CAN YOU NAME THE LAST FILM ABOUT OR STARRING WOMEN THAT WON BEST PICTURE?

Unless you're a movie buff, I'd bet you can't. If you count musicals, CHICAGO (2002), if not, SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE (1998).

That's right: 1998 or eighteen years ago. Yes, movies starring people of color have often been ignored, too. The Academy of Motion Pictures, as most know by now, comprises 90+ percent white males. When will this change? The Academy's president, Cheryl Boone Isaacs, has pledged more diversity among members and voting. As an African-American, she has a case. As a woman, she also has a right to speak about inclusion.

Lupita Nyong'o
(CGI for Star Wars: The Force Awakens)

Daisy Ridley
(Star Wars: The Force Awakens)

So, how did the Academy's voters become predominantly white male? An easy answer would be studios have produced movies which cater to that demographic and executives have little backbone to risk hiring women or other minorities. The "big boys" also cater to their own tastes, with an emphasis on teenagers. Studio reps often argue: "We give the public what they want." Anything considered to be a "woman's movie," or in derogatory terms, a "chic flick" rarely does well at the box office thus doesn't get the backing from producers and the recognition.

Well, we've seen many independent and smaller films garner box-office gold via smaller budgets and larger profits, though few have received glowing reviews e.g. BRIDESMAIDS or SPY. Those that critics consider to be award-worthy, for example, this year's BROOKLYN or ROOM, may have gotten a Golden Globe or two, and/or may receive Oscars for acting (ROOM being a safe bet), but rarely will these films win Best Picture (HURT LOCKER doesn't count, guys).

Encouraging or pressing the Academy to change its voting procedures is a beginning. However, like today's politics, the system has to evolve from the ground up: movie-goers must push studios for films for all ages, genders, ethnicities and even tastes. It's time the boys became men and include our real world.

Personal grudge: STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS and STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON, which garnered high box office receipts and strong critical acclaim, got shafted by Academy voters.

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