Overall rating: 4.7619047 / 5 from 42 reviews.
Smoke and Mirrors: The Story of Tom Savini is a highly acclaimed documentary about the iconic special effects artist, praised for its great look and engaging content. It features insights from Savini and notable figures in the horror genre, along with behind-the-scenes footage from classic horror films.
Review topics: [looks, packaging, documentary, effects, interviews, doc, release, fan, features, tom savini, person, extras, edition].
"Savini+movies=effects like no other and this documentary takes fans on a journey of discovery and fun and a very good time celebrating one of the greats in make up and effects and introduces newcomers to a world of practical effects before the dawn of digital tools when respect and originality were synonymous with unique, real world creations. Plus extra bonus stuff that takes everyone beyond the doc and deeper into the world of the one and only Mr tom savini."
"A new edition of this documentary looks great. No new special features though. Savini fan? Buy this! Horror fan? Buy this! Informative and fun. Definitely a good purchase. Learn why Savini is the GOAT."
"Nice little documentary about the living legend. The interviews and archival footage are excellent, though the editing and animation for this is a bit wonky. Loved seeing an in depth look of Savini’s life and his fascination with magic. Great special features. They are extensive and packed. Almost an hour of Day of the Dead archival footage and special effects! Slipcover design is fun. I prefer it more to either art that is on the standard release."
"Smoke and Mirrors: The Story of Tom Savini is a documentary that dives into the life and career of legendary special effects artist and filmmaker Tom Savini. Known for revolutionizing practical gore effects in films like Dawn of the Dead and Friday the 13th, Savini’s influence on horror is explored through interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, and reflections from collaborators and fans. The film traces his journey from his experiences in Vietnam—which deeply shaped his approach to realism—to becoming one of the most respected figures in genre cinema, highlighting both his artistry and his larger-than-life personality. The Blu-ray release from Wild Eye Releasing presents the documentary in high definition with a solid transfer that preserves its mix of archival footage and modern interviews. While the extras are fairly modest, they still add value for fans, typically including additional scenes, trailers, and possibly extended interview material. As a package, it serves as a fitting tribute to Savini’s legacy, offering an accessible and engaging look at one of horror’s most important behind-the-scenes innovators."
"Tom Savini is the GOAT of horror makeup and special effects (and I always love seeing him act too lol), so I loved learning more about his life through this documentary. It's pretty straight forward, but definitely a must see for horror fans and people interested in makeup and special effects!"
"Very nice partner label release from wild eye release nice artwork on smokin mirrors the story of Tom Savani"
"No disputing the impact that this man’s talent has had on a genre near and dear to my dark heart. This is a documentary that should be seen by anyone claiming to be a horror fan."
"Great Tom Savini documentary. Highly recommended to any horror fan"
"Some of the best interviews in the space. Amazing documentary"
"If you want to know who the best makeup/special effects person is look no further. Tom Savini is the best at what he does."
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