Five films did battle to be named best picture at this year's Oscars with No Country For Old Men winning in the end. Here are the contenders, with details of their success in other movie awards so far. Awards included: Bafta, Critics' Choice, Golden Globes, Independent Spirit, National Board of Review, National Society of Film Critics, Producers Guild of America. WINNER: NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN
What is it about? Based on the book by Cormac McCarthy, it tells of a drug deal gone wrong, dead bodies, a stash of heroin and a cat-and-mouse chase across the deserts of 1980s Texas. Who is in it? Tommy Lee Jones, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, Kelly Macdonald
Acceptance speech: "So many people have a part of this, chief among them Cormac McCarthy who wrote a wonderful book that was an honour to make into a movie," said producer Scott Rodin.
The critics say: "A scorching blast of tense genre filmmaking." Variety
"An intense, nihilistic thriller as well as a model of implacable storytelling" Los Angeles Times
Awards and nominations: The film triumphed at the Critics Choice Awards and was named film of the year by the National Board of Review. It was a runner-up at the National Society of Film Critics' Awards and was nominated for a Golden Globe, a Bafta and at the Producers Guild of America awards.
ATONEMENT
What is it about? Thirteen-year-old Briony Tallis changes the course of several lives when she accuses her older sister's lover of a serious crime he did not commit. Based on Ian McEwan's 2001 novel.
Who is in it? Keira Knightley, James McAvoy, Saoirse Ronan, Brenda Blethyn
The critics say: "Atonement sweeps you up on waves of humour, heartbreak and ravishing romance." Rolling Stone
"After the promise of a luminous opening, the film meanders and ultimately loses its way." The Times
Awards and nominations: A winner at the Golden Globes, Atonement was also named one of the top films of the year by the National Board of Review. It was nominated at the Critics Choice Awards and is in the running for a Bafta.
JUNO
What is it about? Faced with an unplanned pregnancy, a quirky young woman makes an unusual decision regarding her unborn child and embarks on a journey to find the perfect adoptive parents.
Who is in it? Ellen Page, Michael Cera, Jennifer Garner, Jason Bateman
The critics say: "It is charming, honest and terrifically acted." USA Today
"A blithe charmer balanced somewhere between a life-should-be-so-neat fairy tale and a life's-a-real-bitch tragicomedy." Entertainment Weekly
Awards and nominations: Juno was named on the year's top films by the National Board of Review, and the comedy was nominated for a Critics Choice Award and a Golden Globe. It is also in the running at the Producers Guild of America Awards and the Independent Spirit Awards.
MICHAEL CLAYTON
What is it about? As a 'fixer' for a corporate law firm, Michael Clayton's job is to make the truth fit his company's requirements, and takes care of their dirtiest work. But when their top - and guilt-ridden - lawyer loses it, Clayton faces the biggest challenge of his career and his life.
Who is in it? George Clooney, Tom Wilkinson, Tilda Swinton
The critics say: "It's such a crackling and mature and accomplished movie that it just about restores your faith." Entertainment Weekly
"A dark, engaging drama that asks some difficult moral questions." Channel 4 Film
Awards and nominations: Michael Clayton is yet to win any of the big awards this season, but was nominated at the Critics Choice Awards, Golden Globes, Producers Guild of America, and was named one of the National Board of Review's top 10 films.
THERE WILL BE BLOOD
What is it about? When ambitious Texas prospector Daniel Plainview gets a mysterious tip-off about a town oozing with oil, he heads there with his son to take their chances in this turn-of-the-century tale of greed and religion.
Who is in it? Daniel Day Lewis, Mary Elizabeth Barrett, Paul Dano, Dillon Freasier
The critics say: "The film is above all a consummate work of art." New York Times
"For bleakness, the movie can't be beat - nor for brilliance." Entertainment Weekly
Awards and nominations: There Will Be Blood took top honours from the National Society of Film Critics. It was nominated at the Critics Choice Awards, Golden Globes and is up for awards from the Baftas and the Producers Guild of America.
The graph is based on the nominees and winners of the following awards: National Board of Review, National Society of Film Critics' Awards, Critics Choice Awards and Golden Globes. It also includes the nominees for the following awards, which have not yet announced their winners: Producers Guild of America, Independent Sprit Awards, Baftas
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