| THE FIVE NOMINEES |
| 1/23/07 |
| MARTIN SCORSESE |
| ALEJANDRO INARRITU |
| THE DEPARTED |
| BABEL |



| Martin Scorsese's been snubbed too often to be deemed a shoo-in, but surprisingly he again looks safe. Is this the year? |
| He's gotten too many stellar reviews to be ignored this year, especially when the competition in the category seems light for once. |
| He seems like a good bet for one of the lone Best Director slots, as his name has popped up in nearly every precursor contest. |
| AGAINST HIM |
| AGAINST HIM |
| AGAINST HIM |
| He was supposed to win in 1980, then 1990, then 2002, then 2004. It might be time for this fine auteur to take a hint. |
| The film certainly has strong support in the actor's branch, but he failed to score Best Director nods for his previous efforts. |
| The Best Director race tightened up sooner than many thought, and there are about 9 legitimate contenders for just 5 slots. |
| 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. |
| MARCH 10 |
| COPPOLA |
| DENIRO |
| SCORSESE |
| EASTWOOD |
| LYNCH |
| NOV 29 |
| CONDON |
| ALMODOVAR |
| SCORSESE |
| FREARS |
| INNARITU |
| DEC 12 |
| CONDON |
| ALMODOVAR |
| SCORSESE |
| EASTWOOD |
| GREENGRASS |
| JAN 9 |
| CONDON |
| INARRITU |
| SCORSESE |
| FREARS |
| GREENGRASS |
| UNITED 93 |
| FOR HIM |


| The other contenders... |

| 2 |
| Keeping Track: |
| FOR HIM |
| 3 |
| FOR HIM |
| 1 |
| JAN 16 |
| CONDON |
| INARRITU |
| SCORSESE |
| FREARS |
| GREENGRASS |
| STEPHEN FREARS |
| THE QUEEN |

| The Academy loves its Brit hits, and Frears has been in the Oscar race before. Both he and the film look set for kudos. |
| AGAINST HIM |
| There's still discussion over whether honoring Helen Mirren is enough for "The Queen," and if the love needs to be spread around. |
| FOR HIM |
| 5 |
| PAUL GR- EENGRASS |

| CLINT EASTWOOD |
| LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA |
| Critics absolutely loved this counterpart to "Flags of Our Fathers," and judging by his somewhat surprise entry, so did AMPAS. |
| AGAINST HIM |
| He's already won this prize for "Unforgiven" and "Million Dollar Baby" -- and the Academy isn't going to snub Marty again. |
| FOR HIM |
| 4 |