And then there were two. Right now, the Oscar race for Best Picture seems pretty clear. Atonement is the definite front runner, and the film to beat. The competition are dropping like flies. Juno and Into the Wild are both too "small" to win the big prize. The Diving Bell and the Butterfly won't win, because foreign films never win in the top category. Charlie Wilson's War is to "slight" to go all the way, and No Country for Old Men, and There Will Be Blood are probably to dark, and dour for the Academy's taste. The only film left, that could possibly stand in the way of Atonement walking with Best Picture, is Sweeney Todd. If the film gets rave reviews from critics, and does good box office, it could provide Atonement with it's only real competition. Sweeney figures to get a Best Picture nomination, if for no other reason then it figures to get so many nominations in the "tech" categories, that it probably will make the final five by default (unless it becomes this years Dreamgirls). Still, Atonement should rule at the Academy Awards. It would have to do absolutely miserable at the box office (because it's already won over all the critics)for Sweeney to even have a prayer. Ocsar night could end up being a real yawner if the Academy takes to this film the way they did with the English Patient.

Then so be it. I am content with knowing that "Charlie Wilson's War" is not a disaster and is a good film much I expected it. I fully intend to see it regardless of it's Oscar chances.

Sorry, forgot to comment on American Gangster's chances. I liked the film. It's solid, but just not spectacular. This film has last years winner (The Departed) working against it. I just can't see the Academy going with a "gangster" flick two years in a row.