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9:35:00 AM EDT
What if There are no Special Effects?
When special effects gets to be too much, what sort of movie do you watch ?
Let me say this: I love special effects. Most especially when it's used to make something "unreal" look real, and when others are used because.. well, because they are needed for effect!
But sometimes I find myself tired of special effects. Sometimes, I don't mind them in the movie.. but I don't want them blown up in my face continually, ya know?
Most movies use special effects in one way or another.. and to be honest with you, if there had been computers when I was young, I think I would have tried to work in that industry of making special effects. (so .. I do appreciate them!) But what happens when you just don't feel like seeing them? Do you just not watch movies?
Many times I watch TCM channel.. old black and white movies, where few if any special effects were used. (and certainly nothing like we have available in today's movies!)
I was thinking on this today.. probably because SQT happened to mention something to this effect on her blog. When I read her post my mind jumped immediately to a few movies that, for whatever reason, have stayed with me over a number of years. These movies did not use special effects. (at least not that one could tell.. which is a good thing)
Besides being a movie without said effects, they were not big moneymakers. In fact, some could sit here and read the titles and say "huh? never heard of them". Not a big surprise, but a sad one, because they were very good movies. And before they were good movies... they were good books. But again,maybe not the most exciting.. but stories that stuck with me.
Below are three movies that I thought more than worth watching, yet never made it very big.
The Whales of August by: David Berry 1987
Libby and Sarah are widowed siblings who have vacationed for half a century at a seaside cottage in Maine. Now in their eighties, the sisters have unexpectedly arrived at an impasse: While Sarah embraces change and the possibility of romance with a courtly Russian suitor (Vincent Price), the stubbornly bitter Libby rages at the inevitability of death. As the summer months wane, can Libby and Sarah rediscover the powerful bonds of memory, family and love? (dvd movie)
The Grass Harp by Truman Capote 1951
Book Description: Set on the outskirts of a small Southern town, The Grass Harp tells the story of three endearing misfits--an orphaned boy and two whimsical old ladies--who one day take up residence in a tree house.AS they pass sweet yet hazardous hours in a china tree, The Grass Harp manages to convey all the pleasures and responsibilities of freedom. But most of all it teaches us about the sacredness of love, "that love is a chain of love, as nature is a chain of life."
(dvd movie )
An American Quilt by Whitney Otto 1994
THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW
An extraordinary and moving reading experience, HOW TO MAKE AN AMERICAN QUILT is an exploration of women of yesterday and today, who join together in a uniquely female experience. As they gather year after year, their stories, their wisdom, their lives, form the pattern from which all of us draw warmth and comfort for ourselves. (dvd of the book)
One thing these movies/ books had in common was the fact that they were all about older people. Which made me stop and think. In these cases (and others I am sure) these were obviously character driven stories.. thus no real need for special effects, all they needed was a good actor/ actress.
There are many movies/ books out there just like these, while admittedly fewer all the time. I guess they don't make the studios big money so they try to avoid them... but they are good stories and it's a shame that the movies are never appreciated like the big expensive special effects ones are. There's great stories, and great actors doing them. Many movies never make it to the status of any awards... but it doesn't mean they aren't worth watching. In my opinion that is.
So my question is this: Aside from really old movies on TCM, tell me of a favorite movie of yours that isn't filled with special effects, and yet you can't seem to forget??
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Cool. We went to MGM studios yesterday, well now it's called Hollywood Studios and we took a backstage tour where we learned alot about special effects...perspective, backgrounds,sound, etc. But as for movies without special effects, I'd have to say the Tarzan movies. Tarzan was always my fave growing up!! Thanks for the movie/book reviews. Hope you are doing well. Love ya, Shelly
4/5/08 3:15 PM
From time to time I like to engross myself in movie's based on true life experiences. They almost always make you stop and think; reminding you to be a little more appreciative of what you have and what life you live. (Hugs) Indigo
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