Thank God Martin Scorcese won last year -- we can finally take the Marty topic off the table and talk about some new directors. We have the makings of an interesting race -- a few up-and-comers, an actor-turned-director, a couple of beloved indie touchstones and two bona fide directorial legends who have never won. Sorta like Marty -- OK, that's the last time his name comes up...
1. Ethan and Joel Coen, No Country for Old Men
Even if Country proves too violent for the Academy (and after last year's win for The Departed, the Academy won't have a leg to stand on), the Coen brothers are well overdue for a win. If the buzz continues, the nomination is a shoo-in.
2. Joe Wright, Atonement
Hollywood loved what he did with the whole
Pride and Prejudice thing.
3. Mike Nichols, Charlie Wilson’s War
Hasn’t won since The Graduate. Hasn't really been in the running lately.
4. Sean Penn, Into the Wild
The Academy loves actors-turned-directors, especially if their politics match.
5. Sidney Lumet, Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead
Can you say “overdue?” The 83-year-old director has been nominated for 12 Angry Men, Serpico, Dog Day Afternoon, Network and The Verdict. Baby, that's a career. The Director category isn't known for makeup awards, but if Polanski can win...
6. Ridley Scott, American Gangster
Can you say “overdue” again? I can. I can also say "overrated."
7. Tony Gilroy, Michael Clayton
A well-regarded screenwriter with a good debut. Probably not a top-five guy here.
8. Paul Thomas Anderson, There Will Be Blood
Could jump up if the movie does well and the critics drool over it. Like Wes Anderson, he's more fawned over by the critical folks than by the Academy.
9. Julian Schnabel, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
Schnabel won the Cannes award for Best Director.
10. Marc Forster, The Kite Runner
Fast becoming a director to be reckoned with. I can see Forster jumping up a few spots after the film's release.
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