Oscar nominations have become a popularity contest rather than a meritocracy, and the 2024 list proves it again with blockbuster sequels overshadowing smaller indies like 'Past Lives'. When a film with a $200 million marketing budget competes against one with a $10 million campaign, the playing field is far from equal. That said, I still watched 'Barbie' and enjoyed it, but I can't shake the feeling that the awards show rewards visibility over substance. Should we separate commercial success from artistic recognition entirely, or is popularity a valid measure of quality?