A Directors Who's Who

The small circle of men, and just one woman, who have won Oscars as Best Director comprise one of the most exclusive clubs in Hollywood. And this year, the competition to break into the club couldn't be stiffer. No film is yet a dominant front-runner, and it's generally agreed that the array of competing movies couldn't be stronger. Some directors are playing to  their strengths -- Kathryn Bigelow is again waging war, while Peter Jackson has returned to Middle Earth. And some, like Sam Mendes taking on a license to kill, have struck out in surprising new directions. With so many movies to watch and time running short -- Academy voting starts Dec. 17 -- here's a guide to what each filmmaker is bringing to the table.