The Oscars may be self-congratulatory—and were first created as a union-busting scheme . But when viewed at a macro level, the annual event is still an instrument for good. It regularly highlights quality films that aren’t necessarily financially successful, prompting many to seek them out. (What that means this year is that everyone should fire up their Netflix accounts and watch the small-but-marvelous Train Dreams , about a railroad worker in the early 20th century, nominated for four Oscars