Chlotrudis Awards this evening!

My apologies for getting out his notice so late. But you should drop everything you have planned for today, even if it's nursing a post-St. Patrick's Day hangover, and get over to the Brattle Theatre to attend the 18th annual Chlotrudis Awards.

In a world where the Oscars have sunk to having Billy Crystal host with schtick that would have embarrassed a senescent Bob Hope, and the Golden Globes have neutered the transgressive wit of Ricky Gervais, the Chlotrudis's mix of wickedly witty song and dance, local film folks at their awkward best as award presenters, and a choice of winners that is eclectic and inspiring, makes for the best such event outside the Boston Society of Film Critics Awards Ceremony. And I say this not just because I participate in both.

And as usual the highlight of the program is the presentation of a career achievement award to someone brilliant, off the beaten path, and usually Canadian. In this case it's the auteur Atom Egoyan, director of such masterpieces as "Speaking Parts," "Exotica," and "The Sweet Hereafter."

The show takes place this evening at 5pm at the Brattle Theatre, 40 Brattle St. | 617.868.6837. The program will be followed by a screening of Egoyan's "Calendar" (1993), which stars his wife Arsinee Khanjian, who will also be attending the festivities. See you there.