Visual Effects Race Narrows Further

Chris here, with a quick update on the visual effects Oscar race. Two weeks ago this year's longlist of twenty eligible CGI wonders dropped but the VFX branch is already down to the next bake off round, slicing those contenders in half. Those not tough enough to stick around included many of the early year releases (like Beauty and the Beast and Logan) and every superhero film with the exception of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.

But fear not, humble porg, for you and the fish nuns of The Last Jedi are still in the hunt. Here's the ten films that advance:

• Alien: Covenant
• Blade Runner 2049
• Dunkirk
• Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
• Kong: Skull Island
• Okja
• The Shape of Water
• Star Wars: The Last Jedi
• Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets
• War for the Planet of the Apes

Interesting to see smaller art house fare like Okja and The Shape of Water advance in a category that traditionally favors studio pictures. The win two years ago for Ex Machina (and to a much lesser extent last year's Deepwater Horizon nomination) suggests that supporting visual effects actually stand a chance against showier work. Along with the seemless, unflashy Dunkirk these make for curious potential nomination threats against the flashier sights of likely nominees Last Jedi and Apes. What five do you think are the eventual nominees?

Comments

[Raul]

The Shape of Water
The Last Jedi
Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets
Blade Runner 2049
War for the Planet of the Apes

[Jono]

Blade Runner 2049
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
The Shape of Water
Star Wars: The Last Jedi
War for the Planet of the Apes

[Edward L.]

I have a feeling Valerian might do quite well at the Oscars.

[Pablo]

Five nominees.

Blade Runner 2049
Dunkirk
The Shape of Water
Star Wars: The Last Jedi
War for the Planet of the Apes

[Tr]

Award should go to Blade Runner. They made an entirely CG landscape look completely tangible.

[AlexD]

My guesses would be Blade Runner, Dunkirk, Shape of Water, War Apes and Star Wars. But have a sneaking suspicion one of Okja or Valerian takes out one of the expected five.

Ideally both, Okja and Valerian should get in. Tremendous work in both movies.

[V.]

My bet is...

Blade Runner 2049
Dunkirk
The Shape of Water
Star Wars: The Last Jedi
War for the Planet of the Apes

[Conrado]

I really hope Okja and Valerian have a chance. Those are probably my one and two in this category. Both good movies with great effects.

[JHR]

I still can't believe that the Planet of the Apes series hasn't won for Visual Effects...and likely won't win again this year. I remember after seeing the first film just being in total awe of the visuals onscreen. It's a real shame that this series will probably walk away empty-handed from the Academy.

[Jaragon]

"Kong: Skull Island" had some amazing creature designs

[ScottC]

Blade Runner, Star Wars, Valerian (maybe as much a hope as a prediction) ... and then I really don't know, but I'd guess Apes and Dunkirk.

[caroline]

Would love for Okja to pull an Ex Machina. Just back from rewatching Star Wars and struck by how lifeless and boring its horse-alien creatures were. The pigs in Okja, on the other hand, made me damn cry.

[Glenn Dunks]

Come on OKJA! I'm surprised that the ALIEN movie has stuck around. They do like that franchise, though...

[Chris Feil]

Glenn - if it gets Michael Fassbender kissing Michael Fassbender on the telecast...

[Andrew Carden]

If there's a surprise nominee, I suspect it's VALERIAN.

[NATHANIEL R]

i know people had issues with GHOSTS IN THE SHELL but if awards are about merit within their category it's insanity that it's not on a 10 wide finalist list