Effects that blew chunks at DVinfo.net

Jonathan Jones · February 24th, 2006, 01:14 AM

In contrast to Michael's thread inviting folks to share thoughts on effects that blew you away, I will start this one for the opposite end of the spectrum and invite readers to share thoughts on effects that were used in such a way as to become a major distraction in viewing the movie, or illustrated very poor direction or production value...efx that while watching them, felt like an indictment because you belong to a civilization for which this drivel was intended. Effects that sucked....

I will throw out a couple;

Other than the 'brides' I didn't find much in "Van Helsing" of any redeeming value. The most distracting effect for me was the stage coach over the gorge scene, during which all laws of physics and gravity do not apply.

OMG! How about that surfing scene from "Escape from LA"...I was so embarrassed for humanity.

-Jon

Reid Bailey · February 24th, 2006, 08:25 AM

I actually had to stop watching Bruce Almighty because everything looked so damned green screened.

Of course, the legendary rock throwing scene from Gangs of New York.

Truthfully, and I may get flamed here, but I have a problem with a lot of the latest Star Wars stuff. Especially the physics involved, or lack thereof. I know Lucas has commented on this fact by saying that it's fantasy and not sci-fi,
but LOTR was fantasy and at least things acted in a reasonable manner.

Richard Alvarez · February 24th, 2006, 08:32 AM

ALmost all of the Matrix.

(Yeah, sue me.)

Nick Weeks · February 24th, 2006, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard Alvarez

ALmost all of the Matrix.

(Yeah, sue me.)

haha, I totally agree with you on that one

I hated "The Mask" effects... I know its old, but it came on TV recently and it was hard to watch

Edward Slonaker · February 25th, 2006, 12:14 PM

Terminator 3 - some movies should just stop after one sequel....

Boyd Ostroff · February 25th, 2006, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edward Slonaker

Terminator 3 - some movies should just stop after one sequel....

Actually I thought the long car chase in that film was pretty impressive. And I believe I read that none of it was done with cgi. The rest of it was pretty forgettable though...

Mathieu Ghekiere · February 25th, 2006, 12:42 PM

I only saw the trailer of Sounds of Thunder, but even that made me really really laugh with the fx...

Nick Weeks · February 25th, 2006, 02:21 PM

How about this one... Slither. It came on as a preview during a recent movie I saw in the theater

http://www.apple.com/trailers/universal/slither/

I honestly can't tell if its supposed to be horror... or humor?? haha

Adam Keen · February 25th, 2006, 06:20 PM

Matrix Reloaded - Burly Brawl
It looked so fake. They needed doubles for Agent Smiths and in many shots you know it isn't Hugo Weaving. Neo looked CG in many of the shots. It bothered me when they did slow motion so you really noticed how fake it was.

I did like the The Matrix and its bullet time.

Episode III
So many shots looked fake. Even backgrounds looked fake. Yoda looks over animated.

2001
The effects were the shot. And the last 20 minutes was a waste (Ooh, pretty colors).
All of 2001 was explained better in the first minutes of 2010.

Stargate SG-1 has good effects. Stargate Atlantis screws up green screen.

Marco van Belle · February 26th, 2006, 02:40 PM

Steady yourselves...for I am about to deride the work of the Kong...

Not the big gorailla, rather Peter Jackson, in his movie ABOUT the big gorilla.

So much was wonderful...the city streets at the beginning...the vaudeville theatre at the end....omg...the Empire State in the final reel...long overdue homage to the masters who had practised his craft in its earliest decades....but by crikey...the DIPLODOCUS!!!!

You could see the little people running THROUGH their legs!!!

Oddly enough....I watched Jurassic park recently (my gf had never seen it!) and I still think those dino's haven't been beaten onscreen since they were in multiplexes. Although I appreciate most were not cg...which speaks volumes.

Paul Jefferies · February 26th, 2006, 02:56 PM

James Bond wind-surfing on the ice flow tidal wave in "Die Another Day"... worst shot in any bond film ever (and thats saying something).

John C. Chu · February 26th, 2006, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Jefferies

James Bond wind-surfing on the ice flow tidal wave in "Die Another Day"... worst shot in any bond film ever (and thats saying something).

Spot on! I totally agree with that. This was one of the recent glaring examples of something that the viewer subconsciously "knows" and feels is impossible and ludicrous.

And for a Bond-film, it is compounded by the fact that it isn't a stunt double performing it. It might as well be one of those corny rear projection deals of someone on a surfboard pretending to surf.

Steve Witt · February 26th, 2006, 09:55 PM

I was never that impressed with the "Spiderman" movie effects. I think he looks "over-computer generated".... but with such great "stories" I'm willing to overlook that. Maybe its the the "coloring" of his costume that looks cartoonish and fake to me at all times. And it looks like they worked to match the actual real costume colors, (worn by the actor), to the cartoonish computer generated colors instead of vise versa. I am a big fan of these movies though.

Robert M Wright · February 27th, 2006, 04:09 AM

How about the good ole original "Star Trek" episodes. I loved that series when I was a kid growing up, but some of it does fly in the face of some pretty well established, fundamental laws of physics. For example, the "hand phaser" simply erased matter completely from existence (fundamental law of physics cast to the wind there!), but not only that, somehow the beam was highly intelligent too, knowing to erase the target's clothing from existence as well (without even slightly scorching the ground that the victim stood on!). Amazing weapon! Never made me hurl, but I did laugh sometimes.

Rob Lohman · February 27th, 2006, 06:48 AM

My first thought was that James Bond thing indeed. How bad.

However, I recently fast-forwarded through Mysterious Island. Unbelievable how bad those effects (and the movie) where. Yikes.

February 24th, 2006, 01:14 AM	#1
Jonathan Jones Trustee Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Healdsburg, California Posts: 1,138	Effects that blew chunks In contrast to Michael's thread inviting folks to share thoughts on effects that blew you away, I will start this one for the opposite end of the spectrum and invite readers to share thoughts on effects that were used in such a way as to become a major distraction in viewing the movie, or illustrated very poor direction or production value...efx that while watching them, felt like an indictment because you belong to a civilization for which this drivel was intended. Effects that sucked.... I will throw out a couple; Other than the 'brides' I didn't find much in "Van Helsing" of any redeeming value. The most distracting effect for me was the stage coach over the gorge scene, during which all laws of physics and gravity do not apply. OMG! How about that surfing scene from "Escape from LA"...I was so embarrassed for humanity. -Jon __________________ "Are we to go on record, sir, with our assertion that the 'pink hearts, yellow moons, orange stars, and green clovers' are, in point of fact', magically delicious?" - Walter Hollarhan before the House Subcommittee on Integrity in Advertising - May, 1974

February 25th, 2006, 12:14 PM	#5
Edward Slonaker Major Player Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Hell's 6 acres in S. Texas Posts: 203	Terminator 3 - some movies should just stop after one sequel.... __________________ Edward Slonaker El Pilon Productions San Patricio, Texas www.elpilon.com

February 25th, 2006, 12:42 PM	#7
Mathieu Ghekiere Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Belgium Posts: 2,195	I only saw the trailer of Sounds of Thunder, but even that made me really really laugh with the fx... __________________ http://productionsofthe3rdkind.com http://pr3k.com

February 26th, 2006, 02:40 PM	#10
Marco van Belle Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Sheffield, UK Posts: 58	The Kong Steady yourselves...for I am about to deride the work of the Kong... Not the big gorailla, rather Peter Jackson, in his movie ABOUT the big gorilla. So much was wonderful...the city streets at the beginning...the vaudeville theatre at the end....omg...the Empire State in the final reel...long overdue homage to the masters who had practised his craft in its earliest decades....but by crikey...the DIPLODOCUS!!!! You could see the little people running THROUGH their legs!!! Oddly enough....I watched Jurassic park recently (my gf had never seen it!) and I still think those dino's haven't been beaten onscreen since they were in multiplexes. Although I appreciate most were not cg...which speaks volumes.

February 26th, 2006, 09:55 PM	#13
Steve Witt Major Player Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: kentucky, USA Posts: 429	I was never that impressed with the "Spiderman" movie effects. I think he looks "over-computer generated".... but with such great "stories" I'm willing to overlook that. Maybe its the the "coloring" of his costume that looks cartoonish and fake to me at all times. And it looks like they worked to match the actual real costume colors, (worn by the actor), to the cartoonish computer generated colors instead of vise versa. I am a big fan of these movies though. Last edited by Steve Witt; February 27th, 2006 at 12:56 AM.

February 24th, 2006, 08:25 AM	#2
Reid Bailey Major Player Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Fredericksburg, Va Posts: 220	I actually had to stop watching Bruce Almighty because everything looked so damned green screened. Of course, the legendary rock throwing scene from Gangs of New York. Truthfully, and I may get flamed here, but I have a problem with a lot of the latest Star Wars stuff. Especially the physics involved, or lack thereof. I know Lucas has commented on this fact by saying that it's fantasy and not sci-fi, but LOTR was fantasy and at least things acted in a reasonable manner.

February 24th, 2006, 08:32 AM	#3
Richard Alvarez Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 3,840	ALmost all of the Matrix. (Yeah, sue me.)

February 25th, 2006, 02:21 PM	#8
Nick Weeks Major Player Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Birmingham, AL USA Posts: 722	How about this one... Slither. It came on as a preview during a recent movie I saw in the theater http://www.apple.com/trailers/universal/slither/ I honestly can't tell if its supposed to be horror... or humor?? haha

February 25th, 2006, 06:20 PM	#9
Adam Keen Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 49	Matrix Reloaded - Burly Brawl It looked so fake. They needed doubles for Agent Smiths and in many shots you know it isn't Hugo Weaving. Neo looked CG in many of the shots. It bothered me when they did slow motion so you really noticed how fake it was. I did like the The Matrix and its bullet time. Episode III So many shots looked fake. Even backgrounds looked fake. Yoda looks over animated. 2001 The effects were the shot. And the last 20 minutes was a waste (Ooh, pretty colors). All of 2001 was explained better in the first minutes of 2010. Stargate SG-1 has good effects. Stargate Atlantis screws up green screen.

February 26th, 2006, 02:56 PM	#11
Paul Jefferies Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Croydon, England Posts: 277	James Bond wind-surfing on the ice flow tidal wave in "Die Another Day"... worst shot in any bond film ever (and thats saying something).

February 27th, 2006, 04:09 AM	#14
Robert M Wright Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Minnesota (USA) Posts: 2,171	How about the good ole original "Star Trek" episodes. I loved that series when I was a kid growing up, but some of it does fly in the face of some pretty well established, fundamental laws of physics. For example, the "hand phaser" simply erased matter completely from existence (fundamental law of physics cast to the wind there!), but not only that, somehow the beam was highly intelligent too, knowing to erase the target's clothing from existence as well (without even slightly scorching the ground that the victim stood on!). Amazing weapon! Never made me hurl, but I did laugh sometimes.

February 27th, 2006, 06:48 AM	#15
Rob Lohman RED Code Chef Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Holland Posts: 12,514	My first thought was that James Bond thing indeed. How bad. However, I recently fast-forwarded through Mysterious Island. Unbelievable how bad those effects (and the movie) where. Yikes. __________________ Rob Lohman, visuar@iname.com DV Info Wrangler & RED Code Chef Join the DV Challenge \| Lady X Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Buy from the best: DVinfo.net sponsors