Iron Man Deserves an Oscar

Cult favorite movies such as those in the comic movie genre often don’t make an appearance at big awards shows, unless it’s in the technical categories; Entertainment Weekly critic Ken Tucker wants a change, and he wants Iron Man to lead it.

Tucker, writing at the EW Pop Watch Blog, echoes thoughts that many of us genre-specific journalists have been saying for many years; geek movies are well made too! It was a happy day alone when Lord of the Rings got those award wins, and that was only because it was the third movie, and public opinion would have torn the awards asunder if they hadn’t won.

“Hey, remember the whining about the last Oscar telecast,” said Tucker in his blog post, “with its low-wattage star vehicles and lower ratings, and all the hand-wringing the media, including EW, did over how to improve the Oscars? Here's a thought. Hey, Hollywood and the Motion Picture Academy: Take a closer squint at the big summer movies. Take them, ahem, seriously. As far as I'm concerned, Downey's performance should go on any short list that anyone draws up of potential Oscar nominees.”

Having seen the movie myself, I have to agree wholeheartedly. Robert Downey Jr.’s performance was much more than caddying to the geek populace that filled those theatre seats; he acted really well! We’ve always known he could act, and Downey’s skills really shone through in Iron Man.

Tucker adds another thought which I’ve been echoing for the past few months. “Oh, and another thought. “Iron Man” at my multiplex was preceded by a trailer for “The Dark Knight”. And if Heath Ledger's performance as the Joker is as good as these clips suggest — and my brain starts popping every time I see his deliriously committed, smeared-makeup personification of pure, nut-job Evilness — then we've got a potential Best Supporting Actor nominee that will be much more than just a sentimental gesture to a cherished, departed actor.”

Seriously, let’s get some props for well done movies, even if they are catering to the geek audience.