With a week of huge special effects movies in theaters (Hellboy II and Journey to the Center of the Earth 3-D) and the recent passing of special effects genius Stan Winston, we're highlighting some of our favorite Special Effects movies this week.
Elwood's Picks:
- Aliens
- An American Werewolf in London
- Jurassic Park
John's Picks:
- Terminator 2
- Blade Runner
- The Matrix
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good picks, especially T2 and jurassic park. glad you mentioned star wars too! those are my three favorites
You must give props to the original King Kong. Incredible stop motion stuff there.
What about Peter Jackson's remake of King Kong? The movie is too long and it's definitely flawed, but the FX on Kong himself are amazing! You can see each individual hair on his body moving in the wind, and they really captured his emotions beautifully.
I really enjoy scary effects and stuff from horror-type movies, so here are a few gems:
John Carpenter's The Thing
Cronenberg's The Fly and Videodrome
Ghostbusters
Scanners (love when the guy's head explodes)
Thanks,
Haley
How about a few more pioneering effects movies?
1) Wizard of Oz
I know you've included it on two themes already, but between the makeup for the characters (including those creepy flying monkeys), the tornado effects, the flying, the horse of a different color... all amazing special effects for their time.
2) The Invisible Man
The 1933 Claude Rains classic has objects moving through space without anyone touching them, footprints appearing in the snow, and the removal of bandages with nothing underneath. All are great effects that capture the imagination.
3) Jason & the Argonauts / Clash of the Titans
I was going to include King Kong, but Swartkey beat me to the punch. Instead, here are two great Ray Harryhausen stop-motion classics.
Thanks for the show.
Nate
Enjoyed the podcast this week. How about a couple movies that meld live action and animation using special effects - Roger Rabbit, and Tron.
I'm so glad you at least mentioned 2001.
I'm always impressed with how well Kubrick's effects still stand the test of time. This is a movie that showed us outer space in a real way, long before also impressive efforts such as Star Wars, Alien, or the more recent Sunshine from director Danny Boyle ever made the attempt. And somehow the effects of 2001 can still feel as real (or more real) than any other science fiction film made in the 40 years since 2001 was released.
Haley I loved the feedback ... a woman after my own heart ... if Jason/Michael or Freddy took it from my chest.
If you want gore FX one of my favs. is Peter Jackson's "Dead Alive" ... possibly the bloodiest horror flick EVER. WOW!
Thanks again for listening and replying ... keep 'em coming!
John