Catching up with Oscar

What you need to know about the films vying for statuettes

February 15, 2008

It's nine days 'til Oscar time. Are you up to speed on your nominated films? It's not too late to catch up. Newsday's Jan Stuart and Gene Seymour offer a last-minute roundup of what to see and where to see it.

MICHAEL CLAYTON

Remind me: George Clooney cleans up other people's messes in a twisty legal thriller that makes you feel very smart, provided you can keep up with it. Bring pad and pen: You'll want to spring some of these lines on your boss.

What it's up for: Picture, actor, supporting actor, supporting actress, director, original score, original screenplay.

How to see it: At area theaters. On DVD Tuesday.

NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN

Remind me: Joel and Ethan Coen bring their idiosyncrasies to Cormac McCarthy's grim-faced thriller and have managed so far to pull up every award in sight. And so has Javier Bardem as a stun-gun-wielding psychotic with a bad haircut who's leaving corpses scattered all over West Texas.

What it's up for: Picture, supporting actor, cinematography, director, film editing, sound editing, sound mixing, adapted screenplay.

How to see it: At area theaters.

SWEENEY TODD

Remind me: Attend the tale of teeny voice. Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter croak through gorgeous Sondheim songs and make the meat pies of Nigella Lawson's worst nightmares. Tim Burton directs, so the blood really sings.

What it's up for: Actor, art direction, costume design.

How to see it: In Manhattan at the Clearview Chelsea.

ELIZABETH, THE GOLDEN AGE

Remind me: The Virgin Queen as played by Bob Dylan. No, Katharine Hepburn. Oh, it must be Cate Blanchett. More fractured history, more gilded fabrics, more crashing music and Clive Owen throwing his cloak over a puddle.

What it's up for: Actress, costume design.

How to see it: On DVD.

JUNO

Remind me: Now certified as 2007's "little movie that could," this indie comedy about a hyper-articulate pregnant teenager (Ellen Page) deciding who's best suited to raise her baby has now passed the $100-million box-office barrier normally reserved for blockbuster to shows.

What it's up for: Picture, actress, director, original screenplay.