Oscars & Globes news: odds & ends

Scratch "Rescue Dawn" off your 2006 derby list. It just got bumped to next February.

So did "Letters from Iwo Jima," and this time they mean it! Frankly, I think it's a dumb idea. Wasn't the whole point of making that movie to give us the flipside of the Yankee-viewed "Flags of Our Fathers"? Just imagine how nifty-cool it would be to view "Flags," then refill your popcorn box and head over to the other side of the cineplex to catch "Letters"! The simultaneous release would also boost "Flags'" Oscar chances because it would make its debut more of a cinematic event.

What's all this talk about Jessica Biel in "Home of the Brave"?! Calm down, y'all! Looks like she's going supporting, not lead.

"The Queen" will definitely compete at the Globes in the drama lineup, not comedy like some gossipmeisters are whispering.

However, the current plan to put "Venus" in comedy/musical could change. That's still being noodled.

Photo: Ken Watanabe stars in "Letters from Iwo Jima" (formerly "Red Sun, Black Sand"), also directed by Clint Eastwood.
(Warner Bros.)