The Vegas Odds Couple: ‘JFK,’ ‘Bugsy’ : Movies: Nevada’s top film oddsmaker say Oliver Stone’s controversial opus and Barry Levinson’s biographical work are the favorites to be nominated for best picture.

Oliver Stone’s controversial assassination movie “JFK” and Barry Levinson’s biographical film “Bugsy,” about the mobster who built Las Vegas’ Flamingo Hotel, are the odds-on favorites to be nominated for the best picture Oscar, according to veteran Nevada oddsmaker Lenny Del Genio.

Both films are considered “even money” to win nominations. Also favored for nominations: “The Silence of the Lambs” with 6 to 5 odds; “The Prince of Tides,” 3 to 1; and “Beauty and the Beast,” 5 to 1. The dark horse: “Fried Green Tomatoes.”

The Oscar odds are scheduled to be made public today by Bally’s Casino Resort in Las Vegas.

Del Genio, who last year predicted 20 of the 30 major nominees and four of the six major-category winners, is considered the Nevada gaming capital’s “unofficial Oscar oddsmaker.” He has been issuing odds for 10 years, but they are for entertainment purposes only, as Nevada sports books cannot legally accept wagers on them.

Nevertheless, Del Genio’s odds annually receive wide attention in the press, partially because they have proven to be accurate.

Oscar nominations will be announced on Feb. 19 by the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences. Winner will be named on March 30.

In odds-making parlance, even money is considered the most likely, while the bigger the spread of numbers, the lesser is the chance.

Del Genio said he considers Oscar odds much like making odds on sports events. He takes into consideration what film industry sources are saying, plus critics’ awards and what he reads. “I’ve found that I do a better job when I don’t see the movies,” he said.

His other Oscar nomination odds:

* Actor: Nick Nolte for “Prince of Tides,” Anthony Hopkins for “Silence of the Lambs” and Warren Beatty for “Bugsy” are given even money for nominations. Billy Crystal for “City Slickers” is 6 to 5 and Robert De Niro for “Cape Fear” is 3 to 1. Dark horse: Kevin Costner for “JFK.”

* Actress: Jodie Foster is even money for “Silence of the Lambs.” Laura Dern for “Rambling Rose” is considered next most likely, at 6 to 5. Then: Michelle Pfeiffer for “Frankie & Johnny,” 3 to 1; Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon for “Thelma & Louise,” both 5 to 1; and Annette Benning for “Bugsy,” 10 to 1. Dark horse: Bette Midler, “For the Boys.”

* Supporting actor: Michael Lerner for “Barton Fink” is even money; Jack Palance for “City Slickers” is 6 to 5; Ben Kingsley for “Bugsy” is 3 to 1; Harvey Keitel for “Bugsy,” is 5 to 1; Ned Beatty for “Hear My Song” is 10 to 1. Dark horse: John Lithgow, “At Play in the Fields of the Lord.”

* Supporting actress: Diane Ladd for “Rambling Rose” and Juliette Lewis for “Cape Fear,” even money; Mercedes Ruehl, “The Fisher King,” 6 to 5; Jessica Tandy, “Fried Green Tomatoes,” 3 to 1; and Nicole Kidman, “Billy Bathgate,” 5 to 1. Dark horse: Kathy Bates, “Fried Green Tomatoes.”

* Director: Jonathan Demme is favored with even money odds for “Silence of the Lambs,” while Stone, for “JFK,” is next at 6 to 5. Others: Barbra Streisand, “Prince of Tides,” 3 to 1; Levinson for “Bugsy,” 5 to 1; Terry Gilliam, “Fisher King,” 10 to 1. Dark horse: Joel Coen for “Barton Fink.”