Connect with us

News

Welcome to The Gingerbread Bates Motel

Published

on

Written by Maxwell Robison

Gingerbread houses are an important part of any Christmas tradition, many families use the time building them to celebrate the season together. The Keeling family decided to take that tradition to a new and slightly morbid level this year with their gingerbread interpretation of The Bates Motel from Alfred Hitchcock’s classic 1960’s thriller Psycho.

Made entirely from edible material this master piece took 3 weeks to build from conception to completion with jaw dropping detail that any model maker would be envious over.  I had a chance to speak with Aaron Keeling, one of the artists involved in the construction of this behemoth of a gingerbread house to ask him some questions about what went into it.

https://imgur.com/gallery/OeSOu

cred. Aaron Keeling

https://imgur.com/gallery/OeSOu

cred. Aaron Keeling

https://imgur.com/gallery/OeSOu

cred. Aaron Keeling

iHorror: Thank you for taking the time to talk to me today, I’m sure you are exhausted from all the work this took. How long did it take to create this monster?

Aaron Keeling: Thank you! My back is killing me from leaning over cookies for a week and my hands are stained with food coloring, but i think it was worth it. My dad started doing blueprints and baking pieces about 3 weeks ago, but once we all got together and started putting it up and decorating it took just under a week.

https://imgur.com/gallery/OeSOu

cred. Aaron Keeling

iH: Is everything edible?

AK: Everything is edible except for the base (which is made from styrofoam) and the lights.  The windows are melted candles and the super clear windows for the interior scenes are made from thin sheets of gelatin.

iH: How many pounds of gingerbread did you have to use?

AK: We ended up using about 25 pounds of flour, 6 bottles of corn syrup, 3 pounds of butter, 4 pounds of brown sugar, 18 pounds of icing (two 9 pound bags of sugar) and a bunch of spices. It was probably 30 pounds of gingerbread that we made, though not all of it was used in the final piece.

https://imgur.com/gallery/OeSOu

cred. Aaron Keeling

iH: How large did the finished piece end up being?

AK: The finished piece was 4 feet by 4 feet at the base and about 2 feet high at the top of the house.

https://imgur.com/gallery/OeSOu

cred. Aaron Keeling

iH: Some of the detail is amazing, how did you do the carpets?

AK: The wallpaper and the pictures were posted on edible paper and the rugs were printed on thin sheets of fondant.

https://imgur.com/gallery/OeSOu

cred. Aaron Keeling

iH: How many people worked on the whole project all together?

AK: Our core family of 5 worked on it. My Dad, Mom, my brother Austin, my brother Carter, and myself. We had some help from three friends as well. So, 8 total, though not everyone worked on it the whole time.

iH: How did this tradition get started? Have they always been this big?

AK: The tradition got started about 30 years ago when my parents got married.  We’ve been making a gingerbread house every year since then. Every year they get bigger and better!  Last year was the first year we ever attempted to do the interior with our “Overlook Hotel” gingerbread.

iH: What is your favorite scene that you worked on?

AK: My favorite scene is the bathroom scene, because I loved flicking all the blood everywhere, haha. I definitely got a bit carried away with it, theres way more blood in our version than the movie, but it is more fun that way don’t you think?

https://imgur.com/gallery/OeSOu

cred. Aaron Keeling

https://imgur.com/gallery/OeSOu

cred. Aaron Keeling

https://imgur.com/gallery/OeSOu

cred. Aaron Keeling

https://imgur.com/gallery/OeSOu

cred: Aaron Keeling

https://imgur.com/gallery/OeSOu

cred. Aaron Keeling

https://imgur.com/gallery/OeSOu

cred: Aaron Keeling

https://imgur.com/gallery/OeSOu

cred. Aaron Keeling

Make sure you check out the whole shoot of The Gingerbread Bates Motel right here.

and if you want to check out The Keeling Family’s 2015 The Gingerbread Overlook Hotel go here.

'Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire' Popcorn Bucket

Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

News

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

Published

on

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

'Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire' Popcorn Bucket

Continue Reading

News

Sydney Sweeney’s ‘Barbarella’ Revival Forges Ahead

Published

on

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.

'Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire' Popcorn Bucket

Continue Reading

News

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

Published

on

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.

'Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire' Popcorn Bucket

Continue Reading

Embed Gif with Clickable Title