The academy is a tired, old organization that lacks imagination. I was SHOCKED they gave Hoffman that award for Capote but then again, most of them probably knew Capote. Honestly, I have no idea who sits on that board but they are incredibly unimaginative.
Crash? I actually saw that film. I rented it without ever having heard of it. When it comes to films my 'bozone' is pretty thick. I thought it was terribly contrived. Almost absurd in its lack of subtlety. It never seemed to ring true. The issues were obviously important. I don't mean to deny their plausibility. It was more just the way the whole thing was thrown together.