Before computer generated visual effects became the norm in Hollywood, there was really only one way to convincingly bring fantastic creatures to life on the big screen: animatronics. And as seen in the video below, it was animatronics technology that was responsible for bringing the live-action versions of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to the big screen in three theatrical adventures between 1990 and 1993.

Instead of CGI, actors donned electronics-filled reptile heads, while puppeteers off camera controlled the character's facial expressions using complex remote controls. And don't forget the use of then-state of the art software like Windows version 3.1!

Andy Kropa/Getty Images

While details regarding the upcoming “Star Wars” sequels are about as tightly guarded as any secret in Hollywood, it seems that the pieces are slowly but surely moving into place for the J. J. Abrams-directed “Episode VII.”

Rumours of the original trilogy cast’s return have been swirling ever since Walt Disney’s high-profile buyout of Lucasfilm late last year, but beyond some speculative “Star Wars” sequel comments from Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker) and Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia), and conflicting reports over Harrison Ford’s return as Han Solo, there hasn’t been much to go on. Until now.

Photo by Screen Gems

Love 'em or hate 'em, there is no disputing the staying power of director Paul W. S. Anderson's "Resident Evil" movies.

Based on the Capcom survival horror video game series of the same name, the zombie apocalypse movie franchise has been going strong ever since 2002's appropriately titled "Resident Evil." After five big screen outings, there seems to be no end in sight.

According to the horror movie buffs over at Shock Till You Drop, Sony has set a Sept. 12, 2014 release date for the as-yet-untitled sixth "Resident Evil" movie. No details beyond that, but the news of another sequel would seem to indicate that Anderson and wife Milla Jovovich (who plays series protagonist Alice) still have plenty of zombie slaying fight left in them.

James Franco in "Oz the Great and Powerful."

With Disney’s “Oz the Great and Powerful” about to hit theatres, it’s amazing to think that it’s been almost 30 years since moviegoers last visited author L. Frank Baum’s fictional Land of Oz on the big screen.

Walter Murch’s cult 1985 film “Return to Oz” (an unofficial sequel to the 1939 MGM classic “The Wizard of Oz”) was Disney’s first journey to the mythical land of witches, munchkins, and flying monkeys. Unfortunately, the critical and financial failure of the film put the House of Mouse’s plans for future Ozian adventures on hold.

Jump ahead a few decades, and the success of fairy tale updates like “Alice in Wonderland” and “Snow White and The Huntsman” have paved the way for a new return to Oz, this time in the form of a star-studded 3D prequel.

Here are a few things you should know about “Oz the Great and Powerful” before seeing it.

"War Witch" won 10 Canadian Screen Awards, including Best Picture.

The newly-minted Canadian Screen Awards, Canada’s big night for film and television, capped off a seemingly never-ending awards season in Toronto on Sunday night. Hosted by Canuck comedy legend Martin Short, the CSAs (a combo of the Genies and the Geminis) recognized the very best in Canadian movies and TV from the past year.

See also: Full list of winners at the 2013 Canadian Screen Awards

The clear winner at last night’s ceremony -- at least on the film side of things -- was the province of Quebec. “War Witch” (also known as “Rebelle”) from Montreal writer-director Kim Nguyen was the evening’s big winner. The film came into the CSAs with a whopping 12 nominations, and finished the night with 10 awards in all, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, Best Screenplay and more. The gut-wrenching drama about a young African girl forced to become a child soldier had a lot going for it coming into last night’s ceremony, not the least of which was an Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Language Film that made it a clear CSA frontrunner.

"Jack the Giant Slayer" (Warner Bros.)

Fairy tales, folklore, and fables have been fodder for Hollywood movies since the earliest days of cinema. But lately, it seems like gritty, big-budget adaptations of these cautionary fantasy stories and Mother Goose rhymes have come to dominate movie screens.

The past few years have seen the release of fairy tale movies like “Red Riding Hood,” “Snow White and the Huntsman,” and “Mirror Mirror,” and there are more on the way. So far in 2013, moviegoers have been treated to "Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters," a hard-edged version of a classic German folk tale, and "Jack the Giant Slayer," a visual effects-laden amalgam of numerous English legends about giants and beanstalks.

With updates of fairy stories like Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty (the Angeline Jolie production "Maleficent") currently either in production or in development, it's safe to say that this movie trend of "Once upon a time..." tales will continue in Hollywood for the foreseeable future.

Here are several timeless fairy tales that the studios should consider updating (if they aren't already doing so).

D Dipasupil/FilmMagic

Are Harry and Hermoine trading in wizards and magic wands for a legendary movie monster and a pair of magic slippers?

According to Variety, the two young actors are lining up for a pair of genre projects -- arguably the most fantastical films that Radcliffe and Watson have been involved in since “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2” hit theatres in 2011.

Radcliffe is set to star as the ever present horror movie sidekick Igor in Paul McGuigan’s upcoming adaptation of “Frankenstein.” The film, written by “Chronicle” scribe Max Landis, is said to offer a completely different take on Mary Shelley’s classic monster tale by telling the story from the hunchbacked Igor’s perspective.

See also: 'Planet Hulk' movie rumours get smashed

Not to be outdone by her former “Potter” co-star, Watson is also going to be tackling a famous fantasy yarn very soon. The 22-year-old actress is reportedly in talks to play the title character in Disney’s live-action “Cinderella” film. The film would reunite Watson with her “Chamber of Secrets” co-star Kenneth Branagh (“Thor”), who will direct the fairy tale update. This is not the first time that Watson has waltzed with the Cinderella role, either: back in 2009, she reportedly almost starred in a gothic musical version of “Cinderella” being developed by shock rocker Marilyn Manson.