Last years winner was The Golden Compass

As well as announcing Hugh Jackman as the new host for next February’s Oscars, the Academy have revealed the 15 movies in the running for the 2008 visual effects Oscar.

Here is the list in alphabetical order:
Australia
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
Cloverfield
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
The Dark Knight
The Day the Earth Stood Still
Hancock
Hellboy II: The Golden Army
The Incredible Hulk
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Iron Man
Journey to the Center of the Earth
The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor
Quantum of Solace
The Spiderwick Chronicles

This award is probably the one people care about the most, seeing as though this category contains movies people actually see.

In early January the list will be narrowed down to 7, then on January 15th members of the visual effects branch will watch excerpts from the movies, and the list will be narrowed down to 3.

Which movie do you think deserves the Oscar?

The BBC is reporting that Members of the Russian Communist party have called for the new Indiana Jones film to be banned in the county because they say it distorts history.

Moscow Communist official Andrei Andreyev said:

“It is very disturbing if talented directors want to provoke a new Cold War.”

Steven Spielberg starting a new Cold War!? I think someone is over-reacting just a tad!

He said many Russian cinemagoers were teenagers who would be “completely unaware of what happened in 1957″, when the film is set.

“They will go to the cinema and will be sure that in 1957 we made trouble for the United States and almost started a nuclear war.

“It’s rubbish… In 1957 the communists did not run with crystal skulls throughout the US.”

I can remember when Iran got their panties in a bunch when 300 was released last year. Some people just need to remember that they are watching a movie. They are not making factual documentaries, they are making entertainment.

In a new interview, George Lucas said that “it’s more than a strong possibility there will be a fifth Indiana Jones,” [and] says that “he and director Steven Spielberg have left the door open for a sequel to Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.”

Interesting! What would Indy & Co. be up to this fifth time around?

“I haven’t even told Steven or Harrison this,” Lucas said. “But I have an idea to make Shia [LaBeouf] the lead character next time and have Harrison [Ford] come back like Sean Connery did in the last movie. I can see it working out.

“And it’s not like Harrison is even old,” he said, backpedaling fast. “I mean, he’s 65 and he did everything in this movie. The old chemistry is there, and it’s not like he’s an old man. He’s incredibly agile; he looks even better than he did 20 years ago, if you ask me.”

So it looks like young LaBeouf could be taking over for a generation of younger fans!

Is it just me, or does anyone else wish that they were Shia right now? Not only does he have Steven Spielberg in his back pocket, but now George Lucas, too! And, with Transformers 2 set to begin filming in June, he couldn’t be riding a higher wave!

Props, LaBeouf! Just make sure to start away from those convenient stores and everything will BE OKAY.

According to one analyst, upcoming Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull could pull in as much as $162-$172 MILLION over next week’s 5-day Memorial Day weekend opening! WOW.

Considering that there have been some not-so-nice reviews going around lately, this is some good news for Paramount!

But, then again, Speed Racer didn’t have the built in audience that Indiana Jones does. Anyone who suggests that Indy is going to bomb needs to have their head checked (or wipe the white powder off their nose). I mean, you all saw Revenge of the Sith, right? THAT still managed to make $380 mil domestic, so I’ve got faith in Steve & Co.

I’ll definitely be there.  That’s $11 right there!

The second and final trailer for Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull has appeared online.

Only 18 days to go!

Yahoo! has posted some new pics from the upcoming Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull movie.

Cate Blanchett looks FIERCE. But I’m not really digging Shia’s new hair!

I guess I’m going to have to watch the first three movies again soon! Gonna need a refresher come May!

If you want to see Cate Blanchett speaking with a Russian accent then you have come to the right place!

Yuh Vill Fiend it!