The Oscars From The Outside In Vol. 3: Original Song and Score

This year, many of the most critically respected and lauded compoers are having their projects released, some with as many as two or three scores ex.) Thomas Newman, Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard, leading to one of the most competitive years for original scores so far this decade. While we probably wont hear a visionary score as good as Johnny Greenwood's for There Will be Blood, there is no doubt in my mind that this year's winner will be an amazing original work. As far as song goes, there is very little to predict as there is..well..very little to predict from. So here now my top 10 for Song and score.

Best Original Score

1. Wall-E by Thomas Newman

2. Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of The Crystal Skull by John Williams

3. Australia by David Hirschfelder

4. Revolutionary Road by Thomas Newman

5. Defiance by James Newton Howard

6. The Dark Knight by James Newton Howard & Hans Zimmer

7. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button by Alexandre Desplat

8. The Soloist by Dario Marinelli

9. The Road by Nick Cave & Warren Ellis

10. The Changeling by Clint Eastwood

Thomas Newman has double the chances of a nod this year for his sure to be one-two punch of Wall-E and Revolutionary Road, while John Williams ,who has never missed the cut with an Indy film, is looking for nomination # 46 this year to land himself with the second most Oscar nods ever right behind Walt Disney with 59 tips of the hat. James Newton Howard and David Hirschfelder round ot the top 5 with Defiance and Australia respectively, but look out for The Dark Knight's amazing score from the tag team of Howard and Hans Zimmer which may or may not qualify under the Academy's rules.

Best Song

Seeing as this category never really rounds out until near January, I'll just present the few original songs I know of.

1. "Down To Earth"- Wall-E by Thomas Newman and Peter Gabriel

2. "Pineapple Express"-Pineapple Express by Huey Lewis and The News

3. "Call To The Wild"(?)- The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian by Regina Spector(?)

Once again we'll have no clue of the nominees until next year, but I think it's safe to call Wall-E's song a lock and the Pineapple express theme song by Huey Louis is enjoyable enough but I doubt it'll catch Oscar's fancy much like last year's great "Walk Hard".