CategoryDocumentaries
True-crime and horror documentaries — real cases, real crimes, and the films that retell them.
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DocumentariesInterviewsMovies
Chopping Mall writer Steve Mitchell and I sat down for an interview. Not only did we discuss his classic horror films, we also talked about his new documentary King Cohen which examines the life and work of prolific filmmaker Larry Cohen. Cohen has a tremendous amount of work to his credit, including the classic horror film The Stuff, It’s Alive, Phone Booth, Uncle Sam, Body Snatchers, and Maniac Cop. But I’ll let Mr. Mitchell tell you all about that. Horror Fuel: “How did Chopping Mall come to be?” Steve Mitchell: “Jim Wynorski, who was a buddy of mine, was offered an opportunity because Vestron wanted me and Roger to produce a – there’s no way to say this nicely- dead teenager movie (it was the 80’s). Vestron wanted something that took place in a shopping mall. Jim called me up and said, “Hey, you’ve got a chance to get a movie off the ground if you want to try to
Continue reading →
DocumentariesIndieMovies
Since this is a review of a documentary about the cult classic fright flick The Monster Squad that features testimonials of fans’ first experiences with the film, I’ll share mine! I vividly remember when The Monster Squad was coming out in cinemas. I was beyond excited to see a film teaming up classic creatures battling some resourceful kids…the thrills, the spills, the…the…fucking nothin’. That film never made it’s way to the Podunk cinema in my bucolic lil’ town, and there was no way in hell my parents were driving thirty minutes to the next closest theater to check it out. So I saw it when one of my friends taped it off from HBO. I really liked it. The end. Thankfully the stories in Wolfman’s Got Nards are much more entertaining and engaging than that ultra-shit yarn I spun above…though the end result is the same. People like The Monster Squad movie…I mean really, really like it, and their passion
Continue reading →
DocumentariesIndieMoviesTrailers
Around the world tales of bizarre, wolflike creatures have been told for centuries. Everyone has heard stories about werewolves, but In 1992 the worldwide phenomenon came to the forefront in the United States when residents of Elkhorn, a small town in Wisconsin, began encountering a “Werewolf” on a rural road just outside of town. Those unlucky enough to see the “beast of Bray Road” for themselves were left forever changed by the ordeal. The story quickly gained national attention. The regional media flocked to the area as monster hunters descended on the tiny hamlet. Before long, sightings of similar figures were erupting all across the Midwest. Nearly three decades later, Small Town Monsters investigates the story of the Beast of Bray Road… and it’s hidden history. As recently as last week, a major news item about the discovery of an unidentifiable dog-like creature shot and killed in rural Montana went viral. However, similar strange beasts have stalked the prairies and
Continue reading →
DocumentariesMoviesReviewsTrue Story
Starting at his cinema obsessed childhood and working it’s way into his existence as a true legend of exploitation cinema; King Cohen: The Wild World of Film Maker Larry Cohen is a fascinating look into the life and times of a comedian turned Director (and Writer…and Producer) responsible for some of the greatest titles our beloved horror biz has to offer, such as: The It’s Alive Trilogy, The Stuff, Q: The Winged Serpent, God Told Me To and many more! Over the course of an hour and forty seven minutes we take a break neck journey into just what it took to get Cohen’s legendary horror and Blaxploitation flicks to the silver screen including; filming cars driving down the sidewalks of New York City, simulated gun shots and film fights, daring stunts…all without planning, permits, or on lookers being clued in to the fact that a motion picture is being filmed. It’s guerrilla film making at it’s best, and infused
Continue reading →
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It’s Alive, The Stuff, Maniac Cop, Body Snatchers, those are titles every genre fan recognizes. A new documentary, King Cohen, from filmmaker Steve Mitchell will delve into the life and work of the brilliant writer, director, and producer Larry Cohen, which Dark Star Pictures has just acquired the American rights to. Dark Star is planning a July 7th theatrical roll-out followed by an August 14th VOD release. Dark Star Pictures President Michael Repsch negotiated the deal with Bill Straus of Bridge Entertainment. Larry Cohen is one of a kind – a true film auteur. Steve Mitchell has brilliantly captured his essence and passion in this very entertaining and also informative film. We’re ecstatic to bring this work to North American audiences” says Michael Repsch, President of Dark Star Pictures. “We couldn’t be more delighted to have Dark Star Pictures unleash KING COHEN on North America,” says producer Matt Verboys. “They completely get Larry Cohen’s indelible impact on cinema and are
Continue reading →
DocumentariesMovies
Artists put their soul into their creations, their pieces are part of them, but one artist is putting something more into their art, blood. The amazing artist Vincent Castiglia’s preferred medium is the blood of his and his subjects. In his artwork, he explores life, death, and everything in between. Now, a new documentary, Bloodlines: The Art and Life of Vincent Castiglia, from John Borowski (H.H. Holmes: America’s First Serial Killer) hopes to reveal more about the artist and his work. This is a deeply personal film for Vincent and I am honored to have worked closely with him on the film. I feel many people will see this film as inspirational, even though it is a dark ride through pain and suffering. Vincent’s life journey, much like his art, reflects both the dark and ultimately the light that shines through the darkness.” Borowski states. Vincent Castiglia has been commissioned to create paintings for many celebrities. Some who are featured
Continue reading →
DocumentariesMoviesNewsTrue CrimeTrue Story
Cerrito Productions has acquired public and private footage to one of the most unbelievable massacres to ever take place at a restaurant for an upcoming, which will include a return to the crime scene in Virginia, where they’ll undercover all the horrors that this tragedy left behind. Director, Mario Cerrito III (The Listing, Deadly Gamble), will be combining the original raw footage along with some brand new footage that will focus on the aftermath. Cerrito has teamed up with executive producer Claudio Ricciardi on the project, which is set to go into production this summer. The documentary is so controversial that the title and synopsis are being withheld to protect the integrity of the project, but it is being described as a cross between “Iron Chef” and The Faces of Death. The real footage being used is said to include some of the most gruesome images ever to be seen in a documentary. Needless to say, this film is not
Continue reading →
DocumentariesParanormalTrailers
This March watch as Zak Bagans and his team enter “The Demon House” to document the supernatural events that made the house grab headlines over the past few years. The documentary’s trailer has now been released, but it gives you a strong warning to “watch at your own risk”, that “it’s cursed. “Written, directed, and produced by the “Ghost Adventures” leader. the documentary features Bagans along with Father Michael Maginot and Dr. Barry Taff. Demon House was produced also by Joseph Taglieri and Mike Dorsey, and Jay Wasley. The small house on Carolina Street, in Gary, Indiana looks normal from the outside, but there have been over 800 pages of reports of intense paranormal activity and even possession. Even the Captain of the Gary Police Department swears that the house is haunted. Various Mediums and Psychics have stated that the house is infested with hundreds of demons and ghosts. Mrs. Ammons’ who owned the home said her children were reportedly
Continue reading →
Documentaries
There are a whole slew of Charles Manson films being releases soon. The Tarantino one starring Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio is getting the most spotlight and love…for obvious reasons, but we have just learned that ‘Ghost Adventures’ star Zak Bagans is producing a documentary on the modern day monster which will be titled ‘Manson’s Bloodline’. Bagans tells TMZ that filming began on the doc shortly before Manson’s death last year; “it will cover everything from Manson’s life to the news of his death and the court battle over his body… to exclusive footage of his open casket funeral.” This documentary will surely be informative, in-depth, and interesting. Regardless of the monster that Manson was and the absolute horrific nature of his life, he remains a very popular figure to examine. Bagans will surely do a fantastic job at exposing exactly who this racist cult leader was and what made him so appealing to his followers. No release date has
Continue reading →
DocumentariesIndieMoviesParanormal
Beginning as it does with an opening credits sequence that wouldn’t be out of place in any given ’50’s era alien invasion flick, The Flatwoods Monster: A Legacy of Fear spins a yarn jammed fat with flying saucers, putrid smelling monsters, and flesh melting fog…and the best part of it all is, this is believed by many to be a true story! The documentary begins by introducing us to the bucolic splendor of Braxton County West Virginia, and more supposedly the sleepy hamlet of Flatwoods…a town where you would likely find more tipped cows than space invaders (though West Virginia itself has been a hotbed of paranormal activity for ages, with the most prominent example being The Mothman), yet in 1952 the May family had an experience that blew that all to hell and back, as they witnessed a strange craft land and dispense an outre (perhaps mechanical) being that scared them shitless…as it would anyone. But the May family
Continue reading →
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DocumentariesInterviewsMovies
Chopping Mall writer Steve Mitchell and I sat down for an interview. Not only did we discuss his classic horror films, we also talked about his new documentary King Cohen which examines the life and work of prolific filmmaker Larry Cohen. Cohen has a tremendous amount of work to his credit, including the classic horror film The Stuff, It’s Alive, Phone Booth, Uncle Sam, Body Snatchers, and Maniac Cop. But I’ll let Mr. Mitchell tell you all about that. Horror Fuel: “How did Chopping Mall come to be?” Steve Mitchell: “Jim Wynorski, who was a buddy of mine, was offered an opportunity because Vestron wanted me and Roger to produce a – there’s no way to say this nicely- dead teenager movie (it was the 80’s). Vestron wanted something that took place in a shopping mall. Jim called me up and said, “Hey, you’ve got a chance to get a movie off the ground if you want to try to
Continue reading →
DocumentariesIndieMovies
Since this is a review of a documentary about the cult classic fright flick The Monster Squad that features testimonials of fans’ first experiences with the film, I’ll share mine! I vividly remember when The Monster Squad was coming out in cinemas. I was beyond excited to see a film teaming up classic creatures battling some resourceful kids…the thrills, the spills, the…the…fucking nothin’. That film never made it’s way to the Podunk cinema in my bucolic lil’ town, and there was no way in hell my parents were driving thirty minutes to the next closest theater to check it out. So I saw it when one of my friends taped it off from HBO. I really liked it. The end. Thankfully the stories in Wolfman’s Got Nards are much more entertaining and engaging than that ultra-shit yarn I spun above…though the end result is the same. People like The Monster Squad movie…I mean really, really like it, and their passion
Continue reading →
DocumentariesIndieMoviesTrailers
Around the world tales of bizarre, wolflike creatures have been told for centuries. Everyone has heard stories about werewolves, but In 1992 the worldwide phenomenon came to the forefront in the United States when residents of Elkhorn, a small town in Wisconsin, began encountering a “Werewolf” on a rural road just outside of town. Those unlucky enough to see the “beast of Bray Road” for themselves were left forever changed by the ordeal. The story quickly gained national attention. The regional media flocked to the area as monster hunters descended on the tiny hamlet. Before long, sightings of similar figures were erupting all across the Midwest. Nearly three decades later, Small Town Monsters investigates the story of the Beast of Bray Road… and it’s hidden history. As recently as last week, a major news item about the discovery of an unidentifiable dog-like creature shot and killed in rural Montana went viral. However, similar strange beasts have stalked the prairies and
Continue reading →
DocumentariesMoviesReviewsTrue Story
Starting at his cinema obsessed childhood and working it’s way into his existence as a true legend of exploitation cinema; King Cohen: The Wild World of Film Maker Larry Cohen is a fascinating look into the life and times of a comedian turned Director (and Writer…and Producer) responsible for some of the greatest titles our beloved horror biz has to offer, such as: The It’s Alive Trilogy, The Stuff, Q: The Winged Serpent, God Told Me To and many more! Over the course of an hour and forty seven minutes we take a break neck journey into just what it took to get Cohen’s legendary horror and Blaxploitation flicks to the silver screen including; filming cars driving down the sidewalks of New York City, simulated gun shots and film fights, daring stunts…all without planning, permits, or on lookers being clued in to the fact that a motion picture is being filmed. It’s guerrilla film making at it’s best, and infused
Continue reading →
DocumentariesMoviesNews
It’s Alive, The Stuff, Maniac Cop, Body Snatchers, those are titles every genre fan recognizes. A new documentary, King Cohen, from filmmaker Steve Mitchell will delve into the life and work of the brilliant writer, director, and producer Larry Cohen, which Dark Star Pictures has just acquired the American rights to. Dark Star is planning a July 7th theatrical roll-out followed by an August 14th VOD release. Dark Star Pictures President Michael Repsch negotiated the deal with Bill Straus of Bridge Entertainment. Larry Cohen is one of a kind – a true film auteur. Steve Mitchell has brilliantly captured his essence and passion in this very entertaining and also informative film. We’re ecstatic to bring this work to North American audiences” says Michael Repsch, President of Dark Star Pictures. “We couldn’t be more delighted to have Dark Star Pictures unleash KING COHEN on North America,” says producer Matt Verboys. “They completely get Larry Cohen’s indelible impact on cinema and are
Continue reading →
DocumentariesMovies
Artists put their soul into their creations, their pieces are part of them, but one artist is putting something more into their art, blood. The amazing artist Vincent Castiglia’s preferred medium is the blood of his and his subjects. In his artwork, he explores life, death, and everything in between. Now, a new documentary, Bloodlines: The Art and Life of Vincent Castiglia, from John Borowski (H.H. Holmes: America’s First Serial Killer) hopes to reveal more about the artist and his work. This is a deeply personal film for Vincent and I am honored to have worked closely with him on the film. I feel many people will see this film as inspirational, even though it is a dark ride through pain and suffering. Vincent’s life journey, much like his art, reflects both the dark and ultimately the light that shines through the darkness.” Borowski states. Vincent Castiglia has been commissioned to create paintings for many celebrities. Some who are featured
Continue reading →
DocumentariesMoviesNewsTrue CrimeTrue Story
Cerrito Productions has acquired public and private footage to one of the most unbelievable massacres to ever take place at a restaurant for an upcoming, which will include a return to the crime scene in Virginia, where they’ll undercover all the horrors that this tragedy left behind. Director, Mario Cerrito III (The Listing, Deadly Gamble), will be combining the original raw footage along with some brand new footage that will focus on the aftermath. Cerrito has teamed up with executive producer Claudio Ricciardi on the project, which is set to go into production this summer. The documentary is so controversial that the title and synopsis are being withheld to protect the integrity of the project, but it is being described as a cross between “Iron Chef” and The Faces of Death. The real footage being used is said to include some of the most gruesome images ever to be seen in a documentary. Needless to say, this film is not
Continue reading →
DocumentariesParanormalTrailers
This March watch as Zak Bagans and his team enter “The Demon House” to document the supernatural events that made the house grab headlines over the past few years. The documentary’s trailer has now been released, but it gives you a strong warning to “watch at your own risk”, that “it’s cursed. “Written, directed, and produced by the “Ghost Adventures” leader. the documentary features Bagans along with Father Michael Maginot and Dr. Barry Taff. Demon House was produced also by Joseph Taglieri and Mike Dorsey, and Jay Wasley. The small house on Carolina Street, in Gary, Indiana looks normal from the outside, but there have been over 800 pages of reports of intense paranormal activity and even possession. Even the Captain of the Gary Police Department swears that the house is haunted. Various Mediums and Psychics have stated that the house is infested with hundreds of demons and ghosts. Mrs. Ammons’ who owned the home said her children were reportedly
Continue reading →
Documentaries
There are a whole slew of Charles Manson films being releases soon. The Tarantino one starring Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio is getting the most spotlight and love…for obvious reasons, but we have just learned that ‘Ghost Adventures’ star Zak Bagans is producing a documentary on the modern day monster which will be titled ‘Manson’s Bloodline’. Bagans tells TMZ that filming began on the doc shortly before Manson’s death last year; “it will cover everything from Manson’s life to the news of his death and the court battle over his body… to exclusive footage of his open casket funeral.” This documentary will surely be informative, in-depth, and interesting. Regardless of the monster that Manson was and the absolute horrific nature of his life, he remains a very popular figure to examine. Bagans will surely do a fantastic job at exposing exactly who this racist cult leader was and what made him so appealing to his followers. No release date has
Continue reading →
DocumentariesIndieMoviesParanormal
Beginning as it does with an opening credits sequence that wouldn’t be out of place in any given ’50’s era alien invasion flick, The Flatwoods Monster: A Legacy of Fear spins a yarn jammed fat with flying saucers, putrid smelling monsters, and flesh melting fog…and the best part of it all is, this is believed by many to be a true story! The documentary begins by introducing us to the bucolic splendor of Braxton County West Virginia, and more supposedly the sleepy hamlet of Flatwoods…a town where you would likely find more tipped cows than space invaders (though West Virginia itself has been a hotbed of paranormal activity for ages, with the most prominent example being The Mothman), yet in 1952 the May family had an experience that blew that all to hell and back, as they witnessed a strange craft land and dispense an outre (perhaps mechanical) being that scared them shitless…as it would anyone. But the May family
Continue reading →
