Film Music Composition of the Year

Posted by Jorn Tillnes

January 19, 2008

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The International Film Music Critics Association has named their nominees for Film Music Composition of the Year. They are:

“Elegy For Dunkirk” from Atonement (Dario Marianelli)
“Graysmith Obsessed” from Zodiac (David Shire)
“Last Shift” from Lions for Lambs (Mark Isham)
“Up Is Down” from Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End (Hans Zimmer)
“Wong Chia Chi’s Theme” from Lust, Caution (Alexandre Desplat)

These 5 choices, wouldn’t be my choice, but it’s a critics choice and all 5 are good songs. Although I didn’t like the Atonement score by Dario Marianelli, I did like a couple of cues, and this is the best one on the album. Zodiac by David Shire was according to the critics, one of the best scores of 2007 and David Shire is a name we’ll be hearing more of. It didn’t sit well with me although I thought the movie was great. Graysmith Obsessed is a typical song from that score, so if you like that, you’ll love the score. Lions for Lambs by Mark Isham was a really good score, but I am surprised with their choice of song from the album. If it was up to me I would have chosen another song. Pirates of the Caribbean is a good score, it is really fun and entertaining just like the movie. Up is down is also a very fun song, I’m glad the Pirates of the Caribbean score get some recognition. Lust, Caution was an above average score by Alexandre Desplat. I thought it was his best score of 2007, and Wong Chia Chi’s Theme represent the album in a good way.

My choice: “Up Is Down” from Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End (Hans Zimmer)
Probable winner: “Elegy For Dunkirk” from Atonement (Dario Marianelli)

Listen to the songs here:

http://soundtrackgeek.com/wp-content/uploads/compofyear.flv