Oscar's Visual Effects Contenders

By Envelope Staff

The Academy has chosen a preliminary list of films that will compete for an Oscar in the visual effects category in this year's race. The 15 films on the short list will be cut to seven by the Academy's visual effects branch. The lucky seven will go on to compete at the annual visual effects bake-off and only three will go through to be nominated.

Last year, a bunch of salty sea dogs in "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest" took on the lord of the sea, or at least a large cruise liner in "Poseidon," not to mention Superman himself in "Superman Returns." Despite the daunting competition, "Pirates" won. With the oldest story ever told ('Beowulf', left), a boy magician, and 300 Spartans closing in, we'll see if Jack Sparrow and crew can hold off the competition again this year.