Bravo: Film Society of Lincoln Center is running a complete retrospective of the work of George Cukor, one of the most versatile and gifted, but still underestimated, director in Hollywood history.

“American Hustle” is a blast, a vastly entertaining movie that bounces from scene to scene with tremendous energy, propelled by terrific ensemble cast made of actors allowed to improvise and give their all to juicy roles.

Based on my book, All About Oscar: The History and Politics of the Academy Awards (first published in 1986 and now in its 11th edition), here are some trends about the Oscar Directors.

Spike Jonze’s remarkable “Her” is a singularly postmodern, surreal screwball comedy, graced with elegiac touches, and dealing in a subtle and profound way with our technology has changed the way we live, perceive ourselves, and interact with others.