Comments on: Academy Tweaks Best Original Song Oscar Criteria and Cuts Tribute Awards

By: Lysana

Lysana — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:44:13 +0000

“Jai Ho” wasn’t merely over the credits. It was the closing song-and-dance number, a standard part of Bollywood cinema. The movie was based on Bollywood conventions, so it counts as part of the film.

I disagree that the end credits in the usual Hollywood film are part of the movie. They do nothing to advance the plot.

I do agree that the choices as of late have been awful and rarely consistently good in the 80+-year history of the awards. I still cannot believe “Into the West” beat “Triplets of Belleville,” and that’s just one example. What they really need is to make that award a specialists’ prize and only allow musicians to vote.

By: Alicia Stella

Alicia Stella — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:26:39 +0000

This makes me angry… if a song is somewhere within the actual runtime of a film, it should be considered for nomination.

The end credits are and have always been a part of the film. And the best original song cat is a vital part of the academy awards IMO.

Separating the other honors I think is a great idea. I do hope it will be shown somewhere on television, at least maybe PBS or AMC or somethin’.

By: James

James — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 17:48:05 +0000

That couldn’t have been why Bruce Springsteen wasn’t nominated. Both Peter Gabriel’s “Down to Earth” and A.R. Rahman’s “Jai Ho” were played over the credits.

Also, am I the only one who enjoys the special tribute awards? They actually have good speeches ready since they know that they’ve won already, and I’d rather listen to a good acceptance speech that watch one of those awful clip packages.

By: mrbenning

mrbenning — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:18:53 +0000

@MJS

It’s Hard Out Here For a Pimp/Hustle & Flow is one of the very few song/movie combos that are inseparable. I can’t think of one without the other.

By: Henrik

Henrik — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 08:52:41 +0000

I think they should nominate Bruce Springsteen for his song “The Wrestler” and if they don’t want to do that, they can go fuck themselves.

By: MJS

MJS — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 06:11:07 +0000

I think they’ve been picking a lot of good songs in the last decade. Lose Yourself was one of the best pop songs of recent memory, Falling Slowly was beautiful, Jai Ho was astonishingly catchy, Things Have changed is a great Dylan track, Into the West was a perfect coda for the LOTR trilogy, and Its Hard Out Here For a Pimp winnign was a great pop culture moment.

By: Ashley

Ashley — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 03:20:19 +0000

“Best moment of the Oscars in the last 5 years was Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova performing “Falling Slowly” then winning the Oscar.”

Complete agree Mike.

This category has rarely nominated good songs and even less often chosen the correct winner. They should pick songs that not only work in the context of the movie, but also stand well on their own. I wouldn’t miss this category at all.

By: Goon

Goon — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:16:12 +0000

“AND include lyrics that recount actual plot points”

“The Wrestler” is absolutely tied to the soul of the movie of the same name, but in no way recounts plot points. Sorry, but no way man.

By: Joel

Joel — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:58:15 +0000

they should only count songs that are used in scenes AND include lyrics that recount actual plot points or recite dialogue from the movie. That’d keep things interesting.

By: MJS

MJS — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:31:11 +0000

I’m positive that Lose Yourself was only played over the credits in 8 Mile

By: Hannes

Hannes — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 21:53:29 +0000

wasnt jai-ho played over the credits also?

By: Mike

Mike — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 21:48:03 +0000

Best moment of the Oscars in the last 5 years was Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova performing “Falling Slowly” then winning the Oscar.