AFT Awards: Best Original Song

This is the tenth category of the 1st Annual AFT Film Awards to be announced. The AFT Awards are my own personal choices for the best in film of each year and the best in television of each season. The AFT Film Awards include the traditional Oscar categories and a number of additional specific honors. Nominees are listed in alphabetical order by film title. Winners will be announced in late February.

I would have nominated “Despedida” from “Love in the Time of Cholera” but I did not see the film therefore it does not occupy a spot on my list.

Runners-up:
ONCE, “If You Want Me”
MEET THE ROBINSONS, “Little Wonders”
THE GOLDEN COMPASS, “Lyra” (I initially hated this one but now I sort of don’t)
MUSIC & LYRICS, “Way Back Into Love”
ONCE, “When Your Mind’s Made Up”

The nominees:
BEOWULF, “A Hero Comes Home”
The delightfully campy yet surprisingly fitting song that was the only thing besides the animation that was remotely decent about the film. Gotta love it.

GRACE IS GONE, “Grace is Gone”
A movie somewhat uncertain of itself finds its brilliance in this extremely sad yet effective song which underscores the protagonist’s sadness and frustration.

INTO THE WILD, “Guaranteed”
There are songs that fit their movies, and then there are songs that fit their movies. This is one song that translates perfectly to a young man who abandons all civilization to go off and live by himself in the wilderness.

MUSIC & LYRICS, “Pop Goes My Heart!”
Entertainment Weekly saluted this song as an Oscar snubee. The only thing better than this song is the accompanying music video with those ridiculous costumes and Hugh Grant having a grand old time.

ONCE, “Falling Slowly”
As is evident by the two other songs making the top ten (and of course the rest making up my top 15), this is a film that is completely about the songs. This song in particular defined and drove the film beautifully.