"Australia" looks like just the kind of sprawling, cinematic epic that Oscar voters have traditionally adored ("Out of Africa," "The English Patient"). Some Oscarologists say "no, " but "Atonement" got nommed last year, although its director Joe Wright was snubbed. Curiously, that's what happened to poor Baz Luhrmann the last time he teamed up with Nicole Kidman ("Moulin Rouge!").

(Fox Searchlight)