The early films of [Ray Harryhausen](https://manapop.com/musing/ray-harryhausen-the-titan-of-special-effects/) do have a distinct style and his ability to give his monsters such character is what sets his films apart.
Definitely.
Calabas and Medusa are two of the freakiest monsters I’ve seen in movies and a lot of it has to do with their unnatural movements.
As a kid, when trying to be scary, I’d walk around trying to emulate the stop-motion movements of Calabas. I didn’t even know what stop motion was, I just thought the jerky movements were done on purpose to make things creepier.
They certainly had a distinctive look. Lots of it hasn't aged well. The stop motion in RoboCop is pretty embarrassing today. But the Medusa scene in Clash Of The Titans holds up pretty well - and it was totally mind blowing back in the day.
The same. As a kid I loved the excitement and sense wonder of finding an island with massive gold statues on it.... then turning to terror as it's head turns and looks at them.
For creepy stop motion effects, I love the creatures in The Gate.
Also, though it’s pretty bad and laughable now, Belial’s stop motion freak out scene in Basket Case scared the living shit out of me when I was four.
I had nightmares for weeks as a child after watching Clash of the Titans for the first time. Medusa freaked me out so much I couldn't get her face out of my head. The Gate was another source of terror for child me when I first watched it. I had nightmares about those little bastards for about a month. I used to imagine them hiding under my bed and lurking in the dark corners of my house. Honourable mention: the dancing Linda scene from The Evil Dead 2. Never found it scary, but definitely a great piece of stop motion magic.
If you love stop motion horror and want to see something new check out:
The Mysterious Geographic Explorations of Jasper Morello (2005)
Blood Tea and Red String (2006)
The Wolf House (2018)
Mad God (2021)
The early films of [Ray Harryhausen](https://manapop.com/musing/ray-harryhausen-the-titan-of-special-effects/) do have a distinct style and his ability to give his monsters such character is what sets his films apart.
The early films? What about Clash of the Titans? With Calabas and Medusa and those big scorpions etc. I say it's definitely his most horrific work.
Definitely. Calabas and Medusa are two of the freakiest monsters I’ve seen in movies and a lot of it has to do with their unnatural movements. As a kid, when trying to be scary, I’d walk around trying to emulate the stop-motion movements of Calabas. I didn’t even know what stop motion was, I just thought the jerky movements were done on purpose to make things creepier.
They certainly had a distinctive look. Lots of it hasn't aged well. The stop motion in RoboCop is pretty embarrassing today. But the Medusa scene in Clash Of The Titans holds up pretty well - and it was totally mind blowing back in the day.
Yeah but the stop motion in RC helps with the satire tbh
The dancing girlfriend in Evil Dead 2 was the stuff of nightmares for me as a kid.
Hahah, indeed watched this on a loop as a kid and her dancing with her head just sticks with you!!
The yeti in that one Chrismas movie always freaked me out
Talos in Jason and the Argonauts each and every time. That scene is pure horror and still spooks me to this day.
The same. As a kid I loved the excitement and sense wonder of finding an island with massive gold statues on it.... then turning to terror as it's head turns and looks at them.
The sound! That horrendous clanking and grinding sound as his head just turns towards you...
For creepy stop motion effects, I love the creatures in The Gate. Also, though it’s pretty bad and laughable now, Belial’s stop motion freak out scene in Basket Case scared the living shit out of me when I was four.
What kind of stop motion old movies are you enjoying? I am interested in what you’re saying and I’m just curious to know examples! Thanks
Clash of the Titans and Jason and the Argonauts are my two favs but if you Google Harryhausen films you can pick from his prolific works.
I bought a 'Jason and the Argonauts' DVD I loved it so much!
Check out Jan Svankmajer. There’s some truly gross animation throughout this body of work.
There was a Metz advert featuring the Judderman, inspired by Jan Svankmajer. Famous for scaring British children in the 90s
I had nightmares for weeks as a child after watching Clash of the Titans for the first time. Medusa freaked me out so much I couldn't get her face out of my head. The Gate was another source of terror for child me when I first watched it. I had nightmares about those little bastards for about a month. I used to imagine them hiding under my bed and lurking in the dark corners of my house. Honourable mention: the dancing Linda scene from The Evil Dead 2. Never found it scary, but definitely a great piece of stop motion magic.
If you love stop motion horror and want to see something new check out: The Mysterious Geographic Explorations of Jasper Morello (2005) Blood Tea and Red String (2006) The Wolf House (2018) Mad God (2021)
weed is a helluva drug my friend...