If you work in animation, comedy or the action genre, the most prestigious awards are usually out of reach. When film historians in 2050 look back at this year, they'll be astounded to discover that the year's most deft portrait of an implacable artist ("Ratatouille"), the year's most thrilling example of pure cinema ("The Bourne Ultimatum") and the year's most original and influential comedy ("Knocked Up") were all ignored as best picture entries.

That said, it's time for my annual early betting line on the top best picture candidates. The predictions are largely based on interviews with Oscar watchers far more knowledgeable than myself. (The odds are to win):

Favorites

"Sweeney Todd." 7-1. Amazingly, Tim Burton has never won an Oscar. That could change this year. With Stephen Sondheim's acclaimed musical serving as rich source material, Burton has finally found a meaty match for his gothic imagination. Full of spectacle, the film has a stellar pedigree, strong commercial prospects and loads of admirable craft, all of which should propel it to multiple Oscar nominations. Detractors fret over the film's gore, but considering how many people were shot in the head in "The Departed," last year's winner, I'm guessing Oscar voters aren't as squeamish as we might think.

"Atonement." 8-1. A lush, atmospheric period drama based on an acclaimed Ian McEwan novel, this Joe Wright-directed film is full of accomplished performances and the kind of themes -- romance, betrayal and forgiveness -- the academy has always embraced. It's already been a big favorite at early screenings. Though not as groundbreaking as the other leading contenders, the film is packed with ingredients Oscar voters especially adore, notably period costumes, posh British country homes and a strong literary pedigree. The only question is whether voters will like the cake as much as the recipe.

"No Country For Old Men." 9-1. Also long ignored by the academy -- they've been nominated for best director only once, for "Fargo" -- the Coen brothers look like old masters this time around, delivering an unsettling suspense tale that marries the cool-noir intensity of their best work with the chilly grandeur of novelist Cormac McCarthy's singular story about America's embrace of revenge and violence. With riveting performances and sly Coen-ish wit, this will be there for the long haul, though its lack of sentiment may spook enough voters to deny it the big prize.

Contenders

"Michael Clayton." 12-1. A grown-up movie with academy favorite George Clooney in the lead, this taut suspense tale should get a lift from voters who see it as the kind of movies studios should make more often. Oscar voters rarely reward flops, which is why none of the Iraq war movies are in the race anymore. But "Clayton" has enough style and showy acting to overcome a lackluster box office .

"Juno." 14-1. If there is a "Little Miss Sunshine" slot for exuberant comedies, this is easily the leading candidate, especially since it's a movie that plays well on DVD, meaning voters might take the time to watch it over the holidays.

"There Will Be Blood." 15-1. Beloved by critics, this intense Paul Thomas Anderson drama has vivid performances, formidable filmmaking and a sense of historical sweep that might help it overcome some very dark, disturbing (and yes, bloody) set pieces.

"American Gangster" 18-1. This Ridley Scott crime drama has one big thing going for it, being the only proven hit among the top entries. Its big drawback is that it has few passionate supporters and arrives a year after "The Departed," a similar gangster story, won best picture. It's unlikely lightning will strike twice.

Long shots

"The Diving Bell and the Butterfly." 25-1. It got money reviews, but it's hard to imagine enough voters will watch this striking tale of a French magazine editor who is left in a life-altered state after a massive stroke. No film in a foreign language has ever won best picture, so odds for a victory are slim.

"The Kite Runner." 26-1. Though it has a compelling story, this adaptation of a popular novel got mixed reviews, has modest box-office potential and has the same foreign-language hurdle as "Diving Bell."

"Into the Wild." 30-1. This Sean Penn-written and -directed adaptation was an early favorite that's been hurt by a mediocre box-office reception and an older academy audience who seem to find the film's hero more foolhardy than footloose.

"The Great Debaters." 35-1. It has a remarkable real-life story and the presence of Denzel Washington (as both actor and director), but it probably comes too late in the season to break into the top tier of contenders.

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For the record: Previously listed that Burton had never been nominated for an Oscar. However, Burton was nominated for "Corpse Bride."

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"The Big Picture" runs each Tuesday in Calendar. Email questions or criticism to patrick.goldstein@latimes.com.