The Oscars were such BS. Dark Knight should have swept everything, or at least been nominated for a helluva lot more than it was. Its popularity with the public was outlandish, it was the second highest grossing film, ever. And its critical acclaim during the year was equally high. It was a shoe in for a hefty amount of awards, but it totally got the shaft.
And to what, I ask you? A bunch of films that were only noticed for their politically controversial topics, or their contrived self-affirming Hollywood sentiments. The Dark Knight got panned because it was as entertaining as it was preachy, and the depth of message in the movie was subtly hidden under a variety of masks. But with the movie's constant assertion of the importance of symbolism I would have thought its political message would have struck those responsible for awarding its merit.
And where was The Wrestler in all of this? Easily one of the most honest and touching films of the year goes completely unnoticed by an academy that is too caught up in its own misplaced sense of pride and prestige. Ironically, its failure to make a splash on the main stage only makes the Wrestler that much more truthful and beautiful, though I highly doubt such considerations were made by the academy when making that decision.
Perhaps I speak too quickly, or too harshly, about Slumdog, Benjamin Button, and Milk, but I certainly do believe Oscars were given out for reasons other than each film's merit. To which I can only say, get off your high horse Hollywood, you're not gonna change the world by handing out a few awards. Stop trying to act progressive and forward thinking and instead focus on recognizing the achievements of incredible films.