Bodog Beat

Tommy Lee Jones stars in “No Country for Old Men”. (Photo courtesy of Miramax Films)

One of the reasons the Coen Brothers are up for Best Picture Oscar again is because of their attention to detail. In the photo above, Tommy Lee Jones is about to walk into Room 114, a number that recurs in Cormac McCarthy’s novels and also portends evil according to the Bible.

The Coens, Joel and Ethan, are known for infusing poignant references in their films and “No Country for Old Men” isn’t any different in that respect from their previous work.

The brothers’ best chance of winning the top honor at the Academy Awards came in 1997 for “Fargo”, which lost out to “The English Patient”, the heavy favorite. This time, the Coens are getting the majority of the backing.

With the Oscars approaching on Feb. 24, “No Country for Old Men” holds down the position of betting favorite with Academy Awards Best Picture odds of 2/5. Based on the novel by McCarthy of the same name, "No Country for Old Men" follows the pursuit of a fugitive killer (Javier Bardem) by an old-school sheriff (Tommy Lee Jones).

“There Will Be Blood” is the second choice at 4/1 and sentimental favorite “Juno” is at 5/1. “Michael Clayton” (10/1) and “Atonement” (20/1) are considered long shots.

What film do you think will win? Bet on the Oscars!