With the announcement of the Oscar nominations just weeks away it appears that 2007 has been one of the weakest years for award worthy movies.2007 has produced some good movies for sure but there has been no truly standout picture that looks a dead cert for Oscar glory.Usually those with Oscars in their sights begin releasing in September with very few movies in the past, except Crash and Gladiator, that have gone on to win from an early release.However there are only a handful of movies that were released before September that have a slim chance when the nomination are announced on 22nd January.The first is David Fincher's Zodiac, which should have been part of the 2006 Oscar season but Dreamworks saw fit to push it's release back, probably to make way for Dreamgirls. Despite being received well by critics this delay in release has hurt the films chances but Dreamworks have sent out DVDs to all of the voters.
Away From Her debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2006 but has done poorly on release despite receiving rave reviews, in particular for Julie Christie's performance. It is Christie's performance however that will be recognised over a Best Picture nomination.
But Christie is facing hot competition from French actress Marion Cotillard for her role as Edith Piaf in La Vie En Rose.
Surprisingly France overlooked this movie as their entry in the Best Foreign Language Film category in favour of Persepolis. But like Christie in Away From Her it's Cotillard's performance that might be recognised.
Hairspray was the surprise hit of the summer holding it's own well against the blockbusters. But there is only a slim chance of Oscar recognition with Travolta the best bet. However it's the Golden Globes where it may fair better in the separate musical categories.
Entering 'Oscar season', which began in September, there have been a string of releases that have won over the critics and pose a serious threat come 24th February.
George Clooney is back, this time as an actor rather than director, with Michael Clayton a corporate thriller.
Clooney is expected to land another nomination, after his Best Director nod for Good Night and Good Luck and his Best Supporting Actor win for Syrianna in 2006, after winning a host of Best Actor gongs at the string of critics awards in America.
The best chance of British success comes in the form of Joe Wright's second picture Atonement. An adaptation of Ian McEwan's popular novel Atonement could receive nomination for Best Picture, Adaptation, Director, for Wright, Actress, for Keira Knightley, Actor, for James McAvoy, and Supporting Actress for either Vanessa Redgrave or Saoirse Ronan.
Atonement already leads the field for the Golden Globes with seven nominations.
Before the Golden Globe nominations were announced Sean Penn's Into the Wild was looking like a certainty to pick up nominations for Best Picture, Director, Actor, Supporting Actor and Supporting Actress after it lead the Screen Actors Guild Nominations.
However it was almost entirely over looked at this year's Golden Globes, which is usually a strong indicator as to who will win the Oscar.
It looks like 3.10 to Yuma and American Gangster will be overlooked due to their some what early releases in America. And also Rescue Dawn look almost certainly to be missed out which will once again see Christian Bale go without a much deserved nomination.
Rendition, boasting an all star cast of reese Witherspoon, Meryl Streep and Alan Arkin and Lions for Lambs starring Tom Cruise,Meryl Streep and Robert Redford no doubt had their eye on the Oscars when tackling the war on terror but it's doubtful that either will make the short list after bombing at the box office.
FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw