Monday, February 18, 2008

Oscars! Final Predictions [Sound Stuff]


Original Score

“Atonement”
“The Kite Runner”
“Michael Clayton”
“Ratatouille”
“3:10 to Yuma”


Should Win: Marianelli's beyond-gorgeous Atonement composition works so well with the different phases of the story. I think it's a lot better than the other nominees, which says a lot considering I like all of the scores here -- even The Kite Runner, which I otherwise detested.


Will Win: Atonement. Besides that epics are known for their sweeping score the film has five tech nominations, more than any of the others in the category. And Marianelli is enough of a name.


Original Song

“Falling Slowly” from “Once”
“Happy Working Song” from “Enchanted”
“Raise It Up” from “August Rush”
“So Close” from “Enchanted”
“That’s How You Know” from “Enchanted”

Should Win: I'm very attached to 'That's How You Know' but even though I haven't yet managed to see 'Once', Falling Slowly is enough to ensure that I do.

Will Win: Last year we saw 'Dreamgirls' lose in this category despite hogging three of the nominations. Similarly, 'Enchanted' has a major presence here, but I'm not sure whether any of its songs are strong enough to prevent vote splitting. The cult 'Once' fans could well have their say. I predict Falling Slowly will take this award.


Sound Mixing

“The Bourne Ultimatum”
“No Country for Old Men”
“Ratatouille”
“3:10 to Yuma”
“Transformers”


Should Win: That 'No Country For Old Men' feels atmospheric and spine-tingling with potential danger, whether it's focusing on a desert, or a shotgun, or both, is testament to the excellent starkness of its audio arrangement. I've yet to see Bourne.

Will Win: With four of the five here transferring to the sound editing category it's likely that in this category, probably the more highly regarded of the two, and with an absence of any musicals, they'll reward their favourite film, which with a hefty eight nominations has to be 'No Country For Old Men'.


Sound Editing

“The Bourne Ultimatum”
“No Country for Old Men”
“Ratatouille”
“There Will Be Blood”
“Transformers”


Should Win: With the snubbing of Greenwood's score I'd be very tempted to vote for Blood, but in honesty I think the sound effects of Transformers beats pretty much everything this year.

Will Win: It's difficult. Last year they gave it to Jima, but only really because it wasn't going to win anything else. Maybe Blood is in the same position, but I'm inclined to go for a Ratatouille victory. With five nominations it seems very popular, and I seem to remember a win for The Incredibles in this category a couple years back.

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