Bodog Beat

The 2009 Oscars are upon us. Will Slumdog Millionaire take home Best Picture? (Fox Searchlight Images)

The Oscar countdown is finally over – and Slumdog Millionaire looking poised to sweep the show. Although The Curious Case of Benjamin Button may be the top nominee heading into tonight’s 81st Academy Awards ceremony with a staggering 13 nods, we here at Bodog Beat are predicting it won't earn any of the top categories. We don't want to get in trouble with the Button fans here but well, we think it was a tad predictable, heavy-handed and sorely overrated. Button will probably take home an award or two, but probably for makeup.  Millionaire is the favorite to take home the Best Picture, Best Director and Best Original Screenplay prizes and we're thinking it will snag all three.

Meanwhile, will sixth time be a charm for Kate Winslet? Winslet is hoping to finally earn the prize she has lost out on for five years for her role in The Reader. Winslet has lost two supporting role Oscars, for Sense and Sensibility (1996) and Iris (2002), and Best Actress in Titanic (1998), Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2005) and Little Children (2007). Although tonight she faces-off against Meryl Streep's performance in Doubt, we're thinking tonight will be her night. For Best Actor, we're banking on Mickey Rourke will put the cherry atop his amazing comeback.

Hugh Jackman will host the 81st Academy Awards which airs at 8 p.m. Eastern Time tonight on ABC. Stay tuned to Bodog Beat for a run-down of the winners immediately following the show.