The Moving Picture

Oscar season is in full swing and the contenders are already hitting the big screen. With a little more than two months remaining, moviegoers can expect to be inundated with 2007 Academy Award candidates. Just this weekend, one of this year’s major contenders for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography and possibly Best Actor earned great praise from moviegoers — “Flags of Our Fathers.”
Eastwood’s latest stint behind the camera will likely earn him at least a nod from the Academy and it would not be a shock to see the loved director him take the coveted statue home. It would also not be surprising to see Adam Beach earn a nod for his breakout performance as the American Indian flag raiser Ira Hayes.
The film’s strongest attributes, its compelling screenplay, adapted from James Bradley and Ron Power’s novel by the same name, and sweeping cinematography will also likely earn nominations.
“Flags of Our Fathers” is one of this year’s best films and is certainly not one to be missed. If your are following the Oscar hunt be sure to catch Eastwood’s film in theaters for it is likely to earn several nominations and this must-see film is more than worthy of a see on the big screen.
“Flags of Our Fathers” will certainly see some competition this year, namely facing off against Martin Scorsese’s “The Departed.” This brutal, but compelling film was intense and action packed down to the last of its 165 minutes. Its script, written by William Monahan, made moviegoers hang one each actor’s every word. This film’s screenplay was one of the best written so far this year and Oscar owes Monahan a nod.
It may even come down to a face off between Eastwood and Scorsese for Best Director. Both men turned out quality films that not only entertain, but also speak volumes on the human condition.
And, as always, the mark of a good director is the quality of the acting in the film. Both “Flags of Our Fathers” and “The Departed” should both earn nods for the amazing performances of its lead actors. In neither film was there a weak link. It would not be a surprise to hear Jack Nicholson’s name nominated once again for Best Actor, nor would it be a surprise to hear either Leonardo DiCaprio or Matt Damon get their second nods.
In any case, despite the graphic nature of both “Flags of Our Fathers” and “The Departed,” do not miss these films for they sure to be on the Oscar podium for something. They are two of this year’s best films and worthy of the exorbitant cost of a movie ticket.
However, there’s one more film that hit the big screen a number of weeks ago that could certainly give “Flags of Our Fathers” and “The Departed” a run for their money. “All the King’s Men” delivered some amazing acting performances, made easy by the strong script based on Robert Penn Warren’s Pulitzer Prize winning novel “All the King’s Men.” Like “The Departed,” not a word was wasted. Every line mattered and spoke volumes. It would not be a surprise to see “All the King’s Men” beat out “Flags of Our Fathers” for Best Adapted Screenplay. It is tough to beat a Pulitzer Prize winner.
One should also expect to see Sean Penn once again nominated for Best Actor. His performance as the less than perfect, but idealistic politician was one of the best so far this year. It would not be a surprise by any stretch of the imagination to see him walk away with the Oscar over Nicholson, Beach, DiCaprio or Damon.
The cinematography in “All the King’s Men” is also noteworthy and should earn a nomination. However, it would be a surprise to see it beat out the complicated shots of “Flags of Our Fathers.”
The Oscar race is well underway and moviegoers interested in the competition should not miss out on the top candidates released thus far — “Flags of Our Fathers,” “The Departed” and “All the King’s Men.” However, the race is far from over and the list of possible contenders is 50 strong. Nominations begin Dec. 26 and the polls do not close until Jan. 13. There are a lot more films to be seen before the nominees are announced Jan. 23 and the final votes are cast Feb. 20.
The following is a short list of must-see possible contenders. Save up for your movie tickets and mark your calendars for the big Academy Awards day, Feb. 25. For a more complete list of all 50 films, see www.oscaraddict.com/charts/2006/tosee.html.

DO NOT MISS:
The Departed best director, best actor, best original screenplay
Babel best original screenplay, best actor, best actress, best cinematography
The Good German
Little Children
Dreamgirls best actor and actress
Flags of Our Fathers best director, best adapted screenplay, best actor, best cinematography
The Last King of Scotland best actor
The Queen best actress
The History Boys
Running With Scissors best adapted screenplay
The Good Shepherd
Stranger Than Fiction best original screenplay
Children of Men
The Painted Veil
All the King’s Men best director, best adapted screenplay, best actor
Marie-Antoinette just to see why it was booed at the Cannes Film Festival