Look for 'Enchanted,' 'American Gangster' to crowd Oscar song race

Just two years ago, the Oscar race for best original song was slim pickins.'

Remember? The Academy was unable to find five songs to nominate. Three 6 Mafia performed and won for "It's Hard Out There for a Pimp" from "Hustle & Flow," besting songs from "Crash" (Kathleen "Bird" York's "In the Deep") and Dolly Parton ("Travelin' Thru" from "Transamerica").

This year, the Academy will have the opposite problem. First of all, the music from "Once" sailed into fall as a front-runner (and there's no good reason why it shouldn't win), but strong selections are taking shape.

First, consider Eddie Vedder's efforts in "Into the Wild." As the first solo effort from the Pearl Jam frontman, the soundtrack isn’t lacking in public awareness, and has been largely well-received. To help matters, Paramount Vantage is hosting a private weekend performance of Vedder in Los Angeles, which should further fuel the soundtrack’s buzz.

And plenty of critics (though not this one) and readers (judging from the results of an informal and unscientific poll conducted on this blog) are fawning over Sondre Lerche's work in "Dan in Real Life." We shall see how much pull his fans have Oscar voters as the days go by.

Earlier in the year, Bob Dylan's "Huck's Town" was a worthy iTunes download from an already-forgotten film ("Lucky You"), and then, of course, Marc Shaiman's two (possibly three) new original songs in "Hairspray."

It certainly feels like Oscar race for best song is picking up a head of steam. And there's still plenty of music from A-list artists and hotly-anticipated films to come. Here's a quick look at five films with noteworthy songs. Some have the pedigree and/or buzz to win, and others just shouldn't go unnoticed (looking at you, No. 2).

Also, note that Oscar-favorite Shakira is not included below, as she was written about in an earlier post -- it's not a slight, just a chance to write about some other acts.

1. "Grace is Gone." Nine-time Grammy winner Sheryl Crow has an as-yet-unreleased song, "Lullaby for Wyatt," in the upcoming Weinstein Company film. It hasn't leaked yet, but there's a tear-jerker of a trailer to watch on the official Weinstein Web site. The well-reviewed movie is due in limited release Dec. 7. Coupled with early hype for Crow's upcoming February album, a solid opening could push the heartland singer/songwriter into the race.

2. "Nanking." The Sundance award winner, which looks at the Japanese invasion of Nanking, China, during World War II, will open in limited release Dec. 12 before airing later on HBO. The film has an original song from Lou Reed, "Gravity," a slow-burner driven by a guttural guitar riff. Even in the poor-sounding clips circulating the Web, it's a haunting rocker, with Reed's cries of "war" echoing throughout it.

3. "Beowulf." Broadway actor/singer Idina Menzel has an acting role in Disney's "Enchanted," and a credit's song in fantasy "Beowulf" entitled "A Hero Comes Home." The latter was written by superstar producer Glenn Ballard (Celine Dion, Alanis Morissette) with composer Alan Silverstri. Variety's Red Carpet District reminds readers that the pair received a nomination in 2004 for their work on "The Polar Express."

4. "Enchanted." Talk to anyone about the best original song category, and "Enchanted" turns up. The children's fantasy has a host of original songs from Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz. The pair worked together on "Pocahantas" and "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," and if the film becomes a holiday hit, and it likely will, it should easily score a nomination. Since voting on the songs must occur immediately after screening a clip of the film (see rules), the vivid scenes and talent of actress Amy Adams (pictured, with Patrick Dempsey) could make "Enchanted" a favorite, although it's hard to believe anything could come out in front of "Once," a movie that simply could not exist without its songs.

5. "American Gangster." Looking to be a blockbuster this autumn, the film should be well represented come Oscar time too, perhaps even in the song category. It won't be from Jay-Z, whose album of the same name is not featured in the movie, but the work of soul singer Anthony Hamilton is. The singer has a cameo in the film, and his "Do You Feel Me" goes down easy, with its gospel keys and a relaxed groove.

(Photo courtesy Disney)

Comments

[kcholt68]

Once and for all, "The New Girl in Town" from "Hairspray" will not be eligible as it was written for the stage version and then cut, then resurrected for the movie (it says so in the album's liner notes). "Ladies' Choice" and "Come So Far (Got So Far to Go)" are eligible.

- kch, http://moviedearest.blogspot.com/

[Andres]

Shakira for Love in the Time of Cholera... Her work is very touching and beautiful. She needs to be nominated, I'm not into her music, but this is amazing
Here are live performances of the two original songs written by her,...
Despedida http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbKOfemJ2S0
Hay Amores - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxCEjdNGcEE