When we talk about the Academy, it's often referred to as a cabal of old people, conspiring to nominate the most boring movies and refusing to recognize fresh talent when they see it. But in fact, the 6,000+ member Academy actually includes most of those fresh voices. Every year 100 or more industry folks are invited into the club, and this year's crowd is so diverse and promising it makes you wish they'd all be the nominees once in a while.

The Academy gives no official reason for who they invite and why, but the list seems to be a collection of recent nominees and also-rans, along with some participants in notable films that, for whatever reason, weren't in the Academy wheelhouse. Last year's first-time acting nominees now in the club include Anne Hathaway, Viola Davis, Melissa Leo and Michael Shannon, along with some other names that frequently popped up in the 2008 derby-- Michelle Williams, James Franco, Jeffrey Wright and Eddie Marsan. I have no idea why the Academy singled out the hilarious Jane Lynch, but I love them for it, and it's hilarious to see Seth Rogen and Paul Rudd in line next to each other-- think they'll vote for Funny People this fall? Plus there's my boy James McAvoy, who still hasn't gotten his nomination but will doubtlessly be faced with the prospect of voting for himself sometime soon.

On the technical side are some stellar DPs-- Benjamin Button's Claudio Miranda, Slumdog Millionaire's Anthony Dod Mantle, Australia's Mandy Walker-- as well as a few directors who really should have been in earlier-- Danny Boyle, Rod Lurie and Thomas McCarthy. As for why they saw it fit to include Tyler Perry, well, maybe that's the trade-off for letting Jane Lynch in.

Peter Gabriel is now an Academy member. Darren Aronofsky's favorite composer Clint Mansell is too. In Contention has the full list, which is packed with plenty more surprises and "Wait, they weren't already members?" revelations. So come Oscar season, when you're bitching and moaning about the terrible taste of the Academy, just remember that Paul Rudd is in there somewhere too, hopefully fighting the good fight for the next generation.