2011 OSCARS: Original Score, Original Song

I love the Best Original Score category. I hate the Best Original Song category. Scoring a movie seems difficult and a labor of dedicated love. Writing a song is surely difficult as well, but I don’t think it’s as important as the work of all the other nominees. Think about it: A cinematographer is recognized for his or her work on the entire film. Same goes with a director or sound mixer. But the writers of an original song are like the ultimate supporting role to a picture, and half of these are played over the closing credits; they have no relation to the movie itself.

Alas, I’ll get off by (Holllywood) soapbox.

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE

• How to Train Your Dragon — John Powell
• Inception — Hans Zimmer
• The King’s Speech — Alexandre Despiat
• 127 Hours — A.R. Rahman
• The Social Network — Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross

Thoughts: Can you believe Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails is actually nominated for an Oscar? Can you believe he may actually win? This one is a toss-up between The King’s Speech and The Social Network. I’d say it’s a horse race.

Who Will Win: The King’s Speech

Who Should Win: The Social Network

BEST ORIGINAL SONG

• Country Strong — “Coming Home” by Tom Douglas, Troy Verges and Hillary Lindsey
• Tangled — “I See the Light” by Alan Menken and Glenn Slater
• 127 Hours — “If I Rise” by A.R. Rahman, Dido and Rollo Armstrong
• Toy Story 3 — “We Belong Together” by Randy Newman

Thoughts: Although I’m not a big Randy Newman fan (all of his ditties sound the same), Toy Story 3 deservedly has this one locked.

Who Will Win: Toy Story 3

Who Should Win: Toy Story 3

By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com

Revised