STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS
John Williams
Let it be known, first of all, that composer John Williams, age 83, has been nominated by the Academy a total of fifty times following this nomination for “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.” On top of that already astonishing fact, Williams was nominated for his work on all three of the original “Star Wars” films and even won for his Original Score on “Star Wars: A New Hope.” Providing the score for this latest “Star Wars” film, however, seemed to be an even greater challenge, as the film looked to set off a new generation in the driver’s seat, while honoring the past with characters like Han Solo and General Leia. So in his score, Williams pays homage to his previous scores, bringing out themes for the Jedis as well as the villains, all while creating something brand new (I mean it had to be somewhat original to even be considered for this award).
What’s its competition? John Williams has to be the front-runner for this category, with many people hoping that “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” is somehow honored, seeing as it is blowing past box office numbers in record speed while still being a particularly good film. With five wins already, Williams could easily add a sixth. If he does have competition, then let it be Ennio Morricone for his Golden Globe winning score for Quentin Tarantino’s “The Hateful Eight,” but with that film not getting much love in the areas that mattered, many people are feeling he might not be that big of a competition. Note that Williams also faces Thomas Newman’s score for the Steven Spielberg film “Bridge Of Spies,” to which Williams has been a long-time collaborator with Spielberg, to which he owes 3 of his 5 wins (“Jaws,” “E.T.,” and “Schindler’s List”). I could even see Jóhann Jóhannsson and his “Sicario” score pulling off an upset if the chance arises. But consider this one John Williams’ to lose.
Previous nominations? This is the fiftieth Academy Award nomination (including five wins) for John Williams. He was previously nominated for:
- THE BOOK THIEF (2013)
Nominee, Music (Original Score) - LINCOLN (2012)
Nominee, Music (Original Score) - THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN (2011)
Nominee, Music (Original Score) - WAR HORSE (2011)
Nominee, Music (Original Score) - MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA (2005)
Nominee, Music (Original Score) - MUNICH (2005)
Nominee, Music (Original Score) - HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN (2004)
Nominee, Music (Original Score) - CATCH ME IF YOU CAN (2002)
Nominee, Music (Original Score) - A.I. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (2001)
Nominee, Music (Original Score) - HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER’S STONE (2001)
Nominee, Music (Original Score) - THE PATRIOT (2000)
Nominee, Music (Original Score) - ANGELA’S ASHES (1999)
Nominee, Music (Original Score) - SAVING PRIVATE RYAN (1998)
Nominee, Music (Original Dramatic Score) - AMISTAD (1997)
Nominee, Music (Original Dramatic Score) - SLEEPERS (1996)
Nominee, Music (Original Dramatic Score) - NIXON (1995)
Nominee, Music (Original Dramatic Score) - SABRINA (1995)
Nominee, Music (Original Musical or Comedy Score) - SABRINA (1995)
Nominee, Music (Original Song) - SCHINDLER’S LIST (1993)
Winner, Music (Original Score) - HOOK (1991)
Nominee, Music (Original Song) - JFK (1991)
Nominee, Music (Original Score) - HOME ALONE (1990)
Nominee, Music (Original Score) - HOME ALONE (1990)
Nominee, Music (Original Song) - BORN ON THE FOURTH OF JULY (1989)
Nominee, Music (Original Score) - INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE (1989)
Nominee, Music (Original Score) - THE ACCIDENTAL TOURIST (1988)
Nominee, Music (Original Score) - EMPIRE OF THE SUN (1987)
Nominee, Music (Original Score) - THE WITCHES OF EASTWICK (1987)
Nominee, Music (Original Score) - INDIANA JONES AND THE TEMPLE OF DOOM (1984)
Nominee, Music (Original Score) - THE RIVER (1984)
Nominee, Music (Original Score) - RETURN OF THE JEDI (1983)
Nominee, Music (Original Score) - E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL (1982)
Winner, Music (Original Score) - YES, GIORGIO (1982)
Nominee, Music (Original Song) - RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK (1981)
Nominee, Music (Original Score) - THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK (1980)
Nominee, Music (Original Score) - SUPERMAN (1978)
Nominee, Music (Original Score) - CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND (1977)
Nominee, Music (Original Score) - STAR WARS (1977)
Winner, Music (Original Score) - JAWS (1975)
Winner, Music (Original Score) - THE TOWERING INFERNO (1974)
Nominee, Music (Original Dramatic Score) - CINDERELLA LIBERTY (1973)
Nominee, Music (Original Dramatic Score) - CINDERELLA LIBERTY (1973)
Nominee, Music (Song) - TOM SAWYER (1973)
Nominee, Music (Scoring: Original Song Score and Adaptation -or- Scoring: Adaptation) - IMAGES (1972)
Nominee, Music (Original Dramatic Score) - THE POSEIDON ADVENTURE (1972)
Nominee, Music (Original Dramatic Score) - FIDDLER ON THE ROOF (1971)
Winner, Music (Scoring: Adaptation and Original Song Score) - GOODBYE, MR. CHIPS (1969)
Nominee, Music (Score of a Musical Picture–original or adaptation) - THE REIVERS (1969)
Nominee, Music (Original Score–for a motion picture [not a musical]) - VALLEY OF THE DOLLS (1967)
Nominee, Music (Scoring of Music–adaptation or treatment)
// Produced by Kathleen Kennedy, J. J. Abrams, & Bryan Burk // Directed by J.J. Abrams //
// Dated Viewed: Saturday, January 16th, 2016 // AMC CITYWALK 19 – IMAX 3D // 39 films – 44 days //
