As I write this, the Academy Awards are minutes away from starting. One of the things I’m most looking forward to at the ceremony will be the presentation of Ennio Morricone’s honorary Oscar award. The legendary Italian film composer has downplayed the honor, even going on record as to saying that he’s disappointed that he didn’t die winless. But it’ll be interesting to see what he says. The A.V. Club Blog did a nice overview of his career and how he’s managed to stay relevant over the years despite scoring a gazillion low-budget and/or forgettable flicks. One of his most beautiful melodies, for example, is “We Are One”, a foofily sung ballad from the cheesy Jaws ripoff Orca. Talk about making a silk purse from a sow’s ear. I wouldn’t want it any other way, Ennio darling.