'Journey,' 'Mummy' eligible for FX Oscar

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., Jan. 6 (UPI) -- Two action films starring Hollywood actor Brendan Fraser are among the seven movies in the running for the Visual Effects Oscar, it was announced Tuesday.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences said Fraser's "Journey to the Center of the Earth" and "The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor," as well as "Australia," "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," "The Dark Knight," "Hellboy II: The Golden Army" and "Iron Man" are eligible for nomination in the Visual Effects category.

Nominations for the 81st Academy Awards are to be announced Jan. 22 in the Academy's Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Los Angeles. Three films will be nominated in the Visual Effects category.

Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2008 are to be presented Feb. 22 at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center and televised live by the ABC Television Network.