Movies: The Joker Can’t Beat Batman. The Oscars Can, Though
By Erik Samdahl
Oscar nominations were announced for films released in 2008, and noticeably missing from the two biggest awards was The Dark Knight, the critical and audience darling that has earned more money than any other film. Rarely, if ever, do action movies – especially superhero action movies – even get nominated for such awards, but it seemed like this year was the year.
The Dark Knight transcended its genre, going well beyond action to create a mesmerizing, suspenseful and utterly disturbing tale of good versus evil, control versus chaos. Given its glowing reviews and the fact that few other films have been brilliant, the movie had an outside shot. As this week approached, with nominations from other awards flowing in and buzz reaching record levels, it seemed like this would be the year.
But Oscar voters wouldn’t have it. Heath Ledger got nominated, of course, and will probably win. The movie received a bunch of lesser nods, and it may very will win in those categories. And even more troubling than the fact that The Dark Knight didn’t earn a Best Picture nomination is that the film’s director, Christopher Nolan, didn’t get recognized for his amazing accomplishment.
In his place, Ron Howard for Frost/Nixon? Are you kidding me? Frost/Nixon was a good movie, but the buzz is coming out of some secret marketing amulet. It hardly deserves the Best Picture nomination, let alone one for the direction – do people actually believe that Howard did a better directing job than Nolan – or several other directors – than Nolan this year?
Each year, the Oscars provide some frustration, and this year seems more frustrating than most. Still, that’s a part of the show: we complain, we cheer, and we wait in bated breath. But damn you, Mr. Howard, for stealing nominations away from Batman. He knows where you live.
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Erik Samdahl writes movie reviews and articles for FilmJabber.com
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