Sofia Coppola for “Lost in Translation”
Also nominated for original screenplay
– Critic quote: “Coppola [who also wrote the screenplay] is a stealth dramatist: Instead of unfolding in precise pleats, her movies unfurl like bolts of silk.”–STEPHANIE ZACHAREK, SALON.COM
– Hidden gem: Coppola wrote the part of Bob Harris specifically for Bill Murray and says if he had not accepted the role, the movie would not have been filmed. She is the first female American to be nominated in the best director category.
– Other notable work: As a director, Coppola is known for “The Virgin Suicides.” While critics blasted her acting in “The Godfather III,” she also was the baby in the baptism from the first of the “The Godfather” trilogy.
– Extra nugget: Coppola also is a designer for her own fashion label, Milkfed.
Clint Eastwood for “Mystic River”
Best director for “Unforgiven” (1992); one additional nomination
– Critic quote: ” ‘Mystic River’ is classic Eastwood, classic noir. If there is still some doubt about whether this one-time macho star is actually a world-class moviemaker, ‘Mystic River’ should end the argument for good.”
–MICHAEL WILMINGTON, TRIBUNE
– Hidden gem: Eastwood is notoriously fast-paced on a movie set, choosing to do just the fewest takes necessary. He finished filming ahead of schedule.
– Other notable work: As the director of 24 films, his notable work includes “The Bridges of Madison County” and “Unforgiven,” which won best picture and best director in 1992.
– Extra nugget: His first spin as a director was on 1971’s “Play Misty for Me.”
Peter Jackson for “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King”
Three previous nominations
– Critic quote: “Jackson brings an intensity to the battle of good and evil that makes the stiff, well-mannered drones of George Lucas’ ‘Star Wars’ epics look like stick figures in a bad, Japanese-made Saturday-morning cartoon.”–DAVID EDELSTEIN, SLATE
– Hidden gem: Jackson’s children appear twice in the film–in Gondor, when the horsemen leave the city, and in Sam’s wedding.
– Other notable work: Besides the first two installments of “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, Jackson directed “The Frighteners” and “Heavenly Creatures.”
– Extra nugget: Jackson credits his favorite movie, the 1933 version of “King Kong,” to his early love of filmmaking. His next project is to direct a remake of “Kong.”
Fernando Meirelles for “City of God”
First nomination
– Critic quote: “In a film of battering audacity, no shock hits harder than the way that director Fernando Meirelles–remember the name, he’s that good–choreographs murder to a dance beat, an exuberant form of kiddie recreation.”–PETER TRAVERS, ROLLING STONE
– Hidden gem: Most of those who appear in the movie had never done any acting. They live in Brazil.
– Other notable work: Directed “Maids” and is now directing “The Constant Gardener.”
– Extra nugget: Like a number of accomplished directors, Meirelles began his career directing TV commercials.
Peter Weir for “Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World”
Four previous nominations
– Critic quote: “From the start, Weir and his superb technicians never let the audience forget that these vessels are massive pieces of wood, creaky and lumbering, needing every one of the ‘197 souls’ on board to keep them afloat.”–SCOTT TOBIAS, THE ONION A.V. CLUB
– Hidden gem: Weir’s crew was the first to shoot a theatrical film on the Galapagos Islands.
– Other notable work: Weir directed “The Truman Show,” “Dead Poets Society” and “Witness.”
– Extra nugget: Weir studied art and law at Australia’s Sydney University before going into TV work.
