Last minute memo to the Academy

Although prospects for the Oscars are looking grim, given the demise of the Golden Globes this past week, hopefully Academy members (include the writers) are still taking their responsibilities seriously and conscientiously completing and mailing in their nominations for awards. For those who have left it to the last minute (Sean Penn and Meryl Streep, you know who you are), here are some reminders of things worthy of consideration:

• What a great year for American films. The pool of contenders this year is fairly full of films from the good ole USA, with few of the esoteric foreign language films or English period pieces taking up space in theatres. Not that Americans come across as particularly nice in No Country for Old Men or There Will Be Blood (indeed, the Oscars may actually need an R rating to show clips from some of these), but there should be minimal whining this year about number of American films eligible for nomination and promising as contenders.
• Just because Denzel Washington had 2 films of note this year does not mean he has to be nominated for Best Actor.
• Just because Daniel Day-Lewis had 1 film of note this year does not mean he has to be nominated for Best Actor. He should be nominated for Best Actor because he is scary good - just the trailer gives me the willies.
• Speaking of scary, nominate Javier Bardem or he might get mad. Ditto Viggo Mortensen. Maybe they can have a fight on stage at the awards show, a true Alien vs. Predator.
• Like last year, the actress catagory is flush with good choices, so have at it here.
• Juno was a fantastic film that likely no one thought would be as good, popular or entertaining as it is. Particularly in the screenplay category, this film is extremely worthy.
• Similarly, Julie Christie made Away From Her incredibly powerful and poignant, and the cinematography of the Great White North perfectly reflected the bereft husband's feelings of loss and loneliness.
• If you saw Across the Universe and liked it, give it a nod. Julie Taymor deserves at least a nomination for being brave enough to tackle the Beatles and for being so damn good at creating visual spectacles with minimal silliness.
  

Now go make your nominations!