Superheroes, Bond, hobbits vie for effects Oscar

(AP) James Bond, Snow White and a whole lot of hobbits and superheroes are in the running for the visual-effects prize at the Academy Awards.

The superhero blockbusters The Avengers, ''The Dark Knight Rises and The Amazing Spider-Man are among 10 films that made the cut for visual-effects nominations for the Oscars on Feb. 24.

The other seven contenders announced Thursday include the Bond adventure Skyfall, ''Snow White and the Huntsman, ''The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, ''Cloud Atlas, ''John Carter, ''Life of Pi and Prometheus.

Members of the academy's visual-effects branch will view 10-minute excerpts from each of the films on Jan. 3, and then pick five nominees for the Oscars.

Nominations for the 85th Oscars will be announced Jan. 10.

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Online:

http://www.oscars.org