When the Academy picks its top film next Sunday, its sprawling membership will seal the fate of one film forever. Here at IndieWire, we do it a little differently. When the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences picks its top film (a little something called “Best Picture”) next Sunday at the Oscars, the group’s sprawling membership will seal the fate of one film forever. Best Picture status is something special ( if not always lovingly remembered and fondly agreed-upon ), but it also