Just in time to remind moviegoers that quality films are just around the corner, DreamWorks Studios released the first teaser trailer for Steven Spielberg's "War Horse."

Based on Michael Morpurgo's novel and the acclaimed stage production which was nominated for best play at the 2011 Tony Awards earlier this month, "War Horse" tells the story of Joey, a remarkable horse that affects the lives of numerous participants of WWI and his first owner, Alberg, a young man who hopes to reunite with him one day.

An expected awards season contender because of its pedigree, Spielberg's involvement, a war setting (sadly, always gets the Academy's attention) and a late Christmas release date, "War Horse" is the sort of serious period epic Spielberg hasn't undertaken since "Saving Private Ryan."  The new preview provides ample display of Spielberg's longtime cinematographer Janusz Kaminski's talents in filming the first "great war" and the beautiful horse Joey is before he hits the front lines.  The preview also provides a haunting image of Emily Watson teasing us at her role in the story. Niels Arestrup, best known to American audiences for his fantastic work in "A Prophet" and "The Diving Bell and The Butterfly," plays grandfather, the character speaking to the camera during the preview.  It's hard to tell much more than that from the teaser, but it certainly looks pretty.

What do you think of the new "War Horse" teaser?  Is Spielberg gunning for Oscar once more?