News

9 Torture Devices that Should be in Horror Movies

Published

9 years ago

March 6, 2015

Torture equipment has been around for centuries. Devices were built to do extreme psychological harm as well as painful physical damage by way of slow, deliberate bloodshed. Believe it or not, torture is still used today although it is against the Geneva Convention and every human rights campaign. Torture was used to punish, interrogate, coerce and kill people who disobeyed laws, or were detractors of popular religious beliefs of the time.

Classic horror movies use a variety weapons to dispatch victims. But below are some devices that could be incorporated into future horror movies. Modern times allows movie’s special effects departments to figure out ways to slaughter people in fantasy, keeping the carnage where it belongs; in fiction.

Breast Ripper: The Breast Ripper was a device used on adulterous women, the end was heated by fire, and then each claw pierced the soft tissue, spreading apart the flesh to tear and shred the breast away from the body.

The Breast Ripper

Knee Splitter: The Spanish Inquisition was a popular time when a lot of torture devices were used. The Knee Splitter was a wooden frame that had a number of spikes in a vice-like contraption. The spikes were placed in front of, and behind the knee. Once the legs were in place the torturer would crank the spikes down on the leg until they pierced the skin and splintered, crushed and eviscerated the bone and soft tissue.

The Knee Splitter

The Judas Cradle: This device had victims sit atop a large wooden pyramid shaped tower. The end of the pyramid would be inserted into the anus or vagina and the victim was slowly lowered until the end penetrated through the intended orifice. This would cause internal damage, ripping apart tissue and muscle, leaving the victim to die of infection or impalement.

Have a seat!

The Judas Cradle

Heretic’s Fork: This two-ended skewer contained forks on each end of the device. One end was placed on the chest bone while the other was positioned under the chin. The goal was to have the sharp metal prongs pierce the underside of the jaw and skewer the tongue and mouth if the victims head dropped from exhaustion.

Heretic’s Fork

Spanish Donkey: This saw-horse shaped device contained a large triangular board, sometimes with small spikes attached to the top two sides of the A-shape frame. The victim was then to sit atop the edge and was often paraded around town. The damage to genitalia was extremely messy.

The Spanish Donkey

The Pear of Anguish: This device seems to be the precursor to the alien anal probe. It had a smooth bulbous end which was inserted into the anus, vagina or mouth. It was then cranked in order to “bloom” the pear inside the body where sharp edges and metal pedals would rupture the delicate insides of the human anatomy.

The Pear of Anguish

The Scavengers Daughter: During the reign of Henry the VIII, the Scavengers Daughter was a popular torment. A large metal hoop was used to encase the victim at the knees and back. Slowly the device was tightened in order to squeeze the person until blood flowed from the mouth, nose and other orifices.

The Scavenger’s Daughter

The Iron Maiden: This mythical device is reported to have never been actually used. It is said that device was constructed from other items and put on display for pure entertainment. Either way, the device is terrifying. A person would stand in an iron cabinet with large metal spikes lining the back of the device and on the inside of the front door. As the victim stood inside the Maiden, the door was closed, forcing the individual to step back and impale himself while the spikes penetrated him from the front. Some variations of the device have a head piece that contains two large metal spikes positioned at eye-level, when this head is closed, the spikes pierce into the skull through the eye sockets.

The Iron Maiden

The Saw: The Middle Ages didn’t need elaborate contraptions like The Iron Maiden to execute people. Often, innovations were merely a workshop away. Take The Saw for instance, this device strung people upside down with ropes as the persecutors utilized a giant saw to bisect the victim down the middle.

The Saw

Although torture was a very real aspect of our history, today we can allow horror movies to reveal the brutal truths of our human nature. Violence may always be a part of the experience, but we as horror movie fans understand the difference between art and reality. If history shows us anything, it is how much we have evolved and become more civilized. We can enjoy the terror of bloodshed in the form of fiction and fantasy, rather than perpetuate the atrocities of our ancestors. It is comforting to know that the above 9 devices can now be appreciated by way of a special effects prop department, rather than their intended use in the real world.

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Movies

‘Clown Motel 3,’ Films At America’s Scariest Motel!

Published

2 hours ago

May 11, 2024

Ryan T. Cusick

There is just something about clowns that can evoke feelings of eeriness or discomfort. Clowns, with their exaggerated features and painted-on smiles, are already somewhat removed from typical human appearance. When portrayed in a sinister manner in movies, they can trigger feelings of fear or unease because they hover in that unsettling space between familiar and unfamiliar. The association of clowns with childhood innocence and joy can make their portrayal as villains or symbols of terror even more disturbing; just writing this and thinking about clowns is making me feel quite uneasy. Many of us can relate to each other when it comes to the fear of clowns! There is a new clown film on the horizon, Clown Motel: 3 Ways To Hell, which promises to have an army of horror icons and provide tons of bloody gore. Check out the press release below, and stay safe from these clowns!

The Clown Motel named the “Scariest Motel in America,” is located in the quiet town of Tonopah, Nevada, renowned among horror enthusiasts. It boasts an unsettling clown theme that permeates every inch of its exterior, lobby, and guest rooms. Situated across from a desolate cemetery from the early 1900s, the motel’s eerie ambiance is heightened by its proximity to the graves.

Clown Motel spawned its first movie, Clown Motel: Spirits Arise, back in 2019, but now we are on to the third!

Director and Writer Joseph Kelly is back at it again with Clown Motel: 3 Ways To Hell, and they officially launched their ongoing campaign.

Clown Motel 3 aims big and is one of the biggest networks of horror franchise actors since the 2017 Death House.

Clown Motel introduces actors from:

Halloween (1978) – Tony Moran – known for his role as the unmasked Michael Myers.

Friday the 13th (1980) – Ari Lehman – the original young Jason Voorhees from the inaugural “Friday The 13th” film.

A Nightmare on Elm Street Parts 4 & 5 – Lisa Wilcox – portrays Alice.

The Exorcist (1973) – Elieen Dietz – Pazuzu Demon.

Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003) – Brett Wagner – who had the first kill in the film as “Kemper Kill Leather Face.’

Scream Parts 1 & 2 – Lee Waddell – known for playing the original Ghostface.

House of 1000 Corpses (2003) – Robert Mukes – known for playing Rufus alongside Sheri Zombie, Bill Moseley, and the late Sid Haig.

Poltergeist Parts 1 & 2—Oliver Robins, known for his role as the boy terrorized by a clown under the bed in Poltergeist, will now flip the script as the tables turn!

WWD, now known as WWE – Wrestler Al Burke joins the lineup!

With a lineup of horror legends and set at America’s Most terrifying motel, this is a dream come true for fans of horror films everywhere!

What’s a clown movie without actual real-life clowns, though? Joining the film are Relik, VillyVodka, and, of course, Mischief – Kelsey Livengood.

Special Effects will be done by Joe Castro, so you know the gore will be bloody good!

A handful of returning cast members include Mindy Robinson (VHS, Range 15), Mark Hoadley, Ray Guiu, Dave Bailey, DieTrich, Bill Victor Arucan, Denny Nolan, Ron Russell, Johnny Perotti (Hammy), Vicky Contreras. For more information on the film, visit Clown Motel’s official Facebook Page.

Making a comeback into feature films and just announced today, Jenna Jameson will also be joining the side of the clowns. And guess what? A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to join her or the handful of horror icons on set for a one-day role! More info can be found on Clown Motel’s Campaign page.

**Actress Jenna Jameson joins the cast.**

After all, who wouldn’t want to be killed by an icon?

Executive Producers Joseph Kelly, Dave Bailey, Mark Hoadley, Joe Castro

Producers Nicole Vegas, Jimmy Star, Shawn C. Phillips, Joel Damian

Clown Motel 3 Ways to Hell is written and directed by Joseph Kelly and promises a blend of horror and nostalgia.

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Movies

First Look: On Set of ‘Welcome to Derry’ & Interview with Andy Muschietti

Published

21 hours ago

May 10, 2024

Timothy Rawles

Rising from the sewers, drag performer and horror movie enthusiast The Real Elvirus took her fans behind the scenes of the MAX series Welcome to Derry in an exclusive hot-set tour. The show is scheduled to release sometime in 2025, but a firm date has not been set.

Filming is taking place in Canada in Port Hope, a stand-in for the fictional New England town of Derry located within the Stephen King universe. The sleepy location has been transformed into a township from the 1960s.

Welcome to Derry is the prequel series to director Andrew Muschietti’s two-part adaptation of King’s It. The series is interesting in that it’s not only about It, but all the people who live in Derry — which includes some iconic characters from the King ouvre.

Elvirus, dressed as Pennywise, tours the hot set, careful not to reveal any spoilers, and speaks with Muschietti himself, who reveals exactly how to pronounce his name: Moose-Key-etti.

The comical drag queen was given an all-access pass to the location and uses that privilege to explore props, facades and interview crew members. It’s also revealed that a second season is already greenlit.

Take a look below and let us know what you think. And are you looking forward to the MAX series Welcome to Derry?

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News

New Trailer For This Year’s Nauseating ‘In a Violent Nature’ Drops

Published

1 day ago

May 10, 2024

Timothy Rawles

We recently ran a story about how one audience member who watched In a Violent Nature became sick and puked. That tracks, especially if you read the reviews after its premiere at this year’s Sundance Film Festival where one critic from USA Today said it had “The gnarliest kills I’ve ever seen.”

What makes this slasher unique is that it’s mostly viewed from the killer’s perspective which may be a factor in why one audience member tossed their cookies during a recent screening at Chicago Critics Film Fest.

Those of you with strong stomachs can watch the movie upon its limited release in theaters on May 31. Those who want to be closer to their own john can wait until it releases on Shudder sometime after.

For now, take a look at the newest trailer below: