December
21
Oscar Watch: Dark Knight Inspires Oscar Support
As if Warners' Oscar campaign for The Dark Knight weren't enough--they're not just buying ads and courting the media but deluging press with soundtracks, printed scripts and other materials---check out this viral fan-driven Oscar campaign for The Dark Knight. Dark Campaign is sending postcards to Variety to drum up support for their cause.
I'm not sure what that will accomplish: in any case, the movie itself has already inspired considerable media support, not just from the likes of me but from awards givers like AFI. Here's an early Variety feature story about why the Academy should consider superhero performances.
While Heath Ledger and a rash of Dark Knight nominations are inevitable, my sense is that Dark Knight, Revolutionary Road, The Reader and Doubt are vying for the fifth best picture slot (assuming that Slumdog Millionaire, Benjamin Button, Frost/Nixon and Milk occupy four). Each of these film has supporters--and many other films do as well. The one to get the most passionate support will gain that fifth spot on the ballot. Does Wall-E have a chance? Too many people--especially actors--assume that it gets an animation nom--and likely win. And I've heard people argue, also, that features and animation should be considered as different kinds of films. I don't believe in the animation ghetto. But it's how things are set up now.
Subscribe to this blog's feed
I noticed Frost/Nixon's per screen average was around $9,000 this weekend, which is good, but not great compared to other specialty fare that are pulling in twice or five times that average. I think if Frost/Nixon doesn't catch on, it could lose a nomination. Also, Milk's near shut out at the Golden Globes, while not a deal breaker, certainly doesn't help. I think it's very possible Wall-E and The Dark Knight could swoop in and take a spot or two. Perhaps I'm just an eternal optimist, but I think few would argue that studios have spent more time and energy on the Wall-E and Dark Knight campaigns than previous years' "genre pushes." Warner and Disney are spending Dreamgirls money on these pics, and I think it could actually pay off.
Posted by: Ryan Sartor | December 22, 2008 at 12:21 AM
Spending money gets people to pay attention, and see the films, reminds them of what they liked, points them toward certain categories, tries to reposition the films in people's minds. It doesn't get actors to vote for an animated film, or snobs to vote for a comic-book film. There will come a time when the Academy sees animation differently, but for now they are live-action oriented.
If Wall-E earns a director nom plus editing, writing, production design, sound noms, score, animated feature--that's a major breakthrough. Ratatouille got five noms.
Posted by: Variety.com * | December 22, 2008 at 09:22 AM
More importantly, Andrew Stanton doesn't believe in the animation ghetto either, but that doesn't mean he isn't trying to make the best picture possible.
But I think it's tough enough for live people, so let's not make them compete with imaginary ones.
Andrew Stanton: "If it's ghettoized animation, that was unintentional," he says. "The category was created because the Academy couldn't ignore all the quality animation that was coming out, and it showed a trust that that would continue. But I can't say that when we're making a film that we're trying to make the best animated film we can make; we're trying to make the best film. It's not about thinking, 'What would an animated movie do?' but, 'What would a movie do?'"
http://www.variety.com/index.asp?layout=awardcentral&jump=contenders&id=picture&articleid=VR1117997399&cs=1
My top 10 (definitely not Oscar pool-winning selections) are: Rev Rd, Milk, Wall E, House Bunny, Gomorrah, Defiance, Body of Lies, Taxi to the Dark Side, Operation Filmmaker and Stop-Loss.
Posted by: T. Holly | December 22, 2008 at 11:12 AM
I don't know about the Dark Knight being nominated for Best Picture or Best Direction, but Heath deserves a nod for Best Supporting Actor.
Posted by: UGLY PUNK GURL! | December 23, 2008 at 08:28 AM