Social agendas command attention from Academy

Movies with political and social issues dominated Hollywood in 2005.
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Western fans can rejoice once more. A tale of cowboys on the range is back in the saddle as lead contender for the upcoming Academy Awards nominations.
Of course, "Brokeback Mountain" is not your father's Western, not John Wayne riding through all those John Ford epics, not even Clint Eastwood striding with anti-hero bloodlust in "Unforgiven."
Set in more contemporary times, "Brokeback Mountain" is the story of two men who have a romantic fling as young sheepherders, then find their summer of love blossoming into a lifelong passion they conceal from their wives.
As the film gradually expanded into wide release, it has packed theaters in both liberal-leaning urban areas and the conservative heartland.
"Once people saw the film, they understood that it was a film about a kind of epic greatness that can exist in anyone, anywhere, no matter who they are, no matter what their sexual orientation or class or historical circumstances," said "Brokeback Mountain" producer James Schamus.
Other films
"Brokeback Mountain" is part of a wave of films that marked 2005 as a year of Hollywood activism on political and social issues.
Joining "Brokeback Mountain" in the hunt for Oscar nominations Tuesday: the oil-industry thriller "Syriana," an indictment of American thirst for Middle East petroleum at any cost; "The Constant Gardener," a story of love, intrigue and murder amid corruption by governments and pharmaceutical companies in Africa; "Munich," which uses the 1972 massacre of Israeli athletes at the Olympics and its aftermath to examine the cycle of bloodshed in the Middle East; "Transamerica," a comic drama about sexual identity and acceptance centered on a man preparing for a sex change; and "Good Night, and Good Luck," a tale of personal freedom vs. fear-mongering told through the 1950s clash between newsman Edward R. Murrow and Sen. Joseph McCarthy.
Along with all the celebrity backslapping come Oscar night March 5, will any good emerge from these films packing messages?
Barriers
"I think American culture is closely allied with American political progress, and a film like 'Brokeback' will absolutely kick down barriers and open up people's hearts and minds," said playwright Tony Kushner ("Angels in America"), a potential screenplay nominee for co-writing "Munich."
"I think a lot of people who are afraid of gay relationships will go and see it, and they see a relationship that whether you're gay or straight is immensely recognizable. It's great for us, and I'm thrilled."
"Brokeback Mountain" has dominated earlier Hollywood honors, earning best dramatic film and three other prizes at the Golden Globes and winning top awards from key critics groups.
The film is positioned to become the first gay-theme movie to win the best-picture Oscar, while "Brokeback Mountain" filmmaker Ang Lee is a front-runner for best director.
As one of the cowboys in love in "Brokeback Mountain," Heath Ledger has a virtual lock on a best-actor nomination, though he faces serious competition from Philip Seymour Hoffman, who won the Golden Globe for lead actor in a drama as author Truman Capote in "Capote."
For her gender-bending role in "Transamerica," which earned her the dramatic actress prize at the Globes, Felicity Huffman is considered the favorite to win best actress.
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