Brokeback Mountain is the buzz film of the year – picking up 8 oscar nominations in all the major categories. Its also odds on to win Best Picture and Best Director – to the tune of an untouchable 1/20 and 1/13 respectively with online bookie bodog.comOscar betting is always the most interesting of all film/tv betting – since there's always one or two surprises and this year could be no exception. If you look hard, there's often value to be had amongst the second and third favourite, even if the favourite seems to be a shoe-in
Philip Seymour Hoffman, at 1/10 for best actor, is picking up most of the acting accolades this award season but if Brokeback makes a run on the awards this year, Heath Ledger could be the surprise 5/1 pick. However, Oscar's tendecy to prefer the more seasoned actor may still land Hoffman with the prize.
More interesting is the best actress. Its been a mixed season with Felicity Huffman and Reese Witherspoon sharing the honours at recent events – so Huffman's 2/1 is certainly more tempting than the odds on Witherspoon.
The supporting actors awards usually pulls up the unexpected and Paul Giamatti is definitely no certainty despite his 2/7 – although he could get the sympathy nod after being passed up on 'Sideways'.
Overall, it seems a fairly lucklustre Oscars this year. It was a poor year for outstanding movies and the inclusion of the uncompromising study of racism in 'Crash' in both the directing and best film categories along with Brokeback Mountain is definitely pushing the controversial bandwagon amongst the Hollywood faithful.