Several Oscar contenders available for viewing at home
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Prepping for Sunday's Oscars at this late date is within reach, especially if you're trying to catch up on early 2006 releases or smaller films, such as "Half Nelson," that came and went quickly in Pittsburgh.
Ryan Gosling, right, plays Dan Dunne, an idealistic inner-city teacher, who harbors a secret drug addiction while trying to inspire his students in "Half Nelson."Click photo for larger image.
Even several big contenders, such as Martin Scorsese's "The Departed," are available to watch at home -- either on DVD, as a download or on demand through your cable or satellite system.
Today comes another multi-nominee, "Babel," joining a third Best Picture nominee, that little movie that could, "Little Miss Sunshine," which has been available since November.
If these seem like quick-to-small-screen releases, then you're not looking at the big picture.
The Web site videobusiness.com reports that the DVD release of "Crash" in September 2005, several months before the 2006 Oscars, is credited with increasing its exposure at a key time -- and giving it the boost it needed to win Best Picture.
The other top film nominees of this year, Clint Eastwood's "Letters From Iwo Jima" and the Helen Mirren star vehicle, "The Queen," along with "Dreamgirls," with a leading eight nominations, are still on big screens nationwide. These and others have had a post-nomination push at the box office.
But "Flags of Our Fathers," which has sound mixing and sound editing nominations and is Eastwood's Iwo Jima story from an American perspective, is available for stay-at-home viewing.
Also a few clicks from your TV or PC screen is Ryan Gosling's Oscar-nominated turn as a drug-addicted teacher in "Half Nelson," which spent scant time in Pittsburgh theaters. Here are a few more films on store shelves or at your fingertips, with nominated categories.
The Devil Wears Prada," actress (Meryl Streep) and costume design ($30, Fox).
"An Inconvenient Truth," documentary and song ($30, Paramount).
"United 93," director (Paul Greengrass) and editing ($20, Universal).
"Cars" ($30, Disney) and "Monster House" ($29, Sony), animated feature. Note: "Happy Feet" is due March 20.
"Superman Returns," visual effects ($20, Warner Bros.).
"Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest," visual effects and art direction, among others ($30, Disney).
First Published February 20, 2007 12:00 am
