Intertops.com Offers Odds on Top Movie Pick

ST. JOHN'S, Antigua – (PRESS RELEASE) -- 2005 looks to be a great year for moviegoers -- full of excitement, explosions and amazing characters - - the stuff that blockbusters are made of. But who will top the office takings? Batman Begins, according to internet bookmaker Intertops.com.

Batman Begins at 5/4, with Christian Bale spreading his wings as Batman in this dark journey into the legend of the man masked crusader. The movie is predicted to gross at least $70 million on the opening weekend. However, he could be shot down by the Spielberg/Cruise collaboration, the remake of H.G. Wells' War of the Worlds (3/1), which will open on July 4. The subject matter will certainly give Batman a run for his money, portraying an American family against a group of merciless aliens who are intent on destroying mankind.

These are closely followed by 4 super heroes, a Lion, a Witch, a Wardrobe, a large ape and an eccentric chocolate maker -- now, if they all go into battle, it could be very messy. We can guess that Johnny Depp, as Willy Wonka (10/1), covered in chocolate and held in bondage would be a favorite with the ladies!

From the phantasmagorical, we enter the realms of the mortal and the long shots! Mr. and Mrs. Smith (Pitt and Jolie) looking very ordinary and about as boring as their relationship at 40/1 -- even with Brad in the leading role. The real life story of depression era fighter Jim Braddock, played by Russell Crow, looks set to depress everyone at 80/1, but who knows that fighting spirit could be relived to make customers of Intertops.com and the film's makers very happy ... but is that just something you see in the movies?

"At Intertops.com we love the movies and so do our customers. We have always had a large amount of action on box office bets," said Intertops.com Chief Operations Officer Michael Maerz. "2005 will be a great year for blockbusters, and whoever wins, we will enjoy watching the movies as much as we enjoy predicting the results."

"At least our customers will not have to queue to bet on their favorite when they come to Intertops.com!" he added.