Copyright 2000 Reed Elsevier Inc.
Daily Variety
March 1, 2000
SECTION: SPECIAL SECTION1; Pg. 38
LENGTH: 435 words
HEADLINE: Getting behind the music
BYLINE: Jon Burlingame
BODY:
Daily Variety reviews this year's nominees in the music
fields.
ORIGINAL SCORE
"American Beauty"
Thomas Newman's offbeat, percussion-driven score brought a surprising serenity
to the darkly comic DreamWorks film. Newman, perhaps the year's most prolific
composer with "The Green Mile" and "Three Kings" also
under his belt, has been nominated in the past for "Unstrung Heroes"
(1995), "Little Women" (1994) and "The Shawshank Redemption"
(1994).
"Angela's Ashes"
Oscar's most nominated living person, John Williams nabbed his 38th nomination
for his exquisitely melancholy, piano-dominated score, with subtle hints
of Irish influence.
"The Cider House Rules"
The gentle theme and richly atmospheric score by Rachel Portman, an Oscar
winner for "Emma" (1996) adds emotional resonance to Lasse Hallstrom's
film from the John Irving novel.
"The Red Violin"
Renowned concert hall composer John Corigliano worked for more than a year,
writing both the onscreen violin pieces and the dramatic underscore, on
this ambitious music for string orchestra. Joshua Bell played the solos.
"The Talented Mr. Ripley"
Gabriel Yared's lush orchestral soundscape, punctuated by jazz colors of
alto sax and vibes, complemented 1950s jazz tracks in Anthony Minghella's
thriller. Yared won the original score Oscar for Minghella's "The English
Patient" (1997).
ORIGINAL SONG
"Blame Canada" from "South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut"
The rude and raucous --- but much loved --- "South Park" musical
got its sole nomination with this hilarious Trey Parker-Marc Shaiman ditty
about shirking parental responsibility.
"Music of My Heart" from "Music of the Heart"
It's no coincidence that Wes Craven changed the title of his movie from
"50 Violins" after Diane Warren turned in this winning anthem.
Gloria Estefan and 'NSync took this Diane Warren song to the No. 2 spot
on the pop charts.
"Save Me" from "Magnolia"
Paul Thomas Anderson has made no secret of the fact that he wrote his script
around singer-songwriter Aimee Mann's tunes. "Save
Me" is an original, a plea for rescue that mirrors the emotional situations
of the film.
"When She Loved Me" from "Toy Story 2"
Randy Newman's paean to lost love, sung by "Lilith Fair" champion
Sarah McLachlan, underscores the most moving sequence of the film, as Jessie
reminisces about her owner. Could Newman's 13th nomination finally be the
charm?
"You'll Be in My Heart" from "Tarzan"
Phil Collins' lullaby for Disney's animated smash became a huge adult contemporary
hit and, given Disney's Oscar track record with musicals, is a strong bet
for top honors.
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