Posted 5:55 PM by Gene

We did not wish to blather any more about THE CURE, but....

Oscars 2011: How the year's top films reflect the times

Many of this year's top movies portray dark themes or flawed characters. Why one culture watcher says they mirror this moment in history.

The culture watcher is Neal Gabler, and one can be sure he at least wears blinders. Okay Neal, riddle us this (in honor of The Dark Knight, the greatest film in history): Busby Berkeley greeted the Depression. Mickey and Judy greeted the conflagration in Europe. Those were among the darkest times for man. Yet somehow the moviemakers kept their chins up, and kept America's chin up. What is with you and the other hacks that movees must be as squalid as their times? You know the answer, Neal -- and you're too much the dissembling typist to admit it: the talent to make people forget their woes ISN'T THERE. So the masterworks of the CURE may better reflect the limitations and prejudices of their makers than the times -- and for this they truly pose a danger as they can become self-fulfilling.

One last bromide: Being hopelessly prejudiced and untalented the A-Ca-De-MY®'s members will of course vote for whatever picture the zeitgeist and the news hacks tell them to. Wouldn't it be something if they voted a longshot for the winner -- say, The Greatest Animated Film in History?

Of course that would mean it won where Snow White didn't, and posterity would laugh, but at least we'd thumb our very-well-fixed noses at the know-it-alls.