Sunday, June 20, 2010

Best Original Song - 2007

"Raise It Up" from August Rush sung by Jamia Simone Nash and Impact Repertory Theatre

Movie Synopsis: An orphaned musical prodigy uses his gift as a clue to finding his birth parents.

Does it appear in the movie (i.e. other than the end credits)? Yes.
Is it important to the plot? Give the kid hope?
Is it pleasing to the ear? C+.


"Happy Working Song" from Enchanted sung by Amy Adams

Movie Synopsis: An animated maiden is sent to modern day New York City by an evil witch.

Does it appear in the movie (i.e. other than the end credits)? Yes.
Is it important to the plot? Uh...not really. Just a shout out to past Disney films.
Is it pleasing to the ear? A.


"So Close" from Enchanted sung by John McLaughlin

Does it appear in the movie (i.e. other than the end credits)? Yes.
Is it important to the plot? Yes, it's lyrically relevant to Giselle and Robert growing closer.
Is it pleasing to the ear? A. 


"That's How You Know" from Enchanted sung by Amy Adams

Does it appear in the movie (i.e. other than the end credits)? Yes.
Is it important to the plot? Another shout out to big Disney production numbers.
Is it pleasing to the ear? A.


"Falling Slowly" from Once sung by Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova

Movie Synopsis: A busker and an immigrant and their eventful week in Dublin, as they write, rehearse and record songs that tell their love story

Does it appear in the movie (i.e. other than the end credits)? I'm pretty sure.
Is it important to the plot? Also pretty sure.
Is it pleasing to the ear? B+.


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So what won?
"Falling Slowly" from Once


What would I have voted for?
"That's How You Know" from Enchanted
I love Alan Menken. He deserved it.


Analysis
I'll tell you a secret. Okay, it's not really a secret, but I cried when "That's How You Know" lost the Oscar. Literally cried. It was the first time Alan Menken had been nominated for an Oscar in a long time, and the first time a song that I loved was actually present in the film was nominated. I thought it was a sure thing. And the bitter disappointment of a three way split (I'm figuring) moved me to tears when an Indie song everyone would forget in a year took the prize. In "Falling Slowly"'s defense, it's not a bad song. I haven't seen Once but I think it's important to the plot. I'm just bitter. Well, was bitter. Time has healed this wound.

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