Django Unchained

What’s it about?
An angry slave who, having been released from his bonds by a chatty bounty hunter, goes into the business himself in the hope of reuniting with his pretty slave bride.

Why’s it nominated?
Because Quentin Tarantino’s films usually are, even when they’re not that good or – as in this case – punishingly overlong. Between Lincoln and this flamboyant western, recipient of five nominations, slavery seems weirdly in vogue.

What are its chances?
Tarantino’s endlessly quotable dialogue and larger than life characters mean Django has a good chance of winning the original screenplay gong. Christoph Waltz pipped his co-star Leonardo DiCaprio to a supporting actor nomination; having won that award for his work on Inglourious Basterds, though, it’s unlikely he’ll get another one for portraying another Quentin creation.