For the Academy's consideration: The Dark Knight

The Dark Knight is not a popcorn-summer-movie-tentpole-event-action-comic-book-based movie.

It is a drama.

Oh sure its all that other stuff too, with things going boom and such. But...

Let's just say that all the talk about a Best Actor Oscar nomination for Heath Ledger is not just sentimentality for him in the wake of his death. His was a master performance, don’t even think of comparing him to Jack Nicholson’s Joker. Compare him more to Anthony Hopkins’ Hannibal Lecter. It was the perfect portrayal of the Joker.

Heath shouldn't be the only one getting an Oscar nomination:

Christopher Nolan for Directing.

David Goyer, Christohpher Nolan, and Jonathan Nolan for Writing.

Christian Bale's good for a Best Actor as well.

Maggie Gyllenhaal for Best Actress in a Supporting Role (can we digitally insert her into Batman Begins, and forget all about Katie Holmes?)

Aaron Eckhart and Gary Oldman for Best Actor in a Supporting Role. (maybe a stretch here, but both did a damn good job)

Morgan Freeman and Michael Caine gave solid performances too, but too many others surged ahead in this effort, that they will not be adding to their nomination counts or their statue counts, but years ago I've said the Academy should add an "ensemble cast" category (for the sake of the Lord of the Rings films), this film would in my mind qualify for this as well.

Best City in a Supporting Role: Chicago, playing the part of Gotham City. What makes this film work so well is the fact that it looks like a real city in the real world. That was one of the strengths of Batman Begins too, but towards the end, they let it slip, and made it look a bit more stylized, and less real feeling. The setting in The Dark Knight was clearly a modern American city from beginning to end.

Hong Kong makes a cameo too as itself.

Oh yes, and another Best Actress nomination for Meryl Streep. Oh wait, she wasn't in The Dark Knight. Well, she earned it in Mama Mia!, which I saw before The Dark Knight.

She pulled off singing "Winner Takes It All" brilliantly, not because of singing talent (which was kinda average), but via her acting talents, as you could feel the emotions of the character as the words were sung. In fact I believe that much of that song wasn't lip synched, but sung by her on-set which added to her superior performance.

It was a brilliant dramatic moment in an otherwise light and frivolous film.

Christine Baranski has a fun moment turning "Does Your Mother Know" into a 'cougar' anthem.

I'll review The Dark Knight in more detail later. It will be spoiler laden and talk about the themes and very bold moves they make with major characters that you thought were untouchable.

Don't get spoiled, go watch The Dark Knight as soon as you can.