I watched the 79th Academy Awards almost twice yesterday. It’s always been a TV highlight for me since I was in my teens, with the stars, the dresses, the glamour, and the funny bits in between. But more than anything I’ve always been touched by way movies are presented and appreciated by this group of people, behind all that fame and glitz. Sure enough, when it comes to artistic value or moral ethics, Hollywood often takes on its fair share of bashings. After all, nothing matters at the end of the day if something turns into a box office flop and something has to be sacrificed if the audience is not sophisticated enough for it.

But yesterday something was a bit different, something that made me watch it almost twice (other than the cool shadow people that row into screen and turn into penguins and shoes and snakes on a plane). First, Al Gore’s “An Inconvenient Truth” won best documentary, not exactly a surprise given Hollywood’s traditional political leanings (and also no one has heard of the other four nominated films). Then Ennio Morricone, my favorite film music composer, received a lifetime achievement award. These were moments that were so compelling for me that I was reminded why I always wanted to go into film production other than my family heritage. It’s movies’ ability to move and make a difference in a far-reaching and perhaps most infiltrating way that is so appealing.

I remember the shock that left me speechless after something as blockbusterish as “Day After Tomorrow.” Al Gore’s is a more sober and realistic effort in bringing people’s attention to the serious environmental issues that have been neglected by mostly his fellow Americans. I do sympathize with the other four nominees, but as far as a documentary goes, “An Inconvenient Truth” did serve to convey that impactful* message loud and clear, and slightly different from its award to Michael Moore’s Fahrenheit 911, no one can really accuse Hollywood of being politically biased this time. It IS, after all, a matter that concerns everyone on earth and, more on a personal level, I felt Al Gore’s grace, dedication and influence have possibly exceeded what he could have achieved as President of the United States (Would have sucked to see him handle 911. Then again, if it had been him there might not have been a 911 but that’s all very Michael Mooreish of me). A little golden statue and a pat on the back for big Al.

Then there’s Ennio Morricone, whose music has accompanied me to sleep countless nights and never fails to take breaths away, or make hearts jolt, or simply transports one to a place far far away (most of the times Italy). My favorites are from Love Affair and Cinema Paradiso; their melodies flow almost heart-wrenchingly. They touch the deepest parts in our hearts, regardless of whether one has seen the films they accompany. The music simply exists to move you, the ones lucky enough to possess a sensitivity for it. When he received his lifetime achievement award and spoke in his native Italian, I was ecstatic and overwhelmed by his sense of artistry, the generous spirit to share, and also the love and bonds between him and his wife that shed a light on what could have inspired him to write such beautiful music.

So, here I am sitting in my room, listening to Ennio Morricone and somewhere in my head thinking about how to do my part to save mother earth, I again re-affirm my passion for the movies. It’s not the visual effects, or the stars, or the hype, but the truest essence of what they were always to meant to do—to tell a story, touch hearts, and when the credits roll and lights turn back on, leave something behind with each one of us.

*"impactful" is not actually a word. it cannot be found in most english dictionaries. "effective" or "influential" are better choices to convey most similar meanings.