When 'Grace of My Heart' came out in 1996, Allison Anders had a reputation for making gritty features like 1992's 'Gas Food Lodging' and '1994's 'Mi Vida Loca.' This, however, was a different animal: a dramatic but ultimately bright-eyed look at '60s and '70s music that was loosely based on the life of Carole King.

Illeana Douglas is at her most appealing as wide-eyed Edna Buxton, a well-to-do girl who dreams of a life as a pop singer. But when a record company suit tells her "Not only do we have someone like you, we are trying to get rid of the someone like you," she turns to songwriting, mentored by John Turturro (as a hilarious Phil Spector type). Changing her name to Denise Waverly, she starts cranking out teen anthems for girl groups, a closeted teen star (Bridget Fonda), and tons of others.

When it comes to Oscar winners, it's all too easy to second-guess the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. In several cases the members of the esteemed organization have made some seriously head-scratching decisions, especially in the category of Best Picture (many people still haven't gotten over 'Rocky' beating out 'Network,' 'All the President's Men' and 'Taxi Driver' in 1976).

But the Academy's also gotten more than a few things right, as indieWIRE notes in a piece that looks at the last decade's Oscars.

We focused on the past few years and found seven winners that we can't complain about:

Ah, Thanksgiving: a time when we give thanks and are reunited with friends and family. Only, let's face it, not all families are built like the Waltons. There's a lot of strife and stirred up when everyone is gathered under one roof -- so, in honor of the heaping spoonfuls of dysfunction that the holiday also brings, we offer Peter Hedges' 2003 indie drama 'Pieces of April' as your movie of the day.

In this bleak tale of post-apocalyptia, a father and his son walk alone through a burned and desolate United States. Nothing moves in the ravaged landscape except for the ash on the wind. It is cold enough to crack stones, and when the snow falls it's gray. The sun is gone, obscured by cloud.

Their destination is the coast, and the only way to get there is along the seemingly-endless road. They have no idea what awaits them there. They have nothing: just a pistol to defend themselves against the groups of marauders, the clothes they are wearing, a cart of scavenged food - and each other.

Starring 'Lord of the Rings' and 'A History of Violence' leading man Viggo Mortensen and 'Monster' beauty Charlize Theron, 'The Road' explores family bonds and what it means to be human. Other stars include Guy Pearce and Robert Duvall. 'The Boy' is smartly played by youngster Kodi Smit-McPhee.

As a wee Canadian girl, I would hear and fantasize about visiting Universal Studios in Los Angeles. The other day, a considerable amount of years later (I won't say how many. A woman never reveals her age), I decided to take the plunge. I drove to Universal City (I love that its name is inherently paradoxical. Is it simply a city? Is it universal?) to take the Universal Studios tour. Since it was the day before Thanksgiving, I figured that I would be the only person in the Hollywood-themed park. Most people had already left town. However, when I pulled up to pay for parking, I waited in a long line up of cars filled with passengers who were all sticking their arms out of their vehicles taking pictures. Of what? I'm not sure. Maybe the parking lot?

Even in supporting roles, Ben Foster has been hard to ignore, cornering the market on crazy-intense parts such as the manic addict in 'Alpha Dog.' He scored some (unrealized) Oscar buzz for his role as Charlie Prince, the dandified but dangerous cowboy in '3:10 to Yuma.'

While his character's snakeskin jacket was memorable, the actor's ability to draw focus from such intimidating leads as Russell Crowe and Christian Bale was the real showstopper. In otherwise forgettable films like 'Hostage,' and '30 Days of Night,' Foster's few scenes seem to come from a different (and far better) movie altogether.

Now the 29-year-old steps into the well-earned spotlight in a much less showy but just as riveting role, that of Staff Sergeant Will Montgomery in the indie drama 'The Messenger.' Will returns home from a devastating tour in Iraq and is assigned the task of notifying next of kin that their loved ones have been killed in the line of duty. He's partnered with a senior officer (Woody Harrelson) who's an old hand at this thankless duty.

Most city's settle for some Z-list celebrity or stuffy old Mayor turning on their Christmas lights, but Bath managed to blag non-other than Oscar-winning, Hollywood star, Nicolas Cage.

At what was obviously the pinnacle defining moment of his career, Nic Cage switched on Bath's Christmas lights last night in front of a crowd of thousands.

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