VST Effects

[BloodStar]

From my experiences I would suggest you to check following plugins:
EQ - Kjaerhus, URS
Compressors - URS
Filter - Sonalksis, Fabfilter
Reverb - Wizoo
Tube/Distortion - IK Amplitube, Ohmicide
There are also decent plugins done by Voxengo.

As for the synths, depends on what you are after,. As Jay said you can try to twist Cutoff + resonance, but you can do more interesting things with clever use of LFOs and envelopes. Really it is hard to say as there is plenty and plenty of movements and little tricks which can make some movement on synth sounds.. No matter if automated by your hand or LFO.