One Category at a time: Original Score

Not sure how to feel about this category. On the one hand, I could rejoice that my three favourite scores of the year all managed nominations from this often-questionable branch. On the other hand, I could despair that all of them are likely to lose to a far inferior score. On the other hand, the composer of said score should have won two years ago, and it'd be nice to see him win the Oscar he should already have. On the other hand, it'd be annoying to see him win his Oscar for a score that doesn't even come close to the inventiveness and memorability of his previous work, let alone his fellow nominees this year. What's a guy to do?

That score which is causing me so much grief is Alexandre Desplat's for The King's Speech. It looks like the one that's going to win to me, but deep down, it just doesn't sound right, does it?

What Hans Zimmer did on Inception is a brilliant accomplishment in building mood and intensity. John Powell's music, enjoyable and beautiful, makes How to Train Your Dragon soar. The identity Reznor and Ross infused into The Social Network is highly unique; a completely successful defiance of convention that works without intruding. They're all the epitome of effective and unforgettable music.

And then there's The King's Speech...

...and I struggle to find something to say. Not to sully Desplat's elegant work with petty quibbles, but I get the feeling that (assuming he wins) this'll be one of those Oscar wins that people will look back on 50 years from now, scrunch their noses and say, "Really?"

Could Inception upset? They may not like the movie enough. How to Train Your Dragon? Not a Best Picture nominee. The Social Network? Too atypical.

Oh yeah, A.R. Rahman (who robbed Desplat of the Oscar he should have won two years ago) is also nominated, but I don't think 127 Hours has enough support to factor into the equation here.

Will win: The King's Speech
Runner-up: Inception

Should win: Inception
Should have been nominated: TRON Legacy

One Category at a Time: Original Song

This might be the most wide-open category at this year's Oscars. There's a case to be made for all four nominees. The two most convincing arguments come for the animated entries Tangled and Toy Story 3, for the songs "I See The Light" and "We Belong Together".

The former keeps very much in the vein traditional Disney; a lovely romantic ballad to accompany a beautifully animated sequence. I was already enjoying Tangled plenty before that, but this scene is when my heart really melted. It would make a great winner. Alan Menken is sort of my idol.

The latter is an equally plausible winner, simply because Toy Story 3 is the most beloved nominee in the category. The song itself is kinda derivative, and doesn't come close to the greatness of Randy Newman's previous two songs for the franchise, the heartbreaking "When She Loved Me" and the series-defining "You've Got A Friend In Me". That said, it's still bouncy and enjoyable enough to draw in votes. Being a Best Picture nominee certainly helps.

Another Best Picture nominee represented here is 127 Hours for A.R. Rahman's "If I Rise". He won this category two years ago for "Jai Ho" (a bit of a mistake if you ask me), but that was a high-energy finale with choreography to go with it, whereas "If I Rise" is more on the mellow side and plays so briefly during the film that I'd be surprised by anyone who could remember the tune without listening to the album version.

Or, if none of those options tickle the Academy's fancy, they could stick with the same type of winner they awarded last by voting for "Coming Home" from Country Strong. It's featured prominently enough in the film, but how many members have seen the film? A poor critical response truncated its already tiny release. But if they just listen to the song, that may be enough convince otherwise uninterested voters.

Will win: "We Belong Together", Toy Story 3
Runner-up: "I See The Light", Tangled

Should win: "I See The Light", Tangled
Should have been nominated: "Shine", Waiting for Superman