The Dark Knight Heath's Potential For an Oscar

[ross2287]

Just another fact proving that Oscars mean nothing.

 

[jmc]

The buzz was coming from people who had seen Ledger's performance prior to release and during filming, not Internet fans. His performance, and this film in general can't be ignored by the Academy, they know they are increasingly ridiculed for ignoring mainstream films (although to be honest, most of the time they have just reason), but I think this time, with the film getting so much praise, there will be too much pressure on the Academy to simply brush it off, I believe the Academy will acknowledge Ledger and the film, all be it begrudgingly, whether it will win is a different story.

 

[SuperZer0]

It's way too early to discuss about who will win the oscars at next year's ceremony in February 2009. There's five months left until the Academy names the five nominees each for the best actor and best supporting actor categories. We'll have to wait and see which actors from the upcoming 2008 movies will be nominated. I hope that Heath will be considered seriously when it comes time to nominate. However, he will obviously have competition from other actors. It's not going to be easy. So, my suggestion is to wait until December 2008 and then see and evaluate whether Heath should get a nomination or not. But, right now, it's too early to even predict anything.

 

[Rikxiepoo]

It's way too early to discuss about who will win the oscars at next year's ceremony in February 2009. There's five months left until the Academy names the five nominees each for the best actor and best supporting actor categories. We'll have to wait and see which actors from the upcoming 2008 movies will be nominated. I hope that Heath will be considered seriously when it comes time to nominate. However, he will obviously have competition from other actors. It's not going to be easy. So, my suggestion is to wait until December 2008 and then see and evaluate whether Heath should get a nomination or not. But, right now, it's too early to even predict anything.

Most of the so called "oscar worthy" movies come out from august onwards so don't be surprised when more performances that can get nominated start appearing. Seriously though, the Academy is pretty biased. Most of the acting honors go to biopics or low budget and/or indie films. Not to mention the fact that they ignore comedy almost completely. However, since there have been exceptions (Return of the King, Johnny Depp getting nominated for Sparrow, Borat getting nominated for screenplay, etc) there is a very good chance Ledger will be 1 of the 5 nominees. Sucks for Eckhart though, there wont be room for him and he did a fantastic job. Best Picture or Director is probably a long shot though.

 

[Mister J]

Of course, it's nothing definitive; just the usual Hollywood prattle. However, it's nice to see to see the potential for a nomination still mentioned outside of our circle.

http://movies.msn.com/movies/hitlist/08-22-08_2/?GT1=28101

Will Heath Ledger win the Best Supporting Actor Oscar? No. The late star of "The Dark Knight," who turned the summer upside down with his charismatic portrayal of the Joker, will get nominated, that's a lock, but not win. There are too many other candidates in high-profile films coming out closer to the nomination process. It's hard for a performance from the fall or summer to compete with something more recent and fresh. Marion Cotillard ("La Vie En Rose"), Jodie Foster ("The Silence of the Lambs") and Julia Roberts ("Erin Brockovich") are three of the very rare exceptions.

 

[CashforStash]

Actually, Jodie Foster in silience of the lambs won Best Actor, not best supporting actor.

 

[Mister J]

Roberts' and Cotillard's wins were for Best Actress as well. The article wasn't referencing those individuals for the specific award, but rather as the rare instance where a performances in the Fall or Summer succeeds in taking the win in a high profile nod.

 

[Twin723]

If Ledger isn't nominated, it'll be an abomination and an outrage. I know I will never take the Oscars seriously anymore, as if anyone really does already. If Ledger isn't nominated, it shows the Oscars will never ever take a comic book seriously. It's so stupid hearing people say it's just internet buzz that thinks Ledger can win. Even a respected critic like Richard Roeper said he deserves AT LEAST a nomination.

 

[JonnyQ]

I'd be immensely happy just for him to be nominated, and him winning it would be the icing on the cake if I'm honest.
People want to see him nominated because the Oscars means a general awareness of a fantastic performance.
He deserves something that's obvious.

But the Oscars didn't even nominate Assassination of Jesse James, which is a travesty, so to be honest I don't have high hopes.

 

[The_Joker7895]

We've already seen the big movie of the year. It was called "The Dark Knight". Despite doubters, I honestly think that TDK can be this year's Return of the King. Maybe it wont win as many oscars, but it certainly has made so much money and garnered so much acclaim that for the academy to ignore it would show a lack of respect for modern audiences and a huge amount of arrogance. Sure, there are plenty of small, independent, oscar-y films coming out this fall. But honestly, does anyone you know that isn't a big film buff actually know about any of those films? The only fall releases most people know of are Twilight and Quantum of Solace. I know I sound like I'm going on a TDK fan-rant here, but I think to ignore it is not wise. It may actually come down to a cultural impact vote. Consider this.

Titanic, Return of the King, Gladiator all won best picture, but were all big budget epics that made a ton of money at the box office. Gladiator, in fact, was a summer blockbuster. Anyone who doubts that TDK's buzz will last need only look at Gladiator, Crash, Braveheart, Forrest Gump, Unforgiven, The Fugitive, Seabiscuit, Moulin Rouge, The Sixth Sense, Saving Private Ryan, Fargo, Apollo 13, Silence of the Lambs, etc.

All of those films had an August or earlier release date, and still managed to be nominated for, and, in the case of several of them, win Best Picture. As for the Titanic and Lord of the Rings example, both films had a huge cultural impact and made so much money that it was impossible for them to be ignored or go home empty handed. Quite honestly, The Road is the only thing I am really and truly looking forward to this fall. Burn after Reading and The Curios Case of Benjamin Button look very good, but I truly believe that this year's big winner may have already come.

The Dark Knight is just as deserving, if not more so, than almost any "oscar" movie this fall. I don't see the buzz going away anytime soon. Considering all the rampant internet speculation about the possible third installment, as well as a projected dvd release right around Christmas, I think The Dark Knight is our big film of the year. And even if it walks away without any big awards, I'll still know that it was the best film I've seen in years, as well as this year's best film.

End TDK fan-rant.