Oscar Post-Mortem

Five days on, and the 2009 Academy Awards extravaganza is quickly--and rather quietly--slipping into history. That's what happens when nobody wears an ostrich outfit on the red carpet and the awards themselves stir little real controversy.

In most cases, the winners were magnanimous and the losers gracious. Whether this reflected their true feelings is another matter altogether. I always smile when a nominee insists that it's enough just to be nominated. Right. And theater concessions are nutritious and bargain-priced!

I usually agree with the Academy about half of the time, and this year's no exception.

You need to understand my take on movies though. I don't regard cinema as an art form. Movies are entertainment. It helps if they're intelligent. And, that's how they should be judged.
So, I agree with the Academy's choice for Best Picture and Best Director: "Slumdog Millionaire" and its director Danny Boyle. "Slumdog" is intelligent and supremely entertaining. (The biggest injustice in the Best Picture category was the omission of "The Dark Knight.")

The Academy generally shunned "The Dark Knight," but at least the late Heath Ledger was awarded a well-deserved Best Supporting Actor statue.

But, that's about it for any common ground I share with Academy voters. Sean Penn ("Milk") was a politically-correct choice for Best Actor, but Frank Langella ("Frost/Nixon") was more deserving. I've never understood the fascination with Kate Winslet. Her Best Actress competitior Melissa Leo ("Frozen River") was a decided underdog, but she deserved the statue. I like Penelope Cruz, who won Best Supporting Actress for "Vicky Cristina Barcelona," but that was Marisa Tomei's ("The Wrestler") award.

What follows is my own list of the top 10 2008 movies. These are not necessarily the year's "best" movies. These are the movies that I think mattered in one way or another. Any movie, for example, that makes $500 million matters. For everyone but politicians that's a lot of money.

TOP TEN MOVIES THAT MATTER

10. "Mamma Mia"
What it is: The acclaimed Broadway musical featuring the music of 1970's super-group Abba adapted for the big screen.
Why it matters: There's the infectious music, a surprising song-and-dance performance by Oscar-winning dramatic actress Meryl Streep, and an entertaining story. There's also its impressive world-wide box office of $600 million. Anyway, there's too much testosterone in this list.

9."The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
What it is: Director David Fincher's technically brilliant tale of a man (Benjamin Button, played by Brad Pitt) who ages backward.
Why it matters: The concept—suggested by an F. Scott Fitzgerald short story—is intriguing, the special effects are dazzling, and the performances—especially Pitt and Cate Blanchett (as Daisy, a dancer that Benjamin pursues)—are excellent.

8. "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull"
What it is: The fourth—and first in two decades—theatrical release in the Indiana Jones franchise. This time out, our favorite archaeologist battles the Evil Empire (the now-defunct Soviet Union) over a legendary crystal skull.
Why it matters: No, it doesn't measure up to the best of the franchise. But, it's likely the last time we'll see Harrison Ford in the signature role of his illustrious career. If Ford returns as Indy, this reverts automatically to the "Contenders" list.

7. "Australia"
What it is: Aussie director Laz Luhrmann's sprawling epic of life and love in the vast Australian outback just before World War II.
Why it matters: Despite being too long and, yes, sprawling, "Australia" is a dazzling film that captures the beauty and vastness of the outback and also grapples with important issues like the treatment of aboriginal people. It's also enormously entertaining. (But, I'm partial to Australia and the Outback. One of my favorite movies is set there: director Nicolas Roeg's 1971 cult favorite "Walkabout.")

6. "Iron Man"
What it is: Another comic book superhero in a year dominated by superheroes.
Why it matters: Robert Downey, Jr. was an inspired choice to play wealthy industrialist Tony Stark/Iron Man. Without him, this slips to contender. With Downey on board, Marvel appears to have another lucrative franchise.

5. "Gran Torino"
What it is: 78-year-old Clint Eastwood directs and stars in this taunt tale of retiree Walt Kowalski, an aging Korean War vet who resents the Oriental refugees who are moving into his Detroit neighborhood. But, Kowalski believes in fair play and justice and gets drawn into their lives as a reluctant protector.
Why it matters: Eastwood mostly directs these days so any film with Eastwood the actor matters. Despite his age, Eastwood can still invoke toughness. When he growls "Get off my lawn" here, he's channeling Dirty Harry. Beyond that, this is a literate and moving film that addresses serious issues.

4. "Man on Wire"
What it is: A breathtaking and endlessly fascinating documentary about Frenchman Philippe Petit's high wire walk between the towers of the World Trade Center in 1974.
Why it matters: This is jaw-dropping, awe-inspiring, and sensationally-entertaining fare.

3. "The Dark Knight"
What it is: The latest installment in the Batman franchise. This one features a gonzo performance by the late Heath Ledger as arch villain Joker and is dark, dark, dark. But, that didn't keep critics from raving and fans from flocking to the multiplex.
Why it matters: $1,000,000,000! That's one billion dollars. And, that's before DVD sales, Pay-Per-View, et. al. At a time when movie attendance is down and DVD sales are slipping, Hollywood desperately needs franchises like Batman. And, with a literate script, intriguing characters, compelling action, and inspired acting, "The Dark Knight" works to perfection.

2. "Frost/Nixon"
What it is: Director Ron Howard's mesmerizing account of British television personality David Frost's 1977 series of interviews with disgraced former U.S. president Richard Nixon.
Why it matters: Howard brilliantly captures the event in all its angst, intrigue, and drama. Michael Sheen is excellent as Frost, and Frank Langella channels Nixon in an Oscar-worthy performance.

1. "Slumdog Millionaire"
What it is: Life-affirming, hugely entertaining, and unforgettable rags-to-riches saga set in Mumbai.
Why it matters: Best Picture Oscar-winner finally--and firmly--establishes Bollywood on the entertainment map.