Familiar Names Rule Oscar Music Noms, Led by Randy Newman, Cousin Thomas, and Elton John

Randy Newman - Courtesy
Randy Newman - Courtesy

By JOHN DALY

Music nominations for this year’s Academy Awards held few surprises as Randy Newman and Elton John received nominations in Best Original Song and Best Original Score categories. 

America’s first family of music got a nod as Randy Newman and cousin Thomas Newman were both nominated in the Best Score category. 

Best Original Song nominees are “I Can’t Let You Throw Yourself Away” from “Toy Story 4,” by Randy Newman; “I’m Gonna Love Me Again” from “Rocketman” by Sir Elton and lyricist Bernie Taupin;  “I’m Standing With You”  from “Breakthrough” by Diane Warren;  “Into The Unknown” from “Frozen II” by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez and “Stand Up” by Joshuah Brian Campbell and Cynthia Erivo from “Harriet.” 

Best Original Score nominees were delivered by “Joker” with score by Hildur Guðnadóttir; “Little Women” by Alexandre Desplat; “Marriage Story” by Randy Newman; “1917” by Thomas Newman, cousin to Randy, and “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” by John Williams. 

Overall, the dark story of the rise of one of the comic book world’s most notorious villains, “Joker,” captured the most Oscar nominations with 11 with Joaquin Phoenix grabbing a Best Actor nom, and Todd Phillips nabbing Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay (Phillips and Scott Silver).

“Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” “The Irishman” and “1917” received 10 nominations each and “Ford v Ferrari;” “The Irishman;” Jojo Rabbit;” “Joker;” “Little Women;” “Marriage Story;” “1979;” “Once Upon A Time In Hollywood;” and “Parasite” all secured Best Picture nominations. 

Scarlett Johansen had the rare honor of being nominated in two categories in the same year. She received a lead actress nomination for her work in  “Marriage Story” and a supporting actress nod for “Jojo Rabbit.”

For a complete list of nominees go to the Oscars site.