Alejandro González Iñárritu

Nominated for: His work with multiple, loosely inter winded stories in Babel.

Previous nominations: First nominations. But Amores perros, also directed by him, was nominated for best foreign language film back in 2001.

Other notable previous work: Besides Amores perros Iñárritu also directed 21 Grams . All three films (Amores perros, 21 Grams, Babel) were written by Guillermo Arriaga. It’s been quite a successful partnership

Iñárritu has done better films, but one can’t help but admire the work that must have gone into creating a movie that encompasses three continents and four different languages. It’s impressive work, even if it is ultimately flawed.

Martin Scorsese

Nominated for: Creating a remake that is still very much his own film with The Departed.

Previous nominations: Was nominated for his directing work in Raging Bull, The Last Temptation of Christ, Goodfellas, Gangs of New York and The Aviator. That’s six nominations so far, and he didn’t even get nominated for Taxi Driver or Mean Streets. Martin also was nominated for his work on the scripts of Goodfellas and The Age of Innocence.

Other notable previous work: Lets say Mean Streets and Taxi Driver and leave it at that. But pretty much every film Martin has ever done has been notable.

Oh please may this finally be his year. His work in The Departed might not be his very best, but it is excellent. And nobody deserves it more than Scorsese.

Clint Eastwood

Nominated for: Showing the Japanese side of the battle for Iwo Jima in Letters from Iwo Jima.

Previous nominations: Unforgiven and Million Dollar Baby got him three nominations each (directing, acting and best picture). Mystic River got him another two (directing and best picture).

Other notable previous work: The Bridges of Madison County, A Perfect World, Bird and many others. And I’m not even talking about his acting work.

Clint has got one of the most remarkable careers in show business I have ever seen. And it keeps getting more remarkable as he continues to prove himself as one of the best directors around. May he still get to do many films.

Stephen Frears

Nominated for: Recreating the private life of the English monarchy in The Queen.

Previous nominations: One, for his directing work in The Grifters.

Other notable previous work: My Beautiful Laundrette, Dangerous Liaisons, High Fidelity and Dirty Pretty Things.

Anoher old timer. Frears work in The Queen is not showy, but he gets exactly what he needs to make the story work perfectly, like he generally does.

Paul Greengrass

Nominated for: Recreating a part of the 9/11 tragedy in a matter of fact, almost documentary like style in United 93.

Previous nominations: First.

Other notable previous work: Bloody Sunday and The Bourne Supremacy.

The other first timer, and the one mismatch with best picture. Greengrass might be somewhat new, but he has already established a clear style. Let’s see where he takes that in his next few movies.

Who will win: I think this is Marty’s year.

Who should win: Scorsese. It’s time.