If you can get through a list of atrocious Best Pictures and not mention Titanic, I question your taste - I also question dismissing American Beauty, which I think won because great acting can make even a theoretically preachy, screechy script into gold. I also loved Shakespeare in Love, as did many others.

Nevertheless, I'd agree the Academy managed to see the same films I did and reach a lot of the same conclusions, which was fascinating; I rarely expect good taste either. Having not seen Diving Bell, I think the kiss-up to Schnabel for Direction is more questionable than it missing Best Picture; Atonement is the kind of high-toned, arty Brit stuff that often gets in, and shouldn't have been completely overlooked - I do wonder about ignoring Direction, because I don;t think its flaws are his fault. But I agree with overlooking Knightley and McAvoy - they needed to be better, or stronger. But mostly I think it's an admirable list - now the question is whether we get an Oscar night or not.

Hallelujah on American Beauty -- it's one of the phoniest and most pat movies I've ever seen. The problem is, the same smell wafts of Juno. She's too articulate, the music is too precious, everything is so quirky, and you never believe that Jason Bateman would have married a cardboard suburban witch in the first place. I felt preached to, and wanted to shoot the soundtrack.

Don't pass judgement on the relative merits of two films until you seen BOTH FILMS. Seriously, your comments re Diving Bell and Butterfly sound like reflexive snobbery to me.

Bentley - I've been an Oscar watcher almost my entire life; I make no judgments as to the merits as to the value of the Diving Bell and the Butterfly, having not seen it; I've heard great things, but the subject matter doesn't really interest me. Still, I'll probably wind up seeing it. That said, Julian Schnabel's nomination surely has something to do with name recognition and celebrity; there are a number of directors (Todd Haynes comes immediately to mind, since I'm Not There is genius) I can think of who've been passed over this year, and the question is why Atonement for picture, and why Schnabel for director, missing the other nominations? (And that's without noting that Scott's dismissal of Atonement kind of has the same issues, which was, really, my point.) Given that it doesn't have a Best Picture nom, Schnabel's win is unlikely, but it's a significant honor, and I'm sure it's a worthy film, just one I haven't see yet. Nothing (that) snobby intended.

No, no, Weboy. Sorry, I wasn't clear. My comment was directed at Scott. I haven't seen Diving Bell, but I have seen Atonement. Scott's presentiments about their relative merits may turn out to be right, but I find it hard to take seriously his preemptive dismissal of a film he hasn't seen -- particularly, on the basis of his artier-than-thou Middlebrow Doorstop criteria. Personally, I think Atonement is a fine film, and get a little frustrated with people who seem to want to haughtily pigeon-hole it as some Merchant-Ivory retread, rather than simply take on its own terms.

FWIW, I too rate Shakespeare in Love, though I thought The Thin Red Line was the best film of that year. And I too like American Beauty, which as time passes seems to become more and more unfairly maligned IMO, though, again, I thought The Insider was the best film of that year.

Bentley - A gentleman and a scholar! :) I'd agree The Thin Red Line is probably one of those underappreciated gems, though I haven't seen it, I know I should. I did not love The Insider, but I'd have been happier if Annette Bening had won her Oscar then (or for Being Julia) than being constantly passed over), and if the Insider won after that, I'd be fine with it.

Weboy, I second that Todd Haynes comment - I'm Not There absolutely blew me away. I've actually been thinking about it nonstop since I heard about Heath Ledger, because it seems so much more beautifully sad now. Such an incredible film.

Cate Blanchett should win Best Supporting Actress for that movie, too.

I was really hoping Ratatouille would get a Best Picture nod. I mean, if this can't, can any animated comedy?

I think 1975 is the year with the best Best Picture list. All five (One Flew over the Cuckoo's List, Nashville, Barry Lyndon, Jaws and Dog Day Afternoon) appear on theyshootpictures.com top 1000. Whether anyone likes all five films is a different matter

I was really hoping Ratatouille would get a Best Picture nod. I mean, if this can't, can any animated comedy?

I think Brad Bird & Co. received a screenplay nomination as well as one for Best Animated Feature. I don't know about Best Picture, but I'd like to see Bird get consideration for best Director someday.

It's impossible for me to understand the positive ratings Atonement has received. Every single person I know who's seen it hated it.

I didn't mention the sinking boat movie because I haven't seen it...

Wow... most people look at me like I just advocated hugging a porcupine when I express my utter distaste for American Beauty. Memo to self - get Scott's recommendations before my next Netflix queue reorganization.

As for Juno... I liked the movie, but I felt it fell flat because it was a bit too twee at points. I enjoyed it, but I thought it was a movie that was trying too hard about people who try too hard, if that makes any sense. I'm personally hoping for No Country For Old Men, but I wouldn't be disappointed to see There Will Be Blood win.

After Dances With Wolves beat Goodfellas, I pretty much wrote the whole thing off. Looks like this year mighhth be different. Neat.

I don't understand dissing on American Beauty. I thought it was an excellent film with supurb performances.

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