‘Benjamin Button’ considered an Oscar contender

Movie: "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"

When: Opens today at local theaters

Cast: Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, Tilda Swinton, Taraji P. Henson

Director: David Fincher

The story: The sometimes wonderful, sometimes tragic life of the title character, who's born old and gets younger with the passing years

The buzz: Considered a top Oscar contender, "Benjamin Button" already has collected two National Board of Review accolades: one for director Fincher, one for screenwriter Eric Roth ("Forrest Gump"). It's the third time around for Pitt and director Fincher, who previously collaborated on "Se7en" and "Fight Club." Pitt and Blanchett teamed in "Babel," while he and Swinton were in "Burn After Reading."

--By CAROL CLING