As we all tend to our Star Wars: The Force Awakens hangovers and enjoy the rest of the holiday season, the Music Branch of the Academy is (hopefully) taking a serious look at the scores of the 2015 to select the five most worthy of an Oscar nomination. In the December issue of FSMO, I provide an analysis of this race and lay out the scores that have the best chance of making the cut, along with some lesser profile scores I think the music branch should seek out before they mark their ballots. This memo is their reminder. 

Here are the scores I’ve singled out, and while you might not be an Oscar nominator, it’s a still good list to prepare yourself for the upcoming awards season…

Most Likely

Bridge of Spies—Thomas Newman

The Danish Girl—Alexandre Desplat

The Hateful Eight—Ennio Morricone

Inside Out—Michael Giacchino

Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens—John Williams

Good Shots

Anomalisa—Carter Burwell

Carol—Carter Burwell

Cinderella—Patrick Doyle

The Martian—Harry Gregson-Williams

The 33—James Horner

Long Shots

Everest—Dario Marianelli

The Good Dinosaur—Mychael Danna and Jeff Danna

In the Heart of the Sea—Roque Baños

The Revenant—Ryuichi Sakamoto and Alva Noto

Sicario—Jóhann Jóhannsson

For Your Consideration

Far From the Madding Crowd—Craig Armstrong

Crimson Peak—Fernando Velázquez

Mr. Holmes—Carter Burwell

Spotlight—Howard Shore

Testament of Youth—Max Richter

Best Song

“Cold One”—Ricki and the Flash

“None of Them Are You”—Anomalisa

“One Kind of Love”—Love & Mercy

“See You Again”—Furious 7

“Simple Song #3”—Youth

“Writing’s on the Wall”—Spectre

Please send any comments or your own Oscar selections to wongsturn@yahoo.com, or post below.