The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences today announced the 15 films that have been selected for consideration for Achievement in Visual Effects for the 84th Academy Awards.

In early January members of the Academy’s Visual Effects Branch Executive Committee will narrow the list down to 10, and then on January 19th the 5 official nominations will be selected after members view 10-minute excerpts from each film.

Here’s the list of films in alphabetical order:

“Captain America: The First Avenger”
“Cowboys & Aliens”
“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2″
“Hugo”
“Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol”
“Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides”
“Real Steel”
“Rise of the Planet of the Apes”
“Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows”
“Sucker Punch”
“Super 8″
“Thor”
“Transformers: Dark of the Moon”
“The Tree of Life”
“X-Men: First Class”

The 84th Academy Awards nominations will be announced live on Tuesday, January 24, 2012. Billy Crystal will host the actual ceremony on Sunday, February 26, 2012.

Which movies do you think should get a VFX nod?

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SHH got their hands on a new batch of high-resolution images from The Avengers which feature Thor (with longer hair), Captain America (in his new costume), Tony Stark, Black Widow (with shorter hair), Nick Fury and Loki.

You can check the rest out by clicking here. Hopefully we get to see these images in motion in the form of a trailer soon.

The Avengers, directed by Joss Whedon, will star Robert Downey Jr. (Iron Man), Mark Ruffalo (The Hulk), Scarlett Johansson (Black Widow), Samuel L. Jackson (Nick Fury), Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Chris Evans (Captain America), Clark Gregg (Agent Coulson), Jeremy Renner (Hawkeye) and will be released May 4th, 2012.

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76 superhero movies have been mentioned one way or another over the course of our ‘Superheroes at the box office’ feature. The conclusion is here, with the last 8 superhero flicks that have been released on the big screen in the last 33 years. To get an idea just how much this sub-genre has grown over the years, just in 2011 we’ve had no less then six entries. Masked (or not) crusaders, vigilantes fighting for a cause, be it good or bad, for one last time, after the break.

We start with Iron Man 2, the sequel to the 2008 hit with the same name (minus the 2) and part of The Avengers. People expected something at least as good as the original so disappointment was high on its toes, lurking right around the corner. Unfortunately, while a fun movie, Iron Man 2 failed to match the sheer awesomeness of the first one. Despite less favorable critical and fan reception, Iron Man 2 manage to gross a mighty $312.4 million in North America, just shy of the $318.4 million made by Iron Man. Worldwide things were looking better with $623.9 million for the sequel versus $585.1 million for the original. Right now Iron Man 3 is expected to open in May 2013, but with Shane Black directing instead of Jon Favreau.

Continuing 2010, Megamind follows in November. You know how there are always trends in Hollywood, like one year we might get a bunch of penguin movies or maybe animated fish movies, you know what I mean. Well 2010 was the year of villains with a kind heart, misunderstood if you will. First it was Despicable Me, a story where one villain fights to regain the title of best super-villain in the world. The reason I’ve not included Despicable Me here is simple, there are no superheroes in that movie and Gru isn’t fighting to save the world or a city, he just wants the respect of his mother. Now Megamind, the titular character in the movie with the same name, is much more then just a villain or super-villain. Now I’m not going to spoil anything for you guys but let me just say that this movie has at least one superhero in it. Megamind grossed $148.4 million in North America and $321.8 million worldwide. Having cost $130 million to make, DreamWorks more then likely didn’t lose money on it but don’t expect a sequel out of this one.

And we are finally in 2011 and The Green Hornet is our starting point. This 75 year old hero sure took his time trying to get to the big screen. Starring Seth Rogen, Cameron Diaz and Jay Chou (playing Kato, a role Bruce Lee had in the original 1966 TV series). The Green Hornet almost made $100 million in North America and $227.8 million worldwide. Unfortunately for this fun yet flawed movie, that gross probably won’t be enough for Sony to green light a sequel since it cost $120 million to make..

A movie probably not many heard about is Super and yes, it came out this year, specifically on April 1st, a fitting release date some could say. Now this is a hard R, very independent superhero movie that I would only recommend to the most hardcore, probably those that liked Kick-Ass but also thought that it didn’t go as far as it could have. Let me just say this, Super is insane, if you don’t believe me just watch it and you’ll agree with me afterwards. Again, be warned, it makes Kick-Ass look like a PG-13 movie (so keep the kiddies away). Obviously, this is as far away from commercial as you can get and it only got a limited release in theaters. With that in mind, the $0.3 million it made in North America is not as surprising.

Next up is another movie leading up to The Avengers, Thor, directed by Kenneth Branagh. This was probably the hardest avenger to bring to the big screen so a lot of people expected it to fail, well Thor didn’t, quite the contrary. First of all, it was actually a good movie and while it had its flaws, Thor managed to deliver the goods in the end. It is right now the highest grossing superhero movie of the year with $181 million in North America and $448.5 million worldwide. The adventures of the God of Thunder will continue in The Avengers next year and in July 2013 in Thor 2.

X-Men: First Class opened a month later and it is the second X-Men spin-off, following the success of X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Unlike that movie, First Class was very well received by both fans and critics alike, a return to the quality standard set by the first two X-Men movies. If only box office results would have been as impressive as the reviews. With a production cost of $160 million, X-Men: First Class only made $146.3 million in North America and $352.5 million worldwide. A sequel could happen but it will come down to DVD and Blu-Ray sales. So if you guys want a First Class 2, go out and buy as many copies of X-Men: First Class as you can, I know I will.

Two weeks later Warner gave us Green Lantern, the long anticipated Ryan Reynolds (starring) and Martin Campbell (directed) DC Comics superhero. They had the money ($200 million no less), they had time, talent, you name it, yet something happened along the line, something big enough to turn Green Lantern into a bust. When I say bust, I don’t mean only in regard to box office success, it just wasn’t a particularly good movie, ok, maybe not as bad as people give it credit. Having grossed $116.4 million in North America and $219.7 million worldwide (barely matching the production budget, let alone doubling it), one would think this series was gone yet Warner are actually still talking about a sequel, strange times we live in.

And now we are up to the last superhero movie, Captain America: The First Avenger. Like the title suggests, this is another avenger movie, the last avenger movie, a fitting spot since he was also the first avenger in the comics. Anyway, Captain was a very long time coming and now that it’s finally here I must say, me like it, me like it very much. They made it a period piece and we got a great take on the origin story of Captain America. It wasn’t campy and at the same time not too serious since it is after all, a superhero movie. With a gross of $173.4 milion in North America and $348.4 million worldwide (and still counting) Captain America, just like Thor and Iron Man, will return next year in The Avengers. The only thing that bothers me about this movie is the way it ends, there’s not a lot of place to make a sequel similar to it and I’d really like a second Captain America set in World War II.

After celebrating superhero movies of the past, it’s time to take a brief look into the future and let me tell you this, there’s never been a better time for fans of this sub-genre. Next year Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance is coming to haunt us. A few months later, the ultimate superhero mash-up, The Avengers, will be set to generate plenty of nerdgasms. Then there’s The Amazing Spider-Man and The Dark Knight Rises, both in July. Tony Stark is back in Iron Man 3 in 2013 and Man of Steel should mark the return of Superman that same year. As mentioned above, 2013 also has Thor 2 and probably The Wolverine. Now these are just some of the bigger titles, there’s a lot more coming and who knows, maybe in a year or two you might read an 11th part of Superheroes at the box office, until then, keep superheroes alive and, just for kicks, list your favorite hero of all time in the comments. I was a Batman dude for a long time but once I discovered Spider-Man, I never went back.

Read similar posts to Superheroes at the box office (Part 10) at Filmonic

Update: Amazon has now made Thor available to pre-order ready for its September 13th release:

- DVD
- Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo
- Three-Disc Combo: Blu-ray 3D / Blu-ray / DVD / Digital Copy

Marvel Studios and Paramount Pictures have announced the release date for Thor on DVD and Blu-ray will be September 13, 2011.

To date Kenneth Branagh’s effort has made $443 million at the worldwide box office which, combined with the positive reviews, makes it officially a success. Because of this success Marvel didn’t need to wait for the DVD and Blu-ray sales to decide whether or not to make a sequel, and they’ve now re-hired Don Payne to write the script for Thor 2.

Here are the DVD/Blu-ray details from IGN:

The Thor three-disc Ultimate Set includes the film on Blu-ray in high-definition 3D and high-definition 2D, as well as on standard-definition DVD with a digital copy. The two-disc Blu-ray/DVD combo pack includes a high-definition presentation of the film, plus a standard-definition presentation with a digital copy. Both sets come fully loaded with over 80 minutes of immersive bonus materials including an exclusive special feature that goes deeper into the Marvel Universe, a sneak peek into Marvel’s The Avengers, an unprecedented look inside the world of director Kenneth Branagh and much more.

In the film Thor, a powerful but arrogant and reckless warrior, is cast down to Earth by his father Odin (Anthony Hopkins) and forced to live among humans as punishment. Once here Thor meets a young scientist, Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), and learns what it takes to be a true hero when the most dangerous villain of his world (Loki, played by Tom Hiddleston) sends the darkest forces of Asgard to invade Earth.

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We are 6 months and 8 days into 2011 and after a very slow start the year finally picked up over the last 3 months with blockbusters like Rio, Fast Five, Thor, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, The Hangover Part II, Kung Fu Panda 2 or Transformers: Dark of the Moon. Unfortunately only 2 of those are not sequels and out of the bunch, they were the least successful (Thor and Rio). After the break we will take a look at the top 10 films in the first half of 2011 both in North America and worldwide.

Without further ado, here are the top 10 movies in North America so far:

1. The Hangover Part II  $248.9M
2. Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (3D)  $234.5M
3. Fast Five  $208.4M
4. Transformers: Dark of the Moon (3D)  $194M
5. Thor (3D)  $178M
6. Kung Fu Panda 2 (3D)  $157.5M
7. Bridesmaids  $154.3M
8. Rio (3D)  $140.6M
9. X-Men: First Class  $139.7M
10. Cars 2 (3D)  $126.3M

In a few days Transformers: Dark of the Moon will take the top spot away from The Hangover Part II and Bridesmaids should pass Kung Fu Panda 2. Next up, X-Men: First Class will pass Rio while Cars 2 should finish somewhere around Fast Five with $200 million.

Now before going worldwide I think we need to see the international numbers first:

1. Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (3D)  $774.7M
2. Fast Five  $389M
3. Kung Fu Panda 2 (3D)  $379.2M
4. Rio (3D)  $329.5M
5. The Hangover Part II  $300M
6. Thor (3D)  $261.7M
7. Transformers: Dark of the Moon (3D)  $259.9M
8. Black Swan  $220.8M
9. X-Men: First Class  $196.1M
10. The Green Hornet (3D)  $129M

Black Swan first debuted in January outside North America, that’s why it’s in here. As you can see, there are differences here with The Hangover Part II a lot lower on the list and 3D movies in general, ranked higher.

Finally a look at the worldwide box office so far:

1. Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (3D)  $1,009.2M
2. Fast Five  $597.4M
3. The Hangover Part II  $549M
4. Kung Fu Panda 2 (3D)  $536.9M
5. Rio (3D)  $470.2M
6. Transformers: Dark of the Moon (3D) $454.1M
7. Thor (3D)  $439.8M
8. X-Men: First Class  $336M
9. Rango  $242.6M
10. The Green Hornet (3D)  $227.8M

With Transformers in its first week and an impressive list of movies still to come, this top 10 should look radically different at the end of the year. Call me crazy but with Harry Potter only a week away and Transformers: Dark of the Moon doing amazing business internationally, 2011 might just become the first ever to have 3 movies with over $1 billion worldwide.

Right now my money is on Transformers: Dark of the Moon finishing on top in North America while Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides should keep the number 1 spot worldwide with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 a close second.

Still to come with potential to finish in either of the lists above: Zookeeper, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, Captain America: The First Avenger, Cowboys & Aliens, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, The Smurfs, Conan the Barbarian, Johnny English Reborn, Real Steel, The Rum Diary, Puss in Boots, Immortals, Happy Feet 2, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1, Hugo Cabret, New Year’s Eve, Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked, Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, The Adventures of Tin Tin: The Secret of the Unicorn, War Horse.

Read similar posts to 2011 at the box office: The numbers so far at Filmonic

It looks like Iron Man 3 won’t be the only Marvel movie on offer in 2013, as according to Deadline the studio is also aiming to release Thor 2 in the summer. Iron Man 3 will hit May 3, 2013 and Marvel have set the Thor sequel release date for July 26. Now they just need to find a new director.

Deadline states that director Kenneth Branagh, who helped the movie gross $437 million worldwide and earned positive reviews for his effort, won’t be returning. His decision not to direct the next film is apparently “mutual and amicable”, and Branagh “will likely be involved in some producing capacity”.

Chris Hemsworth will be back as Thor, and Natalie Portman has said she’s signed up for multiple films so there is a good chance she’ll be back as Jane Foster. The storyline for the sequel will probably be influenced by and follow on from the events of The Avengers, which is currently filming under the direction of Joss Whedon.

What do you want to see in the Thor sequel? And who should direct?

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While it might have disappointed in North America, Kung Fu Panda 2 is doing well just about everywhere else setting itself on track to pass the original Kung Fu Panda, at least internationally thanks in no small part to the more expensive 3D tickets. Some spots under, Pirates again while The Hangover Part II passed a certain original and obviously, a lot more after the break.

It was June 2008 when Kung Fu Panda was unleashed in theaters to awesome box office results, finishing with a hefty total of $631.7 million worldwide. No surprise that 3 years later we have Kung Fu Panda 2, a sequel with a lot to live up to. 3D was a major new addition that Dreamworks thought would propel Panda to new heights for the series. 26 days later and only $148 million in North America makes it look like they failed but, like with many movies now, international markets save the day once again. Kung Fu Panda 2 made another $58.2 million from 54 countries last weekend for a grand total of $288.2 million so far and $433 million worldwide. With still a few big markets left to open and only Cars 2 stealing audiences (starting this week), Kung Fu Panda 2 is poised to finish with over $600 million worldwide, more then enough to give DreamWorks and Paramount confidence in the already planned Kung Fu Panda 3.

Pirates, arrrrrgh, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, the Bloomless and Knightless 4th part in the absurdly popular Jerry Bruckheimer and Disney series, grossed another $26.3 million for a bloody gigantic $735.2 million internationally,. That is more then any in the series and second only to 3 other major releases, Lord of the Rings: Return of the King, Titanic and Avatar. The first one will be surpassed in a few days, second and third are out of reach. If we count the rather disappointing North American gross, we get a worldwide total of $956.7 million and that means a few things:

• this is only the 11th movie to ever pass $950 million;
• this is now the 3rd Pirates entry in the top 10 and the 5th Disney movie worldwide;
• just a week or so more and it will become the 8th movie to pass the billion mark;
• Johnny Deep is in 4 of the top 10 highest grossing movies ever worldwide;
• did I mention Pirates are insanely popular?

The Hangover Part II, some might say an average sequel to a great comedy. I would definitely agree with that statement, but this is all you need really, a good first movie and the rest can be mediocre because it will sell regardless. $22.4 million from 55 markets and $257.6 million so far. Worldwide The Hangover Part II is at $490.3 million, more then the $467.4 million of The Hangover, all done without the help of 3D inflated tickets, just a damn good first movie.

This is already longer then it should be so I will keep it real short from here on. X-Men: First Class made another $21 million for $164.6 million and a worldwide of $286.4 million. It passed the original X-Men internationally ($139 million). Green Lantern, number 1 in North America, opened in a few markets with $16 million and will expand in weeks to come. Super 8 is slowly growing with $12.1 million and $21.5 million so far internationally.

Other noteworthy movies:

• Fast Five is now at $591.9 million, 60th worldwide;
• Rio has $468.4 million, 99th worldwide;
• Thor is at $435.3 million, 118th worldwide;

Read similar posts to Panda takes top spot internationally at Filmonic

“In brightest day, in blackest night, No evil shall escape my sight, Let those who worship evil’s might, Beware my power …Green Lantern‘s light“, or so says Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern oath. Last weekend wasn’t particularly bright or dark but it did provide a decent opening for Green Lantern, more of that and others after the break.

Green Lantern took home $53.1 million, not bad by any stretch but a bit underwhelming considering just over a month ago Thor opened with $65.7 million, arguably a harder sell. I’m not going to deep with the superhero comparisons here because I will give this subject a lot more attention in the very near future, so I will leave it at this, Green Lantern, good opening, could have been better. On a side note, reception looks to be on the low end here so that might have had something to do with the final weekend number.

Next up Super 8 was steady with $21.4 million, down 39.4% and now at $73 million after 10 days. So far this is in line with District 9, the 2009 R-rated alien flick that made $72.8 million after 10 days and ultimately grossed $115.6 million. But the difference in age rating must be taken into consideration here and besides similar box office results thus far, there is not a lot they share (ok, maybe they do). I believe Super 8 will perform better in the end, finishing north of $120 million in North America.

Jim Carrey is back in 3rd place with his newest movie, Mr. Popper’s Penguins. Based on a popular children’s book this made $18.4 million over the weekend. So is this a good number or a not? Well looking back at the last two live-action Jim Carrey comedies that had a wide release, Penguins stacks pretty well. Fun with Dick and Jane opened in 2005 with 14.3 million and went on to make $110.3 million while Yes Man opened with $18.2 million and finished with $97.7 million. So all in all $18.4 million for Mr. Popper’s Penguins doesn’t seem bad since his family movies tend to have great legs. I’m estimating this one should finish somewhere between $75 and $90 million.

X-Men: First Class, ouch, 50.5% drop, I was hoping for better then that. $11.9 million and $120.3 million so far in 17 days. This is now $2.6 million behind the original X-Men from 2000 that went on to make $157.3 million. As it stands, X-Men: First Class will stop sooner, around $150 million unfortunately.

On the other hand, The Hangover Part II is starting to show better holds, down 43% with $10 million and $233.1 million after 25 days. Maybe $277.3 million (The Hangover) ain’t so far away after all.

So what else is happening outside the top 5, well Bridesmaids is now inches away from the Judd Apatow record, $136.4 million and it has to hit $148.8 to beat Knocked Up, Kung-Fu Panda 2 made $143.6 million (Panda 1 had $181 million by now), Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides is at 220.7 million in North America while Thor has $176.1 million, Fast Five $206.8 million and Rio $138.7 million.

Read similar posts to Green Lantern lights the box office (Jun. 17-19) at Filmonic

SuperHeroHype! recently spotted a promo poster for The Avengers at the Licensing International Expo in Las Vegas. The poster is only a drawing, but it does give us a preview of the team, and we get our first look at Jeremy Renner in his Hawkeye costume.

Check the poster out below: [Update: /Film got a clearer version]

The Avengers, directed by Joss Whedon, will star Robert Downey Jr. (Iron Man), Mark Ruffalo (The Hulk), Scarlett Johansson (Black Widow), Samuel L. Jackson (Nick Fury), Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Chris Evans (Captain America), Clark Gregg (Agent Coulson), Jeremy Renner (Hawkeye) and will be released May 4th, 2012.

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We’re nearly half way through 2011 and we’ve already had some great movies. Before we wander too deeply into the VFX and explosion-filled summer movie season I decided to make a list of the best movies of 2011 released so far, based on reviews from critics and movie fans.

Source Code

An action thriller centered on a soldier who wakes up in the body of an unknown man and discovers he’s part of a mission to find the bomber of a Chicago commuter train.

Rotten Tomatoes: 91% | Metacritic: 74 | Metacritic User: 7.7 | IMDB: 7.8

Bridesmaids

Picked as her best friend’s maid of honor, lovelorn and broke Annie looks to bluff her way through the expensive and bizarre rituals with an oddball group of bridesmaids.

Rotten Tomatoes: 89% | Metacritic: 75 | Metacritic User: 7.4 | IMDB: 7.7

Rango

Rango is an ordinary chameleon who accidentally winds up in the town of Dirt, a lawless outpost in the Wild West in desperate need of a new sheriff.

Rotten Tomatoes: 89% | Metacritic: 75 | Metacritic User: 7.3 | IMDB: 7.7

Jane Eyre

A mousy governess who softens the heart of her employer soon discovers that he’s hiding a terrible secret.

Rotten Tomatoes: 82% | Metacritic: 77 | Metacritic User: 7.2 | IMDB: 7.8

Cedar Rapids

Tim Lippe has no idea what he’s in for when he’s sent to Cedar Rapids, Iowa to represent his company at an annual insurance convention, where he soon finds himself under the “guidance” of three convention veterans.

Rotten Tomatoes: 84% | Metacritic: 70 | Metacritic User: 7.6 | IMDB: 7.1

X-Men: First Class

In 1962, Charles Xavier starts up a school and later a team, for humans with superhuman abilities. Among them is Erik Lensherr, his best friend… and future archenemy.

Rotten Tomatoes: 87% | Metacritic: 65 | Metacritic User: 7.7 | IMDB: 8.2

The Lincoln Laywer

A lawyer conducts business from the back of his Lincoln town car while representing a high-profile client in Beverly Hills

Rotten Tomatoes: 84% | Metacritic: 63 | Metacritic User: 7.3 | IMDB: 7.5

Fast Five

Dominic and his crew find themselves on the wrong side of the law once again as they try to switch lanes between a ruthless drug lord and a relentless federal agent.

Rotten Tomatoes: 79% | Metacritic: 67 | Metacritic User: 7.6 | IMDB: 7.8

Hanna

A 16-year-old who was raised by her father to be the perfect assassin is dispatched on a mission across Europe, tracked by a ruthless intelligence agent and her operatives.

Rotten Tomatoes: 72% | Metacritic: 65 | Metacritic User: 7.2 | IMDB: 7.5

Thor

The powerful but arrogant warrior Thor is cast out of the fantastic realm of Asgard and sent to live amongst humans on Earth, where he soon becomes one of their finest defenders.

Rotten Tomatoes: 78% | Metacritic: 58 | Metacritic User: 7.1 | IMDB: 7.5

Rio

When Blu, a domesticated macaw from small-town Minnesota, meets the fiercely independent Jewel, he takes off on an adventure to Rio de Janeiro with this bird of his dreams.

Rotten Tomatoes: 72% | Metacritic: 63 | Metacritic User: 7.1 | IMDB: 7.3

The Adjustment Bureau

The affair between a politician and a ballerina is affected by mysterious forces keeping the lovers apart.

Rotten Tomatoes: 71% | Metacritic: 60 | Metacritic User: 6.6 | IMDB: 7.1

Limitless

A writer discovers a top-secret drug which bestows him with super human abilities.

Rotten Tomatoes: 70% | Metacritic: 59 | Metacritic User: 7.2 | IMDB: 7.3

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