I guess Bergman, Pasolini, Tarkovsky, Schrader, Cronenberg, Lynch, Antonioni... well, no, not Antonioni... Cassavetes, Erice, Herzog, Solanas and so many other directors should never be (or have been) "oscarized", as they are too "downbeat". Seems like a very banal perception to me, with a hint of populism, coming from a very brilliant critic. But it is not the brilliant man who elevates his banal proposition to greatness, but the proposition that lessens the brilliant man towards banality. You got plenty credit still due, though, Mr. Sarris.