If you are anything like me, around this time of year you are upset that some of the best films were overlooked for nomination by the Academy.  This year is no exception.  The Dark Knight was so obviously and thoroughly shafted in the major categories, it’s not even funny.  Not funny at all.

The Dark Knight is hands-down the most unanimously acclaimed movie of the year.  Between the critics and your average Joe movie patron, there is nothing but consensus.  Why?  For lots of reasons.  Film geeks love the innovative cinematography and direction.  The acting is risky but perfect.  The philosophers and the social scientists enjoy the observations and the reasoning and the scrutiny.  And everyone else loves the explosions and punches and the thrills.  All in all, it is spectactular.

So I’m a little miffed.  Even though I should be examining the selections and handing out predictions, I just haven’t the heart right now.  Perhaps we’ll talk more about it in the weeks to come, when I’m not so nearly upset.  And because I am, I’m instead going to give you some other non-worthy film selections to watch during the Oscar ceremony, to help aid in the freefall of the red carpet’s ratings.  Mature of me, I know.

Eastern Promises (2007)
Directed by David Cronenberg

I only recently watched Eastern Promises and reviewed it here.  It was the most obvious one to me to be shafted from nomination last year.  I’ve seen it at least five times since my review and it has only become better with each subsequent viewing.

3:10 to Yuma (2007)
Directed by James Mangold

This film starring Christian Bale and Russell Crowe went largely unnoticed by anyone.  But it’s a fantastic film and worthy of much more praise than it received.  Not a thing went astray either in the production as every angle is covered by pure precise professionalism.  This is no small task, and coupled with a powerful story, it makes for a wonderful ride.

Children of Men (2006)
Directed by Alfonso Cuaron

One of three from 2006 to get the colonoscope from Best Picture consideration.  Children of Men quickly climbed my personal Best Ever list and is a strong contender for tops this decade.  The only film in Science Fiction that I can think of to compete with it is Blade Runner.  And Children of Men has production quality and a perfect theatrical release on its side.  Blade Runner is a rare film to be great then better with the recent release of the Director’s Cut.  But Children of Men got it right the first time.

The Fountain (2006)
Directed by Darren Aronofsky

Probably the simplest, most beautiful movie to date.  And I am not exaggerating.  Aronofsky makes a seemingly complex tale into a simple one and tackles some of the toughest philosophical topics gracefully with The Fountain.  The score for this film too is absolutely marvelous.  It moves in and out wistfully and the variations on the themes are subtle but powerful.  Amazing.

The Prestige (2006)
Directed by Christopher Nolan

Nolan and Aronofsky are the most innovative and talented directors today.  The fact that they continue with great work after great work is at the same time astounding and expected.  The Prestige is so finely crafted that you have to take a microscope to it in order to understand the engines at work.  No one uses visual metaphors in such an effective way as Christopher Nolan.

Cinderella Man (2005)
Directed by Ron Howard

I’m still unsure why Cinderella Man didn’t receive the attention it deserved.  Perhaps it is a little formulaic.  No novelty.  I beg to differ.  Morality, virtue, and optimism are always novel in this human life.  Maybe this was released at exactly the wrong time.  If we saw it in the theaters over this past Christmas, I think there would have been a different reaction.  With a gloomy economy, global ecological fears, and the uncertainty of international affairs, I think we could have benefitted from a little perspective.

Batman Begins (2005)
Directed by Christopher Nolan

What can I say?  Batman Begins may have been the best movie of 2005.  I know for a fact that it is the one movie that I’ll remember I saw that year.  And shouldn’t that be a measure of greatness?  Memory?  I mean, if it’s worth remembering, then it is worth a lot.  For instance, I forgot that Crash even existed, much less remember that it was such a big deal at the time.

Collateral (2004)
Directed by Michael Mann

Jamie Fox was rightfully awarded a nomination for his role in the film, but what about Tom Cruise?  And of course, the movie as a whole.  Collateral, I believe, is the first movie to be shot exclusively in high-definition.  Its filmic significance is under-appreciated.

The Last Samurai (2003)
Directed by Edward Zwick

Sure, historical accuracy was a little lax, but that’s not the point.  Bushido was merely a tool used to make a larger point about honor and duty and, paradoxically, peace.  Inner peace.  I know a lot of people who don’t like this movie, but this is mostly snobbishness.  The same people who didn’t like this, in my experience, are the same who like the kind of inauthentic tripe that gets passed on for awards left and right.

One of the things that all of these movies have in common is they all are wonderfully scored.  In the case of Children of Men and Collateral, they are also smartly soundtracked.  I’ve talked about why this is important here.  To recap, movies are audio-visual.  Smart, talented, and interested filmmakers take care enough to use every tool at their disposal to tell the story right.  Music is a very effective strategy.

More importantly, all of these movies say something important.  No, current political commentary doesn’t work either.  Classics are timeless.  But they are always relevent.  Not just for now.  That’s why so many anti-war films have flopped in Hollywood recently, despite record low approval for former President Bush.  All of these films are timeless.  They all tackle issues that are bigger and more essential than fleeting headlines and scandals.  And that’s how you narrate a story.