10 Modern Horror Films with Awesome Practical Effects Part 2
Matt Molgaard
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Wolf Creek 2: While Greg McLean’s Wolf Creek 2 is clearly a gratuitous picture, it’s also a wonder to behold just on the strength of the special effects. McLean and his band of effects artists take viewers back to a time when the blood and guts of film stood as a major point of appeal for fans. Though modern, it has the look and vibe of a ruthless ’80s flick and at moments (severed penis, anyone?) feels almost like a nod to wild man Herschell Gordon Lewis. Mick Taylor is as terrifying as he’s ever been, and the gruesome depths he explores in Wolf Creek 2 ultimately look stunning and mortifying in equal measure.
Charlie’s Farm: There are a lot of mishaps to overlook while checking out Chris Sun’s old school slasher Charlie’s Farm. The dialogue hits quite a few snags and the disregard for basic logical and internal survival instinct can be hard to swallow. But what the film lacks in finesse it makes up for in sheer brutality. This is a mean, mean picture crammed full of disgusting, graphic violence. And it’s all practical… and it’s all amazing to behold. There’s an obvious attempt at creating a new genre villain that will be remembered for years to come, and whether that pans out for Sun or not, he’s at least got himself one attention-grabbing and gruesome picture on his hands. You, sir, are commended for your efforts!
Splinter: Splinter is one of those gems that fuses practical special effects and digital enhancements with absolute perfection. The story itself is also captivating, which leads us to really invest in the picture. When you combine those strengths, you have an absolutely magical picture. The truth is, Splinter is one of the finest indie horror pics to hit the market inside the last decade. Quantum Creation FX enters the fold to assemble one of the coolest monsters ever shot, and one damn flexible gymnast climbs on board to ensure that all kinds of strange, seemingly impossible contortions convince us of the organic alien nature of the creature. It’s a marriage of absolute brilliance.
Hatchet (The Franchise): You simply cannot lose when it comes to the Hatchet films. They’re fun, humorous, nostalgic, and absolutely disgusting. Adam Green did a fine job of introducing a contemporary villain that fans of old drive-in flicks could really get behind. Victor Crowley is frightening and embraced (probably will be for decades to come), and that’s because he rips people apart like few others. Each of the three franchise installments is packed with graphic and over-the-top gore that you’ve got to see to believe, and as impossible as it may seem, each film makes a valid attempt at outscoring its immediate predecessor on the gross-out scale.
