The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms

The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms

1953

Directed by Eugene Lourie

There are some great classic city destruction scenes in this film, and this film is obviously the inspiration for future giant monster films. The monster is animated by Ray Harryhausen. The scenes that feature the monster are where the film really comes to life.

Rustin Allison

Army of Darkness

Army of Darkness

1992

Directed by Sam Raimi

This is the third Evil Dead film... and the one most focused on comedy out of the three. There are some great one-liners in this film and Bruce Campbell does a great job as the macho hero Ash. The film really is a tribute to the work of Ray Harryhausen and there are some very funny skeleton army scenes. Not all of the humor works, but this is still a fun film to watch with a group of friends.

Rustin Allison

A Century of Model Animation

A Century of Model Animation

2008

Written by Ray Harryhausen and Tony Dalton

This is a great book about the history of model animation, co-written by one of the masters himself. Obviously the book cannot cover the many different animators that have helped contribute to this fascinating form of cinema, but it provides a great overview. The great thing about the book is that it includes the thoughts and insight of Ray Harryhausen who has worked with Willis O'Brien, and then came into his own (and eventually inspiring others to pursue the artform).

I love model animation (or stop-motion). I have always been intrigued by these types of films. I remember being scared and enthralled by Clash of the Titans when I was a boy, and it is amazing to think of the dedication, concentration, and patience that went into making such great characters come to life. 

Rustin Allison

Ray Harryhausen: The Early Years Collection

Just watched the first disc of this collection. If you are a stop-motion animation fan or Harryhausen fan, it is great viewing. Most of the shorts on the first disc are fairy tales and nursery rhymes. The shorts are entertaining on their own, but also stand up to closer viewing. Harryhausen is a master animator and the gestures and movements his models make are so fluid and life-like. My favorite out of the shorts was Little Red Riding Hood. 

One of the great things on this first disc is the inclusion of test films and abandoned projects. Oh, what might have been?! I was greatly intrigued by the test footage for both War of the Worlds and Baron Munchausen. Both sounded like great ideas and it would have been wonderful if they had been made into feature length films.

Rustin Allison