Hubdub’s Hot Predictions this week, as decided by Hubdub users and staff, are selected based on their newsworthiness for the week. These stories are bound to be big news this week - and we have forecasts on how they’re likely to turn out.

Politics

One phrase epitomizes Barack Obama and his call to arms, ‘Yes We Can.’ Throughout the election he repeated it, but with election over will Obama seek to reuse ‘Yes We Can’ at the inauguration? Hubdub predicts the answer is no. By 54% Hubdubbers put their money on Obama not mentioning the phrase at all.

Presidential Inauguration: How many times will President Obama use the phrase “Yes We Can”?

World

Analysts believe Israel is not only sending a message to Hamas in Gaza but to Washington, and more specifically Barack Obama. It’s thought Israel wants to do as much damage to Hamas, before Obama comes to power. For now though, at least to Hubdubbers it’s unclear if the conflict in Gaza will even reach a cessation before Obama is inaugurated.

Will Israel cease fire in the current Gaza conflict before Obama is sworn in as President

Entertainment

Gran Torino killed at the box office  last weekend, making over $20 million dollars. Is their Oscar potential for Eastwood though? The movie was snubbed by the Golden Globes, but Hubdubbers see redemption in its  future, forecasting Clint Eastwood has a 67% chance of being nominated for best actor for his role in the movie.

Oscar Buzz: Will Clint Eastwood (Gran Torino) be nominated for Best Actor?

The Golden Globes accidentally posted a win for Anne Hathaway4 days early, so it seems likely she’s a safe bet for an Oscar nod. She does however, face the embarrassing release of Bride Wars at the same time that the Academy is trying to decide if she’s Best Actress material. Certainly not all publicity is good publicity.

Oscar Buzz: Will Anne Hathaway (Rachel Getting Married) be nominated for Best Actress?

Sports

The Philadelphia Eagles had a upset win over the Giants this Saturday, at least for this New York fan. Now as the Eagles head to the NFC Championship Game they’re no longer the underdogs at Hubdub. We’re forecasting they win against the Arizona Cardinals. Giving them a 68% chance of victory.

NFC Championship - Philadelphia Eagles @ Arizona Cardinals - Who will win?

Trading percentages given are at time of posting and may not match up with markets after the fact due to Hubdub users forecasting on said markets.

Hubdub Top 5 Academy Awards, Anne Hathaway, Arizona cardinals, barack obama, Bride Wars, ceasefire, clint eastwood, forecast, gaza, gaza city, gaza war, gran torino, hamas, inauguration, national footbal league, NFC Championship game, NFL, Oscars, palestine, Philadelphia Eagles, politics, rachel getting married, yes we can

The announcement of the 81st Oscar nominations are only a week and a half away, but after the flurry of award shows the past month, much of the mystery surrounding the awards is rapidly fading.  

Best Picture

Four films are near locks for best picture nominations (Slumdog, Benjamin Button, Frost/Nixon and Milk) The only real wild card in the race, the Dark Knight, is looking better and better for a spot in the final five — however, the nomination is unlikely to do it any good because Slumdog seems to be walking away with all the bling this awards season.

My Prediction:  Slumdog Millionaire, Benjamin Button, Frost/Nixon, Milk, Dark Knight

Best Actor

The real story in the Best Actor category is not who will win (Sean Penn) but who will be nominated. Although Sean Penn, Mickey Rourke and Frank Langella are all widely expected to be nominated,  the final two spots are being highly contested by three candidates:  Brad Pitt, Clint Eastwood and Leonardo Dicaprio. A month ago, I would have poured my money into Benjamin Button but although the movie is still receiving amazing press, Pitt’s role has largely been chalked up to amazing special effects and make-up. Sadly, I think he will find himself sitting in the cold this time around.

My Prediction:  Sean Penn, Mickey Rourke, Frank Langella, Clint Eastwood, Leonardo Dicaprio

Best Actress

Of the biggies, the Best Actress race is the most highly contested this year. Early favoite Meryl Streep has been steadily losing momentum through the awards season and now instead of an expected winner, there’s a good chance that  she may not even make the nominee shortlist.  Kate Winslet’s last flim with Leo, Titanic,  earned her a nomination although he was shut out. It would seem to be poetic justice should he be nominated this time around for Revolutionary Road and she not, but at the moment that seems more likely that they will both receive nominations.  I give this one to Anne Hathaway on sheer hutzpah. Anyone who has the audacity to release a stinker like Bride Wars during Academy ballot voting deserves some respect.

My prediction: Anne Hathaway, Kate Winslet, Kristen Scott Thomas,  Sally Hawkins, Meryl Streep 

Check back on the 22nd to see how I did with the nominees and place your bets on the final winners! Feel free to post your own predictions in the comments, but be sure to put your h$ where your mouth is on the linked market pages!

Uncategorized Academy Awards, Oscars

Hubdub’s Hot Predictions this week, as decided by Hubdub users and staff, are selected based on their newsworthiness for the week. These stories are bound to be big news this week - and we have forecasts on how they’re likely to turn out.

Politics

Damon Weaver a 5th grader may be small but he packs a punch after interviewing Caroline Kennedy and Joe Biden. Can he get to the top of the food chain though? Sadly Hubdub doubts Damon will get his Obama interview, only giving him a 21% chance.

Will the 5th grader, aspiring journalist get his Obama interview?

This week is shaping up to be a big one in the realm of politics. You have the Minnesota Senate race, the Roland Buris controversy and much more. The Richardson dropout due to a investigation though came to many as a surprise. Will he actually be indicted? It doesn’t look likely, Hubdub gives Richardson only a 31% chance of indictment.

Will a Federal Grand Jury indict Governor Bill Richardson before March 1, 2009?

World News

The Israeli operations in Gaza are in no way winding down, in fact from most reports it seems the incursion is widening. But with mounting international pressure and civilian casualties when will Israel withdraw? Hubdubbers think by Jan. 19th the ground operations will have ceased.

Israeli army begins the invasion of Gaza. When will they withdraw the forces ?

College Football

The Florida Gators have a strong and championship tested team, and for their hard work they’re the favorites. Having a 56% chance of winning this years BCS National Championship Game, at time of writing. Their opponents on the other hand the Oklahoma Sooners have had a troubled ride up to this point.

BCS National Championship Game - Oklahoma vs Florida - Which team will win?

The Oscars

WallE and The Dark Knight are vying for the last nomination spot for best picture. So far The Dark Knight seems to be the favorite, but many analysts think WallE may have the edge. Nominations are announced on Jan. 22nd, and for now Hubdub isn’t betting on WallE getting the nomination.

Oscar Buzz: Will WallE be nominated for Best Picture?

Trading percentages given are at time of posting and may not match up with markets after the fact due to Hubdub users forecasting on said markets.

Uncategorized Academy Awards, barack obama, bcs national championship game, Bill Richardson, college football, damon weaver, Florida Gators, forecast, gaza, hamas, indictment, israel, Oklahoma sooners, Oscars, walle, withdraw

Nominees for the Oscars are going to be announced on January 22nd, but the speculation has already been simmering for quite awhile now. Much of the speculation has surrounded Heath Ledger and possible nomination as a last hurrah for his brilliant but short lived career.

At Hubdub we’re forecasting Ledger will win an Oscar for his role as the Joker. At time of writing he stands a 65% chance of winning an Oscar. The Dark Knight has a 59% chance of being nominated for Best Picture at time of writing as well.

Will Heath Ledger win an Oscar in 2009 for his role as the Joker in Dark Knight?

Oscar Buzz: Will ‘Dark Knight’ be nominated for Best Picture?

Usually commercial successes at the box office don’t make waves at the Oscars. I myself doubt Ledger will win an Oscar. Although his acting was superb, it’s extremely rare for dead actors to receive awards and I can’t stop thinking that our Hubdub forecast may be users predicting with their hearts instead of their brains. I’ve put H$300 on Ledger not getting a Oscar, anyone with me?

More typical Oscar movies such as The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Milk and Slumdog Millionaire are poised to be nominated for Best Picture, with all three being given an above 80% chance of being nominated by Hubdubbers.

Stay tuned for a more in depth blog post from our resident entertainment category editor at Hubdub, Jenni, in the next week.

Uncategorized Academy Awards, Best Picture, forecast, Heath Ledger, Milk, oscar nominations, Oscars, predictions, Slumdog Millionaire, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, The Dark Knight