Million Dollar Baby takes it.

[RGA]

Well I have not seen a ton of movies this year but I would have nominated
Spiderman2
Kill Bill Vol2
Farenheight 9/11

over the Aviator and Sideways(though I probably liked this more than you.

I agree with Roger Ebert bang on on Spiderman2 which despite being a comic book film and despite the genre this was a well written smartly drawn characiture of the central three figures -- ie; it was smart and entertaining.

Kill Bill Vol2 had no shot due to the subject matter and the fact that peopel seemed to really love this thing or despise it with every fiber in their being...So I can understand them avoiding it.

Farenheight 9/11 Michael Moore railroaded himself by placing demands on where the film was going to be considered. The highest grossing documentary of all time and one of the best mocumentaries...and his best work in a relatively weak year. Granted right wing religious conservatives won't see the humour becauseany attack on George Busjh is viewed as an attack on God himself --- but to the sane segment of society (to quote Bill Maher) this was on par with MDB and if it won I'd have been happy. Moore will have to settle for best film at Cannes --- which is the artsier crowd anyway.

[20to20K]

I liked all three of the movies you mentioned but you are right...we are talking about three genres that will never see a best picture oscar: Superhero, ultraviolence, and Micheal Moore. I was a little surprised that Pulp Ficton was even nominated in '94.

I also agree that Spidey 2 was one of the best (probably 2nd best) superhero movies ever.
I find myself alone in this argument alot but I feel the best superhero movie ever was
the first Batman with Keaton. I loved everything about that flick. I thought X-men 2 was pretty good as well.

Another film I thought was better that most of the nominees was "The Passion".
I mean, say what you will about the subject material..but it was excellent film making
in my opinion. Again, the controversial subject matter along with some of the demographics of Hollywood would not allow it to be nominated.