Joel and Ethan Coen's Hail, Caesar! is predicated on a wonderful conceit. A cell of left wing screenwriters are hijacking Capitol Pictures. They've kidnapped one of its stars George Clooney and have even converted him to the Communist mantra.

We were all his 'favorite nephew'; and while his William Morris clients knew that he lavished equal care on his other stars, I expect that deep inside each somehow felt that she or he was Biff's own favorite.

While the annual era of hysteria is upon us here in Hollywood -- the Oscars! -- there's another one that'll last long after the Academy's fanfare has died down.