When I read a review of the recent film The Hobbit, the writer commented on the fact that even though the movie was just as well made as The Lord of the Rings, it probably would not garner the same kind of Oscar buzz. Why? It wasn’t dark enough (translation: not dramatic enough). Tolkien’s book was always lighter fare, so the movie is simply reflecting the source material. But it made me wonder why it is that for movies, television, and books to be honored, it seems they must also be grim.