We now have up to ten Best Picture nominees in a year, in part due to "Dark Knightgate" (i.e. The Dark Knight not being nominated for Best Picture, despite being a highly popular choice). So now, in deference to the whims of the masses (or what is believed are said whims), we are allowed to include in that hallowed list such films as DISTRICT 9 and INCEPTION.
But what does that really solve? You now have a list of ten, sure - but you still usually only have two viable contenders, one underdog. . . and now SEVEN other films that have no chance in hell.
How about we split the difference? TWO Best Pictures - One for ART, and one for ENTERTAINMENT.
It's a variation on something the Oscars have already done in the past, and not too dissimilar from the way the Golden Globes and many other awards shows are currently arranged. Dissolve the condescending Best Animated Film and Best Foreign Film awards, and just make all those potential nominees eligible for the top prizes (I would also be an advocate of only allowing foreign films that have been screened on US soil to be eligible).
I feel that by splitting the films by aspiration, you satisfy two disaffected groups: The people who think the Academy Awards are too "pretentious"; and the cinephiles who think that the Awards play it safe and pandering. Ideally, the divide would help negate the pull of those wishy-washy, middle-of-the-road films that so often seem to run off with the little golden man, satisfying no one.
Sure, the decision of what constitutes "Art" and "Entertainment" is arbitrary, but isn't the whole concept of an awards show for an artistic medium fairly arbitrary anyway? Would the not-nominated DRIVE (Hey, there's an open spot for nomination! Academy? Hello?!) have been classified under Art or Entertainment? I honestly don't know, but that would be exactly the sort of thing that would spark some interesting water cooler debates.
Oh, and let's add a Best Ensemble Cast award, huh? Just sayin'.
Thoughts?
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