I tend to think Kat is on to something here:
There needs to be some sort of non-original score award. Best Compiled Soundtrack? Something. It's a totally different act from that of composition, but it takes real talent to find the perfect arrangements of the perfect songs to go along with what's happening in a movie. An Education, especially, was brilliant with this, with everything from the Ravel at the concert to the French music on Jenny's record player to "You've Got Me Wrapped Around Your Little Finger." I walked out of it thinking "Sure, actress, screenplay, whatever, but it should really get an award for thatmusic."The music that's nominated for Academy Awards tends to be deeply maudlin junk by Randy Newman, or in recent years, whatever twee or sentimental songs the characters in a movie about musicians theoretically play or sing. I hate that stuff (yes, including "Falling Slowly"). And picking out a pop or classical score is the actual skill put to use in a majority of movies. The song awards are already narrowed down to a small, unrepresenative group of films. It makes more sense to reward the skill that's actually an integral part of most moviemaking.