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Horror Fuel

Robert Altman & Popeye vs. Cynema

To Clear A Few Things Up A few myths need to be dispelled about the 1980 Robin Williams film, Popeye. It was NOT a boxoffice failure. It was made for 20 million and grossed well over 60 million. While deemed a “disappointment” by Paramount Pictures, it hardly failed. 2. It is NOT Robin Williams’s worst film. I will argue it is his best, hands down. Like Williams and its director, the film paid a price for breaking away from formula. Popeye is fucking art, so there, I said it. Popeye fought Cynema and lost the first few battles, but I think it won the war. It was Robin Williams’s first film, and almost his last. It’s been called a mess, incomprehensible, a misfire, a disaster and a bomb. Bear with me as I show how this unique film stands up against Cynema. I’ll also lay out how this film reflects the present attitudes between industry and audience. Years after I

Continue reading →
Capt McNeely
Sep 19, 2015
Horror Fuel

Dragons and Zombies, and Stormtroopers, Oh My. (Zombie Apocalypse Defense Force Goes to Dragon Con.)

This year I represented the ZADF at Dragon Con. It was no great imposition. I was going anyway. I go every year. The only real difference is this year I’ll be writing about it. I’m guessing that many of you have never heard of Dragon Con, and are probably wondering what the hell I’m talking about. Have you heard of Comic Con in San Diego? You probably have. It has become a huge event every year that draws massive crowds and gets national media coverage. What many people don’t realize, is that Comic Con is just one of many Cons. There are conventions devoted to comic books, video games, table top gaming, fantasy, science fiction, anime, and of course horror; then there is Dragon Con. Dragon Con covers all of those things and more. It takes place in Atlanta, GA and has been around for a while (it started back in 1987). I’ve been attending since I was a kid

Continue reading →
Capt McNeely
Sep 16, 2015
Horror Fuel

The 90s: Designer Horror

Jordache Horror Somewhere in the 80s, someone got the idea that horror should be less frightening and more sexy and trendy. I am not sure where it happened, but a good starting point might be Michael Jackson’s Thriller. The “World Premiere Video” back when MTV aired videos and before its implosion was the thing to see. Director John Landis was in between the smash hit horror classic, An American Werewolf in London and the public relations nightmare of Twilight Zone: The Movie. Michael Jackson was truly The King of Pop, and his LP, Thriller elevated MTV into something else…exactly what, I don’t know, but Thriller was more than a video. It was a pop culture event and it used horror as its spring board. Vincent Price became known to a the Pepsi Generation as “the old dude who “rapped” in Thriller and laughed at the end. Academy Award winner and makeup genius, Rick Baker did the makeup effects and suddenly

Continue reading →
Capt McNeely
Sep 1, 2015
Horror Fuel

Consuming Cynema PART I

Go Shopping A persistent misconception immediately after the 911 attacks in 2001 is that President George W. Bush urged Americans “to go shopping.” This was not the case. Over the years it’s been simplified into that message. In reality The President said this, “It’s to tell the traveling public: Get on board. Do your business around the country. Fly and enjoy America’s great destination spots. Get down to Disney World in Florida. Take your families and enjoy life, the way we want it to be enjoyed.” George Bush, White House Archives Not once was the word “shop” or any form of it used. This is not a political defense. Rather, something in that speech to a shocked nation did stand out to me, and can be applied to the entertainment industry. While we were not directly urged to “go shopping” the simplistic picture of consumerism congruent to the picture of American life was apparent. We have accepted an image of

Continue reading →
Capt McNeely
Aug 23, 2015
Horror Fuel

Cynema: Ed Wood–Hollywood’s Whipping Boy

No Respect Apparently Michael Medved, the respected film critic gets the credit with dubbing Edward Wood, Jr. the “worst director of all time” by referring to Wood’s crowning film achievement, Plan Nine From Outer Space as perhaps the worst motion picture ever made. This is not only to come to the late Mr. Wood’s defense, but to also show how off the mark Mr. Medved was in his 1980 book The Golden Turkey Awards. Wood is the antithesis of Cynema–his passion and love for film makes him one of Hollywood’s greatest directors. Say what you want about Plan Nine, Bride of the Monster or Glen or Glenda…bad films, yes. Bad directing, absolutely. However Ed Wood was not a cynic. This column will show why films like Jaws The Revenge, Godzilla 1998 and other big budget films are far worse than anything Ed Wood ever put out, including Plan 9. By many accounts, including his own, Plan 9 From Outer Space

Continue reading →
Capt McNeely
Aug 14, 2015
Horror Fuel

Documentaries Every Horror Fan Should See

The Nightmare (2015) ‘The Nightmare’ delves into the phenomena of sleep paralysis. By combing interviews with terrifying recreations ‘The Nightmare’ will leave you scared to close your eyes. My Amityville Horror (2012) This documentary explores the true story of ‘The Amityville Horror’. In the documentary Daniel Lutz, a member of the family, who moved into the house after the slaughter of the DeFeo family at the hands of their oldest son, Ronald “Butch” DeFeo Jr., tells what really happened to his family in the house. Cropsey (2009) Two filmmakers explore the urban legend surrounding a local abandoned mental hospital and the true story behind five missing children that disappeared. Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy (2010) In ‘Never Sleep Again’ filmmakers explore the true story behind the horror film ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street’. That’s right, ‘Nightmare on Elm Street’ is based on a true story. A Haunting In Connecticut (2002) ‘A Haunting in Connecticut’ is another film who’s

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jun 24, 2015
Horror Fuel

Zak Bagans’ ‘Demon House’ Documentary Has Wrapped Production

Many of the paranormal community, and the fans of the paranormal series ‘Ghost Adventures’, have been eagerly awaiting the documentary film ‘The Demon House’, well good news, the film has officially wrapped up production. For those of you who are just now hearing about the project, let me explain. ‘The Demon House’ documentary revolves around the house that Zak Bagans purchased from Latoya Ammons . 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 the house is haunted. Various Mediums and Psychics have stated that the house is infested with hundreds of demons and ghosts. Ammons’ children were reportedly possessed while living in the house. The paranormal events include her and her three children being attacked repeatedly by an unseen entity, seeing ghostly figures, her children levitating and walking up

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jun 2, 2015
Horror Fuel

‘The Nightmare’ A Documentary By Rodney Ascher

Imagine that as you slept, you sensed something in the darkness, but you are paralyzed and helpless, as a shadowy entity comes closer to you, welcome to the world of sleep paralysis. In Ascher’s documentary, titled ‘The Nightmare’ he explores the phenomenon of sleep paralysis and recreates the atmosphere and terror that the victims experience. Often people suffering from the condition wake paralyzed and unable to cry out. It’s not uncommon for sufferers to hear voices, feel as if something is in the room with them or see disturbing images during episodes and often panic sets in. Sleep Paralysis is more common than you would think, around 6% of the world’s population experience the condition. There is a common thread between sufferers, it’s not background or social standing, it’s the fact that almost all of the sufferers describe the same shadow people or horrifying visions during their episodes, leaving us to wonder if something bigger is going on. Rodney Ascher

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
May 4, 2015
Horror Fuel

Movie Review: ‘Killer Legends’ The Documentary (2014)

As I was surfing through the oceans of movies on Netflix Streaming, I came across ‘Killer Legends’ a documentary about some of the origins of some of the most popular Urban Legends, that have influenced the creation of some of our favorite horror movies. ‘Killer Legends’ was written and directed by Joshua Zeman. ‘Killer Legends’ investigates several legends, in detail by visiting the place where they originated, interviewing people tied to the events and researching police records. The film begins with the story of the couple on lovers lane who see a strange figure and drive away. When the couple stops they find a bloody hook hanging from the car’s door handle. The next investigation explores the “Phantom Murders” also known as “The Moonlight Murders”. In 1946 a series of brutal murders rocked the town Texarkana. Young couples parked on lover’s lanes began turning up dead. Most of the young women were raped before being brutally murdered by a man

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Apr 9, 2015
Horror Fuel

13 Horror Documentaries Every Horror Fan Should See

There is a long list of horror documentaries , so I’ve narrowed it down to a list of the 13 best horror documentaries out there. Enjoy! The True Story Of The Amityville Horror (2013) This documentary explores the truth behind the real Amityville Horror. Texas Chainsaw Massacre: A Family Portrait (1988) “A documentary about the classic ‘Texas Chainsaw Massacre’ film, including interviews with Gunnar Hansen (LEATHERFACE), Edwin Neal (THE HITCHHIKER), John Dugan (GRANDPA) and Jim Seidow (OLD MAN).” Nightmares In Red, White And Blue: The Evolution Of The American Horror Film (2009) The Documentary takes a look at the appeal of horror films, with interviews of some of the most iconic names in horror. Screaming In High Heels: The Rise And Fall Of The Scream Queen Era (2011) ” Three actresses “accidentally” became cult horror film icons in the late 1980s and created the modern interpretation of the “Scream Queen” image.” The Short Films Of David Lynch (2002) “A collection

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Nov 11, 2014

More from Documentaries

Horror Fuel

Robert Altman & Popeye vs. Cynema

To Clear A Few Things Up A few myths need to be dispelled about the 1980 Robin Williams film, Popeye. It was NOT a boxoffice failure. It was made for 20 million and grossed well over 60 million. While deemed a “disappointment” by Paramount Pictures, it hardly failed. 2. It is NOT Robin Williams’s worst film. I will argue it is his best, hands down. Like Williams and its director, the film paid a price for breaking away from formula. Popeye is fucking art, so there, I said it. Popeye fought Cynema and lost the first few battles, but I think it won the war. It was Robin Williams’s first film, and almost his last. It’s been called a mess, incomprehensible, a misfire, a disaster and a bomb. Bear with me as I show how this unique film stands up against Cynema. I’ll also lay out how this film reflects the present attitudes between industry and audience. Years after I

Continue reading →
Capt McNeely
Sep 19, 2015
Horror Fuel

Dragons and Zombies, and Stormtroopers, Oh My. (Zombie Apocalypse Defense Force Goes to Dragon Con.)

This year I represented the ZADF at Dragon Con. It was no great imposition. I was going anyway. I go every year. The only real difference is this year I’ll be writing about it. I’m guessing that many of you have never heard of Dragon Con, and are probably wondering what the hell I’m talking about. Have you heard of Comic Con in San Diego? You probably have. It has become a huge event every year that draws massive crowds and gets national media coverage. What many people don’t realize, is that Comic Con is just one of many Cons. There are conventions devoted to comic books, video games, table top gaming, fantasy, science fiction, anime, and of course horror; then there is Dragon Con. Dragon Con covers all of those things and more. It takes place in Atlanta, GA and has been around for a while (it started back in 1987). I’ve been attending since I was a kid

Continue reading →
Capt McNeely
Sep 16, 2015
Horror Fuel

The 90s: Designer Horror

Jordache Horror Somewhere in the 80s, someone got the idea that horror should be less frightening and more sexy and trendy. I am not sure where it happened, but a good starting point might be Michael Jackson’s Thriller. The “World Premiere Video” back when MTV aired videos and before its implosion was the thing to see. Director John Landis was in between the smash hit horror classic, An American Werewolf in London and the public relations nightmare of Twilight Zone: The Movie. Michael Jackson was truly The King of Pop, and his LP, Thriller elevated MTV into something else…exactly what, I don’t know, but Thriller was more than a video. It was a pop culture event and it used horror as its spring board. Vincent Price became known to a the Pepsi Generation as “the old dude who “rapped” in Thriller and laughed at the end. Academy Award winner and makeup genius, Rick Baker did the makeup effects and suddenly

Continue reading →
Capt McNeely
Sep 1, 2015
Horror Fuel

Consuming Cynema PART I

Go Shopping A persistent misconception immediately after the 911 attacks in 2001 is that President George W. Bush urged Americans “to go shopping.” This was not the case. Over the years it’s been simplified into that message. In reality The President said this, “It’s to tell the traveling public: Get on board. Do your business around the country. Fly and enjoy America’s great destination spots. Get down to Disney World in Florida. Take your families and enjoy life, the way we want it to be enjoyed.” George Bush, White House Archives Not once was the word “shop” or any form of it used. This is not a political defense. Rather, something in that speech to a shocked nation did stand out to me, and can be applied to the entertainment industry. While we were not directly urged to “go shopping” the simplistic picture of consumerism congruent to the picture of American life was apparent. We have accepted an image of

Continue reading →
Capt McNeely
Aug 23, 2015
Horror Fuel

Cynema: Ed Wood–Hollywood’s Whipping Boy

No Respect Apparently Michael Medved, the respected film critic gets the credit with dubbing Edward Wood, Jr. the “worst director of all time” by referring to Wood’s crowning film achievement, Plan Nine From Outer Space as perhaps the worst motion picture ever made. This is not only to come to the late Mr. Wood’s defense, but to also show how off the mark Mr. Medved was in his 1980 book The Golden Turkey Awards. Wood is the antithesis of Cynema–his passion and love for film makes him one of Hollywood’s greatest directors. Say what you want about Plan Nine, Bride of the Monster or Glen or Glenda…bad films, yes. Bad directing, absolutely. However Ed Wood was not a cynic. This column will show why films like Jaws The Revenge, Godzilla 1998 and other big budget films are far worse than anything Ed Wood ever put out, including Plan 9. By many accounts, including his own, Plan 9 From Outer Space

Continue reading →
Capt McNeely
Aug 14, 2015
Horror Fuel

Documentaries Every Horror Fan Should See

The Nightmare (2015) ‘The Nightmare’ delves into the phenomena of sleep paralysis. By combing interviews with terrifying recreations ‘The Nightmare’ will leave you scared to close your eyes. My Amityville Horror (2012) This documentary explores the true story of ‘The Amityville Horror’. In the documentary Daniel Lutz, a member of the family, who moved into the house after the slaughter of the DeFeo family at the hands of their oldest son, Ronald “Butch” DeFeo Jr., tells what really happened to his family in the house. Cropsey (2009) Two filmmakers explore the urban legend surrounding a local abandoned mental hospital and the true story behind five missing children that disappeared. Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy (2010) In ‘Never Sleep Again’ filmmakers explore the true story behind the horror film ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street’. That’s right, ‘Nightmare on Elm Street’ is based on a true story. A Haunting In Connecticut (2002) ‘A Haunting in Connecticut’ is another film who’s

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jun 24, 2015
Horror Fuel

Zak Bagans’ ‘Demon House’ Documentary Has Wrapped Production

Many of the paranormal community, and the fans of the paranormal series ‘Ghost Adventures’, have been eagerly awaiting the documentary film ‘The Demon House’, well good news, the film has officially wrapped up production. For those of you who are just now hearing about the project, let me explain. ‘The Demon House’ documentary revolves around the house that Zak Bagans purchased from Latoya Ammons . 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 the house is haunted. Various Mediums and Psychics have stated that the house is infested with hundreds of demons and ghosts. Ammons’ children were reportedly possessed while living in the house. The paranormal events include her and her three children being attacked repeatedly by an unseen entity, seeing ghostly figures, her children levitating and walking up

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jun 2, 2015
Horror Fuel

‘The Nightmare’ A Documentary By Rodney Ascher

Imagine that as you slept, you sensed something in the darkness, but you are paralyzed and helpless, as a shadowy entity comes closer to you, welcome to the world of sleep paralysis. In Ascher’s documentary, titled ‘The Nightmare’ he explores the phenomenon of sleep paralysis and recreates the atmosphere and terror that the victims experience. Often people suffering from the condition wake paralyzed and unable to cry out. It’s not uncommon for sufferers to hear voices, feel as if something is in the room with them or see disturbing images during episodes and often panic sets in. Sleep Paralysis is more common than you would think, around 6% of the world’s population experience the condition. There is a common thread between sufferers, it’s not background or social standing, it’s the fact that almost all of the sufferers describe the same shadow people or horrifying visions during their episodes, leaving us to wonder if something bigger is going on. Rodney Ascher

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
May 4, 2015
Horror Fuel

Movie Review: ‘Killer Legends’ The Documentary (2014)

As I was surfing through the oceans of movies on Netflix Streaming, I came across ‘Killer Legends’ a documentary about some of the origins of some of the most popular Urban Legends, that have influenced the creation of some of our favorite horror movies. ‘Killer Legends’ was written and directed by Joshua Zeman. ‘Killer Legends’ investigates several legends, in detail by visiting the place where they originated, interviewing people tied to the events and researching police records. The film begins with the story of the couple on lovers lane who see a strange figure and drive away. When the couple stops they find a bloody hook hanging from the car’s door handle. The next investigation explores the “Phantom Murders” also known as “The Moonlight Murders”. In 1946 a series of brutal murders rocked the town Texarkana. Young couples parked on lover’s lanes began turning up dead. Most of the young women were raped before being brutally murdered by a man

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Apr 9, 2015
Horror Fuel

13 Horror Documentaries Every Horror Fan Should See

There is a long list of horror documentaries , so I’ve narrowed it down to a list of the 13 best horror documentaries out there. Enjoy! The True Story Of The Amityville Horror (2013) This documentary explores the truth behind the real Amityville Horror. Texas Chainsaw Massacre: A Family Portrait (1988) “A documentary about the classic ‘Texas Chainsaw Massacre’ film, including interviews with Gunnar Hansen (LEATHERFACE), Edwin Neal (THE HITCHHIKER), John Dugan (GRANDPA) and Jim Seidow (OLD MAN).” Nightmares In Red, White And Blue: The Evolution Of The American Horror Film (2009) The Documentary takes a look at the appeal of horror films, with interviews of some of the most iconic names in horror. Screaming In High Heels: The Rise And Fall Of The Scream Queen Era (2011) ” Three actresses “accidentally” became cult horror film icons in the late 1980s and created the modern interpretation of the “Scream Queen” image.” The Short Films Of David Lynch (2002) “A collection

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Nov 11, 2014