. . . the odds on favorite for the Best Picture Oscar. (currently -666 at Pinny)
And the big question, what do you think?
I definitely don't want to dump on it. It's good. I am torn between giving it a 7 or 8 out of 10 at imdb. It is interesting and creative and it has social conscience.
Best Picture though? Hmmm. It is currently ranked the #34 picture of all time at imdb. Really?
I found it very contrived. Distractingly contrived. The acting was just plain weak. It's not often I watch a big-time film and I'm thinking, "That's just the wrong emotion right there. What is that? That's not even close to what that character is going through." It pulled me right out of the film several times.
I don't know whether to blame the actors or the director.
But still, I am being overly critical because of all the extreme praise it has been getting through awards season. A 7.5 out of 10 is good coming from me.
As for wagering, in recent years, the Oscars have been one of those areas where laying the chalk has worked out pretty well. There have been exceptions like Alan Arkin for Little Miss Sunshine, but overall it has been a nice place for a chalk-sniffer to go.
But I think this is the year when we have real live dogs. Not just because of my personal taste but because I think I have some read on the collective psychology of academy voters, and I could see them going in a different direction and picking something that is more accomplished technically.
I am leaning towards betting the field against Slumdog. I haven't shopped around but it is currently +410 at Matchbook. I expect that better numbers will be available. I have no doubt that Slumdog should be the favorite at this point but not that much of a favorite.
And the big question, what do you think?
I definitely don't want to dump on it. It's good. I am torn between giving it a 7 or 8 out of 10 at imdb. It is interesting and creative and it has social conscience.
Best Picture though? Hmmm. It is currently ranked the #34 picture of all time at imdb. Really?
I found it very contrived. Distractingly contrived. The acting was just plain weak. It's not often I watch a big-time film and I'm thinking, "That's just the wrong emotion right there. What is that? That's not even close to what that character is going through." It pulled me right out of the film several times.
I don't know whether to blame the actors or the director.
But still, I am being overly critical because of all the extreme praise it has been getting through awards season. A 7.5 out of 10 is good coming from me.
As for wagering, in recent years, the Oscars have been one of those areas where laying the chalk has worked out pretty well. There have been exceptions like Alan Arkin for Little Miss Sunshine, but overall it has been a nice place for a chalk-sniffer to go.
But I think this is the year when we have real live dogs. Not just because of my personal taste but because I think I have some read on the collective psychology of academy voters, and I could see them going in a different direction and picking something that is more accomplished technically.
I am leaning towards betting the field against Slumdog. I haven't shopped around but it is currently +410 at Matchbook. I expect that better numbers will be available. I have no doubt that Slumdog should be the favorite at this point but not that much of a favorite.
