Can 'The Dark Knight' really be nominated for best picture at the Oscars?
While "The Dark Knight" is poised to become the second-highest all-time box office champ this weekend, does this new status increase its Oscar hopes? Yes, of course, Heath Ledger will likely get a posthumous bid for best supporting actor, and it'll nab tech noms galore, but we're talkin' 'bout a shot at the big jackpot prize: best picture. Possible? Likely even?
This weekend "The Dark Knight" will bump "Star Wars" from the silver medal position, and that sci-fi flick did land a best-picture nod for 1977. And the box-office king, "Titanic," did sweep the Academy Awards for 1997, winning 11 of its 14 nominations, including best picture. However, these are much different times than even a decade ago when it comes to the tastes of Oscar voters.
Over at the Rope of Silicon, Brad Brevet makes a strong case in favor of "The Dark Knight" landing at least a best picture nod. However, while Brevet is correct that the movie has raked in the cash and gotten generally great reviews, he forgets that as of late, Oscar voters tend toward rewarding more serious fare. That snob factor propelled "No Country for Old Men" and "Crash" into the winner's circle. Sasha Stone of Awards Daily argues that the academy simply cannot ignore this film now that it is so big at the box office.
But remember: The origins of "The Dark Knight" are in a comic book. In 2002, the well-received comic-book-come-to-life "Spider-Man" bested "The Two Towers," the second film in the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, at the box office, but it was the fantasy film that made the final five as had its predecessor — "The Fellowship of the Ring" — the year before. That first of the "Ring" cycle also came in second at the box office, but the No. 1 movie — the first "Harry Potter" picture — did not get a nod. The final film in the trilogy — "The Return of the King" — dominated both the box office and the Oscars in 2003. The source material for those three films was an acclaimed series of books by a noted English scholar, J.R.R. Tolkien.
Before them, the last box office smash to earn a best picture nod was "The Sixth Sense" in 1999. It lost to "American Beauty." The fright film had no literary pretension or other factors to give it snooty appeal. It's the last pure, hot-buttered popcorn pic nominated for best pic. It was No. 2 at the box office that year, behind "The Phantom Menace," the long-awaited continuation of the "Star Wars" saga. While the original "Star Wars" was a best picture contender (losing to "Annie Hall"), none of the other five films in the series made it that far. For 1997, "Titanic" overwhelmed all competition. While heavy on special effects and light on plot, "Titanic" did set that fictional love story against a tragic historical event, lending the film a certain gravitas.
When it comes to other pure popcorn movies meriting best picture nominations in modern times, the list is surprisingly short. The No. 1 movie of 1981 — "Raiders of the Lost Ark" — got a nod (losing to "Chariots of Fire") while the film that heralded the rise of the summer blockbuster (and director Steven Spielberg), "Jaws," was nominated in 1975, though it lost to "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest." Two all-star disaster movies from the 1970s also got nominated — "Airport" for 1970 (lost to "Patton") and "The Towering Inferno" for 1974 (lost to "The Godfather, Part II"). While a case can be made for "Airport" — it was based on a bestseller, featured a couple of Oscar-worthy performances (winner Helen Hayes and nominee Maureen Stapleton), and launched the genre — the nod for "Inferno" is simply infernal.
(Photos: Warner Bros., Buena Vista)
I think that The Dark Knight was the best movie I've ever seen! I am disturbed that any other film could possibly win best picture. Every moment of the movie you are waiting to see what Heath Ledger will do next. I've seen it in theaters three times, and I can't wait to see it again!
Posted by: Starina | August 20, 2008 at 10:30 PM
I find Steven's post amusing. The Dark Knight repetitive. What, because they mentioned "You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain" twice? Seriously. The Joker starts out initially as a common murderer/terrorist and then gradually is revealed to be an agent of chaos. The emotional arc that Harvey Dent goes through also should put to rest any ideas of its "repetition". Seriously, what were you referring to?
Posted by: Jeff | August 20, 2008 at 09:19 PM
there's nothing more pretentious than labeling something else as pretentious. confusing AND confused? a bit redundant, i think.
Posted by: scott | August 18, 2008 at 01:20 PM
There is no chance at all that it will be nominated for Best Picture.
Personally, I thought the film was a total mess: incoherent story, with a pretentious attempt to overlay it with pseudo-profound, half-baked, confused and confusing themes about chaos and control.
But leaving aside my personal views -- and I realize I am in the minority -- this is exactly the kind of film that will never be nominated for an Oscar. Pure comic book/action flick -- almost unprecedented. Remember that Indiana Jones was directed by Spielberg. And Star Wars was a cultural phenomenon that changed Hollywood -- Dark Knight is hugely popular, but it does not have the iconic status and cultural impact that Star Wars had from the day it was released. I would bet anyone, right now, that there is absolutely 0% chance that Dark Knight will get a Best Pic nod.
Posted by: Scott | August 18, 2008 at 06:36 AM
This thing you called "snooty" appeal that has "dominated" the Oscars is inherent at the very core of the themes of 'The Dark Knight'. Every picture that deserves to be called "best" SHOULD say something more than what is ostensible. Batman has been such a prevalent character in our society because of the very themes he represents. Bloggers and articles have already analyzed the flick as if it was the next Coen Bros. movie. Here are a few
http://dangerousminorities.blogspot.com/2008/07/why-so-serious.html
http://wordpress.com/tag/the-dark-knight-analysis/
Posted by: tim | August 18, 2008 at 05:54 AM
you take away the comic book element and you've got the closest thing to oscar WINNER THE DEPARTED. I thought the Oscars was for best picture of the year, not best picture that is not a comic book. It deserves nominations on every level and if it doesn't get it, it shows how truly out of touch the academy is.
Posted by: Sam | August 17, 2008 at 08:18 PM
You're comparing the Lord of the Rings masterpieces to Spiderman and Harry Potter...?
Posted by: Tim | August 17, 2008 at 11:45 AM
The Dark Knight is hands down one of the best movies i've ever seen! One person a lot of people are not thinking abour is Christopher Nolan, the director. I'm sorry his directing in this movie is probably the best seen in years! he didn't rely on CGI for the whole movie like Iron Man did, but did the majority of it old school by using his talents. the movie should get nominations for techinical stuff and of course for best supporting actor, the late, great and amazing Heath Ledger. best performance ever! and of course best picture and best director! it's going to happen i promise!
Posted by: jAMES | August 17, 2008 at 11:15 AM
I know it's not a 100% of a Lock, but I think is very likely a BP nomination to "The Dark Knight". For those reasons:
*Ratings: i think is better nominated TDK instead Jutin Timberlake as a host. With a film like TDK could have highest ratings, a la TLOTR and Titanic.
*Critical Support: It's too big for being ignored
*Ledger Support: We have only three performances who won and are only the Oscar Nominations
Posted by: Xavi Rodriguez | August 17, 2008 at 09:45 AM
the dark knight should be nominated for a best picture oscar. it is a film that wil stand the test of time. and to say that The Dark knight is just a popcorn flick is the dumbest things to say its a strong and great movie its an epic that should be compared to the greats such as lawrence of arabia, reds, schindlers list, and the ten commandments. If Heath does not recieve an oscar nomination i think people should boycott the oscars.
Posted by: alex | August 16, 2008 at 08:15 PM
I take offense to the suggestion that Dark Knight is merely a popcorn comic-book flick. If the film has accomplished anything, it's that no matter the source material, an adaptation can become great, even classic, if given a respectful treatment and a top-notch script like with The Dark Knight. The political real-world implications within that script elevate Dark Knight beyond even Titanic or Lord of the Rings: it's not only a terrific film, it might be important.
Posted by: jckrbtslmz | August 16, 2008 at 03:53 PM
To categorize The Dark Knight as a purely a "popcorn film" does it a great diservice. It excels as a film on so many levels. The writing, the acting and the technical all come together to make it one of the great films. It will be nominated in the major categories because it has the critical and commercial
success which cannot be ignored.
Posted by: nancy | August 16, 2008 at 03:37 PM
"The Dark Knight" is a serious film about terrorism and I have little doubt it will be nominated for Best Picture.
Posted by: Doug | August 16, 2008 at 01:19 PM
The Dark Knight is not merely a pop flick; it is a fusion of pulp and artistic flick packed into a modern cinematic experience. Batman emerged from comic world but was enthroned to the world of graphic novels (the future of literature). Giants like Frank Miller (The Dark Knight Returns) and Alan Moore (The Killing Joke) gave fine touches to Batman. I clearly remember The Return of the King, being a fantasy film, was declared unfit to win the best picture; now do I hear the same of The Dark Knight…
Posted by: Ahimaz | August 16, 2008 at 07:42 AM
I'm not normally a fan of backlash, but "The Dark Knight"'s script was so repetitive that it would be a shame for it to nommed for best picture. Sure, it is making a stupendous amount of money. But if it receives a screenplay or picture nod, then the academy is simply selling out to pop culture.
Posted by: Steven | August 16, 2008 at 12:02 AM
hey this is doc from the itunes podcast: Heroes of Science Fiction and Fantasy, i tend to disagree with the above post. Gladiator a summer movie? Gladiator was an 11 out of 10, enough said. Secondly the article makes sense to me, he or she was simply pulling movies that were similar(science fiction and fantasy.) Lastly, hope "The Dark Knight" wins. website www.heroesofsciencefictionandfantasy.com voicemail 1-206-333-1297
Posted by: doc | August 15, 2008 at 09:51 PM
Yes...all of these facts in regard to the Lord of the Rings trilogy are correct, but there is a difference between a Spider-Man gross of just over $400 million and the $500 million the Dark Knight is poised to make. Plus, Spider-Man did not have the critical accolades that Knight received, nor did have Heath Ledger =). Silence of Lambs proved a previously "unfit" genre could win BP, as did Return of the King. Ultimately, a nom for the Dark Knight depends on the longevity of the hysteria. A well placed DVD release could extend this Batmania, and give a significant push for Dark Knight to nag the BP nom.
Posted by: Jeff | August 15, 2008 at 09:08 PM
I'm skeptical of Hollywood blockbusters, but the Dark Knight as a BP nominee seems VERY VERY likely.
Posted by: Jack Sparrow | August 15, 2008 at 07:13 PM
Your qualifications for what is a popcorn flick aren't at all clear. The Lord of the Rings movies are almost pure escapist fantasy fun, and Gladiator is as summer movie as summer movies get. And The Sixth Sense has no literary pretentions? Have you seen that movie? And what about Master and Commander? Based on literature, sure, but released in the summer and at least marketed as a summer blockbuster. Your article just seems to really cherry-pick in a weird way.
Posted by: T.J. | August 15, 2008 at 06:06 PM