Composing Greatness: #4. John Williams - "Fiddler on the Roof" (1971)

Scene from Fiddler on the Roof

Welcome to Composing Greatness: a column dedicated to exploring the work of film composers. This will specifically focus on the films that earned them Oscar nominations while exploring what makes it so special. This will be broken down into a look at the overall style, interesting moments within the composition, and what made the score worth nominating in the first place. This will also include various subcategories where I will rank the themes of each film along with any time that the composer actually wins. This is a column meant to explore a side of film that doesn't get enough credit while hopefully introducing audiences to an enriched view of more prolific composers' work. This will only cover scores/songs that are compiled in an easily accessible format (so no extended scores will be considered). Join me every Sunday as I cover these talents that if you don't know by name, you recognize by sound.

Ranking the Best Documentary Short Oscar Nominees

Oscar Sunday is only a week away. While many are likely catching up on the last of the Best Picture nominees, Shorts HD has been key in giving audiences the chance to see the other categories. The following is a look at the Best Documentary Short category's five nominees as well as a ranking from best to worst. It's a rather strong group with three focusing on the Syrian refugee crisis - so you know it's a harrowing bunch. Even then, it's more evidence of how powerful cinema can be to tell true stories and cover events that wouldn't work in a fictional landscape. The following features a great line-up that tell powerful stories, and prove why it's important to seek out the harder to find nominees.