many times I've shaken my head sadly to see the most qualified contender sit and clap politely while someone else goes to collect the award that should've gone to them--not because the "winner" deserves it necessarily, but simply because they've been shut out too long, and everyone figures they're due. Not the most just way to determine the "best" of anything, but there's no accounting for the democratic process when applied to a system that is every bit as political and popularity-driven as it is appreciative of sheer effort.

Having said that, I think this board will prove more accurate than EW. Elmer's had to wait a while, and he may not get another chance. The career he's had, no one should begrudge him one last thanks and a kiss on the cheek. Road to Perdition is gaining a lot of support, though, and if it gets a lot of other gold this category could easily follow suit. If Phil Glass wins, that'll be just another straw on the tired camel's back, proving my point about politics over pure skill (simply because the score doesn't deserve it).

John has another nomination on a list so long and distinguished you could almost fashion a statue the size of the ones they have outside the theater with it. As long as he gets at least one every year, I'm satisfied. Consider how many names you see in any category for more than a year or two consecutively, then consider that for every year Williams composes a score, he garners at least one Oscar nod. It's a blessing and a curse, I suppose; perhaps most of the voters think (after all this time) the continuing nods are enough. Same with this year; I think Catch Me If You Can is as deserving as the rest, but I can also see the Academy types thinking, "Does he need another one?" Besides, one of these days he's gonna get a Lifetime Achievement Award to cap off that incredible list. It's not like he needs more nekkid baldies to prove to the industry (and the world) that he's worth his salt.

However, should the Best Man win out....well, there'll be no end to the noise in our living room for the better part of an hour. And this place wasn't around in '93; I'd love to see the celebration around here if he picked up another mantle ornament. Here's hoping....

- Uni

[Eplicon 23]

Here's a counterpoint:

http://www.msnbc.com/news/882205.asp?cp1=1

?John Williams (nominated for ?The Patriot?) is the Tom Hanks of the Best Music category. It?s as if the nominating process begins with someone saying, ?Hey, did J-Dub do anything this year? Good, just four more to go.? Does the Academy really like the ?Patriot? score? Do you think they?ve ever heard it? (The answer must be no, because if they did, they?d know it?s a swooning, bombastic pile of floppity-flop.) Let?s be honest: John Williams got nominated this year for the same thing he always gets nominated for: writing the music to ?Star Wars.? Get him outta here.?

      The funny thing about Williams?s nomination this year is that his score for ?Catch Me if You Can? is actually pretty good. Maybe the best thing he?s done in years. The point is, it doesn?t matter. Williams could record himself banging his own head with a spoon, and he?d still get nominated.

[pianoman1 0]

I hafta go with Thomas Newman on this one.... However, it is an un-educated hope since i have not seen most of the other films nominated...

The Road to Perdition is a great film, and i believe should have been nominated in more categories than it is.

[Guest]

Here's a counterpoint:

http://www.msnbc.com/news/882205.asp?cp1=1

?John Williams (nominated for ?The Patriot?) is the Tom Hanks of the Best Music category. It?s as if the nominating process begins with someone saying, ?Hey, did J-Dub do anything this year? Good, just four more to go.? Does the Academy really like the ?Patriot? score? Do you think they?ve ever heard it? (The answer must be no, because if they did, they?d know it?s a swooning, bombastic pile of floppity-flop.) Let?s be honest: John Williams got nominated this year for the same thing he always gets nominated for: writing the music to ?Star Wars.? Get him outta here.?

      The funny thing about Williams?s nomination this year is that his score for ?Catch Me if You Can? is actually pretty good. Maybe the best thing he?s done in years. The point is, it doesn?t matter. Williams could record himself banging his own head with a spoon, and he?d still get nominated.

Only two [hyphenated] words describe this fellow: Meat-head.

[ymenard 35]

The only problem I see is, while CMIYC is a very very good score and is worth the nomination, can you see it being ranked with you know...

Jaws

Star Wars

E.T.

Schindler's List

I mean, it's just not in the same category. I'm not taking anything out of Williams' CMIYC score, because it was clearly not made to have the same impact as the four above. But you know, it's just imho doesn't fit the pattern. I mean Jaws!!! Star Wars!!! E.T.!!! Schindler's List!!!! Catch me if you can?¿

[King Mark 2,924]

’ Does the Academy really like the ‘Patriot’ score? Do you think they’ve ever heard it? (The answer must be no, because if they did, they’d know it’s a swooning, bombastic pile of floppity-flop.)

Even some people here think that.

lol,this guy is just joking around,and I thought some of his article was pretty funny.

K.M.

[Uni 306]

Here's a counterpoint:

http://www.msnbc.com/news/882205.asp?cp1=1

“The point is, it doesn’t matter. Williams could record himself banging his own head with a spoon, and he’d still get nominated.

Know what's really funny about this? If Williams ever did such a thing, we'd all be the first in line to buy the CD, spend hours debating its merits, start a petition to get our hands on every last metallic thud, and wonder how long it would be before he did the same thing with a butter knife.

Ah, the life of a JW fan....:roll:

- Uni

[JoeinAR 1,759]

The only problem I see is, while CMIYC is a very very good score and is worth the nomination, can you see it being ranked with you know...

Jaws

Star Wars

E.T.

Schindler's List

I mean, it's just not in the same category.  I'm not taking anything out of Williams' CMIYC score, because it was clearly not made to have the same impact as the four above.  But you know, it's just imho doesn't fit the pattern.  I mean Jaws!!!  Star Wars!!!  E.T.!!! Schindler's List!!!!  Catch me if you can?¿

What a farce. Of course its more than worthy enough to be with those scores. If you want to get critical, how could Schindlers List sit with the other 3, its certainly not in the same category as Jaws, Star Wars, or ET.

Each score is its own unique entity. Besides Catch Me isn't competing against Jaws, Star Wars, ET, SL. Its competing against film scores that are clearly not as good as those 4.

[Guest]

Here's a counterpoint:

http://www.msnbc.com/news/882205.asp?cp1=1

?The point is, it doesn?t matter. Williams could record himself banging his own head with a spoon, and he?d still get nominated.

Know what's really funny about this? If Williams ever did such a thing, we'd all be the first in line to buy the CD, spend hours debating its merits, start a petition to get our hands on every last metallic thud, and wonder how long it would be before he did the same thing with a butter knife.

Ah, the life of a JW fan....:roll:

- Uni

Sad but true, Uni!

[IrishCal24 0]

Oh, geez, I was laughing so hard that I forgot to log in.

I'm going to have these stange mental images playing repeatedly in my head for hours. LOL

[Guest]

I foresee a Thomas Newman flawless victory. Yes, I see it. I initially thought Philip Glass, but as I gaze deeper into my crystal ball, I see an outline of Thomas Newman walking up the stairs, kind of smirking, his hands outstretched to recieve his coveted Oscar. I see John Williams clapping conspiratorially and revelling in the secret illuminati club know as the Williams-Newman connection.

I see JW whispering to himself, welcome to the fam, little T new man.

[Morn 7]

What a farce. Of course its more than worthy enough to be with those scores. If you want to get critical, how could Schindlers List sit with the other 3, its certainly not in the same category as Jaws, Star Wars, or ET.

That's just your opinion, and most people would put Schindler's List up that high.

Each score is its own unique entity. Besides Catch Me isn't competing against Jaws, Star Wars, ET, SL. Its competing against film scores that are clearly not as good as those 4.

That hasn't helped Williams in the past, I think they have a different standard for him. They don't seem to want to award someone so awarded already unless he does something unignorable.

And BTW, I don't think Newman's score is worthy. Glass's perhaps.

[Elmo Lewis 6]

?John Williams (nominated for ?The Patriot?) is the Tom Hanks of the Best Music category. It?s as if the nominating process begins with someone saying, ?Hey, did J-Dub do anything this year? Good, just four more to go.? Does the Academy really like the ?Patriot? score? Do you think they?ve ever heard it? (The answer must be no, because if they did, they?d know it?s a swooning, bombastic pile of floppity-flop.) Let?s be honest: John Williams got nominated this year for the same thing he always gets nominated for: writing the music to ?Star Wars.? Get him outta here.?

      The funny thing about Williams?s nomination this year is that his score for ?Catch Me if You Can? is actually pretty good. Maybe the best thing he?s done in years. The point is, it doesn?t matter. Williams could record himself banging his own head with a spoon, and he?d still get nominated.

Except for the "get him outta here" part, I find this a 100% validly true thought I agree with.

As for Williams winning an Oscar, it'll be cool if he does, but as I said before, he doesn't need to. Not this year at least. But I keep my hopes up: I also think he stands some good chances.

[mahler3 353]

I too would love Williams to win, but I am pretty sure that Elmer will bag it!

Anybody know who the music director is this year? Are we back to Tom Conti again? LOL (As Julia Roberts called him a couple of years ago!)

[Guest]

Personally, I hope "Arts and Sports" returns from last year, along with its composer-conductor. :-D

The Mask of Zorro

[Ren 75]

I'm surprised that Philip Glass' The Hours is eligible, since it utilises some material from his opera Satyagraha.  

i love Satyagraha!

[Dole 11]

Newsweek this week had an Oscar section which gave JW another backhanded compliment. It basically highlighted him as being the most nominated person alive and then went on to say that many critics believe his recent output isn't very good and that he is only nominated because he's the guy who composed Star Wars. But there is a very nice picture of Williams and it's nice to see him get some of the spotlight in a major magazine with his forty-two nominations, what with all the noise people are making about Meryl Streep's whopping 13 or Jack Nicholson's 12 or how ever many he has. John Williams probably can't even remember back that far to when he had 12 nominations.

Anybody know who the music director is this year? Are we back to Tom Conti again?  (As Julia Roberts called him a couple of years ago!)

Yes, it's Bill Conti again this year. You can see the press release from a couple of months ago at the Oscar website. Look at the bright side though, Tom Conti is a heck of a lot better than "stickman" which is what Roberts called him the year before.

Dole

[Mr. Breathmask 480]

There's more oscar speculation going on on the internet. IGN Filmforce has an article about which films will probably take home the gold. Williams is up for CMIYC.

http://filmforce.ign.com/articles/390/390041p1.html

- Marc

[King Mark 2,924]

The score to CMIYC is light,playful,fun,whimsical and reassuring.So it will win,just as Chicago will win best picture.

Of course I'm not sure if I should state why I think that.

K.M.