In recent months I've collected together costumes, cars and motorcycles that I've come across on my travels, but I've also seen some amazing screen-used props from the movies on display. So, here's ten cool movie props to enjoy that really stood out when I started looking through my archives.
Noisy Boy robot from Real Steel
First up is this 'Noisy Boy' robot from 2011's sci-fi movie, Real Steel, where robot boxing is the biggest sport of the future.
This purple and yellow, kanji-adorned robot was photographed on display in the foyer of Hollywood's El Capitan Theatre in October 2011.
Victor Martinez was lead concept artist and robot designer on the movie and the live-action robots in the film were created by Animatronic Supervisor, John Rosengrant, and the team at Legacy Effects.
And if you like this life-size prop, make sure you take a closer look at the animatronic robot Atom from Real Steel too.
PASIV dream machine from Inception
Next up is the high-tech equipment used in 2010's sci-fi thriller Inception to help Leonardo DiCaprio and his team to enter other people's dreams to steal secrets and extract information.
This futuristic-looking PASIV (Portable Automated Somnacin IntraVenous) prop was photographed on display at ArcLight Sherman Oaks cinema in July 2010.
Fans of the Christopher Nolan movie can also enjoy more screen-used costumes and props from Inception.
Communicator from E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
One prop I remember fondly from my childhood was the communicator assembled by 'E.T.' in Steven Spielberg's beloved 1982 science fiction film about a stranded alien who befriends a boy named 'Elliott'.
This makeshift device comprised of an umbrella with tin foil, a coffee tin, record player, a Speak & Spell and other wires and electronics was used by the Extra-Terrestrial to "Phone home" in the movie.
This classic movie prop was photographed on display at Universal Studios Hollywood in April 2009.
Giant egg from Hellboy II: The Golden Army
Another prop which made me go "Wow" when it was on display at the Universal Studios Hollywood theme park was this giant clock steampunk-inspired egg from the 2008 Hellboy sequel.
Fans of Guillermo del Toro's comic book adaptation can also enjoy these other costumes and props from Hellboy II: The Golden Army.
Phasers from Star Trek
I've always been a fan of Star Trek, so I enjoyed seeing these updated Phasers from J. J. Abrams 2009 rebooted Star Trek film franchise, referred to as existing in the 'Kelvin Timeline'.
These screen-used props used by the crew members of the USS Enterprise were photographed at ArcLight Hollywood cinema in May 2009 alongside other original costumes and props from Star Trek.
Chilled monkey brains from
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
One prop which made me laugh and shudder a little (I'm not a fan of snakes) was this chilled monkey brains prop from Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.
This ghoulish prop from the 1984 sequel when 'Indiana Jones' and his friends were served a stoamch-churning feast of bugs, eyeball soup and more at the Pankot Palace, was photographed on display at the Planet Hollywood Cafe in Las Vegas in April 2011.
Giant CIA badge from Muppets Most Wanted
One of the things I liked about 2014's Muppets Most Wanted was the simple, funny visual gag where 'Sam the Eagle's' CIA agent tries to outdo Ty Burrell's French Interpol inspector with the size of his badge, getting more and more over-sized until this giant monstrosity arrives.
This fun screen-used prop was photographed on display at Hollywood's El Capitan Theatre in March 2014, exhibited alongside other costumes and props from Muppets Most Wanted.
Automaton prop from Hugo
In Martin Scorsese's 2011's fantasy-adventure, Hugo, an orphaned boy who lives in a 1930s Paris train station tries to solve the mystery of his late father and a mechanical automaton.
This mechanical man prop was captured on display at ArcLight Hollywood in November 2011 alongside other movie costumes and props from Hugo.
Bug extractor prop from The Matrix
1999's genre-defining sci-fi movie, The Matrix, not only brought the action and "bullet time", but also some funky futuristic contraptions like this bug extractor prop which Carrie-Anne Moss's 'Trinity' uses to remove the robotic bug from the belly of Keanu Reeves 'Neo'.
If you like this prop photographed on display at Warner Bros. Studios Backlot Tour in June 2016, be sure to check out these other models and props from The Matrix movies.
Black Pearl miniature pirate ship
from Pirates of the Caribbean
And finally for this eclectic selection of film props, here's a miniature 'Black Pearl' pirate ship used in the Pirates of the Caribbean movie sequels.
This spectacular scaled-down pirate ship was photographed on display at Disney's D23 Expo at the Anaheim Convention Center in August 2011.
Plus be sure to also check out the HMS Endeavour filming model from Pirates of the Caribbean on display at The Reagan Library in July 2012.
You can see from this small selection why I love getting a glimpse at all the magic that goes on behind-the-scenes in Hollywood.
That's why I love showcasing all the makers, propmasters, set designers and production teams who turn fantastical ideas into reality for the big and small screen (who don't usually get credited as part of these exhibits in the same way that Costume Designers do).
