The Dark Knight makes AFI's top movies of 2008 list
Story by Jack Foley
THE Dark Knight has been included among the top 10 movies of 2008 by the American Film Institute (AFI).
Christopher Nolan’s record-breaking epic joins the likes of political biopic Milk, comic blockbuster Iron Man and animated hit Wall-E on the shortlist.
Brad Pitt’s The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Clint Eastwood’s Gran Torino, Mickey Rourke’s The Wrestler and political drama Frost/Nixon are also included – as are independent dramas Frozen River (which triumphed at Sundance way back in January) and Wendy and Lucy.
The annual list is compiled by a panel of filmmakers, reviewers and academics, but unlike other bodies, the institute does not rank films or pick one as the year’s best.
They will, however, honour the filmmakers behind the Top 10 choices at a special luncheon on January 9, 2009.
The Dark Knight‘s inclusion is seen as a strong indicator that it could yet feature among the Oscar contenders, with distributor Warner Bros intending to re-release the film in cinemas in early 2009 to further its push for recongition for the late Heath Ledger.
The Australian actor has already been nominated for a posthumous Golden Globe for his role as The Joker.
The film could also compete in the best visual effects Oscar category, having also been named as one of the 15 semi-finalists for the accolade. It’s currently up against the likes of The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian and new James Bond adventure, Quantum of Solace.
The long-list of 15 names will be whittled down to seven in early January, before three will finally be shortlisted for the prize, to be handed out at the Oscar ceremony on February 22, 2009.