A Look at Best Director

Hmm. There's something happening tomorrow. What was it?

Well, why I try to figure that out, today's category is Best Director. The nominees are...

Alejandro González Iñárritu-Babel
Clint Eastwood-Letters From Iwo Jima
Stephen Frears-The Queen
Paul Greengrass-United 93
Martin Scorsese-The Departed

I've seen all of them but Letters. Go me.

INARRITU-In Babel and 21 Grams, he showed us that he can indeed direct a film. But the competition he's up against is just stronger and better known than he is. If he makes two or three more successful films, though, he'll get a statuette. This just isn't his year. Maybe for Best Picture.

EASTWOOD-Yes, the Academy loves Eastwood. But seriously, they're not going to give him three directing Oscars. But, like it or not, they still aren't going to snub Marty again. Right...? Ugh, that gave me a bad image.

FREARS-He deserves some sort of recognition for getting such an amazing performance out of Helen Mirren, but all four of the other nominees directed films that relied on good direction to work out. All of these nominees will probably become Oscar winners at some point. But only one can this year; and it's probably Marty.

GREENGRASS-His chances are a lot better than people think. He beat Marty at the BAFTA's, and United 93 is a showcase of the director. If his film got a Best Picture nomination, I would be predicting him in a heartbeat, but because no one has won Best Director without a BP nod since 1929, I just can't. But this isn't a year like any other. And the Academy does love snubbing Scorsese...

SCORSESE-People are saying that Scorsese will win because the Academy feels like they need to give him something for his career. But, a) he did a great job with The Departed; he was second best only to Greengrass, and b) why not give a career award? I mean, what is an Academy Award if not just a title for an accomplished person in Hollywood? Everyone is on Marty's side; even his fellow nominees. AMPAS just can't ignore that.

WILL WIN: Martin Scorsese-The Departed
SHOULD WIN: Martin Scorsese-The Departed
IN ORDER OF LIKELINESS:
1. Scorsese
2. Greengrass (I'll take the risk)
3. Eastwood
4. Iñárritu
5. Frears

Tomorrow: Best Picture (OMG! NOW I REMEMBER WHAT TOMORROW IS!)