Movies & Film

You know what they say -- deaths come in threes, especially celebrity deaths. But come on ... is there really any truth to this myth?

By Alison Cooper

"The Blair Witch Project" fooled movie goers right from the start. But how were we tricked into believing this film was a documentary instead just another thriller?

By Alison Cooper

If you were shocked when Marisa Tomei won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in 1993 for her role in "My Cousin Vinny" you're not alone. Many people think she wasn't the real winner and it's one of the biggest hoaxes in Oscar history.

By Alison Cooper

It's obvious today that making a movie near a nuclear test site is a terrible idea. But in 1956, Howard Hughes filmed "The Conqueror," starring John Wayne, less than 150 miles from one. Bad move? You be the judge.

By Alison Cooper

Hollywood's not always known for its historical accuracy, but every once in a while, art and accuracy coexist - and the results can be incredibly moving.

By Jane McGrath

Computer animation is commonplace now, so much so that you may think human animators are a thing of the past. But rest assured, there are artists behind every cartoon pixel.

By Bernadette Johnson

Admit it: You think of "Jaws" when you go to the beach and "The Blair Witch Project" when you wander a little too far into the woods. These horror films didn't just change behavior; they revamped the genre.

By Ed Grabianowski

Perception is everything in Hollywood, which is why the industry keeps such tight control over box office numbers. But what do those numbers really mean, and what's the point of inflating them?

By Melissa Phipps

The cost of permits to shoot in most public places can wreak serious havoc on independent filmmakers' budgets. That's why they often resort to guerilla tactics for their movies. How do they get away with it?

By Alia Hoyt

Movies shown in 3-D can be polarizing - no pun intended. Some movie buffs embrace the third dimension, while others find it hard to watch. How does the RealD system optimize the experience?

By Nathan Chandler

If you loved the glowing lightsabers in the original "Star Wars" trilogy, you can thank rotoscoping. Who invented this technology, and is it still useful?

By Bernadette Johnson

Film doesn't last forever - particularly if it was used before 1950. What causes it to break down, and how do restorers put it back together?

By Chris Opfer

The film industry was revolutionized in the 1920s (hello, sound!), but the changes were not without growing pains. What were the wins and losses that taught us how to make great movies?

By Oisin Curran

When it comes to hiding profits, there's no business like show business. Learn how Hollywood accounting practices ensure that, when it comes to certain films, no one makes much money except the studios themselves.

By Melissa Phipps

Andie ended up with Duckie in "Pretty in Pink" and Alex committed suicide in "Fatal Attraction." Except that they didn't. These are just two of the many movies where the endings were changed thanks to audience testing.

By Alia Hoyt

"Poltergeist" reigns as the king of supposedly cursed films. How did this classic 1980s horror flick and nine others gain their reputation? Is your favorite on the list?

By Ed Grabianowski

We take our food seriously. And if we were working a 16-hour day on a movie, we'd want to know exactly where and when we'd find nourishment. So who would we talk to: catering or the craft services folks?

By Alison Cooper

If you live in a town where they shoot a lot of movies, chances are you've seen or read about a street closing due to a film shoot. With all the traffic inconvenience this can cause, how do movie companies get away with it?

By Alison Cooper

Even with 300 people working together on a motion picture, each and every one (understandably) wants credit for their part in the magic. Ranking their work can get a little sticky.

By Alison Cooper

So, who is this best boy whose title we see rolling down the film credits in tiny type? Is he the best-behaved kid on the set? Not a chance! He's not even a boy.

By Alison Cooper

Just in case you think there's a group of folks who get paid to wander movie sets while clutching dolls, let us set you straight. Dolly grip is one of the most demanding film jobs out there.

By Alison Cooper

You would not know it from the word, but the gaffer is the head electrician on a film set. Where did the name come from and why is the job so important?

By Alison Cooper

Picture a soundstage with a concrete floor. Now, envision it covered in a jungle -- a jungle built from rented trees, vines, and flowers. Welcome to the greensman's world.

By Alison Cooper

A movie star isn't going to spend hours on a set so the crew can adjust the lighting -- but someone's got to do it. That's what a stand-in is for. Find out how to pretend to be Jennifer Aniston for a day.

By Alison Cooper

For more than 30 years, Alan Smithee directed some of the worst films on record, including one movie Roger Ebert called "spectacularly bad." And then in 2000, his name disappeared from credits. Whatever happened to Alan Smithee?

By Alison Cooper