Well, I haven't seen or heard the music from "End of the Affair," "Legend of 1900," or "Straight Story." My pick out of the crop of the ones I've heard would be either "Angela's Ashes," or "Anna and the King." "The Insider" and "American Beauty" are both very good films, but they're also critics' pets, and as usual, I think they've gotten some preferential treatment. Their respective scores are understated and effective, but there were, in my opinion, more deserving nominees. Same goes for "Mr. Ripley," but I think I'd take Yared's score over the other two. The inclusion of "Eyes Wide Shut," though, is a complete bewilderment. Aside from the really freaky "Masked Ball" cue, Pook's score really figure too prominently in the film. Not that the movie couldn't have used a little more score, instead of leaning on that annoying Ligeti piano piece (with all due respect to the late Mr. Kubrick, of course.)
I just wish that "The Phantom Menace" would have been nominated. Regardless of the quality of the movie itself, the score was masterful. I guess it was just too easy of a choice. Goldsmith's "The 13th Warrior" was also an excellent score that I think should have been seriously considered (although the movie was pretty darn bad.)
At any rate, sorry I went on so long. Just my opinion. What does everyone else think?

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