Special Effects Fans?

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Often, I find myself analysing the special effects within a movie or TV show, whether it be humble CSO or computer animation. Does anyone else have a soft spot for special effects, and note their favourites in terms of not just well-executed special effects, but also the clangers that are sometimes done....

If you want the definition of a special effect, I mean both stage effects (that is, done physically on set, like minor pyrotechnics, special make-up like for showing wounds, lighting effects, or flying wires) as well as models, and what I call post-prod (that is, effects achieved through electronic or optical means, usually in post-production, but done in many earlier TV shows live).

For example, this clip from Doctor Who: Remembrance of the Daleks uses a physical stage effect (a jerk harness on the stuntman 'exterminated' by a hidden Dalek), an unusual special effect by viewing the two soldiers through a thermal camera to simulate the Dalek's viewpoint, and an electronic effect used for the Dalek's blaster's beam and the 'X-Ray' effect on the soldier. (the creator of the clip added a 'positive/negative'effect to enhance the effect. The other effects are still the originals)

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyAEVGy6LK0[/youtube]

I like special effects, but i think most of the CGI used nowadays is terrible.
There are some good cgi in the first matrix movie.
But the recent Star Wars trilogy and The Lord Of The Rings especially, have some awful special effects.
I mean for most of Lord Of The Rings it was like watching a computer game. Surely the point of special effects is to make things look realistic.
Many would say that LOTR and Star Wars are on the cutting edge of technology, but these films are going to look very dated in some years to come. Whereas, a much older film like Bladerunner will stand the test of time.

I LOVE sfx! I feel the same way about CGI. I think those new star wars movies used way to much CGI. I personally think that a combo of on set physical and post-pro sfx are the optimal.
I really think that George Lucas in ILM early days and in the 80s was my favourite time. The work that they were doing was just so brilliant. I also have a real interest in the works of Jim Henson company. That puppetry work is so facinating to me.
Great topic by the way!

I miss the actual physical models they primarily use for FX work.

I love special effects. When they're good. Not all of them--some are terrible. I even love some CGI.

I like vintage effects...those lovely fake models...Harryhausen s**t. XD Fingerprints and all.