Whatever value you place on the Oscars, it's still the biggest and most universally recognised awards ceremony in the movie industry. And as the 85th Academy Awards ceremony draws closer we're beginning to get a clearer picture as to what films will be in the running for gongs on February 24th 2013.
The latest category to have the films up for contention announced is Visual Effects, and here are the ten films shortlisted to have their ten minute excerpts presented to academy voters as they attempt to reduce the list to five:
The Amazing Spider-Man
Cloud Atlas
The Dark Knight Rises
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
John Carter
Life of Pi
Marvel's The Avengers
Prometheus
Skyfall
Snow White and the Huntsman
Whilst a few of those haven't been released in the UK as yet, the early footage for the likes of Life of Pi, Cloud Atlas and The Hobbit certainly showcase strong visual styles that will make them favourites to make the final five. John Carter deserves some recognition too. If The Amazing Spider-Man gets nominated after the CG monstrosity that was The Lizard, you'll be able to hear us laughing from whatever place you are on the planet.
The nominations are set to be revealed in January.
Follow our Twitter feed for faster news and bad jokes right here. And be our Facebook chum here.