EDITORIAL: Kristina’s Thoughts On THE DARK KNIGHT’s Oscar Chances
Since my Twilight takedown proved to be far more popular than I could have ever imagined, I’ll be starting a semi-regular opinion piece where I’ll chat about a particular movie issue that’s been tickling my fancy. Right now, my sights are set firmly on The Dark Knight. I loved the movie. I have my DVD copy reserved already. I’ve seen the film about five times in the theater (twice for free), and it holds up incredibly well on repeat viewings, save for one element* that I will discuss later. For now, I want to talk to you about The Dark Knight’s chances of being nominated, or even winning, the Best Picture Academy Award.
Before the film’s release, if you asked me whether TDK had any shot at a Best Picture Oscar, I would have said, “no way in hell”. The movie looked great and all, but Batman? Winning an Oscar? BATMAN?! People were spouting off a little too much hyperbole in relation to The Dark Knight around the time of its release, and I figured that people were just getting caught up in the overbearing hype surrounding the film due to Heath’s unfortunate death. Then I saw the film and was stunned into silence by the time the credits rolled. I literally sat there staring at the screen in complete silence, blown away at what I’d just seen. It was such an achievement, not just for comic book films, but for film in general. Even still, I thought that the Oscar talk was taking things too far. We still had half a year of films to go, and surely something would come down the pike that critics would all fall in love with and embrace.
Thing is, that film has yet to show up. A number of touted contenders have stepped up to bat and struck out. The Soloist, Defiance, and The Road were all moved off to a 2009 release. Changeling, which I still have to see, came and went with little fanfare. Jolie will probably get a nod since this is shaping up to be a very weak year for actresses, but the film as a whole wasn’t very well-received. Australia, a film that I loved, was decimated by critics and is currently bombing badly at the box office (fun fact: it’s even bombing in Australia, where Quantum of Solace is giving it a royal ass-kicking). Milk and Ben Button are getting high marks, and don’t you dare count out WALL-E to fill a slot, but other than those three, I cannot think of a film that has gotten universal praise like The Dark Knight has received. WB smells blood in the water and is spending top dollar to plaster some very cool ”For Your Consideration” ads all over the place. Other studios are pimpng their films as well, but seems like they are all preparing to concede defeat before the nominations are even announced. This makes me happy and sad for TDK’s chances.
On one hand, it looks like The Dark Knight is far and away the strongest competitor for the Big One this year. It’s not the highest-rated film of the year (Man on Wire takes that honor so far), but it is most certainly the highest-profile contender, and in this race, exposure is everything. It’s a fact that voters are more likely to vote for what they are most familiar with, and TDK has been on everyone’s lips this year. A win for this film is a win for comic book films everywhere, and would provide even more legitimacy for these types of films. On the other hand, TDK detractors will have plenty of ammunition should the film win. It’s not like it’s going up against any films that are as highly regarded, save for WALL-E, which is actually ranked a few slots ahead of TDK on Rotten Tomatoes’ best of 2008 list so far, but I think that TDK would edge WALL-E simply because I firmly believe that the Academy is never going to give Best Picture to an animated film. That is one bias that isn’t going away, especially since animated films have their own separate category. WALL-E can get a Best Picture nod, but it’s not going to win. If TDK wins, haters will inevitably say that it won due to it being a big dog in a weak year as opposed to a neck and neck brawl with a number of quality films.
Having said all of this, is the Academy too snobby to give their top prize to a comic book film? There are still some who are (unjustly) miffed that Spidey 2 wasn’t nommed for Best Picture, but I don’t think the Academy has much of a choice at this point. This opinion could very well change in a few weeks as more films are released, but right now, it looks like that Oscar is The Dark Knight’s to lose, barring a Crash-style WTF upset. The score was ruled ineligible, but I think Heath’s award is a done deal at this point. Cinematography, screenplay, effects, costumes and editing will at least get a nom, maybe a makeup nod for the Joker’s face, Nolan gets a directing nom and possibly a win as well. What about you guys? Do you think TDK can do it? Why or why not? Sound off below!
* That element? Nicky Katt as the guy riding shotgun in the front of the SWAT van during the chase sequence. I didn’t really pay much attention to him until the fourth viewing of the film. The camera constantly cuts to him so he can say a little quip in the midst of the action. One time didn’t bother me. Two didn’t bother me. By the sixth or seventh time, I was praying that he’d shut the hell up or get shot. He’s the new version of the old guy in Wayne Tower in Batman Begins reciting the same info about the water main that we JUST FRIGGIN’ heard five minutes ago in a conversation between Bats and Gordon. A small quibble, but damn, that guy is annoying!
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29 Responses to “EDITORIAL: Kristina’s Thoughts On THE DARK KNIGHT’s Oscar Chances”
The movie as a whole is still only just good. I thought Nicky Katt was fine, he didn’t bother me one bit as there was a hell of a lot more stuff to bug me in the movie.
As for comic book summer movies this year, Hellboy II is ranks above The Dark Knight.
I really hoe it does get a nod in some of the bigger catergories. I mean at heart it’s a epic crime movie, if you replaced Batman with a cop and took away his gadgets you could keep almost everything else. I think it’s got a good shot at being nominated anyway and I’m really hoping it does. I think the Academy are desperate to appear relevant too, I think if a fantasy film can win best picture, as Return of the King did, it being considered the pinnacle of the genre I don’t see why The Dark Knight can’t.
Didn’t know the score had been disqualified, that’s a real shame, becaus eit’s an absolutely amazing score.
Really good article, I’m glad I’m not the only one who thinks it has a shot!
If TDK + Wall-E are genuine contenders for best picture then it’s a very very weak year for movies indeed. TDK was massively over-hyped, very good but no more. Wall-E was very original but lacking overall. Ledger may well get best supporting actor (though I doubt very much he would have if he was still alive)
….i think that the pencil magic trick scene is more then enough to put this film on top…
and sure wall-e can win it…if they think it was better then the dark knight it WILL. but it wasnt so whatever…
i think wall-e is as good as animated movies are going to get, if wall-e doesnt win it then animated movies are never going to get it
i still think the lion king should have gotten it…PERFECT movie. what DIDNT the lion king have? i WEEPED when i saw that…(i was 5) but everytime i see it even today i still love it
I only managed to finally catch Wall-E last week when I bought it on Blu-ray and it absolutely blew me away. It’s a masterpiece, Any movie that can make me empathise with a cockroach is quite an achievement! I adored every second of it. If it doesn’t win Best original screenplay I’ll vomit because it is by far one of best scripted movies I’ve seen in the last five years. It should be required watching for anyone thinking about writing a script.
As for the Dark Knight, I can’t see how anyone could not think it was anything less than amazing. I thought it was impeccable, but then again I am the guy with two Batman tattoos. Then again, if anything that would make me more critical of the movie. I’d rank it up there with Heat in terms of crime thrillers, so perfectly executed, that even if you took Batman out of the equation, it would still rank as oe of my favourite movies of all time.
Heath’s performance is most definitely worthy of a nomination, it’s just frustrating that by continually highlighting his admittedly ace job we’re continually taking away from Aarron Eckhart’s work as Harvey Dent, which is every bit as worthy in my opinion.
I honestly think Best Director and Best Picture would definitely be worthy awards for the film too. I’m a little confused regarding the screenplay though – someone was telling me that it cannot take the Best Original Screenplay nom/award because it is openly basing itself from source material like The Last Halloween graphic novel.
But my thought was that surely if it was that thoroughly ‘based’ then the comic itself would have received a “based on” credit in the listings? I honestly don’t see why it wouldn’t or shouldn’t get a Best Original Screenplay nod.
Oh – and the furoe over the music score is an absolute travesty. These little ’small print’ conditions they keep presenting are just a ****ing con: Hans Zimmer and co have delivered the musical score of the year and should be recognised as such by the Academy!
They’ll not put WALL-E in the Best Picture because of the whole ‘Best Animation’ category. That was created as people refused to let go of the fact that the nominated Beauty & The Beast was “robbed” and films like Toy Story etc would not get the recognition it deserved. If they put WALL-E in Best Picture there’s a fair chance it would lose whereas in the ‘Best Animation’ category it is a total cert!
Great, considered Editorial though Kris. Not sure it will “bear-bait” the way you hoped it would in light of your Twilight piece though, lol. as I think this time you’re the voice of the masses.
Although last time you were the voice for me too!
Aaron Eckhart was outstanding as Dent too, unlucky he was up against that powerhouse performance from Heath, everyone brought their A game though. I saw it three times opening day and was kinda focusing on different characters each time I saw it, Gary Oldman doesn’t get enough praise either, his understated measured performance of Gordon is fantastic too.
Can’t wait to see it again on Blu-Ray. I’m all tingly with anticipation!
I’m already super pumped about the double bill I’ve got booked in for next weekend with BATMAN BEGINS and THE DARK KNIGHT!
You know what else is outstanding? Your reading of any INDISPENSIBLE issues post-LA CONFIDENTIAL!
LOL!
But I keep saying this to peeps by the way, and I mentioned it in my original review, the comparisons to HEAT are, to me, far too restrictive.
Such comparisons suggest that the flick was a two-hander between Bale and Ledger in the same way HEAT was a two-hander between De Niro and Pacino!
I think if you go down that route, you take away from the likes of Oldman and Eckhart and Caine and so on and so on. The more accurate comparison, in my opinion, is LA CONFIDENTIAL in which its a trio of sterling performances backed up by some fantastic supporting turns by good, solid character actors!
Lol I have been reading your indispensibles, just haven’t always commented.
But yeah LA Confidential is definitely a more accurate comparison to the Dark Knight.
I think I’m going to try and re-educate you on “old cinema” I think. I mean films like MARTY and THE VERDICT are definite movies that I think you’d get a hell of a lot from!
NotorietyH, I’m so happy that you enjoyed WALL-E. It is a fantastic film. Would I be upset if WALL-E beat TDK for Best Picture? I don’t know. Probably not. I’m currently comprising my best of ‘08 list, and those two are fighting it out for my top spot. I really believe that between the two of them, voters will go for TDK. Beauty and the Beast being nommed for Best Picture caused such a brouhaha that I doubt the Academy would risk “sullying” their cred by giving their top prize to a “mere cartoon”, but as an animation fan, I would get a little giddy if WALL-E won. Revenge for The Lion King!
Someone direct me to the objective film discussion page? I seem to have stumbled into some sort of Dark Knight devotee society meeting..
And Gazz, I know this editorial is a more tame one, so it won’t cause the internet to melt down from the rage of tween girls
I have another one that I’m working on that may stir a few pots…
Yeah, i got a brief whiff of it ‘behind the scenes’. I can’t wait till that hits. I’m already trying to arrange a bodyguard for you for when it breaks. Lol x
no
i wasnt kidding, the lion king was a 10/10…a five popcorn film…however you want to put it
i personally liked TDK better, but if the world thinks that wall-e is better, but they give it to TDK then its BULLSHIT, just because its animated doesnt mean jack shit.
lets say tropic thunder was inmensly great (it was, but worthy of an award)so just because tropic thunder is a comedy it cant have a shot of getting the oscar? thats bullshit. just because its a specific genre and its not a grown up film it doesnt have to be disqualafied inmediately. wall-e was wonderful and i loved it, i like TDK better but if wall-e wins i will be more then pleased
now if neither win (which i think might happen) then i will be pissed
Hazzy, I agree with you about Lion King. I can say with no hesitation that it is my all-time favorite film EVER.
the fact that you just said that and that you said gwyneth was classy makes me want to buy you a cake (youll quickly disagree with me, ghost is my 2ND favourite movie ever)
and i saw wall-e on dvd this thursday…and then i saw the making of the dark knight on HBO….and i remembered what i felt after i left the theatre for each one…and TDK was the one that left me talking the most. as in I enjoyed it better
but still im a sucker for romance so if walle wins it…cool (i cant get over how creative the robot kisses where)
….spiderman3wasmy3rdfavorite….
Hazmat, stop makin moves on my woman.
Kris is MINE! I put the work in, i reap the benefits. Get your own. Lol
ACTUALLY gazz, im taken
by someone i SEE everyday
and her freckles and blonde hair are the reason why i love gwyneth (exact replica) paltrow
i wouldnt look twice at anyone else but her
ah gazz…akunamattata…
What a wonderful phrase….hakuna matata, ain’t no passing craze…it means no worries, for the rest of your days, it’s our problem-free philosophy…hakuna matata!!!
Told you I love that movie:)
I’m going to re-watch THE LION KING today. Your enthusiasm is infectious and it has been a while, it has to be said. Ahhh, that era of DISNEY was just SOOOOOO brilliant – ALADDIN, THE LITTLE MERMAID, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, THE LION KING… What an era!
I think it’s funny that Nomis refered to us as Dark Knight devotees, as if we’re in some way abnormal. Yes it’s so strange that four people on the website liked one of the most critically acclaimed movies of the year. Freaks! I’m a movie devotee and as a result I like movies that I personally have thought are excellent, and The Dark Knight for me is almost perfect and exactly what I look for in a movie. There’s nothing irrational about that. In fact I’d argue that it’s more irrational to hate on a good, well made movie and those who like it just because it’s also popular, but that would be me assuming that I knew why they disliked or liked a film…
I think Nomis was just being facetiously amusing. It did make me smirk but, well, we’ve not had a good old fashioned talkback ruck in some time and Kristina’s next bear-baiting editorial isn’t due for a bit so…
… Over to you Nomis?
Call NotorietyH’s mum fat or something and let’s get the ball rolling on this eh?
FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!
What’s that now?
Immature, you say?
Okay… Sorry!
I just wanted to keep the Dark Knight discussion going by seizing on anything that seemed like a slieght, and I got to be faceitous myself in the process! I’ve learned the error of my ways and have learned a bit of restraint when it comes The Internets and heated discussion on it though, so will more than likely not see one of my trade-marked explosions! Never know though!
I suggest threatening my cats to get a rise out of me. Anything that’s been said about my family or friends, I’ve usually said worse many times over!
In terms of the Oscar, I think The Curious Case of Benjamin Button could be the one to beat from what I’ve been reading about it. Can’t wait to see that movie.
I’m VERY excited to see people’s reactions to the next editorial…
Eek, that’s probably not a good sign. I’m expecting rioting.
*goes to get looting gloves*
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