Oscar eye poppers

 

A double dose of Brendan Fraser? Few people over the age of 12 can lay claim to the dubious honor of sitting through both "Journey to the Center of the Earth" -- in 3-D! -- and "The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor" this year.

That's about to change. Well, in 15-minute increments.

Both those flicks and five more are in the running for the visual effects Oscar. Here's the list:

"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"

"The Dark Knight"

"Hellboy II: The Golden Army"

"Australia"

"Iron Man"

Voters will choose three of these movies, after watching 15-minute samples, to go on to the Oscars on Feb. 22.

Notably absent from this group is the boxoffice also-ran but visually beautiful sequel "Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian," and the head-spinning "Close Encounters"-ish "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull." What, no "Incredible Hulk"? Just relieved to see that vertigo-inducing "Cloverfield" didn't squeak through.

Go here for a look at how movies shot in stunning digital 3-D might trip up the Academy -- shades of the aborted "Benjamin Button" pre-release screening! -- and here for more nitty gritty.