Music

On behalf of everyone in this category not named Schwartz, thanks to John Williams for taking a breather at age 92! This must be how the other quarterbacks in the NFL felt when Tom Brady got into his 10th Super Bowl at age 43. At least he turned out to be a shitty announcer. So they've got that going for them.

One personal side-note: my eldest daughter knows someone who actually knows Stephen Schwartz. I know. I once told someone that Peter Dinklage grew up in Mendham, where we raised our kids.

"From Game of Thrones? That guy?!?"

"Yep"

"How many times have you met him?"

"Well....never".

"So you know him as well as I do -- from subscribing to HBO"

"I know his mother"

{bored silence}

This lack of connection is endemic (sorry, sweetie -- I really was rooting for you to be a nepo-baby, but I brought nothing to the game).

This is an interesting mix of scores. One Broadway repackage. One musical-wannabe with interesting rhythms. Two haunting scores that create unshakeable tension in support of the plot. I am convinced Blumberg (no relation to the three-time mayor of New York -- Daniel Booneberg) will win for his avante garde, sometimes atonal score. I won't complain. I would like to see Bertelmann win, as I thought the score really created tension that aided the plot movement. He is also a pianist, but that's not why I am rooting for him. He's just my kind of Volk.

Still rooting for Wicked. Maybe Stephen Schwartz will call out my daughter's friend's name in his acceptance speech. That would be a moment for me...

Daniel Blumberg, The Brutalist
Volker Bertelmann, Conclave
Clément Ducol & Camille, Emilia Perez
John Powell & Stephen Schwartz, Wicked
Kris Bowers, The Wild Robot

Clément Ducol & Camille; Lyrics by Clément Ducol, Camille & Jacques Audiard, El Mal from Emilia Perez
- This is a good song made great by the choreography and Zoe Saldana's performance. I have a feeling that my middle daughter would support this one -- she knows pop music better than your humble author -- but she may have cancelled this movie from her watch list. Who knows?
Diane Warren, The Journey from The Six Triple Eight
- Ms. Warren is aiming to be the songstress to Mr. Williams' maestro. She's here every year. Unfortunately, this movie had a review that used the word "treacly". Ouch.
Abraham Alexander & Adrian Quesada, Like a Bird from Sing Sing
- This is my winner. Largely because I loved this movie and think it should've gotten much more recognition. Since for-profit prisons are definitely back in favor, maybe these guys will get some more work (said the guy who is woefully optimistic).
Camille & Clément Ducol, Mi Camino from Emilia Perez
- There are two songs with two composers, so that gives them four chances, right? This was the kind of logic my father used when he'd ask me to buy him Pick 6 tickets. "Why can't you buy them?" "You live in North Jersey. All of the winners come from up there." "North Jersey has 2/3 of the population of the whole state. South Jersey has a million people, a billion trees and one Devil." "You can't get your old man Pick 6 tickets?!?" "But...but...5 bucks worth, dad?"
Elton John, Brandi Carlile, Andrew Watt and Bernie Taupin, Never Too Late
- This song is a throw-in over the credits in another biopic about Sir Elton in just 6 years. I think the accomplished and talented pianist looks at the job Dylan did for himself and is left longing. Sorry, mate -- Sunday Night's Alright for Losing.

Music

Best Song