The Quad

Issue date: 2/18/08 Section: Entertainment

The year 2007 was, in any estimation, a high-quality year for films. It had its ups and downs, but, for the most part, it was a solid year and much better than 2006. Suffice it to say, this year's Oscars are anything but predictable. While there are front-runners in several categories (for example, Javier Bardem for Best Actor in a Supporting Role), nearly every contender in the Best Picture race has won some prestigious award. While "There Will Be Blood" and "No Country for Old Men" lead the pack in terms of nominations, are they poised to win? Not necessarily, for as recent history shows, the favorite does not always win (in 2006, "Crash" upset the heavily favored "Brokeback Mountain"). For now, let us look at the major categories and see who should win, but also analyze who will win, while taking possible spoilers into account.

First up is the top prize, Best Picture. The question of who should win and who will win can be said to be one in the same: "No Country for Old Men." "There Will Be Blood" is another favorite and has been listed as the best picture on several top ten lists, but "No Country" is, simply put, a better film. It moves much more fluidly and lacks the dull moments that plague "There Will Be Blood." While Daniel Day-Lewis's performance is astounding, it does not make up for the fact that the film is flawed.

Like George Clooney in "Michael Clayton," if the film had any other actor in the lead, it just would not have worked. "No Country" required the effort of all involved and it succeeds in being the best film of 2007. The possible spoiler in this category is "Juno," which has become the most profitable of the nominees. However, when it comes right down to it, "Juno" is not a film that will take away the top prize, despite how smart and well-crafted the film is.

Next on the list is Best Director. This award will and should go to Joel and Ethan Coen for "No Country." Paul Thomas Anderson does a remarkable job with "There Will Be Blood," truly capturing the oil boom that took over this country in the early 20th century. Anderson also paints a remarkable landscape with his empty shots of western America.

However, the Coen brothers succeed in creating a great deal of tension. The lack of background music and the use of silence to convey the emptiness of West Texas make this film more breathtaking to watch than "There Will Be Blood." "There Will Be Blood" relies a great deal on Jonny Greenwood's score to create tension, while the Coens create a more atmospheric tension.

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