I CONSIDER myself a bit of a film buff and so I watched the Oscars ceremony over the weekend. In fact, I enjoyed it - you can't beat a bit of showbiz and glamour.

But, as the stars arrived at five minute intervals choreographed to ensure they all received their fair share of the limelight, I also found myself questioning it.

Because, although it is supposed to be about rewarding excellence in the making of films, it is really all about securing worldwide attention for the American film industry.

That's why Jamie Bell won a BAFTA in the British awards for his role in Billy Elliot, with Russell Crowe very much in his shadow, yet wasn't even nominated for an American Oscar. Unsurprisingly, Crowe won in the US - unsurprising because although a New Zealander by birth, his film Gladiator is an American production.

For the Oscars, like the BAFTAs, don't reward the best talent on the planet - they only reward the best talent from their own small corner of the world.

That's why Jamie Bell won a BAFTA - because he was British. Jamie Bell put in a fine performance, but most of the public would have agreed with the Americans that Crowe was the best of the bunch.

I also felt uneasy as Traffic picked up four Oscars. This is a film about the most offensive aspects of modern society - drug trafficking and poverty - and yet here were all these luvvies at this lavish ceremony congratulating each other for making such a grimly realistic portrait of a real life that their wealth protects them from.

I was, though, impressed by the dignity and maturity of Crowe as he collected his Oscar. His humble speech of acceptance reminded me of the stars of an earlier generation. Compare that with the graceless way Julia Roberts picked up her award, and the hysterical outpourings of Gwyneth Paltrow on the rostrum a couple of years ago.

But Paltrow's outburst - and her name - has stuck in the mind, even though I am not sure what films she has starred in since. And making sure your name sticks in as many minds worldwide as possible is really what the Oscars are about.

ANOTHER name that sticks in the mind is that of Sven-Goran Eriksson, the England football manager.

Regular readers will remember that I was no fan of his appointment. I thought it was sad that the manager of England had to be foreigner.

I might be making myself a hostage to fortune as I am writing this before last night's match against Albania, but I really like what I've seen so far of Eriksson. He's quiet and thoughtful on camera, but clearly has an enthusiasm on the pitch.

I thought the billboard adverts promoting Channel 5's coverage of last night's game were interesting. They showed Eriksson's face - he is Swedish - plastered with the cross of St George. In the past, all the pre-match hype centred on players like Shearer, Owen, Beckham or Adams. Now it's all about the manager.

I've also been impressed by his captain David Beckham. By the week he seems to be growing in maturity and, judging by his performance against Finland, he is playing the football of his life.

Off the field, I was impressed by his performance on the Parkinson show and by his appearance on Comic Relief when Ali G mercilessly tore into him and his wife Victoria. However, he grinned his way through it and came out of it with an enhanced image. There've been pictures of him this week training with young children and, rather than faking it for the cameras, you can see that he really enjoys it.

With an Englishman like him as captain and a Swede like Eriksson as manager, I believe this England team can go far - no matter what result they got in Albania last night.