News
9 of the Best Damn Classic Jump Scares Ever
Want to set off a whole room of “horror fans” without a lot of effort? I’ve got two words for you: jump scares.
For some reason, people act like jump scares are a brand new thing that just happened in the last ten years which is puzzling as they’ve been a part of the genre from almost the beginning.
Now admittedly, there are films that take it way too far and the jumps are all they have going for them. It’s unfortunate, but an abundance of jump scares does not make a film terrible. It simply makes it ineffective for some audience members.
As a side note, I think most of us could benefit from repeating the mantra: Just because I don’t like it, doesn’t necessarily mean it’s bad.
Regardless, some jump scares have become legendary due to near perfect placement in a film, and it’s time we dug into this much maligned trope for some of the best examples in horror history.
#9 Jaws–“You’re going to need a bigger boat…”
Though relatively tame by today’s standards, I was all of 8 or 9 years old when I first saw Jaws, and this scene had me messed up for weeks. I’m not sure what Brody was expecting sitting on the side of the boat when he knew damn well there was a ravenous shark on the loose, but it definitely wasn’t what he saw. He was shook, and so was I!
#8 It Follows–The Tall Man Emerges
I’ll admit I wasn’t completely blown away by everything about It Follows. Still it had a really cool premise, and it was unlike anything we’d seen in a long time. For that alone, I give this film its props.
I’ll also admit that the scene where the “tall man” emerges from the darkened doorway into the bedroom made me feel like my stomach evacuated my body and took my soul with it.
#7 Final Destination –Terry Chaney and the Bus
Final Destination was a franchise filled with perfectly placed jump scares. Jeffrey Reddick and the subsequent writers perfected teasing an audience to repeatedly make them uneasy only to sideswipe them with an amazing kill out of nowhere, but few of them will every outdo Terry Chaney’s death by bus in the first installment.
#6 Paranormal Activity–Micah’s Death
This whole franchise got a bad rep after a couple of mishandled sequels, but I still love it, and I will NEVER forget seeing it in theaters the first time. I went with a friend of mine who is much more reserved than I am generally. As the tension built to those final moments of deafening quiet, we were both on the edge of our seats.
When Micah’s body flew out of the dark hallway after those pounding footsteps, my friend yelled ‘SON OF A BITCH!!” and I just screamed. It was an awesome bonding experience, and it’s also perfect for this list.
#5 Sinister–Lawn Work
Why does this scene make my heart nearly explode every time I watch it?! I think it has something to do with the darkness that surrounds the spotlight on the lawnmower and the sudden appearance of a body ready to be turned to mulch…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FNR63xfTNg
#4 Carrie–Hand from the grave
I had no idea what was about to happen the first time I saw Carrie, but let’s face it, in the pit of my stomach I knew something wasn’t right. There was Sue (Amy Irving) looking like an angel in white with a soft glowing aura around her. There was that beautiful, haunting melody playing over the scene.
There’s a bloody hand and arm coming up out of the ground and grabbing Sue in a perfect echo of the film’s opening scene! Carrie proved, in that moment, that some of the best scares happen in brought daylight.
#3 Alien–Xenomorph surprises Dallas
Has anyone else ever wondered how something as large as a Xenomorph can be so damned quiet?! They are like 7 1/2 feet tall and armor-like exoskeletons! There should be come kind of warning that the thing is approaching.
Alas, as poor Dallas found out, that just isn’t the case, and it’s solidly #3 on this list!
#2 Psycho–Mummified Mrs. Bates
Some will probably argue that this is not a jump scare, but for my money that reveal was terrifying and completely unexpected the first time I saw this perfectly executed scene.
Poor Mrs. Bates…exhumed, taxidermied, and made out to be a murderous villain by her son. She wouldn’t even hurt a fly!
#1 Exorcist III–The beheading…
A lot of people hated on this movie in its initial release, but as with so many things, it’s cultivated quite the cult following and this scene has a lot to do with that fact.
The utter quiet and the completely unexpected appearance of the specter-like killer in white coupled with the sudden burst of sound and transition to a headless statue is just amazing!
'Civil War' Review: Is It Worth Watching?
Follow our new YouTube channel "Mysteries and Movies" here.
Movies
The Original ‘Beetlejuice’ Sequel Had an Interesting Location
Back in the late ’80s and early ’90s sequels to hit movies weren’t as linear as they are today. It was more like “let’s re-do the situation but in a different location.” Remember Speed 2, or National Lampoon’s European Vacation? Even Aliens, as good as it is, follows a lot of the plot points of the original; people stuck on a ship, an android, a little girl in peril instead of a cat. So it makes sense that one of the most popular supernatural comedies of all time, Beetlejuice would follow the same pattern.
In 1991 Tim Burton was interested in doing a sequel to his 1988 original, it was called Beetlejuice Goes Hawaiian:
“The Deetz family moves to Hawaii to develop a resort. Construction begins, and it’s quickly discovered that the hotel will be sitting on top of an ancient burial ground. Beetlejuice comes in to save the day.”
Burton liked the script but wanted some re-writes so he asked then-hot screenwriter Daniel Waters who had just got done contributing to Heathers. He passed on the opportunity so producer David Geffen offered it to Troop Beverly Hills scribe Pamela Norris to no avail.
Eventually, Warner Bros. asked Kevin Smith to punch up Beetlejuice Goes Hawaiian, he scoffed at the idea, saying, “Didn’t we say all we needed to say in the first Beetlejuice? Must we go tropical?”
Nine years later the sequel was killed. The studio said Winona Ryder was now too old for the part and an entire re-cast needed to happen. But Burton never gave up, there were a lot of directions he wanted to take his characters, including a Disney crossover.
“We talked about lots of different things,” the director said in Entertainment Weekly. “That was early on when we were going, Beetlejuice and the Haunted Mansion, Beetlejuice Goes West, whatever. Lots of things came up.”
Fast-forward to 2011 when another script was pitched for a sequel. This time the writer of Burton’s Dark Shadows, Seth Grahame-Smith was hired and he wanted to make sure the story wasn’t a cash-grabbing remake or reboot. Four years later, in 2015, a script was approved with both Ryder and Keaton saying they would return to their respective roles. In 2017 that script was revamped and then eventually shelved in 2019.
During the time the sequel script was being tossed around in Hollywood, in 2016 an artist named Alex Murillo posted what looked like one-sheets for a Beetlejuice sequel. Although they were fabricated and had no affiliation with Warner Bros. people thought they were real.
Perhaps the virality of the artwork sparked interest in a Beetlejuice sequel once again, and finally, it was confirmed in 2022 Beetlejuice 2 had a green light from a script written by Wednesday writers Alfred Gough and Miles Millar. The star of that series Jenna Ortega signed on to the new movie with filming starting in 2023. It was also confirmed that Danny Elfman would return to do the score.
Burton and Keaton agreed that the new film titled Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice wouldn’t rely on CGI or other other forms of technology. They wanted the film to feel “handmade.” The film wrapped in November 2023.
It’s been over three decades to come up with a sequel to Beetlejuice. Hopefully, since they said aloha to Beetlejuice Goes Hawaiian there has been enough time and creativity to ensure Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice will not only honor the characters, but fans of the original.
Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice will open theatrically on September 6.
'Civil War' Review: Is It Worth Watching?
Follow our new YouTube channel "Mysteries and Movies" here.
News
Russell Crowe To Star in Another Exorcism Movie & It’s Not a Sequel
Maybe it’s because The Exorcist just celebrated its 50th-anniversary last year, or maybe it’s because aging Academy Award-winning actors aren’t too proud to take on obscure roles, but Russell Crowe is visiting the Devil once again in yet another possession film. And it’s not related to his last one, The Pope’s Exorcist.
According to Collider, the film titled The Exorcism was originally going to be released under the name The Georgetown Project. Rights for its North American release were once in the hands of Miramax but then went to Vertical Entertainment. It will release on June 7 in theaters then head over to Shudder for subscribers.
Crowe will also star in this year’s upcoming Kraven the Hunter which is set to drop in theaters on August 30.
As for The Exorcism, Collider provides us with what it’s about:
“The film centers around actor Anthony Miller (Crowe), whose troubles come to the forefront as he shoots a supernatural horror movie. His estranged daughter (Ryan Simpkins) has to figure out whether he’s lapsing into his past addictions, or if something even more horrific is occurring. “
'Civil War' Review: Is It Worth Watching?
Follow our new YouTube channel "Mysteries and Movies" here.
Movies
New F-Bomb Laden ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ Trailer: Bloody Buddy Movie
Deadpool & Wolverine might be the buddy movie of the decade. The two heterodox superheroes are back in the latest trailer for the summer blockbuster, this time with more f-bombs than a gangster film.
This time the focus is on Wolverine played by Hugh Jackman. The adamantium-infused X-Man is having a bit of a pity party when Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) arrives on the scene who then tries to convince him to team up for selfish reasons. The result is a profanity-filled trailer with a Strange surprise at the end.
Deadpool & Wolverine is one of the most anticipated movies of the year. It comes out on July 26. Here is the latest trailer, and we suggest if you are at work and your space isn’t private, you might want to put in headphones.
'Civil War' Review: Is It Worth Watching?
Follow our new YouTube channel "Mysteries and Movies" here.
-
News7 days ago
This Horror Film Just Derailed a Record Held by ‘Train to Busan’
-
News5 days ago
Woman Brings Corpse Into Bank To Sign Loan Papers
-
News6 days ago
Home Depot’s 12-Foot Skeleton Returns with a New Friend, Plus New Life-Size Prop from Spirit Halloween
-
Movies7 days ago
Watch ‘Immaculate’ At Home Right Now
-
News4 days ago
Brad Dourif Says He’s Retiring Except For One Important Role
-
Strange and Unusual4 days ago
Man Arrested for Allegedly Taking a Severed Leg From Crash Site And Eating It
-
Movies5 days ago
Part Concert, Part Horror Movie M. Night Shyamalan’s ‘Trap’ Trailer Released
-
Movies6 days ago
‘The Strangers’ Invaded Coachella in Instagramable PR Stunt
You must be logged in to post a comment Login