This year’s Oscar nominations once again confirm that Hollywood’s biggest awards are more about making a political statement than recognizing great films.

As he often does, Jim said it better than me: “Almost all of the choices this year have some political/cultural theme. And if you’re not into gay sheepherders, CIA conspiracy theories, transvestites, or whatever, this year the Oscars don’t have much for you.”

That’s about right.

And I’ll go a little further. I’ve actually seen virtually all of the Oscar contenders. (Haven’t made it to Capote or Transamerica. Passed on going to Brokeback.)

There are better movies out there — much better — that deserved greater recognition. Good Night, Good Luck, for example, is an outstanding film (and heaven knows it makes a political statement that Hollywood should like), but it’s not getting much love. And David Straitharn, who is easiily the most deserving for his portrayal of Edward R. Murrow simply won’t win Best Actor. The trophy is going to either go to Capote or Brokeback.

In my opinion, Walk the Line was one of the best movies of the year. But it wasn’t even nominated for Best Picture. And Joacquin Phoenix won’t win for his stellar performance as Johnny Cash.

But Hollywood doesn’t seem interested in rewarding great films. Instead, it would prefer to reward good films that send a “message.” That’s not unexpected. But it is dissappointing, and it dramatically limits interest in the March 5 Oscars show.

Cam: I will admit it. I apparently have no taste in movies. I don’t watch many foreign films. I don’t watch many “arty” films. I like to be entertained when I sit down and stare at a screen for two hours. That’s why my nominees for best actor would include Steve Carrell in “The 40 Year Old Virgin” and Ewan MacGregor in “Revenge of the Sith”.

I haven’t seen any of the movies up for picture of the year (blame it on the sheer number of kids I have. It makes going to the movies a chore). And for probably the fourth or fifth year, I won’t watch the Oscars.

Jim: It’s dawning on me that not only have I not seen any of this year’s big nominees (except “Cinderella Man,” where Giamatti got Best Supporting Actor nom), I haven’t seen any of them in a while – probably not since the Lord of the Rings trilogy was big. Did “Master and Commander” get a nomination?

It’s a free country, and Hollywood is free to make as many movies as they like for the demographic that can’t get enough love stories about gay sheepherders. Or conspiracy films that suggest the CIA kills pro-democracy Saudi princes over oil.

But I note that there isn’t a lot aimed at my demographic. I’ll enjoy the usual summer action movies or superhero movies, and maybe a silly comedy like “Wedding Crashers.” But there are few “smart” or “serious” movies out there that aren’t aimed at explaining to the world how evil conservative ideas are, whether it’s corporations, or Christians, or the CIA, or the military, or rednecks, or whomever.

The problem with Hollywood isn’t the small-budget, obvious-message Oscar-bait movies; it’s that six months out of the year, that’s almost all we get. The other six months of the year we’re getting summer thrill rides. Yawn.

Cam: Your demographic? Hey buddy, you will get the “Left Behind” movies starring Kirk Cameron and you will like it!
At least, I’m assuming that’s what Hollywood thinks conservatives like. Meanwhile, I’m still waiting for a “Team America: World Police” sequel.

Jim: Just for being herself, Monica Bellucci deserves Best Actress this year… and every year.