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Tobin Bell Transforms the Saw Franchise into Art

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Tobin Bell once noted that “I want to do anything that’s well written, that reveals something of the human condition, that provides growth for the material as well as the actors.”

He referred to it as a “great opportunity.”

After a career that had spanned three decades in theatre, television and film, the greatest opportunity presented itself when Bell was 62 years old. Little did anyone know that the veteran actor would be reborn as a horror icon on October 29, 2004.

That Bell expressed a desire for projects that were well written lends credence to the fact that the Saw franchise reaches far beyond popcorn horror into the realm of art. For some, the series is simply torture porn created for the gory enjoyment of the masochists among us, but the reality is that the franchise has always been about exploring what Bell cites as the “wants of glories” of the human condition, in addition to pushing perceived limits and the appreciation of life.

And there could not have been a better choice to navigate a saga that included cancer, the loss of a child and a marriage; and that has stretched out over seven films (with an eighth on the way) than Tobin Bell.

In an interview with MTV prior to the release of Saw III (2006), Bell revealed that after accepting a role, he asks himself a series of questions, including “Who am I? Where am I? What do I want? When do I want it? And how am I going to get it?

Moreover, Bell wants to possess a molecular understanding of “what I mean by the things that I say.”

Beyond motivation, Bell revealed in the same interview that he creates elaborate backstories for his characters. As we get up in the morning and know every event that had happened to us until the present moment, characters in film do not have that luxury. They are simply provided a blueprint and build from there.

Few are better architects than Tobin Bell.

Image credit: hdimagelib.com

Consider his role as The Nordic Man in The Firm (1993), for instance. Bell acknowledged that he produced a 147-page document based on his set of questions for a supporting character that, while important to that particular story, was by no means a lead, and not remotely comparable to the magnitude of John Kramer’s Jigsaw.

A revelation that has spilled over into each character Bell has helped to create, evidenced by the time spent with Betsy Russell after she’d been cast as Kramer’s wife Jill Tuck. Bell walked and talked with Russell, bought her little gifts and even read poetry to her, all in an effort to build the sort of trust and bond that a married couple would possess.

That approach, which takes professionalism and preparation to a perfectionist’s appetite, was ideal for a character who would be exploring life lessons and symbolic retribution.

As Amanda Young (Shawnee Smith) would say in Saw II (2005), “He wants us to survive this.”

Kramer was not an evil man, but one who had, as Bell said, “not been well,” who subconsciously came to the realization that his life’s work would not be about engineering, but rather tutoring a select few on gratitude toward life.

Jigsaw had not truly valued his own until confronted with the reality of it being extinguished, but after willfully plunging over a cliff only to walk away, he realized that he was stronger than he’d ever imagined. With that comprehension, he came to the conclusion that if he could have such an epiphany, it could be a shared experience.

You don’t know what you’re capable of until presented with no choice but to come out fighting. Not to be directed like so many sheep, but to actually devote thought to what you value, what you wish you’d done differently, and what you would do if given another chance.

The “innocent” victims Kramer chose for his social experiments had lost their way, and in the process, others had paid the price, or been burned for that indifference. All of which led to the exquisite appropriateness of symbolic retribution.

Jigsaw guided us as Dante, or rather Virgil, on a tour of societal indictment.

A judge who had looked the other way when a driver had killed a young child with a car, fettered by the neck to the floor of a vat that would fill with liquefied swine, left to choke on his decision, or indecision. An insurance guru who’d devised a formula that selected a healthy few for coverage while others would be damned to die because they posed a greater financial risk, led through a labyrinth where he again made decisions on who would survive and perish. This time however, they were not anonymous case numbers, but real human beings who would either endure or depart before his very eyes.

Those who played the game were carefully selected by Bell’s Jigsaw, while those spared or condemned by William (Peter Outerbridge) were chosen just as indiscriminately as cancer chooses any one of us. Just as it had chosen Kramer.

Image credit: Kyle Stiff

Bell’s preparation left him with a keen awareness of Kramer’s motivation for those choices and challenges, but his intensity and dramatic skill were what commanded the screen. Whether he appeared in flesh and blood or simply as a voice that narrated the scenario, Bell was not an actor simply spewing lines, but rather a man who had become the role and felt the frustration and pain, but more importantly, the hope that those he’d chosen to play a game were listening with open eyes, ears and hearts. What have you learned? Can you forgive? Can you change?

Ultimately, the intent for the character that Bell created was not for elaborate death or punishment, but for those who no longer valued existence to cherish it, and truly live for the first time.

The role of John Kramer / Jigsaw could have gone to someone simply because of name recognition or a fantastic voice, or because they could elicit dread in their messages, but instead it was given to Tobin Bell, because he is a thinking man’s actor who sees the character for the man that he is and was, with a firm grasp on his complexities and not only on what he wants for himself, but for others and from his work.

In the world of horror franchises, audiences have been given background and fleeting motivation for anti-heroes like Jason Voorhees, Freddy Krueger and Michael Myers, but seldom are the actors who have portrayed them afforded the opportunity to explore that painful past.

Tobin Bell was given a blank canvas, and has fashioned a masterpiece, not because of traps or one-liners, but because he took the time to mold John Kramer’s humanity.

Image credit: Criminal Minds Wiki

Feature image credit: 7wallpapers.net.

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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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