The 79th annual Academy Awards will be handed out once again on February 25th and early indications show that they are bound to be as predictable as ever. Despite some strong and compelling nominations, the majority of those in line for the top prize fall comfortably into the Academyí¢â‚¬â„¢s notorious history of playing it safe. The Best Picture Oscar is the top honor that any film can receive, holding more prestige than any other award in the industry. It is an award that can propel the winning film into a new dimension: increasing its ticket sales, amplifying the amount of DVD revenue and securing it a place in the annuls of film history. It allows directors and stars to call their own shots, demand multi million dollar salaries and gain creative control in Hollywood. However, since 9/11, a more conservative Oscar ceremony has emerged, one that is less about rewarding the art of cinema and more about expensive promotional campaigns and popularity within the industry.