Oscar had to atone for history of overlooked female directors , says critic John Anderson . Years from now , it will probably look profoundly shortsighted that `` Avatar , '' one of the biggest movies ever -- and , more importantly , the one that indicates where movies are going -- did n't win the top prize when Hollywood had a chance to bestow it . Steve Martin , Alec Baldwin were the funniest TV hosts ever , says critic . Anderson : It will be profoundly shortsighted that ` ` Avatar '' did n't win best picture . Salute to the late director John Carpenter was ` ` overlong , '' critic says .
Oscar had to atone for history of overlooked female directors , says critic John Anderson . Steve Martin , Alec Baldwin were the funniest TV hosts ever , says critic . Anderson : It will be profoundly shortsighted that ` ` Avatar '' did n't win best picture . Salute to the late director John Carpenter was ` ` overlong , '' critic says .