Ah, was it only three years ago that those queasy older dudes in the motion picture academy revealed they couldn't take a shot of the strong gay stuff? Now "Milk" may go down easier?

Never mind that "Brokeback Mountain" received an unprecedented 26 best-picture awards and led with the most Academy Award nominations. On Oscar night, "Brokeback" won best director and screenplay — like most best-pic winners — but voters just couldn't give it that top prize. And some academy members like Tony Curtis and Ernest Borgnine weren't shy about saying why: They just refused to embrace gay cowboys.

"Milk" may be more to the (usually liberal) academy's taste because it's fiercely political and stars macho str8 past Oscar champ Sean Penn, who doesn't spend two hours roaming over romantic mountaintops aching for his cowpoke lover boy. This slick trailer sure makes "Milk" look like best-pic material. Well, at least a nomination . . . . perhaps?

(Focus Features)