WGA boosts 'Dark Knight'

 

The Writers Guild of America has given us some nominations to chew on this afternoon, notable as much for what's left off as for what's included, though that vote of confidence for "The Dark Knight" is speaking volumes.

Here's what made the grade for the annual award nods for original screenplay:

Dustin Lance Black, "Milk" (he's our odds-on Oscar fave; he's pictured here on the right with director Gus Van Sant)

Joel and Ethan Coen, "Burn After Reading"

Woody Allen, "Vicky Cristina Barcelona"

Tom McCarthy, "The Visitor"

Robert Siegel, "The Wrestler"

Surprised that Mike Leigh and his "Happy-Go-Lucky" are not among the elite here, and that Woody Allen and the Coen brothers are so revered that they can muscle through with decent but not outstanding entries in a competitive year. We thought newcomer Nick Schenk might squeeze in for "Gran Torino," and we think he still could in the Oscar race.

A lot of people will carp -- just wait and see -- about the Jenny Lumet snub, but honestly, wasn't it the performances and not the stilted script that made "Rachel Getting Married" so satisfying? (Please, don't get us started on that interminable rehearsal dinner, wedding toast scene). No Charlie Kaufman for "Synecdoche, New York"? So what?

For adapted screenplay, the WGA has picked the writers responsible for:

"Slumdog Millionaire" 

"The Dark Knight"

"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"

"Frost/Nixon"

"Doubt"

This begins to beg the question: Is "Revolutionary Road" becoming this year's "Atonement"? Why so little love for this gorgeously rendered, admittedly downer drama? We couldn't care less that "The Reader" was overlooked, but the shut-out of "Rev Road," the film adaptation of the Richard Yates cult-fave novel, is really disappointing. But our Oscar pick here is still Simon Beaufoy for "Slumdog."

Does this recognition lend more legitimacy to "The Dark Knight's" awards future, and maybe portend a best picture nod? Could be. 

Thrilled to see Gold Rush Q&A victim Stefan Forbes (and Noland Walker) nominated in the documentary category for "Boogie Man: The Lee Atwater Story." Tough race, though, with the awards-magnet, Israeli hybrid "Waltz With Bashir" also in the derby.

More WGA details here.