Why You Should See: 'Frost/Nixon'

We're breaking down all the Oscars contenders for you, so that you can decide whether you want to see them -- or at the very least, hold your own at cocktail parties. Today: 'Frost/Nixon,' Ron Howard's adaptation of the Tony-nominated play.

Nominated for: Best Picture, Best Director (Ron Howard), Best Actor (Frank Langella), Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Film Editing

What It's About: Three years after resigning the presidency, Richard Nixon (Langella) looks to restore his tarnished reputation via a series of interviews with British talk show host David Frost (Michael Sheen). Though at first Nixon dominates the conversation, Frost shocks the media world when he gets Nixon to confess to his guilt in the Watergate affair. Based on the Broadway play -- and real life.

Why You Should See It: We know what you're thinking. A movie about an interview? Yawn! But Ron Howard's deft adaptation of the play is riveting, thanks in large part to Langella, who's spectacular in reprising the role that won him a Tony award. Fighting for his legacy with the ferocity of a pit bull, Langella's Nixon snarls, he jokes, he parries, he outmaneuvers Frost like some brilliant evil mastermind. (Well, it is Nixon, after all.) Sheen, too, is extraordinarily good as the easygoing reporter whom everyone overestimates; and it's a genuine pleasure to watch these two men slug it out in a political David vs. Goliath match for the ages.

It's Kind of Like: 'All the President's Men' meets 'Rocky'

How You Can See It: In theaters now