In Contention has reported the Academy’s final modification of the Best Visual Effects category, which, in effect, leaves seven eligible titles for consideration. They are: Alice in Wonderland, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I, Hereafter, Inception, Iron Man 2, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, and TRON Legacy. The final five nominees will be selected in a “bake-off,” which “will feature a 15 minute screening of footage from each film, followed by a Q & A session.”
I’d expect Hereafter to end up with little support. Though the tsunami scene is worthy of consideration, I have a hard time believing that Academy members will want to recognize that film for its technological feats. Scott Pilgrim vs. the World currently looks like it will end up on the outside as well, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see it steal a spot from, say, Iron Man 2, which hasn’t been talked about in forever. (To be fair, Scott Pilgrim didn’t have much buzz either, but the Academy may decide to shake things up.)
Which film do you think is most deserving of the Oscar?