Oscar Watch: Song & Score

January 30, 2009 Thomas Newman (eight), Danny Elfman (four), Alexandre Desplat (two) and James Newton Howard (eight). True, Rahman's score for "Slumdog" began drawing a buzz before the movie was even released; equally true, his two accompanying song nominations show a level of enthusiasm from Academy members that would seem to tip the odds in his favor. Similarly, Desplat, with his third nom for "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," continues to demonstrate that he deserves his place at the A-list composers' table, but, somewhat newer to the Oscar game, he may have to endure a few more winless years before the Academy acknowledges him.

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