The Tree of Life

Terrence Malick is no stranger to the Oscars – he was previously nominated in 1999 for The Thin Red Line – and his latest, The Tree of Life, has been on awards-speculation short lists ever since the film's divisive premiere at Cannes. So it was no surprise when the Central Texas-shot film nabbed three nominations on Tuesday morning – for Best Picture, Malick for Best Director, and Emmanuel Lubezki for Best Cinematography. Slightly more improbable seeming? The Alamo Drafthouse – in a former life known simply as a purveyor of cult films and crazy times – is now in the Oscar race. Or rather, Bullhead is – the acclaimed Belgian film that Drafthouse Films, the Alamo's distribution arm, purchased after its Fantastic Fest 2011 screening. The Chronicle recently chatted with Bullhead director Michael R. Roskam and Drafthouse Films CEO Tim League; you can find the interview, as well as the full Oscar nominee list, on our blog at austinchronicle.com/pip.

The 84th Academy Awards air Sunday, Feb. 26, 8pm.