Will Oscar stiff women filmmakers, again?

Likely the most legitimate Oscar contender in this bunch, writer-director Tamara Jenkins follows up her cheery “Slums of Beverly Hills” with the deeply sad (yet oddly funny) “The Savages.” With outstanding performances from Laura Linney, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Philip Bosco, the film could be a genuine multi-category threat if it catches on with audiences. The 2008 Spirit Awards nominating committee cited Jenkins' directing and screenplay.