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Jason: Who Played Voorhees Best?

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Nine men have played everyone’s favorite momma’s boy since 1980, and though we have love for them all, who stood out as the cream of the Voorhees crop?

I’m going to break it down scientifically, Jason-by-Jason to determine who stands out as the definitive Camp Crystal Lake killer.

Ari Lehman — Friday the 13th

The Friday saga began with flashbacks to little Jason’s untimely demise, and the shitstorm it set off with Mommy Dearest (respect), but Lehman’s contribution to the legend is a topic which certainly seems to anger up the blood of Friday fans. True, Lehman never wielded a machete, but he did sit in Tom Savini’s effects chair, got in the water and pulled Adrienne King under and has since made the convention circuit his domain and pays musical homage to the iconic character he helped put on the map as the first Jason.

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Warrington Gillette — Friday the 13th Part 2

You have to dig Gillette’s take on Voorhees. His was the first Jason-as-killer, and he played it to not-so-sure-of-himself perfection. This Jason was new to the game and a bit awkward in his search for rhythm. Gillette’s battle with Paul and Ginny revealed some yet-to-be-honed battle tactics that left him a bit worse for wear, but he was down not out. Far from it. He had heart. The heart of a hitman. He did avenge Mother, after all. And was an equal opportunity slasher.

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Richard Brooker — Friday the 13th 3D

Alright, dude was still human and the chase scenes got it done. They were unsettling. Why? I’m the kind of cat who puts myself in the shoes of the characters for effect, and that was one dude I didn’t want on my tail (not that my tail is as nice as Dana Kimmell’s). However, Brooker’s Jason was a bit more comfortable with his becoming. It wasn’t old hat quite yet but he’d done some hacking and breathed easier in that particular skin. There was something of a calm in how Brooker went about his 3D business, and, of course, he taunted the living hell out of Kimmell’s Chris by lifting his mask just long enough for her to know he wasn’t done with her by a damn sight.

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Ted White — The Final Chapter

The fourth Friday installment featured the last Jason to run before Derek Mears declared “It’s alright, I’m takin’ it back.” White took his time with kills, which in an odd way, were almost intimate as though this Voorhees savored every final breath of his victims. White’s version put a cork(screw) in Crispin Glover’s audition for the Solid Gold dancers and must have been like a pig in slop hearing Erich Anderson’s Rob bellow “He’s killing me!”

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Tom Morga — A New Beginning

Standing in for Roy, Morga put ’em down at a healthy clip, dispensed with one victim using a kinda-sorta ode to Kevin Bacon, scored major points for the tourniquet and even got Tommy Jarvis to at least think about it. Not a fantastic Jason, but as Adam Sandler would say, “Not too shabby.”

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C.J. Graham — Jason Lives

Graham was a man on a mission and employed the incensed speedwalking to prove it. Disgruntled though he was, Graham was a bit on the stiff side, dare I say jerky with some of his movements, which certainly had what we’ve come to know as the “zombie Jason” feel to them. Granted, by this time in the series, we all understood quite well that Jason was no longer human, but if you dig Graham’s Voorhees above all others, you’re hardly a farthead, it just wasn’t for me.

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Kane HodderA New Blood, Jason Takes Manhattan, Jason Goes to Hell, Jason X

The only man to portray the Camp Crystal Lake marauder more than once, Hodder certainly made an impression early. From that first, slow jaunt out of the lake (which revealed part of Jason’s spine through a tattered jacket) to hulking about Manhattan to an appearance on the Arsenio Hall Show to the intensity of a man who just couldn’t wait to get to work, Hodder was spot on as Voorhees in The New Blood through Jason X. Now, before anyone goes all “Hodder was a ‘zombie Jason,’ too!” let me point out that Hodder possessed something akin to John Carpenter’s description of Nick Castle’s Shape in the original Halloween — grace and fluidity of movement. Not nearly as rigid. Mindless killer, yes, but not mechanical.

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Ken Kirzinger — Freddy vs Jason

Kirzinger’s goalie was pissed, yes but it just wasn’t my bucket of blood. Highly entertaining, don’t get me wrong, but Kirzinger’s Jason was almost oafish and we all know the star of that particular show was Mr. Krueger and his delightfully venomous one-liners.

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Derek MearsFriday the 13th (2009)

Mears looked into the psychology of children who’d lost a parent at a young age and survivalist skills to mold his masked madman, and damned if he didn’t nail it. Mears’ Jason has been accused of being too bright, but in my estimation Mears’ performance was simply savvy. Everything his Jason did had a purpose and made sense. Mears had a nice little don’t fuck with me, I won’t fuck with you vibe goin’, but when that was violated, he did what he had to do. To survive. Mears’ Voorhees moved with direction and quiet yet efficient rage.

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All that said, my criteria were simple:

AUTHENTICY: Did I buy the performance as Jason?

LASTING EFFECT: Was said performance memorable?

UNIQUENESS: Was the portrayal singularly theirs?

Earning a medal machete for third…

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Brooker: We already touched on how Brooker took what Gillette had done and expanded upon it by seeming more at ease with stalking and killing, but Brooker brought a cool intensity to his Jason that was effectively frightening and exhibited almost Hans Landa-level pleasure out of playfully fucking with taunting Chris. For this, Brooker kept his eye on the prize and places third.

Ain’t nothin’ wrong with silver…

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Mears: Remakes often get a bad rap, and just as frequently aren’t given much of a chance out of the gate. Derek Mears certainly experienced the gauntlet of old school Friday fans who were appalled at a running Jason, but for my money Mears was the most unique Jason we’ve seen in a long time and certainly believable as a terrifying killer not to be trifled with.

And the golden machete goes to…

J1
Hodder: Kane may not have been in some of the more, as much as I hate to say it, popular versions of the Friday franchise, but declaring him a “zombie Jason” is exaggerated, in my estimation. Hodder was determined and angry much like Mears, but it was Hodder’s intense, heavy breathing that set him apart. One look at Hodder’s Jason and you knew your ass was had. To call Hodder’s Jason driven would be the definition of understatement. The man was jacked and simply could not wait to unleash hell.

Agree? Disagree? Make your case in the comments section below.

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‘Strange Darling’ Featuring Kyle Gallner and Willa Fitzgerald Lands Nationwide Release [Watch Clip]

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‘Strange Darling,’ a standout film featuring Kyle Gallner, who is nominated for an iHorror award for his performance in ‘The Passenger,’ and Willa Fitzgerald, has been acquired for a wide theatrical release in the United States by Magenta Light Studios, a new enterprise from veteran producer Bob Yari. This announcement, brought to us by Variety, follows the film’s successful premiere at Fantastic Fest in 2023, where it was universally praised for its creative storytelling and compelling performances, achieving a perfect score of 100% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes from 14 reviews.

Strange Darling – Movie Clip

Directed by JT Mollner, ‘Strange Darling‘ is a thrilling narrative of a spontaneous hookup that takes an unexpected and terrifying turn. The film is notable for its innovative narrative structure and the exceptional acting of its leads. Mollner, known for his 2016 Sundance entry “Outlaws and Angels,” has once again employed 35mm for this project, cementing his reputation as a filmmaker with a distinct visual and narrative style. He is currently involved in adapting Stephen King’s novel “The Long Walk” in collaboration with director Francis Lawrence.

Bob Yari expressed his enthusiasm for the film’s upcoming release, scheduled for August 23rd, highlighting the unique qualities that make ‘Strange Darling’ a significant addition to the horror genre. “We are thrilled to be bringing nationwide theatrical audiences this unique and exceptional film with terrific performances by Willa Fitzgerald and Kyle Gallner. This second feature from talented writer-director JT Mollner is destined to become a cult classic that defies conventional storytelling,” Yari told Variety.

Variety’s review of the film from Fantastic Fest lauds Mollner’s approach, saying, “Mollner shows himself to be more forward-thinking than most of his genre peers. He’s clearly a student of the game, one who studied his forebears’ lessons with adroitness to better prepare himself to put his own mark on them.” This praise underlines Mollner’s deliberate and thoughtful engagement with the genre, promising audiences a film that is both reflective and innovative.

Strange Darling

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Sydney Sweeney’s ‘Barbarella’ Revival Forges Ahead

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Sydney Sweeney has confirmed the ongoing progress of the much-anticipated reboot of Barbarella. The project, which sees Sweeney not only starring but also executive producing, aims to breathe new life into the iconic character that first captured audiences’ imaginations in the 1960s. However, amid speculation, Sweeney remains tight-lipped about the possible involvement of celebrated director Edgar Wright in the project.

During her appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Sweeney shared her enthusiasm for the project and the character of Barbarella, stating, “It is. I mean, Barbarella is just such a fun character to explore. She really just embraces her femininity and her sexuality, and I love that. She uses sex as a weapon and I think it’s such an interesting way into a sci-fi world. I’ve always wanted to do sci-fi. So we’ll see what happens.“

Sydney Sweeney confirms her Barbarella reboot is still in the works

Barbarella, originally a creation of Jean-Claude Forest for V Magazine in 1962, was transformed into a cinematic icon by Jane Fonda under the direction of Roger Vardim in 1968. Despite a sequel, Barbarella Goes Down, never seeing the light of day, the character has remained a symbol of sci-fi allure and adventurous spirit.

Over the decades, several high-profile names including Rose McGowan, Halle Berry, and Kate Beckinsale were floated as potential leads for a reboot, with directors Robert Rodriguez and Robert Luketic, and writers Neal Purvis and Robert Wade previously attached to revive the franchise. Unfortunately, none of these iterations made it past the conceptual stage.

Barbarella

The film’s progress took a promising turn approximately eighteen months ago when Sony Pictures announced its decision to cast Sydney Sweeney in the titular role, a move that Sweeney herself has suggested was facilitated by her involvement in Madame Web, also under Sony’s banner. This strategic decision was aimed at fostering a beneficial relationship with the studio, specifically with the Barbarella reboot in mind.

When probed about Edgar Wright’s potential directorial role, Sweeney adeptly sidestepped, merely noting that Wright has become an acquaintance. This has left fans and industry watchers speculating about the extent of his involvement, if any, in the project.

Barbarella is known for its adventurous tales of a young woman traversing the galaxy, engaging in escapades that often incorporate elements of sexuality—a theme Sweeney seems eager to explore. Her commitment to reimagining Barbarella for a new generation, while staying true to the character’s original essence, sounds like the making of a great reboot.

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‘The First Omen’ Almost Received an NC-17 Rating

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Set for an April 5 theater release, ‘The First Omen’ carries an R-rating, a classification that was almost not achieved. Arkasha Stevenson, in her inaugural feature film directorial role, faced a formidable challenge in securing this rating for the prequel to the esteemed franchise. It seems the filmmakers had to contend with the ratings board to prevent the film from being saddled with an NC-17 rating. In a revealing conversation with Fangoria, Stevenson described the ordeal as ‘a long battle’, one not waged over traditional concerns such as gore. Instead, the crux of the controversy centered around the depiction of the female anatomy.

Stevenson’s vision for “The First Omen” delves deep into the theme of dehumanization, particularly through the lens of forced birthing. “The horror in that situation is how dehumanized that woman is”, Stevenson explains, emphasizing the significance of presenting the female body in a non-sexualized light to address themes of forced reproduction authentically. This commitment to realism nearly landed the film an NC-17 rating, sparking a prolonged negotiation with the MPA. “This has been my life for a year and a half, fighting for the shot. It’s the theme of our film. It’s the female body being violated from the inside outwards”, she states, highlighting the importance of the scene to the film’s core message.

The First Omen Movie Poster – by Creepy Duck Design

Producers David Goyer and Keith Levine supported Stevenson’s battle, encountering what they perceived as a double standard in the ratings process. Levine reveals, “We had to go back and forth with the ratings board five times. Weirdly, avoiding the NC-17 made it more intense”, pointing out how the struggle with the ratings board inadvertently intensified the final product. Goyer adds, “There is more permissiveness when dealing with male protagonists, particularly in body horror”, suggesting a gender bias in how body horror is evaluated.

The film’s bold approach to challenging viewers’ perceptions extends beyond the ratings controversy. Co-writer Tim Smith notes the intention to subvert expectations traditionally associated with The Omen franchise, aiming to surprise audiences with a fresh narrative focus. “One of the big things we were excited to do was to kind of pull the rug out from under people’s expectations”, Smith says, underscoring the creative team’s desire to explore new thematic ground.

Nell Tiger Free, known for her role in “Servant”, leads the cast of “The First Omen”, set for release by 20th Century Studios on April 5. The movie follows a young American woman dispatched to Rome for church service, where she stumbles upon a sinister force that shakes her faith to its core and reveals a chilling plot aimed at summoning evil incarnate.

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