At the movies with Jeff

Grumble, grumble, grumble.

OK, this isn’t the biggest thing in the world. It’s not as important as getting people to recycle or drive politely, but still ...

Kansas City has a nice collection of art houses bringing us good alternatives to the usual romantic comedies and exploding superheroes. Even some movies that end up getting nominated for the top Oscars only getting to the multiplex after getting some traction at the art houses or the places that are more of a blend, like the Palace on the Plaza. (Hey, good selections, lots of screens and $4 matinees are hard to beat.) But still ...

I know. Foreign-language films are a tough sell. People don’t like subtitles, though I would point out that I personally have the world’s worst eyes and yet I manage. I’m just saying: How hard would it be to pick up your game?

I cannot say I have tested this rigorously, but it would appear that yet again the Oscars themselves will come and go before any – any – of the contenders for best foreign-language film appears locally. Again. Oh, we had a decent shot when “A Separation,” the presumed front-runner, was scheduled to appear just before the Feb. 26 ceremony, but the Tivoli in Westport now says to sit tight until March 2. The other four nominees are “Bullhead,” “Footnote,” “In Darkness” and “Monsieur Lazhar,” and though my memory is not perfect, I cannot recall any of them making the rounds.

This isn’t rocket surgery or world peace. Just annoying. Part of the magic of Oscar night – how many other industries get us to watch their trade shows with their tedious distribution of trophies? – is having seen enough of the contenders to feel as if you have a dog in the fight. Yes, best foreign-language film will come and go in 68.3 seconds. Still, this category has accounted for many of the best movies overall that I’ve seen in the last few years. Come on, folks, give us a chance to be in the game.