> I totally agree with your comment about Gladiator. I also feel the same
> way about oscar 2006. To me, Pride & Prejudice is a LOT better than
> Brokeback Mountain.

While I agree that Horner may have been at a loss, so to speak, I do not believe that Gladiator was a score worthy of an Oscar. While all the MediaVentures scores are intensely satisfying in their bravado and limited catchy thematic developments, none of them, especially Gladiator, deserve even an Oscar nod.

While I believe that entertainment should undoubtedly be a factor in whether a score is effective, at what cost? Do we sacrifice intellect for id? I sincerely hope not.

Oscars aren't always given to the most beautiful score, or the most heartwarming or the most action-packed, they are, well, SHOULD be given to the most intelligent score that manages to maintain its thematic and melodic purity on album as an entertaining whole.

So in my opinion, Gladiator is a hype score with a catchy title melody that did not deserve to be nominated. I love Alan Menken but I don't belive his Best Oscar nods were necessarily deserved ones.

As for Brokeback Mountain and Pride and Prejudice, I believe either was worthy of the Oscar. Both were intelligent and harmonious.

Sorry for the novella, I just had to speak my piece about Gladiator. It gets so much credit for so little effort.