Behind the Scenes

For filmmakers to tell a better story, the technology needs to advance. Which innovations have changed the way we see movies?

By Charles W. Bryant

W.C. Fields famously warned against working with animals and children, but the makers of "Hotel for Dogs" ignored that advice. How did they get 70 dogs and nearly twice as many trainers to behave?

By Gerri Miller

They're sexy, dangerous and live forever -- no wonder vampires have always held a fascination for mere mortals. And the current vamp-related pop culture phenomenon is "Twilight," the story of a teenage girl and her vampire love.

By Gerri Miller

What do Bo and Luke Duke have in common with James Bond? Superb driving skills. When these characters take off in a high-speed chase, who's behind the wheel?

By Charles W. Bryant

Forty-six years since James Bond first battled baddies in "Dr. No," Ian Fleming's martini drinking, Aston Martin-driving British superspy is back in his 22nd installment "Quantum of Solace."

By Gerri Miller

Three years after "Batman Begins" reinvigorated the ailing Batman franchise, Christian Bale is back in the Batsuit to battle forces of evil in Gotham City in director Christopher Nolan's highly anticipated sequel "The Dark Knight."

By Gerri Miller

In the crowded summer movie marketplace, a great gimmick can make a film stand out, provided it's done well and fits the story. As the first live-action flick shot in digital 3-D, "Journey to the Center of the Earth" scores big on both counts.

By Gerri Miller

Opening today, the "Get Smart" franchise gets another theatrical revival starring Steve Carell and Anne Hathaway. The film showcases all of the signature gadgets and memorable catchphrases of the original, plus spectacular action.

By Gerri Miller

Speed Racer and his tricked-out Mach 5 have had a cult following since it premiered in 1967. Now, Warner Bros. has turned this popular anime cartoon into a live-action movie. Buckle your seat belt and get ready for quite a ride as we go inside "Speed Racer."

By Gerri Miller

"Little Miss Sunshine," the hero from "300" and an uncharacteristically comedic Jodie Foster join forces in a fantasy adventure set in an island paradise.

By Gerri Miller

"21" is a movie based on the best-selling book, Bringing Down the House, about a group of math prodigies who use card-counting to win big in blackjack. How does card-counting work, and can you still get away with it?

By Gerri Miller

In "Shutter," ghostly photographic images haunt a young couple. What is spirit photography -- and could this happen in real life?

By Gerri Miller

"The Bank Job" re-created a scandalous 1971 bank robbery. Why has the story been covered up for so many years?

By Gerri Miller

The making of "10,000 BC" was truly a mammoth undertaking. The crew created all sorts of ancient beasts for the prehistoric movie -- and battled fierce weather on two continents.

By Gerri Miller

The visual effects team for "The Water Horse" faced a unique challenge: Take a mythical creature and make it come alive on-screen from baby to adult. Take a look behind the scenes of "The Water Horse" to find out how they met the challenge.

By Gerri Miller

Imagine New York City suddenly devoid of life save for a solitary man and his dog. That unsettling vision sets the scene for "I Am Legend" starring Will Smith. Go behind the scenes of this suspenseful film.

By Gerri Miller

The Golden Compass features some of the most complex effects sequences ever seen on film. Check out this article, where some of the movie's visual artists tell us how they brought Phillip Pullman's beloved novel to life.

By Gerri Miller

Jerry Seinfeld's animated labor-of-love "Bee Movie" was born out of a joke Seinfeld made to Steven Spielberg. Get the rest of the buzz about the movie and its making.

By Gerri Miller

These raucous characters of felt and wool have claimed a top spot in the television world and American pop culture for over 50 years. But what exactly is a Muppet? Learn about the Muppets construction and the Muppeteers who bring them to life.

By Shanna Freeman

Stars' deaths throw millions into grief -- including the makers of their unfinished films. Learn how 10 big stars died and how everyone coped.

By the Editors of Publications International, Ltd. & Laurie L. Dove

"Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" is the fifth movie in the Harry Potter film franchise. Go inside this magical film and see how its amazing special effects were created.

By Gerri Miller

The Harry Potter universe would not be complete without magic wands. Have you ever wanted to know how these wands work and why they seem to have a mind of their own? You can learn about these magic wands in this section.

By Tracy V. Wilson

Twenty-four centuries after a small army of 300 Spartan warriors held off 100,000 Persian invaders the story author and illustrator Frank Miller captured so vividly in his 1999 graphic novel has been realized on screen as "300" by director Zack Snyder.

By Gerri Miller

With his dry wit and impeccable style, James Bond has been defying death and ruining the plans of megalomaniacal madmen in service of Queen and country for more than 50 years. Learn more about the history of James Bond and the leading men who portray him.

By Ed Grabianowski

In this article, we'll check out the gadgets that James Bond has used and learn more about the tools that real secret agents have employed to gather information eliminate rivals and avoid detection.

By Ed Grabianowski