R.I.P. Stan Winston

With Indiana Jones IV completed and out in theaters, I started to wonder when Jurassic Park IV might appear (it's presently slated to be released next year). The special effects in the original film look just as good to me now as they did when I first saw the film in a Florida movie theater, and the work of Stan Winston's studio on all the Jurassic Park films has kept me going back to watch the movies even when the storylines and acting started to get a bit hammy. In fact, most of my favorite movie monsters are Stan Winston creations; Predator, the Terminator, and many others all being born at Winston's studio. (The most recent completed project was Iron Man.)

I was thus shocked to learn that Winston died yesterday after a seven year battle with multiple myeloma, and the impact of this loss will be felt beyond Hollywood . Although Winston created an entire workshop of skilled artisans to carry on his excellent traditions, I can't think of a more talented and innovative special effects master.