CHUD: 2011 OSCARS THREAD - Music (Original Score)

Most people bang the drums for Daft Punk not being here, but I thought the year's best conventional score was Rachel Portman's work on Never Let Me Go. As for Desplat and The King's Speech, that's a case where the guy did the "Ghost Writer" score this year, which was infinitely a more interesting listening experience in and out of the movie.

However... I assume I'm not the only one who's had the Inception score blaring on their ITunes since summer, right?

Seeing the other nominees, yes Daft Punk should have been on the list. Absent them I want Reznor to win it. Or I can compete with the Greek media in provincial-mindedness and root for Desplat just because his mother is Greek. What passes for entertainment journalism in my country is pretty embarrassing. 

This is one of the few categories this year where I feel it could go several ways (Reznor/Ross have the early heat, Zimmer has the big stick, Desplat if The King's Sweeps, Powell as the underdog dark horse), and really, any way it falls, I'll be happy. This was a fantastic year for film scoring. My personal pick is John Powell, but mainly due to the fact that "Test Drive" is regularly blaring in my car. And I may or may not sing along even though there's no words. Don't...stop looking at me like that.

Although I do agree that Desplat's score for The Ghost Writer was way more layered, but that film got completely forgotten anyway (I was sure Pierce would pop up as a surprise Supporting Actor nom, but the dude from Winter's Bone got in instead).

I'd love to see Reznor / Ross win here.  

Also, I don't think people would care about the Tron soundtrack if they didn't already know it was by Daft Punk.     

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greg Clark 

My personal pick is John Powell, but mainly due to the fact that "Test Drive" is regularly blaring in my car. And I may or may not sing along even though there's no words. Don't...stop looking at me like that.

 

Sounds like ABSOLUTELY normal behavior to me.  You're my kinda people.  And I would love for Powell to finally get his due.  Been a fan of the man since Face/Off.

While I agree that his magnificent work for The Ghost Writer is infinitely more layered, Desplat's soundtrack for The King's Speech has my vote.  I've been listening to his themes for Elizabeth and Lionel's relationship with Bertie endlessly on CD, and while I like the other Oscar nominees to varying degrees, there's something about The King's Speech that just enchants me on a deeper level.  It's simple work that lacks any pretention and hits all of the right emotional notes without missing a beat.

Zimmer all the way.

How To Train Your Dragon is already one of my favorite all time scores. I think it is absolutely beautiful. But unless Powell finds some Menken magic, this is going the way of Inception or The Social Network. I have a sick feeling The Social Network wins this one.

Should win: Inception

Will probably win:  The King's Speech (as part of a sweep)