Isms: Original views on life in rural America

Can you name one of the 10 movies nominated for Best Picture at this year’s Academy Awards?

Better yet, have you watched any of the movies being considered?

I want to see “Top Gun: Maverick.” I’ve heard good things about “The Fabelmans” and “Everything Everywhere All At Once.” I saw the original “All Quiet On The Western Front.” Does that count?

My family never missed the annual award show. It turned into a contest, where we’d cast our votes for the top acting and film awards. Later in life, Mom and Dad would enter Oscar™ contests sponsored by the local movie theater, where free movie tickets...