And the Oscar goes to . . .

So I watched the only nominee for best picture I hadn't seen yet, There Will Be Blood. As a recap(itulation?), Atonement, Juno, Michael Clayton, No Country For Old Men, and There Will Be Blood.

After Atonement, I came home and told my sister I was tired of the British. I was reluctant to watch this film, but Marcy said it was good. I don't regret watching it, but I won't need to watch it again. It reminds me of the English Patient.

I enjoyed Juno. It isn't the best picture of the year.

Michael Clayton is very good. It isn't the best picture.

This brings us to the dilemma. No Country For Old Men has three great acting performances, "breathtaking vistas," Cormac McCarthy story, and directorial pedigree. There Will Be Blood has one tremendous acting performance, dark cinematography, haunting score, Upton Sinclair inspired story, and directorial cache (oh, and it was dedicated to Robert Altman).

I was going to choose There Will Be Blood for best picture because Paul Thomas Anderson hasn't won an Oscar yet, though he's been nominated a couple times, while the Coen Brothers, Joel and Ethan (Fred isn't as famous), have won for their original screenplay for Fargo. But that is a poor reason. Don't punish a great film because people associated with it have been great before.

I think and think and I can't choose. But I don't have to. I'll update with my opinion after it is awarded.