Category: Best Music

Islam gets the historical epic treatment in this film about the religion’s origins. Previously only having a very basic knowledge of the religion, this film gave a lot of background of the history of the area of its founding and the work in establishing it as a recognized religion. In many ways, it is a typical epic with its extensive cast, sprawling tale, and sweeping vistas. Respectful of Islamic beliefs, Muhammad himself is never shown in the film, which is quite a bold choice that somehow works. Whenever it is necessary to portray him in the story, the camera becomes his point of view and it adds a more personalized touch that sets it apart as a film.

Oscar Nomination: Best Music, Original Score

Victor Moore led his son Eddie Bracken to believe that he is the head of Paramount Studios instead of a lowly security guard. When Eddie and his friends arrive in Hollywood on shore leave, Moore, with the help of ditzy switchboard operator/Eddie’s fiancé Betty Hutton, promises to put on a star spangled show for the troops. It’s a silly romp intended American spirits during World War II with as many stars that were available to show up for a minute or two. Veronica Lake even appears in the same shiny black fishing outfit she wore in This Gun for Hire . Some of the bits are cute though just as equally there are some that are dull or drawn out far too long. 

Oscar Nominations: Best Music, Original Song; Best Music, Scoring of a Musical Picture

With his family out of town, nebbish professor Edward G. Robinson all too happily accepts beautiful Joan Bennett’s offer to come to her apartment, only to get himself caught up in a killing of her boyfriend. I continue to dig Robinson in his non-gangster gigs, this being no exception. He is clearly out of his element in trying to gallantly cover up a death, making the most amateur of mistakes and continually digging a bigger hole for himself. The ending is a bit silly, but still works with the narrative so that it doesn’t ruin the film. 

Oscar Nomination: Best Music, Scoring of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture

Eddie Murphy returns to sunny California after Captain Ronnie Cox is shot by the perpetrators of the Alphabet Crimes, a series of heists whose committers have alluded Murphy’s friends from the previous film, detectives John Ashton and Judge Reinhold. An attempt at reprising the success of the previous film, it tries to follow the same formula with bigger shoot-outs and bigger stars (Brigitte Nielsen and Dean Stockwell as bad guys), but lacks the surprising charm of the earlier release. It doesn’t help that the plot begins on the idea that a well-funded crime syndicate would follow a pattern as if they were a gang of serial killers.     

Oscar Nomination: Best Music, Original Song

Playboy Peter O’Toole finds it difficult to be faithful to his girlfriend Romy Schneider so seeks the help from psychoanalyst Peter Sellers. There’s very little to recommend this film. It’s not very funny and Peter Sellers inexplicably wears an atrocious wig throughout. There’s a madcap final act at a small country hotel that finally gives the film a bit of a lift, but it’s not worth sitting through the rest of the slog to get there. At least there’s Tom Jones.

Oscar Nomination: Best Music, Original Song