Movies

Head Trauma: 8 Great Scenes of Gore Above The Shoulders

Published

1 year ago

February 16, 2023

The headline photo of this article from Friday the 13th Part 3 looks really fake. But in the early 80s… yeah, it still looked pretty unconvincing. That being said it was in 3D and everyone wearing those uncomfortable glasses screamed (then laughed) watching that scene in the theater. It was pretty cool.

As times have changed so too are the ways filmmakers create special effects. Since the scenes in the list below involve the head, you couldn’t put the actor in danger just to get the shot. That means practical effects engineers have to come up with something to pull off the gag.

SPOILERS AHEAD:

Final Destination 2

Driving behind logging trucks became an instant trigger after the release of Final Destination 2. The massive highway pile-up premonition is one of the most memorable in the franchise.

Poor officer Thomas Burke can’t avoid a spilled log as it crashes into the driver’s-side windshield and ultimately through his head.

Friday the 13th Part 3

Although the gimmick looked cheap (as mentioned above), there was a lot of work that went into 3D movies from the 80s. Filmmakers had to invent ways to make it work even if that included ruining the effect because of exposed fishing wire or other visible gadgetry.

Let’s face it, the tech was rudimentary. However, that didn’t stop us from paying money to see it, and when we learned that Friday the 13th III was going to use this contrivance, we leaned into the hype.

There were a few great moments in the movie, including this one where poor Rick got his skull crushed by Jason. It may look cheesier now than it did then, but it was one of the highlights of the movie.

Scanners (1981)

Talk about movie buzz, perhaps this is the most memorable of all the horror movie head trauma. When Scanners was released in 1981 it was actually the cover of Fangoria magazine that spoiled this effects showstopper for everyone.

The issue, although hidden in the 18 and over section of bookstores, gave away the classic Cronenberg ending with the image of a headless torso emitting smoke and viscera.

That image alone got the public interested in this movie and they weren’t disappointed when they finally got to see the film and this famous scene.

Planet Terror (2007)

This jump scare comes out of nowhere, and it was a bit emotional because the character was pretty cool.

Robert Rodriguez’s Planet Terror has some great special effects, but since it is an homage to schlocky grindhouse movies of the 70s the viewer is never sure if the director meant some of them to resemble the low-budget feel of that period.

That anxiety was triggered even further by the unexpected and realistic death of Abby (Naveen Andrews) in the film.

Hereditary (2018)

Ari Aster’s masterpiece is all about head trauma. So it would be remiss to not include the centerpiece, and most memorable plot twist, that of Charlie being decapitated by a telephone pole.

The scene is so unexpected and tragic, it was all anyone could talk about following its release. To avoid spoilers, when people discussed the movie, they would refer to it as “that scene,” and if you knew, you knew.

The Thing (2011)

This poor movie never gets the love it deserves, mostly because people didn’t know if it was a remake, a reboot, a requel? But it stands on its own as a fearsome entry into The Thing universe with some great special effects, both practical and digital.

If you are a diehard fan of the original you can appreciate what director Matthijs van Heijningen Jr. was trying to accomplish here, which was to try and capture the anxious tension of the original but also give fans what they really came for: the gore!

Deadly Friend (1986)

Raise your hand if you miss Wes Craven. Move over M3GAN, there was a killer “robot” way before your circuits were built. Her name was Sam and although she was born human (she is resurrected via a microchip), her skills are just as murderous and R-rated.

Coming off her role as the slapstick villain in the pirate adventure film The Goonies, distinctive actress Anne Ramsey was cast as a serious villain in Deadly Friend. It was a little disturbing to see her death scene in the latter film after her comedic performance in the former.

Watch out PG-13 M3GAN, there was an R-rated version of you back in 1986.

Jigsaw (2017)

There is so much body horror in the Saw franchise, it’s hard to pick just one. As far as horror movie head trauma goes, this makes the list because of its uniqueness and effect.

Detective Halloran (Callum Keith Rennie) gets the evil plan re-cap from Logan (Matt Passmore) just before his head gets split open by lasers.

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Movies

Cillian Murphy Officially Returning In ’28 Years Later’

Published

1 day ago

May 17, 2024

Elijah Turner

This may come as a shock to fans of the franchise. In an interview with Deadline, Sony Chairman Tony Rothman stated he would return “in a surprising way”. His character was last seen in the first film, 28 Days Later, and wasn’t seen again in the sequel, 28 Weeks Later. Other actors starring in the movie include Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer, and more. Check out more of what he said and more about the film 28 Years Later below.

Rothman stated, “Yes, but in a surprising way and in a way that grows, let me put it that way. This is Danny at his best, combined with a very commercial genre, like we had with Edgar Wright and Baby Driver.”

While the plot is being kept under wraps, we know that this will be a trilogy of films and that Danny Boyle (28 Days Later) will direct the first film 28 Years Later. Alex Garland is writing the scripts for all 3 films. Danny Boyle’s role in the next two films is unknown as Nia DaCosta (Candyman 2021) is set to direct the second film. No director has been attached to the final film in the trilogy. Cillian Murphy will be an executive producer and actor for the first film. The film will also star Aaron Taylor-Johnson (Bullet Train), Jodie Comer (The Last Duel), Ralph Fiennes (Schindler’s List), and Jack O’Connell (Eden Lake).

28 Days Later was released in 2002 and follows the story of Jim (Cillian Murphy) who wakes up in a coma only to find that the city he is in is deserted. He later comes to find out that a mysterious aggression-inducing virus has swept through the United Kingdom and has turned everyone into flesh-eating zombies. The first film was a financial success, making $84.6M on an $8M Budget.

Official Movie Poster for 28 Days Later (2002)

This is exciting news for fans of the franchise and a surprise as well. Are you excited that Cillian Murphy will be appearing in the film? Let us know in the comments below. Also, check out the trailer for the original film below.

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Movies

New Body Horror Film ‘The Substance’ Releases Teaser

Published

1 day ago

May 17, 2024

Timothy Rawles

We haven’t seen Demi Moore in a movie since The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent back in 2022. She has been busy though, she had a part in Ryan Murphy’s latest Feud chapter and now she is contemplating altering her body to make it more youthful in the body horror film The Substance.

Apparently, according to the official synopsis, there is a newly developed beauty regimen that “generates another you. A new, younger, more beautiful, more perfect you. And there’s only one rule: You share time. One week for you. One week for the new you. Seven days each. A perfect balance. Easy. Right? If you respect the balance… what could possibly go wrong?”

A still from the film (used in out header) suggests that this new technology requires a lot more than dabbing it under your eyes or administering a sticky mask. The film premiered at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival and was bought by Mubi. No US release date has been announced.

^{The Substance}

The Substance reminds us of another FDA nightmare, The Stuff (1985) in which a commercially marketed whipped treat turns people into zombies. That film is a dark comedy about consumerism and gluttony. While Deadline reports that The Substance is humourous as well as gory, they don’t say how rooted it is in satire.

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Movies

‘Fall’ Team Finds ‘Daybreakers’ Brothers to Helm Follow-Up

Published

2 days ago

May 16, 2024

Timothy Rawles

The sleeper hit Fall (2022) is getting not one, but two sequels. Written and directed by Scott Mann, Fall was slow out of the gate thanks to a crunchy CGI trailer, but thanks to the performances, writing and outstanding direction, it found its footing to pull in seven times its original $3 million budget. That cashfall was mostly thanks to word of mouth and VOD.

The Spierig Brothers, Michael and Peter, are taking over the reins for Fall 2, with Mann returning to the director’s chair for its sequel Fall 3.

The Spierig Brothers delved into horror movies starting with Undead in 2003, and after that the apocalyptic vampire action thriller Daybreakers (2009). Perhaps their biggest break was getting to add to the Saw universe in 2017 with Jigsaw which led them to Winchester (2018) starring Helen Mirren.

Variety got a statement from the directing duo, in which they said, “We’re extremely excited to helm the second installment of this franchise and bring to life another nail biting, vertigo inducing thrill ride.“

Mann said he can’t wait for Flawless (his production company) to work with the brothers on this latest installment. “I am so proud to hand over the reins to the Spierigs, two highly respected genre directors whose addition will undoubtedly make this follow-up even more of a must-see experience than we already knew it would be.”

Fall 2 is written by Mann and his co-writer of the first film, Jonathan Frank. No plot details are being released at this time, however, movie site JoBlo has said some characters from the first film will return for the sequel.

So what do you think? Will lightning strike twice for Fall 2 and Fall 3 or was the first one enough for you? Let us know.