A List Of Things Thrown Five Minutes Ago

WHERE'S MY INVITE? Yes, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced new members for the year in this press release. Some make a lot of sense, like Sofia Coppola, Patricia Clarkson, Hope Davis, and Paul Bettany. Some are blatant attempts to seem hip: Maggie Gyllenhaal, Miguel Arteta, and Fernando Meirelles. Some are shockers that the person wasn't already in: Treat Williams (why this year of all years?) and Sean Penn. And then there's Keisha Castle-Hughes, the lucky young girl who'll never have to pay to see a movie again for the rest of her life. But the unexplicability prize this year goes to the animation branch, for electing Steve Oedekirk to Academy membership. Yes, the writer of "Patch Adams" and the Eddie Murphy "Nutty Professors" is in. But his true achievements? "Kung Pow: Enter The Fist!" and "Ace Ventura 2," both of which he directed. If he's in--I'm demanding my place!