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Cast of ‘Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood’ Reveal Behind-the-Scenes Details at Shock Stock

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At my recent trip to Shock Stock 2018, guests Kane Hodder, Lar Park-Lincoln (Friday the 13th Part VII, Freddy’s Nightmares), and Parry Shen (the Hatchet series) sat down at a panel to discuss their oeuvre of work. Naturally, Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood came up, and some behind-the-scenes details were revealed.

With the upcoming 30th anniversary of Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (released May 13, 1988), this seemed like the perfect opportunity to share some insights on the making of the film.

Friday the 13th Part VII is arguably the most heavily and savagely censored film in the franchise (it had to be submitted to the MPAA nine times before they approved an acceptable version). Kane Hodder revealed that “every single kill in part 7 was cut completely” and had a lot to say on the topic of editing down the kills.

“The timing of our movie was the absolute worst for trying to get something on the screen that’s graphic.” Hodder explains, “For some reason, that time of filmmaking, they were taking out everything. Every single kill I did in that movie was so crazy and over-the-top, and it was cut down to nothing”.

He spoke of the makeup and effects department’s months of work on the incredible detail that went into the kills. “People still love the movie, so it’s amazing to think of how much more enjoyable it would have been had they left some of the makeup effects in”.

The head-squeezing scene was a particularly sad cut as, according to Hodder, the original version was truly gruesome. Everyone’s work, as he said, “looks amazing on screen”. Though some deleted scenes are available, it’s tragic that fans cannot admire that original effort as part of an uncut version of the film.

via IMDb

But for Hodder, the film is about far more than the kills. He explained that it is – and always will be – his favorite movie in the franchise because of the storyline. Tina’s telekinetic powers made Jason’s (after)life a lot more interesting.

“No other time did anyone ever have that effect on Jason before. So as a stunt person, it was great for me because [Tina] made so many things happen to Jason. It was a lot more enjoyable to film as a stunt person.”

via IMDb

For Lar Park-Lincoln, the process of making Friday the 13th Part VII was quite a challenge. Tina goes through so many intense emotional changes through the film, so the common practice of shooting the scenes out of order meant that Park-Lincoln had to diligently track her reactions from scene to scene.

Park-Lincoln spoke fondly of the process, saying, “As an actress, it was really fun because I didn’t use any artificial tears, I didn’t really know about them. I had to really script out the level of the crying and hysteria, which level she was at at each point”.

Despite the many migraines that were caused by being in that intense emotional state for long hours every day, Park-Lincoln emphasized her appreciation for the experience. With a smile, she said “As an actress, I really enjoyed that part”.

via IMDb

An additional challenge, as Hodder explained, was the fact that they shot all of the interior shots over a period of four weeks in LA, then moved to Alabama to shoot all the exterior scenes.

“Imagine the difficulty for [Lar], going from a scene where’s she’s at one level of emotion, then going outside for instance. Now she has to remember how that was a month ago when she shot the interior part of that exact same shot. So, I was always amazed that [Lar] could pull that off”.

Lar now has an acting school in Dallas where she used her skill and experience to develop a technique for actors called script diagramming. “Kind of like script supervision”, she will guide actors on how to break down every scene so they know where their characters leave each take emotionally and how that translates into the next scene.

via IMDb

Another surprising story explained that they were doing pickup shots at the very end of March, 1988. Keep in mind the movie was in theatres on May 13. That’s an insane turnaround time.

While pickups are, again, a very common practice when filmmaking, our use of digital film technology allows actors and directors to check the scenes that were shot at any point in the process. In 1988, the use of film reel – rather than digital – added the challenge of not being able to reference the previous scenes to carry that emotional thread.

Friday the 13th Part VII still managed to stay impressively on schedule, but the hardest part for Hodder was the long hours of filming with the additional three hours of makeup application and removal. Part VII grants the audience with a glimpse of the rotted face of Jason, and that decayed, waterlogged look takes some time to create.

via IMDb

The last two days of principal photography were spent on a whole different kind of challenge – the underwater scenes.

“I had to be underwater for 4 hours at a time without coming up”. Hodder shared, detailing the stressful experience, “I was cabled to the bottom of the pool by my ankle because the foam latex that I’m wearing is very buoyant. So I couldn’t just stay underwater when I wanted to, I had to be held under.”

via Movies Films and Flix

Hodder was supplied oxygen through a scuba system, which of course could not be visible in the shot. Another stunt person was in the tank with him and would swim out to provide him with much-needed oxygen in-between takes.

“It’s a weird feeling, I’m telling you, when you’re holding your breath and you’re getting toward the end of that breath and they haven’t cut yet.” Hodder adds, “It’s a tough way, physically, to end shooting of an already physical movie.”

As a testament to the film’s legacy – even after all of the complexities of making such an intensive movie – Hodder and Park-Lincoln still seem genuinely passionate about it.

 

For more on the Friday the 13th series, check out our article on why the franchise is at a standstill .

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New Poster Reveal For Nicolas Cage’s Survival Creature Feature ‘Arcadian’ [Trailer]

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Nicolas Cage Arcadian

In the latest cinematic venture featuring Nicolas Cage, Arcadian emerges as a compelling creature feature, teeming with suspense, horror, and emotional depth. RLJE Films has recently released a series of new images and a captivating poster, offering audiences a glimpse into the eerie and thrilling world of “Arcadian”. Scheduled to hit theaters on April 12, 2024, the film will later be available on Shudder and AMC+, ensuring a wide audience can experience its gripping narrative.

Arcadian Movie Trailer

The Motion Picture Association (MPA) has given this film an “R” rating for its “bloody images,” hinting at the visceral and intense experience awaiting viewers. The film draws inspiration from acclaimed horror benchmarks like “A Quiet Place,” weaving a post-apocalyptic tale of a father and his two sons navigating a desolate world. Following a catastrophic event that depopulates the planet, the family faces the dual challenge of surviving their dystopian environment and eluding mysterious nocturnal creatures.

Joining Nicolas Cage in this harrowing journey are Jaeden Martell, known for his role in “IT” (2017), Maxwell Jenkins from “Lost in Space,” and Sadie Soverall, featured in “Fate: The Winx Saga.” Directed by Ben Brewer (“The Trust”) and penned by Mike Nilon (“Braven”), “Arcadian” promises a unique blend of poignant storytelling and electrifying survival horror.

Maxwell Jenkins, Nicolas Cage, and Jaeden Martell 

Critics have already begun to praise “Arcadian” for its imaginative monster designs and exhilarating action sequences, with one review from Bloody Disgusting highlighting the film’s balance between emotional coming-of-age elements and heart-pounding horror. Despite sharing thematic elements with similar genre films, “Arcadian” sets itself apart through its creative approach and action-driven plot, promising a cinematic experience filled with mystery, suspense, and relentless thrills.

Arcadian Official Movie Poster

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‘Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3’ Is a Go with Enhanced Budget and New Characters

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Winnie the Pooh 3

Wow, they’re churning things out fast! The upcoming sequel “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3” is officially moving forward, promising an expanded narrative with a larger budget and the introduction of beloved characters from A.A. Milne’s original tales. As confirmed by Variety, the third installment in the horror franchise will welcome Rabbit, the heffalumps, and the woozles into its dark and twisted narrative.

This sequel is a part of an ambitious cinematic universe that reimagines children’s stories as horror tales. Alongside “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey” and its first sequel, the universe includes films such as “Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare”, “Bambi: The Reckoning,” and “Pinocchio Unstrung”. These movies are set to converge in the crossover event “Poohniverse: Monsters Assemble,” slated for a 2025 release.

Winnie the Pooh Poohniverse

The creation of these films was made possible when A.A. Milne’s 1926 children’s book “Winnie-the-Pooh” entered the public domain last year, allowing filmmakers to explore these cherished characters in unprecedented ways. Director Rhys Frake-Waterfield and producer Scott Jeffrey Chambers, of Jagged Edge Productions, have led the charge in this innovative endeavor.

The inclusion of Rabbit, heffalumps, and woozles in the upcoming sequel introduces a new layer to the franchise. In Milne’s original stories, heffalumps are imagined creatures resembling elephants, while woozles are known for their weasel-like characteristics and a penchant for stealing honey. Their roles in the narrative remain to be seen, but their addition promises to enrich the horror universe with deeper connections to the source material.

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How to Watch ‘Late Night with the Devil’ from Home: Dates and Platforms

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Late Night With The Devil

For fans eager to dive into one of this year’s most talked-about horror films from the comfort of their own home, “Late Night with the Devil” will be available for streaming exclusively on Shudder starting April 19, 2024. This announcement has been highly anticipated following the film’s successful theatrical release by IFC Films, which saw it earning rave reviews and a record-breaking opening weekend for the distributor.

“Late Night with the Devil” emerges as a standout horror film, captivating audiences and critics alike, with Stephen King himself offering high praise for the 1977-set film. Starring David Dastmalchian, the movie unfolds on Halloween night during a live late-night talk show broadcast that disastrously unleashes evil across the nation. This found footage-style film not only delivers scares but also authentically captures the aesthetic of the 1970s, drawing viewers into its nightmarish scenario.

David Dastmalchian in Late Night with the Devil

The film’s initial box office success, opening to $2.8 million in 1,034 theaters, underscores its wide appeal and marks the highest opening weekend for an IFC Films release. Critically acclaimed, “Late Night with the Devil” boasts a 96% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 135 reviews, with the consensus praising it for rejuvenating the possession horror genre and showcasing David Dastmalchian’s exceptional performance.

Rotten Tomatoes score as of 3/28/2024

Simon Rother of iHorror.com encapsulates the film’s allure, emphasizing its immersive quality that transports viewers back to the 1970s, making them feel as if they are part of the eerie “Night Owls” Halloween broadcast. Rother lauds the film for its meticulously crafted script and the emotional and shocking journey it takes viewers on, stating, “This whole experience will have viewers of the Cairnes brothers’ film glued to their screen… The script, from beginning to end, is neatly sewn together with an ending that’ll have jaws on the floor.” You can read the full review here.

Rother further encourages audiences to watch the film, highlighting its multifaceted appeal: “Whenever it is made available to you, you must attempt to view the Cairnes Brothers’ latest project as it will make you laugh, it will creep you out, it will amaze you, and it might even strike an emotional cord.”

Set to stream on Shudder on April 19, 2024, “Late Night with the Devil” offers a compelling blend of horror, history, and heart. This film is not just a must-watch for horror aficionados but for anyone looking to be thoroughly entertained and moved by a cinematic experience that redefines the boundaries of its genre.

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