U.S. 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,” organizers of the 35th Golden Raspberry Awards said Tuesday.

    Winners of the Razzies, an annual tongue-in-cheek antidote to Hollywood’s awards season, will be announced Feb. 21, the eve of the Academy Awards.

    “Transformers” was the fifth most popular film at the U.S. box office in 2014 with US$245 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.

    Organizers called this year’s batch of contenders the “cinematic equivalent of retreaded tires.”

    Actress Cameron Diaz is up for the spray-painted golden raspberry statuettes 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” costar Jason Segel.

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

    (SD-Agencies)