Oscar's Noms Watch 2014: the music - best original score and best song

These are probably the categories where I've seen the least number of movies.

There are 8 movies up for original score and/or original song and I've seen 3.

BUT....I've found a way around this. I checked out the soundtracks on Grooveshark and have been listening to them whilst sewing all week. You can too if you want (you don't have to sew along to them....that's possibly just me):

2014 Oscar Noms for original score and song by Tempest Devyne on Grooveshark

Or if you want to listen a soupçon of each via Youtube, here are the links:

Original Score nominees:

The Book Thief - John Williams....great stuff, it's John Williams, but nothing I've come away humming or very affected by (I keep hearing Out of Africa in it, which is quite clever because that was John Barry ;))

Gravity - Steven Price...

This is my winner. I have to admit I wasn't that aware of the music when watching the movie in the cinema until the final few minutes (the clip above) and I always like that something is such an integral part (visual effects, sound effects, score) of everything going on that it always merges together as one....to me (and I might be talking total rubbish) that often is the sign of greatness.

That end piece there is much more noticeable than the theme running through the movie....

check out this clip.....as I said, I've had all the soundtracks playing whilst sewing all week, and I've had to stop playing the Gravity tracks because they give me heart palpitations, my shoulders go up, it start feeling nervous, the anxiety builds.....I think this is remarkable that this music can have such effect on me....hence it's the one I'll be rooting for the Original Score Oscar on Sunday. Brilliant stuff.

Saving Mr. Banks - Thomas Newman.....lovely, but again nothing I haven't heard before or could get confused with another movie score of his. However, this is marvellous:

Tell me the hairs on the back of your neck aren't tingling. Ok, you need help with your emotions....

Her - William Butler and Owen Pallett (Arcade Fire) - I like this a lot, it's a lovely soundtrack to work to and from what I've seen of the movie, it seems to fit the mood very well. If I wasn't backing Gravity for this Oscar, Her would be my choice.

Philomena - Alexandre Desplat - this is lovely too, and I will get to see this movie when its out to rent on iTunes (no firm date yet). But I probably like it because it reminds me of movie scores like Amelie and Chocolat so much.

Original Song

There are only 4 entries for Original Song now because a despicable attempt at vote 'persuading' that would be worthy of Dr. Nefario from Despicable Me 2 but was actually from Christians, their nomination has now been revoked but their exploits have meant that other valid songs (and there were many this year) didn't get a chance at the nomination. Grrr. Don't get me started on this. Aaaanyway, here the 4 left:

Happy from Despicable Me 2

This is my favourite and Melchett's.....hang on, I've just remembered she wrote me down reviews of each....

OK, Melchett's wisdom: "Happy is a fun upbeat song. Its about being happy. You can't listen to this song without wanting to dance. It makes you feel happy. I know I am saying happy a lot because it makes you feel happy an that's the name of the song. That's why I think Happy should get an Oscar".

What she said :)

I don't think it will get the Oscar though, I think it will go to:

Let It Go from Frozen

Melchett's wisdom: "Let it go is a song from Frozen. It's about being yourself and showing your difference. There are two versions, the one from the movie and the other is by Demi Lovato. They have different words. Let it go would be my second choice".

Yep kiddo, got to agree with all that :)

The smart money's probably on that one though.

The Moon Song from Her

Melchett's wisdom: "It sounds sad. It makes you want to cry. I really don't like it. Also the movie is just about Siri. I don't like it at all. Also why is it called the Moon Song? I don't think it should win an Oscar".

Haha, when she doesn't like something, she doesn't like it. I think this song is fine and suspect seen in it's proper context in the movie is quite lovely, but my heart still goes with Happy.

Ordinary Love from Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom

Melchett's wisdom: "The song was OK. It was not the best song. I have not seen this movie but I think that for this movie I don't think it is good. If I hear it on the radio I would maybe keep it on. It does not make you feel happy. But I don't think its supposed to. It makes me feel sad. That is my opinion on the song Ordinary Love".

I think she might have been running out of steam on her song critiquing there :)

I normally love U2 but this doesn't stick with me. It's not The Streets have No Name or Sunday Bloody Sunday or One or In The Name of Love or may many others of their hits that stick with you. OK, I'm beginning to sound like Melchie now....yep, if it was on the radio I wouldn't turn it off, but I wouldn't buy it as a ringtone either. And there, ladies and gentlemen is the fall of culture in our generation.....

To sum up:

Best Original Score will go to: Steven Price - Gravity

Score I'll be rooting for: Steven Price - Gravity (even though listening to it gives me heart palpitations)

Best Original Song Oscar will go to: Let It Go from Frozen

Song I'll be rooting for: Happy from Despicable Me 2

Stars I gave to each movie on IMDB (for the film as a whole not just this category):

The Book Thief - didn't get to see

Gravity ★★★★★★★★★ 9

Her - didn't get to see

Philomena - didn't get to see

Saving Mr Banks - didn't get to see

Despicable Me 2 ★★★★★★★★ 8

Frozen ★★★★★★★★ 8

Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom - didn't get to see, but really want to. It was on in just a handful of cinemas and none near Arizona (surprise, surprise).....so I'll have to wait for it to come onto iTunes.

The movie I'd tell you to watch if you could only choose one: Despicable Me 2, unless you can see Gravity in 3D and in a cinema, then see that.

Next categories up are the design categories: Production Design, Makeup and Hairstyling and Costume Desgn.....though I'm also trying to finish a dress for Project Sewn's midnight deadline today EEK.....and watch the last few movies to hit my 41 film target (up to 36 now) EEEEEKK..... and I'll have a big round up of my picks (and those that will actually win) on Sunday afternoon.

Related articles
Tempest's 2014 Oscars Watchalong - wanna join me?
Oscar's Watchalong 2014 - the documentaries: 20 Feet From Stardom, Cutie And The Boxer, Dirty Wars, The Act Of The Killing, The Square
Oscar's Noms Watch 2014: Best Sound Editing and Sound Mixing categories
Oscar's Noms Watch 2014 - Best Visual Effects: Gravity, The Lone Ranger, Star Trek Into Darkness, Iron Man 3, The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug
Oscar's Noms Watch 2014: The Shorts (Live Action, Documentary and Animated)

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