Best Cinematography – 1976

Official Nominations: Bound For Glory. King Kong. Logan’s Run. Network. A Star Is Born.

It’s a strange category this year. I’m probably biased when I think of cinematography as my first thoughts always go to wide shots, long shots, stunning locations – the sorts of work you tend to see in epics, Westerns, David Lean films etc. Obviously I’m dumbing that waay down but that’s my bias though The Academy generally nominates along similar lines of thought. This year there is precious little of that, at least in the official nominees. Bound For Glory isn’t that interesting a film, patriotic and based on a story I’m not really invested in, but it works as another one of those ‘fight for your dreams’ sagas that people love, USA dudes in particular. It does look good though, has a good cast, and probably got the win for its Steadicam work.

King Kong is the big and brash remake of the perfect original. It’s campy and fun but pretty dated now, though the location work still holds up, New York’s drenched neon’s in stark contrast to Kong’s home. Logan’s Run is a film I’ve always enjoyed – more Jenny Agutter is always a good thing in my book, but it’s campy and fun too. It’s interesting that it ever got nominated, even in this category, but it does have its moments. Network I don’t think really needs to be here, while A Star Is Born doesn’t earn a spot in my view either.

My Winner: King Kong

My Nominations: Assault On Precinct 13. All The President’s Men. Kings Of The Road. The Man Who Fell To Earth. The Missouri Breaks. Rocky.

None of the official nominees make my list. We start out with Assault On Precinct 13 – a film which doesn’t get nearly the attention it deserves, and this category would be a good place to start. As dirty, grim, and violent as the film is there are some gorgeous sunset shots and the change in styles from the scorching daylight to the hostile claustrophobic night should not go unrecognized. If you know me then you’ll know I love sunset or sunrise shots in movies – those seem to go hand in hand with a shift in tone or the film’s most poignant, thoughtful moments and the passing of day to night is something personal for me that I’ll always love.

Of all of the films I’ve selected, All The President’s Men seems like the most natural snub – the one which The Academy should have nominated. For a film set largely in one interior setting – not something which usually excites me from a cinematography perspective, Gordon Willis and Alan J Pakula give an intense fluorescent gleam to proceedings. The fact that they are able to overcome the inherent problems of this setting – the draw distance of the background office shots, the many glass and screen surfaces, the maze of floor space and cubicles to work around – is to their immense credit, but to do it with style and authentic voice is something else. Wim Wenders pops up with his nihilistic road movie Kings Of The Road – road movies are again a sub-genre which lends itself to interesting and captivating shots which strike me on a personal level. The Man Who Fell To Earth is one of those movies that you stumble upon late at night having no idea what it is, but get sucked in to and mesmerized by – the Cinematography has a large part in that.

Continuing the theme of personal stuff and bias, The Missouri Breaks offers a depiction of slow death – of a civilization, a place and time, a way of life crumbling away – you’ve guessed it, something which I’ve always had an interest in. Rocky is a bigger budget, bigger scale version of everything I love in Assault On Precinct 13, with the claustrophobia replaced by great in ring work. Taxi Driver you feel is the one film which was most glaringly overlooked in this category – the rain and neon soaked debauched mean streets of NYC never looking more poisonous.

My Winner: Assault On Precinct 13

Let us know your winner in the comments!

Best Visual Effects – 1976

Official Nominations: King Kong. Logan’s Run.

We didn’t quite get official nominations this year, but we did get two separate special achievement awards for the films mentioned above. King Kong isn’t exactly the leap forward in effects that the original was and of course it has dated, as has Logan’s Run. The animatronics give Kong emotive expressions and character while Logan’s Run has lots of anti gravity, flashing lights, and holograms.

My Winner: King Kong

My Nominations: King Kong. Logan’s Run. Carrie. The Omen.

Next year is the biggie, the start of modern effects as we know them, or at least it is the major turning point. There aren’t too many films which rely on visual effects or have something new or unique aside from the official winners this year. Carrie mixes visual effects with De Palma’s editing and directing to make for a powerful ending. The Omen has some of the all time great movie deaths, thanks to some sterling effects work – set-pieces which still retain their power and shock value today.

My Winner: The Omen

Let us know your winner in the comments!

King Kong: 1931

Probably still the most famous monster movie of all time, a genuine classic of effects and technical skill, and one which can still entertain newcomers today.

King Kong tells the story of a group of explorers, journalists, and scientists who embark on a voyage to a mysterious island. There they find amongst dinosaurs and other giant beasts, but ruling over all, including the natives is a giant ape. Carl Denham decides to capture the ape and bring it back to New York as his new spectacle, reviving his fortunes. When the beautiful actress Ann is kidnapped by the natives who plan to sacrifice her to Kong, the group of explorers must rescue her, and steal Kong. Jack Driscoll leads the way, and most of his group are killed before he saves Ann. Kong is taken back to America, but it seems his strength has been underestimated and he has fallen in love with the actress. Soon he is free and wreaking havoc throughout the city.

The effects for the time were stunning, and are still impressive today, with a flawless attention to detail being shown. The fights between Kong, dinosaurs, men, and airplanes are all awesome and provide some of the most iconic images in movie history. The Empire State Building finale is one of the most famous moments ever, and the log scene is still shocking today. Some of the acting is poor and the story, though simple has become a classic which many have copied since. Of course when you realise this was made over 70 years ago, naturally some things will have dated, such as the acting and some cheesy dialogue, but for audiences at the time it must have been a very tense and exciting time. Kids should be allowed to watch this at an early age as they will appreciate the story and remember the visuals before they see all the effects extravagances of the modern age, which could spoil their opinions of past greats such as this. For an early special effects film the story is rich, the characters have depth, and there is a wealth of underlying themes. Something today’s film-makers would do well to remember when deciding to unleash the next blockbuster on us. Undoubtedly a classic.

For a film approaching its 80th birthday, it is not surprising that the features are a little slim. Still there is a dcoumentary and contributions from famous fans and movie historians which is pretty useful. This edition thankfully restores many censored scenes deemed too violent or unsuitable at the time of making, such as Kong chomping on natives. Cheap, and a piece of movie history which everyone should see.

King Kong

As alwys, feel free to comment on the movie- does this put today’s monster movies to shame?