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I Am Legend, 300 & Transformers Shortlisted for VFX Oscar

"Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" -- the sequel to last year's visual effects Oscar winner "Dead Man's Chest" -- made the shortlist for this year's Academy Awards VFX category, while "Spider-Man 3" -- the sequel to 2005 category winner "Spider-Man 2" -- did not.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences said that seven films remain in contention for achievement in visual effects for the 80th Annual Academy Awards, down from a list of 15 released last month. Surprising some, the seven are "The Bourne Ultimatum," "Evan Almighty," "The Golden Compass," "I Am Legend," "300," "Transformers" and the aforementioned "At World's End."

The article goes on to discuss the drive for innovative effects over glossy eye-candy.