The Best Original Score category is by far one of the most unpredictable categories in the Oscar race. This year the race for Score has been one of the trickiest to follow as critics' and awards organizations have not agreed on the same movie. The Oscars generally award the prize to a Best Picture nominee and this year three out the five scores are in the running for Best Picture. Past winners include Ludovic Bource (The Artist), Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross (The Social Network), Michael Giacchino (Up), A.R Rahman, and Dario Marianelli (Atonement).
Anna Karenina - Composer Dario Marianelli received his third Oscar nomination for his work on "Anna Karenina." The recognition also marked his third nomination for a Joe Wright film; he was previously shortlisted for "Pride and Prejudice" in 2005 and won in 2007 for "Atonement." Marianelli's nomination comes as no surprise as he was nominated for the Satellite Awards, the Golden Globe and British Academy Awards. However he has failed to achieve a single victory. Additionally the film was not nominated for Best Picture and that alone could hurt his chances of winning. The last time a film won a best score award without receiving a best picture nomination was in 2003 when Elliot Goldenthal won for "Frida." However with no consensus from critics and organizations, Marianelli may still have a chance for his second Oscar.
Argo-Alexandre Desplat earned his fifth recognition for his score on "Argo;" he was previously nominated for "The King's Speech," "Fantastic Mr. Fox," "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" and "The Queen." Desplat has been nominated for every major award this year including the BAFTA, the Golden Globe, and Critics' Choice awards. However he has only picked up one precursor award: the Satellite Award. "Argo" is currently the favorite to win Best Picture and Desplat has never won; these two factors may help him obtain the award.
Life of Pi - Mychael Danna scored his first two nominations for his work on "Life of Pi;" he was also nominated for best song. Like Desplat, Danna has scored numerous nominations from all the major organizations and won at the Golden Globe and two critics' organizations. Danna has the strongest chance of winning because the Golden Globe has predicted the past five Oscars winners. Additionally "Life of Pi" is nominated for the Best Picture and is nominated for all the technical awards.
Lincoln - John Williams scored his 48th Oscar nomination for "Lincoln." He was nominated last year for his scores on "The Adventures of Tintin" and "War Horse." He last won the award in 1993 for "Schindler's List." This year Williams was nominated for the BAFTA, the Golden Globe, and won the Critics' Choice award. He was also recognized by the Dallas Fort Worth Critics. However, the film has failed to win key prizes and the score has not resonated with pundits. If William's wins the Oscar it will be because the Academy favors "Lincoln" and wants to give it Best Picture.
Skyfall - Thomas Newman surprised by scoring his eleventh nomination for the Academy Awards; he was previously nominated in 2008 for "Wall-E," in 2006 for "The Good German," and in 2002 for "Road to Perdition." Throughout the awards season Newman has picked up key wins from Indiana and Phoenix Critics as well as the BAFTA award. However his score was not nominated at the Globes or the Critics' Choice. "Skyfall" also does not have a best picture nomination.
Predictions: The Original Score race is wide open, but based on the last five Oscar winners the race looks narrowed down to "Life of Pi," "Argo" and "Lincoln." I think "Life of Pi" wins because of Mychael Danna's Golden Globe triumph.
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