NO PERFORMANCE BY ANTONIO BANDERAS THIS YEAR: Most of this year's Oscars are boring as all get out, with most of the high-tier races being virtual locks (Brokeback, Ang Lee, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Reese Witherspoon, Crash and Brokeback for the two screenplay awards), though the supporting races are interesting. However, one category (ironically, one that's been shrunk), may be the most competitive, and that's Best Original Song, which really runs the gamut this year. Your nominees are (links are to iTunes or Amazon):
"Travelin' Thru," Dolly Parton, from Transamerica: Parton is a prior Oscar nominee (for "9 to 5"), and a prior Razzie winner (for "Drinkenstein" from Rhinestone), which may give her an edge (well, at least the former). The song's a nice little loping bluegrass ballad (at least the part that's a sample on iTunes is), but I'm not sure how integral it is to the movie and its themes.
"It's Hard Out Here For a Pimp," DJay (Terrence Howard), from Hustle and Flow: Plusses? It's the most integral to the movie of the nominees, and is the only one that could even concievably be a radio hit on pop radio. Also, that Howard performs the song may be seen as a way to reward his performance, since he's not winning the Best Actor award. The downside? It's a rap song titled "It's Hard Out Here For A Pimp." "Lose Yourself" may have won, but I just can't see this one.
"In The Deep," (Kathleen) Bird York, from Crash: Plusses? The song has drawn a lot of press for York and gotten her a major label deal. York's also an esteemed actress (probably best known to folks around here for playing Toby Ziegler's ex-wife Andie on TWW). It's also the only nominee from a Best Picture nominee. The downside? It's only over the closing credits, barely in the movie, and its lounge-y electronic sound may not resonate with older voters.
Voting purely on the song, I'd say that "In The Deep" ought to win, but really, this is a toss-up that could go to just about any of the nominees. What's your preference?
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