Brokeback Mountain got 8 Academy Award nominations. My buddy, Joe, feels it deserved 9 and he explained why. I agree. It got robbed in the Best Song category. One of my favorite cuts on the soundtrack is “A Love That Will Never Grow Old,” sung by EmmyLou Harris. It’s perfect for the film and blends in beautifully with the story. You hear the song when one character is speeding away, heartbroken, and the song plays on the pickup truck’s radio. It took home a Golden Globe for Best Original Song. So why didn’t it get any love from the Oscar folks? I found out for you, Joe. In order for a new song to be eligible for an Award Award nomination, it has to be heard in the movie for more than 23 seconds. The movie got an Oscar® nomination for Best Original Score but the song didn’t play long enough. Last year was not a golden one for new tunes. We’ve only got three nominees instead of the usual five. Of the three, my favorite is “It’s Hard Out Here for a Pimp” from Hustle & Flow. Not that I think it’s a great song, but I can’t wait to see who performs that duet on the Oscar telecast. I’m hoping for Snoop Dogg and Kathie Lee Gifford. If you’re interested in being a screenwriter, here’s a book you must get — BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN: STORY to SCREENPLAY. It’s a paperback that contains the original short story, the brilliant screenplay by Larry McMurtry and Diana Ossana, and an essay by each writer. The short story packs a solid emotional punch, as did the movie, and the screenplay enriches the source material. It’s artfully detailed. I’ve met folks here in Manhattan who saw the movie more than once yet miss the important final visual of the shirts, the order of them. It’s an inspired detail not in the Annie Proulx story but one that thrilled her and provides an even deeper insight into the journey of Ennis’ complicated heart. Like TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD and THE ACCIDENTAL TOURIST, Ang Lee’s film is very faithful to the original story. Hope this helps, Joe. There you have it — words and music.