The Ides of March, I personally feel is definetely an OSCAR contender.
Stephen (Ryan Gosling) is a young but experienced political staffer who is the number 2 at Governor Mike Morris (George Clooney) campaign for the Democratic nomination for President. The story of Passion, Loyalty, Deception, Integerity, Honesty and Infidelety.
George Clooney is the writer, director, producer and actor of The Ides of March and he manages to juggle all the balls to pull off an entertaining and successful film. This isn't his first foray - he has produced a number of films which have a political or ideological bent.
If one likes drama, especially a political drama, a mature film with a bit of edge, check out The Ides of March.