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“Old 37” FX Master Brian Spears Talks to iHorror

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Thirty years ago, among the Winterberries and a canopy of red Maple leaves in Somers NY, a young Brian Spears walked through the winter chill and entered a video store. He went straight to the horror shelf and tried to choose a title that had the bloodiest prospect. Little did he know that decades later he would create his own bloody prospects with “Old 37”. Spears’ work with Pete Gerner on “Old 37” has been nominated for an SFX award at this years HorrorHound 2015 event.

Spears used to be afraid of horror movies until he discovered that he could make them himself. He turned his childhood garage into a make-shift studio. He says that the horror movies that he watched between the ages of 13-18 are near-and-dear to his heart, and going to the video store at that time always meant his first stop was the horror section.

Brian Spears (photo credit: Kevin Ferguson)

Brian Spears (photo credit: Kevin Ferguson)

 

Spears was intrigued by “Toxic Avenger” and tried to re-create that character making masks with whatever material he had available. “Evil Dead 2” and “The Thing” were the two movies that inspired him to want to manipulate the human form and forge body parts into realistic looking extensions of the natural being.

Trust me, I’m a paramedic… (Photo credit: Rich MacDonald)

 

In 2003, Spears got his chance and began working on Tony Mandile’s “Midnight Mass”. Although he created many prosthesis and gore effects for this vampire movie, Spears was in awe of just being surrounded by the hustle and bustle of a live movie set. Through all the chaos, he met Peter Gerner and together they would go on to create Gerner and Spears Effects with dreams of being the pinnacle company for movie special effects and make up.

“Gerner & Spears Effects was going to light the indie horror scene on fire- needless to say we were a bit delusional,” Spears says, “it’s taken us some 15 years climbing one step at a time but we love every minute.”

[iframe id=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/tpEeC6a-_Ww”]

As with most successful people, looking back at where one started and where they are today, the temptation to change a certain aspect of an early project is always present. Although Spears says he sometimes wishes he could have a do-over, he is honored to have worked with some really good film makers.

Glass Eye Pix is a company that has helped Spears hone his craft and has been a major part of his career,”’I Sell the Dead’ was the first film I can say I am super proud of. The experience both on set and off were amazing. GEP also makes films I enjoy watching. Glass Eye produced ‘Stakeland’ another project that had a huge impact and led to other Jim Mickle flicks that feature some gags I am very proud to have done.”

His hard work and determination have paid off. “Old 37”a film that is getting a lot of horror hype through the internet and festival circuit, brings two horror icons together in a blood-bath of horror and notoriety. Starring Kane Hodder (Friday the 13th: VII) and Bill Moseley (Army of Darkness) “Old 37” has taken the horror festival circuit by storm.

The Sharp Experience (Photo credit: Rich MacDonald)

Recently nominated for Best Horror Effects at HorrorHound Weekend 2015 in Cincinnati, Spears says that shooting the film was literally a disaster in the beginning. A hurricane moved through the state of New York followed by an unusually harsh winter.

Eventually, the climate did change and filming finally began. Spears says he dove into the script and found that the slice-and-dice film offered some interesting possibilities, “The movie was a bit slasher, mad men-psychos with a hint of clueless teens- and we got to kill a few folks.” he said, “A highlight was a full body burn- extra crispy, using prosthetics we took a lovely actress through several stages the end result being a makeup any gorehound should dig.”

Spears says that working with Kane Hodder was incredible. In “Old 37” Hodder dons yet another facial disguise and Spears was honored to have designed it, “We even created a custom mask for Kane’s character- knowing his history behind a mask we certainly took that seriously but were totally stoked. We were more than pleased with it and Kane dug it- keeping the original.”

The masked man Hodder returns with a new one from Spears in “Old 37” (Photo credit: Rich MacDonald)

 

Spears and Gerner have no intention of slowing down. They have many projects in the works and last year alone they have worked on some critically acclaimed movies such as “We Are What We Are”, “Sacrament” and “Late Phases”. With eleven films either completed or in post-production, the team has come a long way from the vampire movie that started it all. They continue to do what they do best and horror fans can appreciate their time and commitment to the craft.

“With every gig I feel I get better,” say Spears, “and I have been lucky to have worked with, worked for and collaborated with some amazing talents that inspire me. I hope your fans keep watching horror movies cuz I can use the work.”

Somewhere, in a small town, a 13 year old is scrolling through a library of horror movies on a streaming device. He or she will eventually land on one that Spears and Gerner have worked on, and perhaps in their garage there is a space just big enough for them to forge their own dreams.

No word yet on when you can see Spears work on “Old 37”. No release date has been determined. But you can keep up with the film here.

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‘Strange Darling’ Featuring Kyle Gallner and Willa Fitzgerald Lands Nationwide Release [Watch Clip]

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Strange Darling Kyle Gallner

‘Strange Darling,’ a standout film featuring Kyle Gallner, who is nominated for an iHorror award for his performance in ‘The Passenger,’ and Willa Fitzgerald, has been acquired for a wide theatrical release in the United States by Magenta Light Studios, a new enterprise from veteran producer Bob Yari. This announcement, brought to us by Variety, follows the film’s successful premiere at Fantastic Fest in 2023, where it was universally praised for its creative storytelling and compelling performances, achieving a perfect score of 100% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes from 14 reviews.

Strange Darling – Movie Clip

Directed by JT Mollner, ‘Strange Darling‘ is a thrilling narrative of a spontaneous hookup that takes an unexpected and terrifying turn. The film is notable for its innovative narrative structure and the exceptional acting of its leads. Mollner, known for his 2016 Sundance entry “Outlaws and Angels,” has once again employed 35mm for this project, cementing his reputation as a filmmaker with a distinct visual and narrative style. He is currently involved in adapting Stephen King’s novel “The Long Walk” in collaboration with director Francis Lawrence.

Bob Yari expressed his enthusiasm for the film’s upcoming release, scheduled for August 23rd, highlighting the unique qualities that make ‘Strange Darling’ a significant addition to the horror genre. “We are thrilled to be bringing nationwide theatrical audiences this unique and exceptional film with terrific performances by Willa Fitzgerald and Kyle Gallner. This second feature from talented writer-director JT Mollner is destined to become a cult classic that defies conventional storytelling,” Yari told Variety.

Variety’s review of the film from Fantastic Fest lauds Mollner’s approach, saying, “Mollner shows himself to be more forward-thinking than most of his genre peers. He’s clearly a student of the game, one who studied his forebears’ lessons with adroitness to better prepare himself to put his own mark on them.” This praise underlines Mollner’s deliberate and thoughtful engagement with the genre, promising audiences a film that is both reflective and innovative.

Strange Darling

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Sydney Sweeney’s ‘Barbarella’ Revival Forges Ahead

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Sydney Sweeney Barbarella

Sydney Sweeney has confirmed the ongoing progress of the much-anticipated reboot of Barbarella. The project, which sees Sweeney not only starring but also executive producing, aims to breathe new life into the iconic character that first captured audiences’ imaginations in the 1960s. However, amid speculation, Sweeney remains tight-lipped about the possible involvement of celebrated director Edgar Wright in the project.

During her appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Sweeney shared her enthusiasm for the project and the character of Barbarella, stating, “It is. I mean, Barbarella is just such a fun character to explore. She really just embraces her femininity and her sexuality, and I love that. She uses sex as a weapon and I think it’s such an interesting way into a sci-fi world. I’ve always wanted to do sci-fi. So we’ll see what happens.“

Sydney Sweeney confirms her Barbarella reboot is still in the works

Barbarella, originally a creation of Jean-Claude Forest for V Magazine in 1962, was transformed into a cinematic icon by Jane Fonda under the direction of Roger Vardim in 1968. Despite a sequel, Barbarella Goes Down, never seeing the light of day, the character has remained a symbol of sci-fi allure and adventurous spirit.

Over the decades, several high-profile names including Rose McGowan, Halle Berry, and Kate Beckinsale were floated as potential leads for a reboot, with directors Robert Rodriguez and Robert Luketic, and writers Neal Purvis and Robert Wade previously attached to revive the franchise. Unfortunately, none of these iterations made it past the conceptual stage.

Barbarella

The film’s progress took a promising turn approximately eighteen months ago when Sony Pictures announced its decision to cast Sydney Sweeney in the titular role, a move that Sweeney herself has suggested was facilitated by her involvement in Madame Web, also under Sony’s banner. This strategic decision was aimed at fostering a beneficial relationship with the studio, specifically with the Barbarella reboot in mind.

When probed about Edgar Wright’s potential directorial role, Sweeney adeptly sidestepped, merely noting that Wright has become an acquaintance. This has left fans and industry watchers speculating about the extent of his involvement, if any, in the project.

Barbarella is known for its adventurous tales of a young woman traversing the galaxy, engaging in escapades that often incorporate elements of sexuality—a theme Sweeney seems eager to explore. Her commitment to reimagining Barbarella for a new generation, while staying true to the character’s original essence, sounds like the making of a great reboot.

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‘The First Omen’ Almost Received an NC-17 Rating

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the first omen trailer

Set for an April 5 theater release, ‘The First Omen’ carries an R-rating, a classification that was almost not achieved. Arkasha Stevenson, in her inaugural feature film directorial role, faced a formidable challenge in securing this rating for the prequel to the esteemed franchise. It seems the filmmakers had to contend with the ratings board to prevent the film from being saddled with an NC-17 rating. In a revealing conversation with Fangoria, Stevenson described the ordeal as ‘a long battle’, one not waged over traditional concerns such as gore. Instead, the crux of the controversy centered around the depiction of the female anatomy.

Stevenson’s vision for “The First Omen” delves deep into the theme of dehumanization, particularly through the lens of forced birthing. “The horror in that situation is how dehumanized that woman is”, Stevenson explains, emphasizing the significance of presenting the female body in a non-sexualized light to address themes of forced reproduction authentically. This commitment to realism nearly landed the film an NC-17 rating, sparking a prolonged negotiation with the MPA. “This has been my life for a year and a half, fighting for the shot. It’s the theme of our film. It’s the female body being violated from the inside outwards”, she states, highlighting the importance of the scene to the film’s core message.

The First Omen Movie Poster – by Creepy Duck Design

Producers David Goyer and Keith Levine supported Stevenson’s battle, encountering what they perceived as a double standard in the ratings process. Levine reveals, “We had to go back and forth with the ratings board five times. Weirdly, avoiding the NC-17 made it more intense”, pointing out how the struggle with the ratings board inadvertently intensified the final product. Goyer adds, “There is more permissiveness when dealing with male protagonists, particularly in body horror”, suggesting a gender bias in how body horror is evaluated.

The film’s bold approach to challenging viewers’ perceptions extends beyond the ratings controversy. Co-writer Tim Smith notes the intention to subvert expectations traditionally associated with The Omen franchise, aiming to surprise audiences with a fresh narrative focus. “One of the big things we were excited to do was to kind of pull the rug out from under people’s expectations”, Smith says, underscoring the creative team’s desire to explore new thematic ground.

Nell Tiger Free, known for her role in “Servant”, leads the cast of “The First Omen”, set for release by 20th Century Studios on April 5. The movie follows a young American woman dispatched to Rome for church service, where she stumbles upon a sinister force that shakes her faith to its core and reveals a chilling plot aimed at summoning evil incarnate.

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