Hollywood, Calif. - After much debate between the heavy-hitter
Avatar and the small-budget
The Hurt Locker, the Academy voters have decided. At last night’s Oscars,
Avatar snagged statuettes for Best Art Direction, Cinematography, and Visual Effects. However,
The Hurt Locker nudged out the huge 3D stereo blockbuster for Best Picture and Best Directing.
Avatar—which used a novel filmmaking approach, with its expansive digital sets and digital actors—was nominated for nine categories, including: Art Direction, Cinematography, Directing, Film Editing, Music (Original Score), Best Picture, Sound Editing, Sound Mixing, and Visual Effects. Meanwhile,
The Hurt Locker—an independent movie about the American war—was competing for nine awards, as well: Actor in a Leading Role, Cinematography, Directing, Film Editing, Music (Original Score), Best Picture, Sound Editing, Sound Mixing, Writing (Original Screenplay). The film won the Oscar for Best Picture, Directing, Film Editing, Sound Editing, Sound Mixing, and Writing (Original Screenplay).
Up, meanwhile, was nominated for Animated Feature Film, Music (Original Score), Best Picture, Sound Editing, and Writing (Original Screenplay), walking away with a win for Animated Feature Film and Music (Original Score).