Doctor's Rounds 01

“Doctors Rounds” is a new, regular feature produced by Cadaverlab contributor, Doctor Smirnoff, summarising the most interesting (and bizarre) current stories related to horror movies & games. We hope you enjoy the column and hope to see your feedback on the forums soon!


Jason Vorhees: Possible Zombie, Definite Record Breaker!

Setting a new record for an R-rated movie, the remake of FRIDAY 13TH is reported to have a weekend projected gross of over $60million – having made almost $20m on it’s opening night. So, for all the criticism these remakes keep attracting, it’s fairly obvious to see why that the masses are willing to hand over the cash to see them! Good thing? Bad thing? Post your thoughts on the forums!

Even Newer NIGHTMARE Gets Director…

With the blood on Jason’s trademark machete barely dry after his weekend box-office massacre (see above), Michael Bay’s remake factory Platinum Dunes is already moving things forward with their retelling of A Nightmare on Elm Street.

And in a similar move to their approach to The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, they’ve signed on a renowned music video director to bring us their vision of a Robert Englund-less Freddy.

It was announced this week that stepping behind the lens will be Sam Bayer - who apparently directed the instantly iconic video for Nirvana's 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' way back in the 90’s…

Whoever he is, Bayer must have made a positive impression on Platinum Dunes as he’s not only signed on to Nightmare but also FIASCO HEIGHTS, an original thriller set to be released by Universal.

Barker on New Pinhead Design…

Author, artist, director and Master of the Macabre™, Clive Barker has given his thoughts on Gary Tunnicliffe’s preliminary designs for Pinhead (found here), ahead of Pascal Laugier (Martyrs) reimagining of HELLRAISER. Barker’s main gripe?:

"The whole point about Pinhead is that he is geometrically severe… the energy of the character comes out of the fact that you have surgical precision... By turning the bloodless cuts or scarifications into bloody, irregular gashes removes the point of what made the character interesting in the first place."

There seems to be a question mark around Tunnicliffe’s involvement in the new HELLRAISER. He as stated that his services were requested due to his work on parts 2–8. However, it is also rumoured that he is infact not involved at this point and was hoping to use the video as the start of a viral campaign and petition for his return!

In any case, I think we now know which way Clive Barker will be voting!

H2: (Flash)Back to Haddonfield…

Alongside reports of Malcolm McDowell reprising his role of Dr. Loomis in H2, Rob Zombie’s sequel to his own remake of HALLOWEEN, comes confirmation that Daeg Farch will also be returning as “young Michael Myers”. Other definite cast members joining McDowell and Farch are Bill Moseley and fellow TCM2 star Caroline “Stretch” Williams.

Those who have seen the Directors Cut of Zombie’s HALLOWEEN will recall that Loomis survived in that version, making a return possible. However, the signing of Farch can only mean one thing – flashbacks!

As a fan of the SAW franchise, I’m used to seeing gratuitous flashbacks to the one strand of originality that made the first movie interesting. So this isn’t that much of a shock for me… but how about you? Post your thoughts on the forums!