Speaking of Batman, Sasha Stone of Awards Daily has declared that “The Dark Knight” has become “too big too ignore” in her latest “State of the Race” column. She offers a sound argument for the film’s Best Picture chances, spotlighting four aspects of the effort and its mythos that seal the deal.
Here’s a starter regarding the stellar box office:
To not nominate it for Best Picture at this rate would undermine the process of having a Best Picture race in the first place; if you don’t honor a film this big you really do a dishonor to those who drive the entire business: the ticket buyers.
And the closer:
Titanic was only half a great film. But there was just something about it that made people want to see it over and over again, just as they did Star Wars and now The Dark Knight. Maybe it really is as simple as movie magic. Maybe it is something deeper. Either way, the time has come to start taking the film seriously as a contender.
I’m sticking to my guns here. I’m more than happy that Oscarwatchers are getting this excited and that they are seeing gold in the Bat’s future, but I expect them all to be disappointed in the end (as if that’s the most unpredictable tool in the Academy’s arsenal). But, as I’ve been saying from day one on this, I’m happy to be wrong.
And the editor isn’t unaware of the irony…
Comments
9 responses to “Sasha Stone declares it for the Bat”
Well, I applaud Sasha’s position here, even if I can’t quite muster up the level of enthusaism others have proudly evinced for the film. I did give it 4/5, but I neither see it as Best Picture material, not as a top-placer in the year’s Ten Best list. My issues have less to do with any deficiencies of artistry than it does with the comic book/superhero genre, which exhibits invariably a dearth of emotional context as well as sociological/philosophical/psychological subtext. But in a sense my argument flies in teh face of those who go to the movies to have fun, and that IS a valid point.
I think Sasha is on to something though with this new prediction.
[…] Sam Juliano on: Sasha Stone declares it for the Bat […]
I think Sasha is right on the money. Has anybody heard about a supposed longer, cut, about 3 hours? One of the reviewers at aintitcool mentioned it, and so did early news around MArch.
It was originally close to that, but was cut down in the post-production process. Don’t hold out hope for a “Director’s Cut” though. Nolan doesn’t believe in them.
Sad to hear that. Some 20 more minutes could solve what many have complained about, anmely that Dent’s storyline was rushed towards the end. I cenrtainly would not mind more time.
It would be about time for the Academy to nominate a big, popular money-maker. The last was RotK in 2003 and with ratings at an all time low it would be in their best interest.
I personally think The Departed was a big, popular moneymaker. Maybe not $400 million big, but why quibble? The Academy hasn’t neglected the crowdpleasers.
I agree w/ Sasha! This film is to big to not get a Best Pic nod. Star Wars, Jaws, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Lord of the Rings (all three). These were not “Oscar-films”, yet they were to big to not get nominated. They’ll nominate TDK, if for no other reason, just to boost TV ratings on Oscar night.
Let it not be said that the Academy isn’t one of the most populist voting blocs in the world- second perhaps to Obama winning the presidency, some Oscar love for The Dark Knight seems like a given. Think about a movie like Juno- there’s nothing in there deserving of a Best Picture nomination (or Best Director), but it was up. Ditto Crash, Little Miss Sunshine, and Titanic.
Money will drive this race.