It’s that time of the year.

Oscar season: a time for the best films to receive recognition for their contribution to the cinematic arts. Yet for every film that should be recognized, there is always a great deal of injustice done to other works that truly deserve it.

One of the biggest injustices of this year’s Academy Awards is “Grand Torino” not receiving a single nomination. How could the Academy possibly ignore this perfectly crafted work of art from Clint Eastwood?

But that’s a small complaint next to the greater injustice of denying Bruce Springsteen a nomination for the theme song to “The Wrestler.” The song, which won a Golden Globe, is one of Springsteen’s best works since “The River.” Robbing him of a nomination has to be the biggest unpatriotic act ever committed, worse than burning a flag. After all, Springsteen’s word is more significant than the Constitution.

Other injustices include “The Dark Knight” not being nominated for Best Picture and Christopher Nolan being snubbed for Best Director. No film in 2008 was more impressive than “The Dark Knight,” which took viewers on a dark odyssey in a fight for justice in a corrupt world. A much better story than Brad Pitt aging backwards or someone playing a game show.

Sadly, the Academy disagreed, nominating “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” for 13 awards and “Slumdog Millionaire” for 10. There is absolutely nothing Oscar-worthy about either movie – not even, in the case of the latter, the music. A. R. Rahman’s songs for “Slumdog Millionaire” are not at all impressive, yet the Academy felt they were more worthy then Springsteen.

But on a positive note, Heath Ledger received a Best Supporting Actor nomination for his performance as the Joker. Another worthy nominee is Mickey Rourke as Best Actor for “The Wrestler,” a role he performed flawlessly. Rourke’s character as a down-on-his-luck fighter is almost similar to his own career in Hollywood.

The only major competition Rourke will have is Sean Penn, nominated for “Milk.” Both delivered solid performances and are going to be major rivals for the category.

With any luck, either “Milk” or “Frost/Nixon” will win the awards for Best Picture and Best Director. This will undo the insult perpetuated by offering awards to “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” and “Slumdog Millionaire” over both Nolan and Springsteen.