Transformers tops Razzies worst film nominees

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Director Michael Bay's special effects spectacle Transformers: Age Of Extinction led all movies in ignominy with seven Razzie Awards nominations, including worst picture, screenplay and director.

Action fantasy film The Legend Of Hercules and faith-based film Saving Christmas, starring Kirk Cameron, trailed close behind with six nods each for the year's "worst achievements in film", organisers of the 35th Golden Raspberry Awards said on Tuesday ahead of Wednesday's formal announcement.

Winners of the Razzies, an annual tongue-in-cheek antidote to Hollywood's awards season, will be announced on Feb 21, the eve of the Academy Awards. Transformers was the fifth most popular film at the United States box office in 2014 with US$245 million (S$327 million) in ticket sales. It has earned more than US$1 billion worldwide.

Worst picture nominees also include Hercules, Saving Christmas, action-comedy Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and thriller Left Behind, starring Nicolas Cage.

Organisers called this year's batch of contenders the "cinematic equivalent of re-treaded tires".

Actress Cameron Diaz is up for the spray-painted golden raspberry statuette as worst actress in romantic comedies The Other Woman and Sex Tape as well as worst supporting actress for Annie. She shares a nod for worst screen combo with Sex Tape co-star Jason Segel.

Seth MacFarlane also picked up multiple nods for his Western satire A Million Ways To Die In The West, including worst actor, screen combo with Charlize Theron and worst director.

Kelsey Grammer earned a worst supporting actor nomination for four films this past year: Expendables 3, Legends Of Oz, Think Like A Man Too and Transformers.

Perennial Razzie favourite Adam Sandler only earned one nomination for his role in romantic comedy Blended. His costar Drew Barrymore also scored a nod for her role.

The winner of a new category this year, the redeemer award, will be determined by online vote. The award will honour a past Razzie winner who has recently earned acclaim.

The nominees are Ben Affleck, Jennifer Aniston, Mike Myers, Keanu Reeves and Kristen Stewart.

The winners will be chosen by the members of the Golden Raspberry Award Foundation, a group open to the public.

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