The Academy's 15 Movies Chosen for the Visual Effects Shortlist

Last years Visual Effects Oscar went to Avatar, but which film will take home the high tech golden statuette this year? This past week, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced (via indieWIRE) the fifteen films that they have selected as "semifinalists" for the category of Achievement in Visual Effects for the upcoming 83rd Academy Awards. If you remember, this past summer they increased the number of nominees in this category from three to five, so there are plenty to choose from this year. The fifteen movies considered are listed below, and as expected all of them except for a select few are very effects heavy flicks.

» Alice in Wonderland
» The Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader
» Clash of the Titans
» Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1
» Hereafter
» Inception
» Iron Man 2
» The Last Airbender
» Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief
» Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time
» Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
» Shutter Island
» The Sorcerer's Apprentice
» Tron Legacy
» Unstoppable

Come early January, these fifteen semifinalists will be narrowed down to list of just seven films. On January 20th, the members of the VFX branch of the Academy will screen 15-minute excerpts from each of the seven films. After these screenings the final five nominations will be announced on January 25th at 5:30AM (we'll definitely bring you coverage). The two big surprises to me are Shutter Island and Unstoppable. Two films that I see making it to the list of seven, but not necessarily the final five are Iron Man 2 and The Sorcerer's Apprentice, both of which have very well done effects, but will probably be edged out by the other five films.

Read More : http://www.firstshowing.net/2010/12/13/the-academys-15-movies-chosen-for-the-visual-effects-shortlist/