Death of a legend

I am sad to have learned that Stan Winston, the man who created visual effects for such movies as Aliens, Edward Scissorhands and Terminator 2: Judgment Day, passed away yesterday.

The world has lost a legend. Winston's visual effects have set a new bar for this branch of the industry. The legions of fans, as well as the four Oscars he has won during his illustrious career, only serve to highlight his achievements. The effects he created were beautiful, dark, twisted, animated, bizarre, raw, chilling... and life itself, made from vats of clay and plastic, from the imagination above all faculties, into the realm of cinema and into our world.

On a personal side note, I feel honored to have written The Thing review when I did. I feel that, in a small, yet maybe unwarranted way, I contributed to this man's legacy by doing so. All of us bloggers keep contributing by contemplating and discussing Winston's works. His creations live on in our cinematic memories and cyberspace writings.

So, the next time you see Aliens, think of the genius behind the alien queen terrorizing Ripley and Newt. When you check out Terminator 2 again, think of the brains behind T-1000 morphing into the chopper. And, of course, when Edward first lays his eyes on Kim in Edward Scissorhands, think of the imagination that conjured up the gentle soul hidden among the deceptive blades.

Never forget and think of the magic.

R.I.P.