And the Oscar goes to . . .

Whatever the Oscars have become, they certainly are no longer the gold standard for family entertainment | Andrew Coffin

With occasional exceptions (such as last year's sweep by The Return of the King), the Academy Awards now recognize primarily "adult" fare. Of the five Best Picture nominees this year, none is destined to become a family classic, with only Finding Neverland coming close.

Between 1990 and 2004, eight of the 14 Best Picture winners were rated R. None were rated G or PG. Now, there's no rule that says the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences must pick a film suitable for family audiences on which to bestow its accolades. Nor does this imply that films recognized since 1990 are without merit (Schindler's List and Braveheart, both rated R, are on that list).

It does suggest that whatever the Oscars have become, it isn't the gold standard for family entertainment. In fact, since 1968's Best Picture winner, Oliver!, the only film to receive that honor that's really suitable for family audiences is 1981's anomaly, Chariots of Fire. One year after Oliver!, the X-rated (at the time) Midnight Cowboy won Best Picture, and the Oscars seem to have not recovered since.