There's something to be said about the practical effects of older movies, some of which manage to keep audiences immersed in their worlds even today.

Cinema is all about providing an experience, whether it's through the simple turn of a camera or the hours spent on miniature models. Audiences are absorbed into a movie through subtle and not-so-subtle filmmaking methods.

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Over time, CGI has become a common form of VFX imagery in the modern era. It's often used to complete costly scenes, touch up minor characters or setting traits, and even construct entire worlds. While special effects are grand displays in their own right, there's something to be said about the practical effects of older movies, some of which manage to keep audiences immersed in their worlds even today.

Nothing grabs attention like the feeling of being off-balance. This is a key feature of the dolly zoom. Also called the Vertigo Effect due to it being famously used in the 1958 film Vertigo, the dolly zoom is achieved when the camera is set to 'zoom in' while pulling back or 'zoom out 'while pushing forward. Alfred Hitchcock managed to develop this effective technique by manipulating the depth perception of audiences.

In the film Vertigo, the dolly shot is used to show the side effect of a character's fear of heights. Since then, it's been used in numerous movies. The practical effect stands out by taking control of the audience's entire view and replacing it with something purposely out of place.

Weather is uncooperative and demanding in real life, but in a film, it can be summoned and channeled through practical effects. The moods and visual dynamics of some movies have been burned into the audience's memories forever, all because of the weather in their scenes.

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For Akira Kurosawa, the weather is a mainstay of the famed director's entire catalog, but one of the most famous displays of its usage is 1954's Seven Samurai. By using a machine to spray water, rain decorates the whole story and defines the battle at the film's conclusion. Without the discombobulation of the rain, the whole movie would be an entirely different thing.

A touch of makeup can make a huge difference to an actor's appearance. Makeup was used before films existed, but it's within cinema the craft was taken to new heights. Originally used to offset lighting against the skin, makeup soon became an industry standard for a host of concepts.

Nothing is as nearly as captivating as the infamous transformation scene from 1981's American Werewolf in London. Makeup plays such a pivotal role in bringing the monster to life that it's hard to imagine the creature being transformed any other way. While the dialogue in American Werewolf in London hasn't aged well, the werewolf transforms with a horror that effectively grips the audience to this day.

In today's world, CGI allows for computer-constructed creatures to interact with actors on camera. Yet, despite this technological advancement, it still pales in comparison to the old method of creating models. Hours were poured into these models, and the labor more than paid off.

1979's Alien and its 1986 sequel successfully display the power of models. The xenomorph was brought to life through costumes and a series of practical models. Life-like and dripping with fear-inducing imagery, the aliens give audiences nightmares to this day. To further drive home how effective the franchise models were, a fan could spend all day describing the flaws of Aliens 3 and undoubtedly point out the CGI xenomorph as a glaring misstep.

Everybody likes a good boom, and pyrotechnics that feature in action films help solidify the genre. Dangerous and sometimes unpredictable, explosions are practical effects that never go out of style.

1969's The Italian Job offers an incredible display of pyrotechnics when it comes to exploding cars. While the fun of a good caper never gets old, it's the film's pyrotechnics that keep it up to date and the audiences awake for more. In short: never underestimate the explosive power of a well-placed bomb.

Mirrors have been used for effect since magicians frequented carnivals. So, of course they'd make their way to the silver screen. Often used to convey introspection or duality, mirrors give movies a trick of visual magic.

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While there are many rememberable moments in 1973's Enter The Dragon, it's the hall of mirrors scene at the end that brims with entertainment. Bruce Lee battles a villain armed with a metal claw, and the villain Han uses the trick of multiple reflections to aid in his treachery. From the danger of attack to Bruce Lee shattering them, the mirrors in this scene grip audiences with excitement to this day.

Blood causes a natural response to the human psyche since it's supposed to be inside the body. As a result, it makes for an easy audience attention grabber. The squirting of fake blood is a cornerstone of practical film effects that won't ever be considered outdated.

While Quentin Tarantino enjoys his share of flying blood, the effect predates his obsession by many years. One of the most famous and first scenes considered visceral due to blood squibs is the 1967's Bonnie and Clyde death scene. The main characters of the film are gunned down in a hail of bullets and blood, and it's done so well that the moment can still silence audiences today.

One of the most practical ways to add intrigue and variety to a film is through the costumes. An age-old effect, actors donned costumes before movies adopted sound. Whether it's a wig or a full bodysuit, making someone look completely different is a surefire way to draw an audience's attention.

Kevin Peter Hall portrays the titular monster in 1987's Predator. Alongside the actor's towering height, the costume brought an unforgettable being to life – one that continues to tantalize fear and gain the interest of fans worldwide. Predator is defined by iconic dreadlocks and a questionable mouth design that in no way takes away from the creation's awe-inspiring appearance.

Puppets work when it comes to deceptive creatures, but animatronics brings an extra life-like bit of experience to films. The little machines used to move small limbs or body functions may be tiny, but they go a long way in portraying the nuances that help audiences believe something is alive.

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John Carpenter's The Thing (1982) tells the claustrophobic story of a research crew stranded in Antarctica with an alien. The Thing tries to mimic crew members but only succeeds in creating out-of-this-world abominations. These various forms of the alien have twitches and quirks that make the Thing all that more terrifying. Most importantly, these animatronics offer a viewing experience that can outdo many of its modern successors.

Art is created in diverse and dynamic ways, and one of the most captivating ways is matte paintings. There's nothing like creating a background that can either fool or enthrall an entire audience.

1939's The Wizard of Oz is a dream-like tale from beginning to end, but one of the reasons for that is the backdrop where the story takes place. The yellow brick road, bright greenery, and even the dark castle that features flying monkeys are all brought to life by the skillful hands of talented matte painters. The matte painting uses its practical duality to bring reality and fantasy together. Consequently, an argument could be made that The Wizard of Oz wouldn't be what it is without this intricate effect.