News

Horror Movie Special Effects Gone Wrong

Published

7 years ago

January 28, 2017

Special effects in horror movies are extremely common, but they don’t always go off without a hitch. The cost of an ill functioning practical effect can be costly to the film’s production, result in injury of cast or crew, push back the release date, and even cancel the entire production. Here are five horror movies that had disastrous special effects, one which even ended in death.

Jaws

The classic killer shark movie that has scared generations of swimmers not to go into the water almost didn’t happen. The mechanical shark in Jaws was actually three mechanical sharks, and none of them worked well. The sharks, dubbed ‘Bruce’ by director Stephen Spielberg after his own lawyer, almost sunk the entire film production as soon as it began. In fact, the shark did not swim most of the time! Instead it would sink to the bottom of the ocean and have to be retrieved only to have it happen all over again.

In a way the shark’s inability to swim made the film a success. Spielberg had to think on his feet how to keep moving forward with a film about a killer shark using a shark that you couldn’t see. That is when he changed tactics and decided to suggest the shark’s presence instead of showing him on screen. The implied presence built suspense and kept audiences riveted on the edge of their seat until the third act when you actually see the great white, effectively sending moviegoers into a frenzy!

The Exorcist

The Exorcist, Warner Bros.

Director William Friedkin of The Exorcist is well known for his questionable methods when motivating his actors. He is the type of director to go to any lengths to obtain the shot. One of the more damaging special effects that went wrong involved Ellen Burstyn, the actress who played Chris MacNeil, Regan’s mother.

After the actress receives a slap across he face from her possessed daughter, Burstyn is supposed to be tugged backwards on her body harness beneath her clothes. The result would look like an exaggerated fall backwards from her daughter’s inhuman strength. Burstyn expressed her concern to Friedkin she was afraid of being injured if tugged backwards too hard.

At the last moment Friedkin whispered to the special effect crew member “Let her have it.” Following the director’s order the grip gave the rope a hard yank, sending Burstyn sprawling backwards onto her back and injuring her spine. Her scream in pain you see on the film is authentic, as was the agony on her face when Friedkin zoomed for a close up on the actress’s face.

Candyman, TriStar Pictures

Believe it or not, in Candyman they used real bees! In fact, the bees supplied for this movie were bred specially for this film. Newborn bees who are only 12 hours old look fully matured like adult bees, but their stingers aren’t nearly as damaging yet. However, this doesn’t mean Tony Todd escaped their wrath. During the filming of all three Candyman movies the actor was stung a total of 23 times! That sounds like a love for his craft! Later he told TMZ camera man for every bee sting he received on the set of the trilogy he was paid an additional $1,000! Not too shabby.

A Nightmare on Elm Street, New Line Cinema

Special effects weren’t always a smooth ride in the making of A Nightmare on Elm Street. When Johnny Depp’s character Glen gets sucked into his bed and then regurgitated up into a blood smoothie all over his room the crew used a rotating room to get the shot.

Rigging the room so the ceiling was really the floor the crew shot 500 gallons of blood colored water out of the bed straight down. With the camera locked upside down it appeared blood was being sprayed all over the ceiling. What the special effects crew didn’t anticipate was for the blood to weigh the room down in one direction, and when the grips began to pivot the rotating room the wrong way the weight of the fake blood continued to flow in that direction and spin the room uncontrollably!

When the room began to spin the blood went down the walls. If you look closely in the movie you can see the blood shift to one side of the ceiling. The crew also forgot to insulate the lights and wires and sparks began to fly as the fuses popped. For thirty minutes director Wes Craven and cinematographer Jacques Haitkin were left hanging upside down in their harnessed seats on the darkened set. Fortunately when all was said and done no one was hurt and they got the shot they wanted.

The Crow, Dimension Films

Arguably the most notorious special effect gone wrong in horror movie history occurred in The Crow. Brandon Lee was only 28 years old when he filmed the movie, but his life was tragically cut short when a special effects gag went horribly wrong. In the script it is called for his character, Eric Draven, to be shot by actor Michael Massee. However, unbeknownst to the actors at the time, the gun was improperly loaded and Lee was shot in the stomach from twenty feet away. Tragically the young actor died later that night in the hospital as doctors tried to repair the damage.

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News

A24 Creating New Action Thriller “Onslaught” From ‘The Guest’ & ‘You’re Next’ Duo

Published

15 hours ago

May 2, 2024

Cameron McFarland

It’s always nice to see a reunion in the world of horror. Following a competitive bidding war, A24 has secured the rights to the new action thriller film Onslaught. Adam Wingard (Godzilla vs. Kong) will be directing the film. He will be joined by his longtime creative partner Simon Barret (You’re Next) as the scriptwriter.

For those unaware, Wingard and Barret made a name for themselves while working together on films such as You’re Next and The Guest. The two creatives are card carrying horror royalty. The pair have worked on films such as V/H/S, Blair Witch, The ABC’s of Death, and A Horrible Way to Die.

An exclusive article of out Deadline gives us the limited information we have on the topic. Although we don’t have much to go on, Deadline does offer the following information.

“Plot details are being kept under wraps but the film is in the vein of Wingard and Barrett’s cult classics like The Guest and You’re Next. Lyrical Media and A24 will co-finance. A24 will handle worldwide releasing. Principal photography will begin in Fall 2024.”

A24 will be producing the film alongside Aaron Ryder and Andrew Swett for Ryder Picture Company, Alexander Black for Lyrical Media, Wingard and Jeremy Platt for Breakaway Civilization, and Simon Barret.

That’s all the information we have at this time. Make sure to check back here for more news and updates.

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News

Director Louis Leterrier Creating New Sci-Fi Horror Film “11817”

Published

16 hours ago

May 2, 2024

Cameron McFarland

According to an article from Deadline, Louis Leterrier (The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance) is about to shake things up with his new Sci-Fi horror film 11817. Leterrier is set to produce and direct the new Movie. 11817 is penned by the glorious Mathew Robinson (The Invention of Lying).

Rocket Science will be taking the film to Cannes in search of a buyer. While we don’t know much about what the film looks like, Deadline offers the following plot synopsis.

“The film watches as inexplicable forces trap a family of four inside their house indefinitely. As both modern luxuries and life or death essentials begin to run out, the family must learn how to be resourceful to survive and outsmart who — or what — is keeping them trapped…”

“Directing projects where the audience gets behind the characters has always been my focus. However complex, flawed, heroic, we identify with them as we live through their journey,” said Leterrier. “It’s what excites me about 11817‘s wholly original concept and the family at the heart of our story. This is an experience that movie audiences won’t forget.”

Leterrier has made a name for himself in the past for working on beloved franchises. His portfolio includes gems such as Now You See Me, The Incredible Hulk, Clash of The Titans, and The Transporter. He is currently attached to create the final Fast and the Furious film. However, it will be interesting to see what Leterrier can do working with some darker subject material.

That’s all the information we have for you at this time. As always, make sure to check back here for more news and updates.

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Lists

New to Netflix (U.S.) This Month [May 2024]

Published

18 hours ago

May 2, 2024

Timothy Rawles

atlas movie Netflix starring Jennifer Lopez

Another month means fresh additions to Netflix. Although there aren’t many new horror titles this month, there are still some notable movies well worth your time. For instance, you can watch Karen Black try to land a 747 jet in Airport 1979, or Casper Van Dien kill giant insects in Paul Verhoeven’s bloody sci-fi opus Starship Troopers.

We are looking forward to the Jennifer Lopez sci-fi action movie Atlas. But let us know what you are going to watch. And if we have missed something, put it in the comments.

May 1:

Airport

A blizzard, a bomb, and a stowaway help create the perfect storm for the manager of a Midwestern airport and a pilot with a messy personal life.

Airport ’75

^{Airport ’75}

When a Boeing 747 loses its pilots in a midair collision, a member of the cabin crew must take control with radio help from a flight instructor.

Airport ’77

A luxury 747 packed with VIPs and priceless art goes down in the Bermuda Triangle after being hijacked by thieves — and time for a rescue is running out.

Jumanji

Two siblings discover an enchanted board game that opens a door to a magical world — and unwittingly release a man who’s been trapped inside for years.

Hellboy

^Hellboy

A half-demon paranormal investigator questions his defense of humans when a dismembered sorceress rejoins the living to wreak brutal vengeance.

Starship Troopers

When fire-spitting, brain-sucking bugs attack Earth and obliterate Buenos Aires, an infantry unit heads to the aliens’ planet for a showdown.

May 9

Bodkin

^Bodkin

A ragtag crew of podcasters sets out to investigate mysterious disappearances from decades earlier in a charming Irish town with dark, dreadful secrets.

May 15

The Clovehitch Killer

^{The Clovehitch Killer}

A teenager’s picture-perfect family is torn apart when he uncovers unnerving evidence of a serial killer close to home.

May 16

Upgrade

After a violent mugging leaves him paralyzed, a man receives a computer chip implant that allows him to control his body — and get his revenge.

Monster

_Monster

After being abducted and taken to a desolate house, a girl sets out to rescue her friend and escape from their malicious kidnapper.

May 24

Atlas

^Atlas

A brilliant counterterrorism analyst with a deep distrust of AI discovers it might be her only hope when a mission to capture a renegade robot goes awry.

Jurassic World: Chaos Theory

The Camp Cretaceous gang come together to unravel a mystery when they discover a global conspiracy that brings danger to dinosaurs — and to themselves.

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