The San Diego Tribune did a Pro vs Con editorial debate on whether The Dark Knight should be nominated for Best Picture. For those interested in the “No” side here’s that article. But for our purporse, David Coddon’s editorial does a great job making the case:

Yes: Lighten up, Academy, because this dark Batman outshines everybody

By David L. Coddon
7:51 a.m. December 8, 2008

All you need to know about whether “The Dark Knight” is worthy of a best picture Oscar can be summed up in one word:

“Titanic.”

Any cinematic snobs out there who cringe at the thought of a “Batman movie” taking home Oscar’s biggest prize Feb. 22 need only be reminded that a far inferior blockbuster pulled off that stunt back in 1997. “Titanic” didn’t just win best picture, either. It was awarded a grand total of 11 gold statuettes, including one for its egomaniacal director, James Cameron. (Remember his “I’m the king of the world!” proclamation on stage?)

But this isn’t about two wrongs making a right. “The Dark Knight” stands tall on its own.

You want best picture cred? How about an unforgettable performance by Heath Ledger, without whom the film could not have soared to the dramatic heights it did, particularly for an action flick?

How about the direction of Christopher Nolan, who took a franchise that had turned moribund after its abandonment by Tim Burton and rebooted it with a vengeance?

How about a good vs. evil dichotomy that not only provokes serious thought but manages to maintain presence amid all the film’s technical wizardry?

Then there’s the probable competition. Though Oscar nominations won’t be announced for a few weeks yet, the best picture contenders are shaping up to be the likes of “Milk” (the Academy loves Sean Penn), “Frost/Nixon” (the Academy loves Ron Howard, the film’s director), “Changeling” (the Academy loves Clint Eastwood), “Doubt” (the Academy loves almost anything with Meryl Streep) and “Revolutionary Road” (the Academy loves Leo and Kate – see the aforementioned “Titanic”).

We don’t yet know how well received “Frost/Nixon” (opening here on Friday), “Doubt” (opening here Dec. 19) or “Revolutionary Road” (opening Dec. 25 in L.A. and New York, Jan. 9 in San Diego) will be. But it’s unlikely any of them will be so acclaimed that talk of a “Dark Knight” upset on Oscar Night vanishes.

Bottom line, though: The Academy needs to loosen up, especially in these dark times we’re living in. Oscar needs a hero at the best picture podium. Why not Batman?

http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2008/dec/08/1c08batyes75156-yes-lighten-academy-because-dark-b/