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Does the Academy really like... Howard Shore?

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Author	Topic: Does the Academy really like... Howard Shore?

franz_conrad Standard Userer	I'm curious about this. There's all sort of interesting exclusions and inclusions in the latest Oscar nominations, but let's consider Howard Shore's absence. Some might have thought Shore was the darling of the organisation with 3 Oscars in 3 years, but I wonder if they're only interested in his work when he's working in a more conventional genre. Think: - 2004: The Aviator - INELIGIBLE - 2005: A History of Violence - NOT NOMINATED - 2006: The Departed - INELIGIBLE - 2007: Eastern Promises - NOT NOMINATED Four high profile, acclaimed, baity films. The baitiest were ruled ineligible, but the Cronenberg films both feature strong work from Shore in a more melodic vein than he used to be known for. If they really loved him at the Academy, how have they missed so many opportunities? The Aviator is interesting, as a number of Oscar precursors had award Shore before the Academy ruled it out. Eastern Promises also got a lot of mentions from different award bodies, so to see it excluded is very surprisingly - did more people really vote for MICHAEL CLAYTON over both EASTERN PROMISES and LUST, CAUTION? (Mind you, the same could be said of Alexandre Desplat - whose scores for Syriana, Birth, Girl with a Pearl Earring and now Lust, Caution have failed to find homes with the establishment.)
posted 01-22-2008 10:01 PM PT (US)

sean Standard Userer	I'll neglect that, IMO, A History Of Violence and Eastern Promises aren't noteworthy scores to begin with and go down a different path. David Cronenberg is a tough sell to the AMPAS. Sure, he's popular in Canada, for obvious reasons, and to folks like yourself and Andrew, both whom I'm sure are few and far between, unfortunately. A History OF Violence had two nominations, one for acting (William Hurt--who was dreadful in that film) and one for writing (which, it probably deserved). Eastern Promises has one, for Viggo Mortensen's excellent performance, and that's a damn shame it doesn't have more nominations since that film was one of the best of last year. I don't know, maybe Cronenberg's films are too "different," or just have more of a (yes, Canadian) edge to them that makes his films a hard sell to AMPAS voters. Than again, I don't think we should care at all, or put any stock in these Awards. The Desplat scores you mentioned don't deserve awards, either. They're good, but that's it. [Message edited by sean on 01-22-2008]
posted 01-22-2008 10:18 PM PT (US)

franz_conrad Standard Userer	quote: Originally posted by sean: The Desplat scores you mentioned don't deserve awards, either. They're good, but that's it. Grrr. Hans Zimmer must have had his lackeys write something better in those years, I guess. You make me want to disavow all human company and seek my own company in some mountain cabin with no internet connection. Double grrr! But thanks for the rest of your reply.
posted 01-22-2008 10:39 PM PT (US)

sean Standard Userer	HAHA! Michael, I don't like Hans Zimmer that much to think he should win awards all the time/every year. If it were up to me, he'd have won for The Thin Red Line and At World's End, that's it-that's all.
posted 01-22-2008 11:24 PM PT (US)

franz_conrad Standard Userer	I thought his SPANGLISH music was pretty good as well. If there was still a comedy score category, it should have won that.
posted 01-22-2008 11:33 PM PT (US)

sean Standard Userer	Originally posted by franz_conrad: I thought his SPANGLISH music was pretty good as well. If there was still a comedy score category, it should have won that. Michael, let's hope Zimmer lifts that ban on his scores being nominated just in time for Madagascar 2 to take us by storm come next year's awards! [Message edited by sean on 01-23-2008]
posted 01-23-2008 12:13 AM PT (US)

ThomasR Non-Standard Userer	I suppose that's a revelation that they don't 100% judge music on an artistic basis. It must have something to do with the producers. Anyway, is it really important I wonder? Oscars only promote a specific type of films. They have to make the awards "acceptable" by most part of the audience. Maybe Shore's music requires a fine ear to really appreciate it. Would all people make the effort of listening to it finely? If I were to decide on the nominees myself, I would probably sort out a very different list...
posted 01-23-2008 05:04 AM PT (US)

Swashbuckler Standard Userer	Technical Oscars are not awarded based upon the quality of the contribution to the category, but rather are given out - usually - on a political basis, either as part of a 'sweep' for a film or as a consultation prize to a film that the Academy members want to honor but not give one of the Big Six to.
posted 01-23-2008 11:16 AM PT (US)

gkgyver Standard Userer	What? The Academy Awards aren't about artistry? I've got to be honest here, that's quite a shock! But seriously, I don't care for what work Shore gets credited, it's just important that he got his award(s). His success at the Academy Awards with LotR was, I'm afraid, a lucky punch. At lest RotK. Not that he didn't deserve it, it was just that the best score of the year accidentally was tied to the sure winner of the Oscars. It's not like the Academy are willing and able to determine the best score ... Better than Goldsmith, who was a top composer in his lifetime and never won.
posted 01-23-2008 11:17 AM PT (US)

Bond1965 Standard Userer	While I really admire Howard Shore's score for EASTERN PROMISES, I'm not that disappointed that he wasn't nominated this year. For crying out loud, the man already had 3 Oscars. That's 3 more than any of the other Best Score nominees. James
posted 01-23-2008 12:05 PM PT (US)

franz_conrad Standard Userer	Oh, I can't say I'm terribly disappointed either James - particularly with Giacchino and Beltrami among the nominees. There is love, and it can be shared. It just occurred to me that the Music Branch probably only really warmed to Shore because of the association to LOTR.
posted 01-23-2008 12:16 PM PT (US)

nuts_score Standard Userer	If the AMPAS really had balls, they would've nominated Shore back in 1997 for Crash. And I might have one more thing to say below. Edit. [Message edited by nuts_score on 01-24-2008]
posted 01-23-2008 06:26 PM PT (US)

Bond1965 Standard Userer	quote: Originally posted by nuts_score: And that's all I have to say. Promise? James
posted 01-23-2008 07:03 PM PT (US)

nuts_score Standard Userer	quote: Originally posted by Bond1965: Promise? James Move along; nothing to see here. [Message edited by nuts_score on 01-24-2008]
posted 01-23-2008 09:12 PM PT (US)

nuts_score Standard Userer	quote: Originally posted by Bond1965: Originally posted by nuts_score: And that's all I have to say. Promise? James First off, I never once said this! Stop putting words in my mouth! Secondly, the Academy should've honored Shore and Ornette Coleman for Naked Lunch; but, due to its inclusion of pre-existing music, I'm SURE it would be ineligible. And, also, Gustavo didn't compose it.
posted 01-24-2008 08:27 PM PT (US)

Bond1965 Standard Userer	I knew it was too good to be true. Nice editing job there. You're such a liar. James
posted 01-24-2008 09:58 PM PT (US)

Demetris Christodoulides Standard Userer	Does the Academy really like any scores at all? Do they even CARE about this category?
posted 01-24-2008 10:39 PM PT (US)

ThomasR Non-Standard Userer	In the old times, I really enjoyed when they used to perform live medleys of the nominated scores. To me, they were really paying tribute to film music. Even if it was lasting only a few minutes. That's the problem with all those ceremonies: nowadays usually you don't watch cinema at a cinema awards ceremony or you don't hear music at a music awards ceremony. Isn't it contradictory?
posted 01-25-2008 12:44 AM PT (US)

Demetris Christodoulides Standard Userer	there isn't much to put into a medley from crap like Babel or Michael Clayton you know
posted 01-25-2008 04:19 AM PT (US)

Christian K�hn Standard Userer	Goldsmith did win one Oscar, for The Omen in 1976/77. Needless to say, he should have won another four or five times... CK
posted 02-05-2008 01:17 PM PT (US)

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