HALLOWEEN HORROR PICTURE SHOW 2023
Hello and welcome to Firewood Media’s Halloween Horror Picture Show. My name is Cole McCormack and I’ll be reviewing 31 horror films throughout the 31 days of October. The films that I reviewed this year are some of the best stop motion movies from film history.
THE LOST WORLD (1925)
Directed by Harry O Hoyt with stop-motion animation by Willis O’Brien, and based off of the 1912 novel of the same name by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, this silent adventure film functions as one of the earliest adaptations of the "lost world" concept, the movie takes audiences on a thrilling journey to a remote plateau in South America, where prehistoric creatures still roam. With groundbreaking special effects and an engaging storyline, "The Lost World" set the stage for many future adventure films and remains a significant milestone in cinematic history.
KING KONG (1933)
​
Directed by Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack with stop-motion animation by Willis O’Brien, King Kong was a groundbreaking film of its time that brought about a new era in cinema with its innovative special effects and storytelling. The film has remained a popular cultural phenomenon even today, nearly a century after its release.
MIGHTY JOE YOUNG (1949)
Mighty Joe Young is a classic 1949 American fantasy film directed by Ernest B. Schoedsack and produced by Merian C. Cooper. The film tells the story of a young woman, Jill Young, who raises an enormous gorilla, named Joe, from infancy. As Joe grows into a formidable giant, he is eventually captured and taken to the United States to perform in a nightclub act, but his life is endangered when a group of men attempts to exploit him. The film is famous for its groundbreaking special effects, which were created by the legendary visual effects artist, Ray Harryhausen, as well as Pete Peterson and Marcel Delgado.
THE BEAST FROM 20,000 FATHOMS (1953)
​
The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms is a classic science fiction monster movie released in 1953. Directed by Eugene Lourie with stop-motion animation by Ray Harryhausen, the film tells the story of a prehistoric dinosaur that is released from the Arctic ice after being frozen for millions of years. As the monster makes its way down the coast of North America, it creates destruction and chaos, and a team of scientists and military personnel are tasked with stopping the beast before it can cause any more damage.
IT CAME FROM BENEATH THE SEA (1955)
It Came from Beneath the Sea is a 1955 American science fiction film directed by Robert Gordon with stop-motion animation by Ray Harryhausen. The film follows a giant octopus that emerges from the depths of the Pacific Ocean and begins to attack San Francisco. The film was released during the peak of the 1950s science fiction craze and is one of the classic monster movies from that era.
THE ANIMAL WORLD (1956)
​
The Animal World is a 1956 American documentary film directed by Irwin Allen. The film explores the diversity and complexity of the natural world, with a focus on the behavior and habits of a wide variety of animals. The film was produced during a period of growing interest in nature documentaries and was notable for its use of innovative film techniques to capture footage of animals in their natural habitats. However, the highlight of the film is the animated dinosaur sequence that was produced by Ray Harryhausen (Clash of the Titans) and Willis O’Brien (King Kong and The Lost World)...
EARTH VS. THE FLYING SAUCERS (1956)
Earth vs. the Flying Saucers is a sci-fi movie that was released in 1956, directed by Fred F. Sears, and produced by Charles H. Schneer with stop-motion animation by Ray Harryhausen. The film is known for its special effects, which were considered innovative for its time. It features the protagonist Dr. Russell A. Marvin, played by Hugh Marlowe, who teams up with the military to fight against alien invaders who have come to Earth in flying saucers.
20 MILLION MILES TO EARTH (1957)
​
20 Million Miles to Earth is a science fiction film released in 1957. Directed by Nathan Juran with stop-motion animation by Ray Harryhausen, the movie is a classic example of science fiction movies from the golden age of Hollywood. The film is about a group of scientists who travel to Venus on a mission, but their spacecraft crashes back on Earth. They find out that there is a strange creature aboard their spacecraft that they brought back from Venus. The creature grows into a giant and causes havoc in Rome, Italy. The film was released during the height of the Cold War and was one of the many science fiction movies that were released in the 1950s.
THE 7th VOYAGE OF SINBAD (1958)
​The 7th Voyage of Sinbad is a classic adventure-fantasy film released in 1958. Directed by Nathan Juran and produced by Charles H. Schneer with stop-motion animation by Ray Harryhausen, the movie is based on the Arabian Nights tale of Sinbad the Sailor. The film is notable for its groundbreaking special effects and imaginative creature designs. The movie's success led to several sequels and imitations, and it is still regarded as a classic in the fantasy genre.
THE 3 WORLDS OF GULLIVER (1960)
​
The 3 Worlds of Gulliver is a 1960 fantasy adventure film directed by Jack Sher and based on the novel "Gulliver's Travels" by Jonathan Swift with stop-motion animation by Ray Harryhausen. The movie tells the story of Dr. Lemuel Gulliver, an 18th-century Englishman who is transported to three different miniature worlds where he faces various challenges and obstacles.
MYSTERIOUS ISLAND (1961)
Mysterious Island is a 1961 science fiction adventure film directed by Cy Endfield and based on the novel of the same name by Jules Verne with stop motion animation by Ray Harryhausen. The movie tells the story of a group of Union soldiers who escape from a Confederate prison camp during the American Civil War and end up on a deserted island. The group soon discovers that the island is filled with various mysteries and dangerous creatures.
JASON & THE ARGONAUTS (1963)
​
Jason and the Argonauts is a 1963 fantasy adventure film directed by Don Chaffey and based on the Greek myth of Jason and the Argonauts. The film follows the story of Jason, who sets out to find the Golden Fleece, a mythical artifact that can bring peace to his troubled land. The movie is notable for its special effects, which were created by stop-motion animator Ray Harryhausen and are considered by many to be groundbreaking for the time.
FIRST MEN IN THE MOON (1964)
First Men in the Moon is a 1964 British science fiction film directed by Nathan Juran and based on the novel of the same name by H.G. Wells. The film explores themes of imperialism, human ambition, and the dangers of unchecked progress. The story begins in present-day England, where a team of astronauts lands on the moon and discovers an unusual British flag. The British government sends a retired scientist named Arnold Bedford to explain the flag's origin. Bedford reveals that he was part of an expedition to the moon in 1899, with a wealthy businessman named Cavor. Together, they discover a substance called Cavorite, which allows objects to defy gravity. Cavor believes that Cavorite will allow humanity to conquer space, and they build a sphere out of gold to travel to the moon. Once they arrive, they discover an underground civilization of insectoid creatures, called the Selenites, who live off of the moon's atmosphere. The Selenites capture Cavor, and Bedford must find a way to rescue him and escape the moon.
ONE MILLION YEARS B.C. (1966)
​
One Million Years B.C. is a science fiction/fantasy film that was released in 1966. The film, which was directed by Don Chaffey, is best known for its visual effects and stop-motion animation, created by Ray Harryhausen. It stars Raquel Welch, John Richardson, and Martine Beswick. Led by Chief Akhoba, the dark-haired Rock tribe captures a warthog, igniting a dispute over its meat and resulting in Tumak's exile to the unforgiving desert. Surviving encounters with various prehistoric creatures, Tumak collapses on a distant beach, where the fair-haired Shell tribe, accompanied by the formidable Archelon, rescues him. In the Rock tribe, Sakana seizes power from the weakened Akhoba. Tumak and Loana of the Shell tribe navigate a world of dangers, from battling an Allosaurus to witnessing the epic clash between a Triceratops and a Ceratosaurus. Their journey takes a personal turn as Loana triumphs over Tumak's former lover, Nupondi. Amidst volcanic upheaval, a battle of tribes ensues, leading to Sakana's demise and Akhoba's fall. Tumak emerges as the new leader, uniting both tribes as they brave prehistoric perils together.
THE VALLEY OF GWANGI (1969)
The Valley of Gwangi is a science fiction western film released in 1969. Directed by Jim O'Connolly and produced by Ray Harryhausen, the film is notable for its groundbreaking special effects, which combine stop-motion animation with live-action footage. It stars James Franciscus, Gila Golan, and Richard Carlson. The film is set in the early 20th century and follows a group of cowboys and a circus owner who discover a hidden valley in Mexico where dinosaurs still roam. They soon realize that the valley is inhabited by a fierce Allosaurus named Gwangi, who becomes the centerpiece of a Wild West circus show.
THE GOLDEN VOYAGE OF SINBAD (1973)
​
The Golden Voyage of Sinbad is a fantasy adventure film released in 1973, directed by Gordon Hessler and produced by Charles H. Schneer. The film is a sequel to The 7th Voyage of Sinbad (1958), and follows the legendary sailor Sinbad (played by John Phillip Law) as he embarks on a perilous quest to find the Golden Tablet of the god of the sun, Ra.
SINBAD & THE EYE OF THE TIGER (1977)
Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger is an adventure fantasy film directed by Sam Wanamaker and produced by Ray Harryhausen that was released in 1977. The film follows Sinbad the Sailor as he sets out on a journey to help his friend Prince Kassim, who has been turned into a baboon by an evil sorcerer. Along the way, they encounter numerous obstacles, including a giant walrus, a saber-toothed tiger, and a powerful mythical creature known as the Troglodyte.
CLASH OF THE TITANS (1981)
​
Clash of the Titans is a 1981 fantasy film directed by Desmond Davis and produced by Ray Harryhausen. The film is based on Greek mythology and follows the story of Perseus, a demigod who must save the princess Andromeda and defeat the monstrous Kraken to appease the gods and save his kingdom from destruction.
THE GIANT BEHEMOTH (1959)
The Giant Behemoth is a science-fiction film released in 1959, directed by Eugène Lourié and produced by Jack Harris. The film follows a group of scientists and military personnel as they try to stop a giant prehistoric sea creature that is terrorizing the coast of England. The film opens with the discovery of several dead sea creatures along the coast of Cornwall, England. The scientists are baffled by the cause of death until they discover that the creatures were exposed to high levels of radiation. As the investigation continues, a giant prehistoric sea creature emerges from the sea and begins to wreak havoc along the coast.
THE CRATER LAKE MONSTER (1977)
​
The Crater Lake Monster is a low-budget science fiction film from 1977, directed by William R. Stromberg and produced by Richard Cardella. The film tells the story of a prehistoric monster that emerges from Crater Lake in Oregon and goes on a rampage, terrorizing the surrounding area.
Q: THE WINGED SERPENT (1982)
Q: The Winged Serpent is a horror movie from 1982, written and directed by Larry Cohen. The film tells the story of a giant Aztec serpent, known as Quetzalcoatl, who terrorizes New York City by snatching people from rooftops and ripping them apart.
ALICE (1988)
​
Alice is a surreal and visually stunning fantasy film released in 1988, directed by Czech filmmaker Jan Švankmajer. The film is a loose adaptation of Lewis Carroll's "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" and "Through the Looking Glass," but with a unique and disturbing twist. Alice is a stop-motion animation film that uses a mix of live-action and animation to create a haunting and dreamlike world.
THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS (1993)
The Nightmare Before Christmas is a stop-motion animated musical fantasy film that was released in 1993. The film was directed by Henry Selick and produced by Tim Burton, who also wrote the story. The film has become a cult classic and has been celebrated for its unique and imaginative storytelling, stunning visuals, and catchy music. The story of The Nightmare Before Christmas follows Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of HalloweenTown, who becomes bored with the routine of Halloween and discovers the magical portal that leads to Christmas Town. Intrigued by the concept of Christmas, Jack decides to take over the holiday and put his own macabre spin on it. He enlists the help of the citizens of HalloweenTown to create a twisted version of Christmas, but things quickly spiral out of control when Santa Claus is kidnapped by Jack's nemesis, Oogie Boogie. Jack must then step up and save Christmas, discovering the true meaning of the holiday in the process.
CORPSE BRIDE (2005)
Corpse Bride is a stop-motion animated film directed by Tim Burton and Mike Johnson, released in 2005. The film is a dark fantasy musical that tells the story of a young man named Victor Van Dort, who accidentally marries a deceased woman named Emily, who then takes him to the Land of the Dead.
LIVE FREAKY! DIE FREAKY! (2006)
​
Featuring the voices of Billie Joe Armstrong from Green Day and Travis Barker from Blink-182, this might be one of the most insane films I've ever covered on this channel. Live Freaky! Die Freaky! is a stop-motion animated musical film directed by John Roecker, released in 2006. In a world where the Earth has been stripped of all its natural resources, ravaged by war and ozone depletion, and is now nothing more than a desolate wasteland in the year 3069. The people who live in this barren vessel look for a deity who will save them as well as nourishment. As Charlie comes back to help them, their hunt will soon be ended...
CORALINE (2009)​
​
Coraline is a stop-motion animated dark fantasy film directed by Henry Selick and released in 2009. Based on the 2002 novel of the same name by Neil Gaiman, the collaboration began when Gaiman was getting ready to publish his novel Coraline. Impressed by Selick's The Nightmare Before Christmas, Gaiman invited him to adapt the book into a film. Selick expanded the screenplay beyond the book's scope, introducing the character Wybie and seeking a unique animation style, which he achieved through the influence of Japanese illustrator Tadahiro Uesugi. Uesugi's contribution extended from color palette choices to intricate set design.
FRANKENWEENIE (2012)
​
"Frankenweenie" (2012), directed by the master of macabre, Tim Burton, is a nostalgic and visually captivating animated masterpiece that unapologetically embraces the quirky darkness that has become synonymous with Burton's unique style. The film's unbridled commitment to its gothic atmosphere, coupled with its heartfelt narrative and stunning stop-motion animation, results in a cinematic experience that is as thrilling as it is endearing. Functioning as a feature-length remake of Burton’s 1984 short film of the same name. Ironically, both films were produced by Disney. You see, when Tim Burton completed the short film, Disney fired him because they felt the movie was not suitable for a younger audience. The short film was actually considered lost media for some time as it went unreleased for years, being shown occasionally in UK theaters. Following the success of some of Burton’s later films like Pee Wee’s Big Adventure, Batman, and Beetlejuice, the short film would be featured on various home video releases of Burton’s films. I think it’s really neat that he was able to go back and remake the film that played a crucial part in kickstarting his career. After all, the reason he even got to direct Pee Wee’s Big Adventure was because Paul Reubens loved the Frankenweenie short film.
OPERATOR (2013)
​
Originally released in 2013, Operator is a short stop-motion horror film directed by Sam Barnett. The film follows a man named Bob who works at a corporation that unleashes a plague of bio-mechanical parasites to enslave its workers. The animation in Operator is a unique blend of stop-motion and puppetry. The film's visuals are dark and surreal, featuring grotesque and unsettling imagery that adds to the film's unsettling atmosphere. The stop-motion animation style of the film adds to its unsettling atmosphere and highlights the craftsmanship and attention to detail that went into creating the film.
JACK STAUBER'S OPAL (2020)
​
A girl named Opal hears cries coming from a wretched home across the street and examines them out of curiosity. What she discovers is a decrepit and broken household where various members of the home call her Claire for some odd reason. Little does she know, there is much more than meets the eye to this strange place. Opal is a short film directed and animated by Jack Stauber, an American musician and artist known for his offbeat and surreal visual style. Released in 2020 as a collaboration with AdultSwim, the film is a showcase of Stauber's talents as a filmmaker and musician, offering a trippy and surreal journey that blends elements of animation, live-action footage, and puppetry.
TOE (2020)
​
A little youngster who is in need of food is scouring his unsuccessful garden for anything to eat. He leaps for a crow and misses, but when he lifts his face out of the mud, he notices a large toe protruding from the ground. He takes the toe and prepares it for supper as his stomach begins to grumble. He never gave the person or thing that toe belonged to or the potential that they would desire it back any thought. Toe is a gothic folktale in stop-motion. The film is directed by Neal O'Bryan and Chad Thurman. The film's use of stop-motion animation is a standout feature, with each frame meticulously crafted by hand to create a stunning and immersive world. The attention to detail in the character design, sets, and lighting is impressive, and the use of practical effects adds a tangible quality to the film's world.
MAD GOD (2022)
​
Mad God is a 2022 stop-motion animated film directed by Phil Tippett, an Academy Award-winning visual effects artist known for his work on iconic films such as Star Wars, Jurassic Park, and RoboCop. The film is a passion project that Tippett has been working on for over 30 years, and it is the culmination of his lifelong fascination with the art of stop-motion animation. The film is a dark, surreal journey through a nightmarish world that is equal parts fascinating and terrifying. The film's visual style is heavily influenced by the works of H. R. Giger, the Swiss artist and designer who is perhaps best known for his work on the Alien film franchise. The film's imagery is at times grotesque and unsettling, but it is always incredibly detailed and meticulously crafted.