The Oscars
The dirty little secret of the Oscars is that while they're often derided and dismissed as the self-celebration of a liberal elite, they're actually more conservative than you might think.
In 1939, the ten movies nominated for Best Picture include landmark classics in so many genres that it makes your head spin.
The animated and live action short film awards are usually overlooked by the general public for the good reason that few people get a chance to see the nominees.
WHAT'S HAPPENING
In a society racked with doubt, disappointment, and distress, thank the stars for the reliable virtuosity of the Coen Brothers.
I'd like to suggest that the Academy create a new Oscar category: Best Adapted Score, an award much like Best Adapted Screenplay.
BEST ANIMATED FEATURE OF THE YEAR: Ratatouille: This was pretty close to my favorite movie of the year. It's hard to talk about unhyperbolically -- it's simply magical.
Are movies better than ever? Don't know. But I do know that movies are longer than ever.
I maintain that whatever Rob Zombie touches turns to gold, unless we are talking about music, or that new Halloween remake.