Oscar Predictions: Original Score and Original Song
Will 'Slumdog' sweep these two categories?
Another day and another batch of predictions as this time we take a look at the musical side of things. You can take a look at my current predictions for Picture, Actor, Actress, Director and the Supporting categories right here and yesterday's predictions for Adapted and Original Screenplay right here.
Before we do any predicting let us first have the nominees please…
- The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Alexandre Desplat
- Defiance, James Newton Howard
- Milk, Danny Elfman
- Slumdog Millionaire, A.R. Rahman
- WALL•E, Thomas Newman
- "Down to Earth" from WALL-E (Walt Disney), Music by Peter Gabriel and Thomas Newman, Lyric by Peter Gabriel
- "Jai Ho" from Slumdog Millionaire (Fox Searchlight), Music by A.R. Rahman, Lyric by Gulzar
- "O Saya" from Slumdog Millionaire (Fox Searchlight), Music and Lyric by A.R. Rahman and Maya Arulpragasam
First we will look at original score, a category I believe is missing one important contender, which would be the James Newton Howard and Hans Zimmer Grammy Award winning score for The Dark Knight. Yet, what's good for the Grammys is not good for the Oscars as the score for The Dark Knight had to fight just to get into contention only to be overlooked in the end. However, the BAFTAs did nominate The Dark Knight, but felt it wasn't worthy of the win as A. R. Rahman's score for Slumdog Millionaire won and I have a sneaking suspicion it will do the same at the Oscars.
Looking at the list of nominees it is an interesting batch. In terms of quality of score alone I would say Howard's score for Defiance should win hands down, but in terms of adding to the overall quality of the film Thomas Newman's score for WALL•E is as perfect as they come. The one thing that interests me the most about the WALL•E score is that I can't stand it on its own. Outside of the film I just can't listen to it, but inside the film it adds so much. To me that is the sign of a great score, and is actually one reason I believe The Dark Knight score was a definite snub. Because The Dark Knight is not nearly as impressive without that score and on top of that it is something I actually enjoy listening to outside the film. It can bat from both sides!
With all that said, what do you predict? Desplat's score for Benjamin Button was beautiful, but it wasn't exactly his best (I reserve Lust, Caution for that title) and Danny Elfman's score for Milk isn't even on my radar. I don't think it will be a Slumdog sweep at the Oscars this year and I think this is one category that will break up the flow so between WALL•E and Defiance I am going to go with Defiance just to be different — at least for now.
However, I am going to run with the pack in the Original Song category and make this quick as I believe "Jai Ho" has this one in the bag. To tell you the truth, "Down to Earth" from WALL•E was forgettable in my opinion. I know the lyrics to "Jai Ho" and "O Saya" better than I know those for "Down to Earth"… then again, the titles help me cheat.
You tell me, will Slumdog sweep? Is my Defiance pick crazy talk?
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Slumdog will take score, but the peter gabriel song will beat both slumdog songs.
Imo, Wall-E and Ben Button both had much better scores than Slumdog… and Wall-E should also win for best song.
Slumdog Score has definitely got the edge. If not for Slumdog, WALL-E is the only option. TCCOBB score isnt that enjoyable, probably becoz the movie was so bland that it pulled down the score too. I dont think Defiance has got a chance mainly becoz it does not have support from any of the other categories. However in terms of popularity and listening 'Slumdog' scores over all the rest.
Although i loved Defiance's score i don't think it will win. Slumdog's Score has won at the Critics Choice, Golden Globe, and now at the BAFTA's so i am pretty sure that is a lock. As far as song goes Slumdog's two nominations could split the vote (Dreamgirls anyone?) but i stil think Jai Ho will win.
Slumdog will win hands down. And it will not just be for these 2 awards. It will also win Best Sound Editing (Resul Pookutty). Out of the 10 noms, the only category where it might just lose (very slim chance that too), is Best Film, where The Reader might spring up a surprise. Overall, the Oscars are already in Fox Searchlights kitty.
I think Slumdog will win score though I won't be shocked if Newman finally wins it for Wall-E , but song will go to peter gabriel for Wall-E. I don't think the sound awards are a given for Slumdog, Wall-E will take one of them and maybe both. I don't think the academy will fail to recognize the fact that Sound took on an even heavier burden in that movie since it is mostly dialogue-free.
In my opinion neither of these categories matter because the best song was in The Wrestler and the best score was in The Dark Knight. Whats the point? Slumdog may as well just sweep oscars all around. But I guess I would have to say WALL E over slumdog in score, not song though.
I must disagree. I have not been able to stop listening to the WALL-E soundtrack. It is an excellent score and Newman is so creative with how he uses different sounds. As far as complexity, musical creativity, and what it adds to the film, Newman deserves this one hands down. Yet I'm fairly confident the academy will (again) overlook him. As for song, I must admit; Jai Ho is quite catchy.
The Original Score Oscar is in the bag for Slumdog which has a near clean sweep of this category all season long. If Defiance wins I will be shocked. The song award will go to either Down to Earth of Jai Ho and I've been predicting Jai Ho would get a nomination when very few others were and see no reason to jump ship now.
To me, the score to slumdog is good, but i think it is more the fact that it is Indian music that is getting it so much attention. Sadly, there are better scores for other Indian films, its just this is the first film that garnered so much attention. Ultimately, I thought the score was quite entertaining, but it would be an injustice if it won. It just doesn't compare to some of the others (WALL-E and Benjamin Button to be specific)
I agree. Slumdog has both in the bag. The Wrestler should've won best song though.
My heart wants "Wall-E" to win Best Musical Score (since TDK didn't get in, damn the Academy!" But Slumdog might win. Your Defiance pick IS crazy talk, of course! :D
Best Song–I'd like to see "Jai Ho" win, and it might. But so might "Down to Earth," if the votes are split between "Jai Ho" and "O Saya." To counter that, Fox Searchlight is pushing "Jai Ho" over "O Saya." We'll see. I'll say about 50% chance for "Jai Ho" and 40% chance for "Down to Earth."
Go "Jai Ho!" I'm thinking there won't be a "split the vote" problem, because when I listen to the two I can't imagine someone liking "O Saya" better. The Wall-E Song is a total snooze-fest in my opinion (just seemed kind of flat – no highs or lows really to get me into it, as much as I usually love Peter Gabriel songs) but then I am partial to dance music so this could be my preferential bias at work here…
ummmm…
Slumdog is GOING TO TAKE BEST SCORE no doubt
And umm I think, "Down to Earth" will win for best song. idk "Jaiho is close second
MY HOPES:
BENJAMIN BUTTON-should win for best score
*it was AMAZING best of the year
SLUMDOG will win best song: "JAI HO" and BENJAMIN BUTTON for best score.
Go Rahman Go.. Get both the oscars.. Our prayers are with you..
If electronic percussion, and a solo vocalist are all you need to win an oscar for best original score, then I have no faith in the academy. I feel like there was no substance to the Slumdog Millionaire score.
My choice: I think the themes in Wall•E were supurb and captured the title character's emotions perfectly.
In the Oscars performance, Down to Earth could not even match up Jai Ho or O Saya.. How could that bland song win the Oscar.. It did not have any soul in it.. And all knows finally who won..