Hazel Cills, a music journalist and critic known for her insights on film scores and songs, joins the discussion on Oscar nominations. They dive into the nominees for Original Score and Song, analyzing the emotional weight and narrative alignment of various compositions. The conversation highlights snubs and overlooked soundtracks, including a critical look at Elton John's 'Never Too Late' alongside emerging nominees. Expect a blend of predictions, critiques, and a deep appreciation for the art of movie music as they navigate this year's awards landscape.
The podcast emphasizes how impactful musical scores, like Daniel Bloomberg's for 'The Brutalist', enhance the emotional depth of films by reflecting their themes.
A critique is offered regarding the Academy's predictable nominations, highlighting notable snubs and a tendency to favor familiar styles over innovative compositions.
Deep dives
The Art of Movie Music
A significant focus is placed on the connection between films and their musical scores, particularly during Oscar season. The conversation highlights specific nominee films like 'The Brutalist', whose sprawling score effectively complements the film's themes of immigration and American industrialism. The score, composed by Daniel Bloomberg, draws listeners in with its mixture of mechanical and organic sounds, elevating the film's emotional impact. Comparisons are made to iconic film scores, showcasing how powerful music can enhance cinematic storytelling.
Diverse Musical Styles in Animation
The scores from animated films, particularly 'The Wild Robot', are explored for their innovative and adventurous qualities. Chris Bowers, the composer, incorporates unconventional instruments into his music, creating a playful and futuristic soundscape that complements the film's narrative. However, some critiques mention that while Bowers generally produces good work, this score feels somewhat traditional and lacks the unconventional spirit expected in standout nominees. Nonetheless, the effectiveness of the score in supporting the story is acknowledged, demonstrating the enduring creativity in animated film music.
Polarizing Responses to 'Amelia Perez'
The film 'Amelia Perez' garners polarized reactions largely due to its controversial themes and handling of tone. The discussion dives into its score by Clement Ducall and Camille, which some listeners find disjointed and unable to match the film's mood shifts effectively. Critics argue that the score's eclectic mix of styles fails to create a coherent musical identity, impacting the film's overall reception. This highlights the challenges that arise when a film attempts to blend multiple genres and maintain tonal consistency through its music.
Expectations and Snubs at the Oscars
The episode reveals the predictability of the Oscars by discussing potential winners and notable omissions in music categories. Discussions of snubs, such as Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross' score for 'Challengers', underscore the unpredictability and often conservative tastes of Academy voters in music nominations. Participants express disappointment over established composers missing from the roster, creating a conversation around the criteria for nominations and the tendency to favor familiar musical styles over innovative works. This frustration culminates in predictions for which nominees might ultimately receive recognition and highlights the often contentious nature of award shows.
With Oscar season here, we review the nominees for Original Song and Original Score, prognosticate who will win the statues on March 2, and look at the Academy's biggest snubs.
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Hear the songs in the All Songs Considered playlists in Apple Music and Spotify.