Since Oscar royally screwed the pooch in '09 when it totally snubbed The Dark Knight for Best Pic and Best Director noms, the Academy gets a chance to right a wrong this year if it gives Nolan his due for the mind-blowingly phenomenonal Inception. Seriously, I think this movie has a good chance to sweep the nominations when Oscar season descends upon Hollywood. For starters, people are still shocked that The Dark Knight was shut out of all the major categories save for Best Supporting Actor thanks to Heath Ledger's criminal-to-ignore performance as the Joker. But Director? Nope. Picture? Nada. I mean, it only grossed a billion dollars and everything. So why should it be recognized, right?Anyway, since the Academy loves giving out make-up Oscars (see Pacino's Scent of a Woman win or Russell Crowe's Gladiator victory), it should finally give Chris Nolan a seat at the grown-up's table.
What other categories, besides Best Pic and Director, do I think Inception has a shot at? I'm glad you asked. Obviously, Wally Pfister will once again get acknowledged for his gorgeous cinematography. Art Direction and Visual Effects are locks as well. And Hans Zimmer's powerful score is his best work since, well, The Dark Knight. I'm also hoping for a few acting nods for Ken Watanabe, Tom Hardy and Marion Cotillard, but I won't hold my breath.
Lastly, while I'm hoping for an Inception sweep at the Oscars next year, I do worry that in doing so, the Academy will find no reason to honor Batman 3 in 2013.
