Critics and members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences are typically the driving force behind a movie’s chance for winning an Oscar. This year, however, politicians in Washington may play a large role due to the detours of the campaigns for Oscar contenders. The New York Times looks at how the senators on Capitol Hill have become involved in discussions about political movies like Lincoln, Zero Dark Thirty, and Argo, and have drawn filmmakers like Steven Spielberg to Washington for screenings with lawmakers.