Recently, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced an award for “popular films”, their weak attempt at acknowledging films that the movie going public enjoy – genre films, as they like to call them. These movies rarely even get near an Oscar, let alone actually win one. A film could have a phenomenal script, casting, score and costuming, but because it is either science fiction, fantasy, super hero or some related genre it will get tossed aside like last week’s leftovers. 

But this year we have a movie that has exceeded all expectations and helped redefine the super hero genre. I’m talking about Marvel’s Black Panther. With the “popular film” category being withdrawn, and in spite of the snobbery of The Academy, Disney has submitted Black Panther for virtually EVERY category… yes, please read that again. Now, all eyes are on The Academy.

Critics and fans alike loved this movie. It had timeless themes, the first major theatrical depiction of an Afrofuturistic society, well crafted wardrobe and music that became an additional character in the film. With all of these things going for it, can we expect Black Panther to garner some recognition? One can hope, but I find it doubtful. I do hate to say it, but people love their status quo and the idea of a super hero movie beating out yet another dry  and  inaccessible drama is too radical for some. What’s next? Breakin’ 3: The Return?! So, I will keep my eyes and ears open and hope to be proven wrong.