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Horror Fuel

Movie Review: ‘Bonejangles’ Is A Bungled Attempt At Horror Comedy.

Edgar Friendly Jr. aka Bonejangles is ion the loose and a small tow police force has dispatched all units in an attempt to bring him in. After a brief fracas and the expenditure of nearly all of the towns police force, a few surviving officers manage to subdue the murderous juggernaut. Now these few remaining police officers must transport Bonejangles to a drop-off point where another contingent of police will meet them to pick up and transport the captive killer on the second leg of the journey to an asylum. The meeting point for this joint prisoner transport effort just happens to be in a sleepy little rural town called Argento – a town that one of the officers knows very well. In fact this officer’s ex-girlfriend is due to be married to the town’s rather rednecky hero, right around the time of Bonejangles’ handoff. And while this may make his return awkward enough things are about to get completely

Continue reading →
Capt McNeely
Aug 8, 2017
Horror Fuel

Movie Review: ‘Circus Kane’ Is Equal Parts Greasepaint And Gore

Circuses and carnivals, as well as the folks associated with them, are some of the oldest vessels of fear known to the modern population. Why? What’s so scary about circuses? For some it’s the atmosphere, with its hot, unnatural lights and brightly painted colors. It’s like living in a perpetual acid trip. For others, it’s the constant illusion–nothing is as it seems. For most folks that fear circuses, though, the fear stems from something far more specific. Clowns. On September 8th Uncork’d Entertainment and DeInstitutionalized, along with director Christopher Douglas-Olen Ray, will bring all of these fears together under one big top with Circus Kane. I had the chance to watch this greasepaint-smeared, cotton candy-smelling offering prior to its release next month and I’ll give you the lowdown below…. I generally go into an indie horror-flick with pretty mild expectations. I mean, let’s be honest–it’s a tough genre and for those of us that have been around the thrills, chills,

Continue reading →
Capt McNeely
Jul 31, 2017
Horror Fuel

Movie Review: ‘WTF!’…Yeah, That’s Kinda How I Felt.

Rachel is a young woman who has lived through an ordeal that would leave most people completely shattered. During a gathering with a group of friends, a brutal bloody massacre occurred, with Rachel emerging as the lone survivor. A few years have since passed, and some would say that time heals all wounds. It just so happens that Spring Break is almost upon her and her new group of friends. And if there are any of those old demons lurking in her subconscious, perhaps a getaway with said friends would be just what the doctor ordered. Even her brother is in tow, acting as sort of a security blanket. So the group packs up their party favors and other necessities, and hit the road to the swanky, secluded vacation home of the deceased uncle that belonged to one of Rachel’s friends, for a relaxing week away from the hustle and bustle and crowded beaches of the average spring break. I

Continue reading →
Capt McNeely
Jul 29, 2017
Horror Fuel

‘Castlevania’ Review: Does Netflix Do The Series Justice?

Castlevania is one of those series that, despite consistent and stellar releases, has never reached beyond a fairly niche audience. I mean for fucks sake, there’s a damn genre of video games named after it (Metroidvania), but unless your fairly into retro gaming (or badass soundtracks) there’s a solid chance you’ve never really experienced the masterwork that these games are. While there is some variation, the basic premise is you’re a vampire hunter, often of the Belmont family, who storms Dracula’s castles with your magic whip, murdering monsters, minions, and freaks of all shapes and sizes, occasionally busting open a stone wall to eat the (most likely rotten) ham inside. For me, and I’m guessing for a lot of others, the best part about Castlevania is the monsters. From the MAN-EATER, a giant insect living inside a skull, to a mirror teleporting jester who cackles madly as he shoots lasers from his fingertips, these are some of the most creative

Continue reading →
Capt McNeely
Jul 15, 2017
Horror Fuel

Movie Review: ‘Night Of Something Strange’ Is A Gross Out Tale Of Ribaldry

It’s just another night at the morgue for our custodian, Cornelius, until he feels the need to satisfy his carnal urges by way of an intimate encounter with a female corpse. But then again this may be par for the (inter) course when the morgue plays host to deceased female occupants. He may have thought that necrophilia would be the safest sex he could have, but it would result in his contracting one hellaciously nasty STD that would turn him into a zombie with an unslakable lust and desire to spread the contagion. Around this time, a group of high school kids are just about to take off on a road trip to the beach over spring break. But not too long after they hit the road, an unexpected detour sidelines them at a seedy motel well off the beaten path. While most horny high schoolers may be looking to score during such a hiatus from their classes, these kids

Continue reading →
Capt McNeely
Jul 14, 2017
Horror Fuel

The Dark Thriller ‘Brimstone’ Is Simply Brilliant – A Review

“Wrongly accused of a crime she didn’t commit, a frontier woman-turned-fugitive is hunted by a vengeful preacher in the menacing inferno of the old American West.” That’s the official synopsis for the thriller Brimstone from writer/director Martin Koolhoven. While it is a correct description of the plot, it does not do the film justice. I watch A LOT of movies, it comes along with the job. But I have to admit, very few films burn into my mind like Brimstone did. After watching it I sat back, feeling as if I had personally been wounded. During the film’s duration, I stepped into Liz’s (Dakota Fanning) world, a world filled with depravity, incest, torture, fear, and strife and it was heart breaking. So few female characters are given the strength and determination that Koolhoven gifted to Liz, and for that I say “thank you”. Fanning was absolutely fantastic. In my opinion, there is no question, it is her best performance to

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jul 10, 2017
Horror Fuel

Movie Review: ‘The Ice Cream Truck’ Is A Slow Rolling Suburban Tale.

It’s not always true that you can never go home again. In fact, Mary, her husband and their two children are all relocating to the suburbs of Mary’s hometown. Mary arrives at their new home first, while her husband and kids wrap up things back in Seattle before coming out to join her. Left on her own to face the suburban monotony, Mary makes an earnest attempt to play nice with local suburbanites. Existing in the suburbs is not what it used to be and is definitely not for the faint of heart, and for Mary it’s the equivalent of fitting a square peg in a round hole. But complacency can be a dangerous thing in the ‘burbs, especially when some dangers are hidden behind a seemingly innocent facade. Megan Freels Johnston was at the helm for this film, which she also wrote the screenplay for. The vilification of those summertime purveyors of frozen treats and novelties is nothing new.

Continue reading →
Capt McNeely
Jul 7, 2017
Horror Fuel

A Recap Of Preacher’s Season 2 Premiere

Tonight, Preacher come thundering back with its second season premiere. Jesse (Dominic Cooper), Tulip (Ruth Negga), and their friend Cassidy (Joseph Gilgun), a 119-year-old, alcoholic, Irish vampire, have hit the road to hunt down God. In the beginning of the episode the trio runs into the law and after a car chase Tulip’s car runs out of gas. Fortunately, Jesse still has control of Genesis, an entity that gives him the power to make people to do what ever he commands. Jesse puts his power to good use, by making the officers carry out activities like holding hands. While the three are entertaining themselves the Saint of Killers opens fire on them all. Of course Jesse and the gang make off in the nick of time. Remember the car breaking down? The used intestines to siphon gas from a cop car. Crazy, right? Once they are free of the hail of bullets they continue on their way to the home

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jun 26, 2017
Horror Fuel

Short Film Review: ‘Worm’ Tells A Tale Of A Truly Twisted Psyche

In this world, many people feel the need to conceal their true feelings behind the veneer of a brave face or a saccharin smile to hide what they truly feel deep down. Such is the case for Geoffrey Oswald Dodd, a mild mannered high school teacher. At first glance he seems like a fairly amiable gent, but deep inside he is filled with venom and vitriol for his students and colleagues. He goes about his day, observing the same old humdrum routine. But little do those around him know of the malice, anger, frustration and resentment that are festering beneath the surface. Everyone has varying levels of tolerance in regard to reaching ones breaking point…has Mr. Dodd finally reached and breached his? Worm was directed by Richard Powell, from a script he also penned. It’s a disturbing look behind the curtain of one man’s warped psyche. What I really liked about this story is that it’s primarily driven by the

Continue reading →
Capt McNeely
Jun 23, 2017
Horror Fuel

Is ‘The Mummy’ As Bad As Everyone Says?

Yes. Yes it is. ………But I think its worth watching anyway, as a lesson in how not to make a horror movie, if nothing else. Studio horror rightfully gets a lot of shit, and The Mummy might just be the perfect example of a production studio that doesn’t have a fucking clue what horror fans want. But what this disaster-piece really does is show how little faith studios have in horror at all. Despite films like The Conjuring grossing over $300 Million dollars, film producers still don’t believe horror has the drawing power that more traditional Blockbuster and action films do. So rather than anything close to a horror movie, The Mummy is instead a big budget Tom Cruise action film, the start of a cinematic universe no less (on a related note, has anyone outside of Marvel even come close to a halfway watchable cinematic universe?) Never mind the fact that the mummy is a monster with literally thousands

Continue reading →
Capt McNeely
Jun 21, 2017

More from Reviews

Horror Fuel

Movie Review: ‘Bonejangles’ Is A Bungled Attempt At Horror Comedy.

Edgar Friendly Jr. aka Bonejangles is ion the loose and a small tow police force has dispatched all units in an attempt to bring him in. After a brief fracas and the expenditure of nearly all of the towns police force, a few surviving officers manage to subdue the murderous juggernaut. Now these few remaining police officers must transport Bonejangles to a drop-off point where another contingent of police will meet them to pick up and transport the captive killer on the second leg of the journey to an asylum. The meeting point for this joint prisoner transport effort just happens to be in a sleepy little rural town called Argento – a town that one of the officers knows very well. In fact this officer’s ex-girlfriend is due to be married to the town’s rather rednecky hero, right around the time of Bonejangles’ handoff. And while this may make his return awkward enough things are about to get completely

Continue reading →
Capt McNeely
Aug 8, 2017
Horror Fuel

Movie Review: ‘Circus Kane’ Is Equal Parts Greasepaint And Gore

Circuses and carnivals, as well as the folks associated with them, are some of the oldest vessels of fear known to the modern population. Why? What’s so scary about circuses? For some it’s the atmosphere, with its hot, unnatural lights and brightly painted colors. It’s like living in a perpetual acid trip. For others, it’s the constant illusion–nothing is as it seems. For most folks that fear circuses, though, the fear stems from something far more specific. Clowns. On September 8th Uncork’d Entertainment and DeInstitutionalized, along with director Christopher Douglas-Olen Ray, will bring all of these fears together under one big top with Circus Kane. I had the chance to watch this greasepaint-smeared, cotton candy-smelling offering prior to its release next month and I’ll give you the lowdown below…. I generally go into an indie horror-flick with pretty mild expectations. I mean, let’s be honest–it’s a tough genre and for those of us that have been around the thrills, chills,

Continue reading →
Capt McNeely
Jul 31, 2017
Horror Fuel

Movie Review: ‘WTF!’…Yeah, That’s Kinda How I Felt.

Rachel is a young woman who has lived through an ordeal that would leave most people completely shattered. During a gathering with a group of friends, a brutal bloody massacre occurred, with Rachel emerging as the lone survivor. A few years have since passed, and some would say that time heals all wounds. It just so happens that Spring Break is almost upon her and her new group of friends. And if there are any of those old demons lurking in her subconscious, perhaps a getaway with said friends would be just what the doctor ordered. Even her brother is in tow, acting as sort of a security blanket. So the group packs up their party favors and other necessities, and hit the road to the swanky, secluded vacation home of the deceased uncle that belonged to one of Rachel’s friends, for a relaxing week away from the hustle and bustle and crowded beaches of the average spring break. I

Continue reading →
Capt McNeely
Jul 29, 2017
Horror Fuel

‘Castlevania’ Review: Does Netflix Do The Series Justice?

Castlevania is one of those series that, despite consistent and stellar releases, has never reached beyond a fairly niche audience. I mean for fucks sake, there’s a damn genre of video games named after it (Metroidvania), but unless your fairly into retro gaming (or badass soundtracks) there’s a solid chance you’ve never really experienced the masterwork that these games are. While there is some variation, the basic premise is you’re a vampire hunter, often of the Belmont family, who storms Dracula’s castles with your magic whip, murdering monsters, minions, and freaks of all shapes and sizes, occasionally busting open a stone wall to eat the (most likely rotten) ham inside. For me, and I’m guessing for a lot of others, the best part about Castlevania is the monsters. From the MAN-EATER, a giant insect living inside a skull, to a mirror teleporting jester who cackles madly as he shoots lasers from his fingertips, these are some of the most creative

Continue reading →
Capt McNeely
Jul 15, 2017
Horror Fuel

Movie Review: ‘Night Of Something Strange’ Is A Gross Out Tale Of Ribaldry

It’s just another night at the morgue for our custodian, Cornelius, until he feels the need to satisfy his carnal urges by way of an intimate encounter with a female corpse. But then again this may be par for the (inter) course when the morgue plays host to deceased female occupants. He may have thought that necrophilia would be the safest sex he could have, but it would result in his contracting one hellaciously nasty STD that would turn him into a zombie with an unslakable lust and desire to spread the contagion. Around this time, a group of high school kids are just about to take off on a road trip to the beach over spring break. But not too long after they hit the road, an unexpected detour sidelines them at a seedy motel well off the beaten path. While most horny high schoolers may be looking to score during such a hiatus from their classes, these kids

Continue reading →
Capt McNeely
Jul 14, 2017
Horror Fuel

The Dark Thriller ‘Brimstone’ Is Simply Brilliant – A Review

“Wrongly accused of a crime she didn’t commit, a frontier woman-turned-fugitive is hunted by a vengeful preacher in the menacing inferno of the old American West.” That’s the official synopsis for the thriller Brimstone from writer/director Martin Koolhoven. While it is a correct description of the plot, it does not do the film justice. I watch A LOT of movies, it comes along with the job. But I have to admit, very few films burn into my mind like Brimstone did. After watching it I sat back, feeling as if I had personally been wounded. During the film’s duration, I stepped into Liz’s (Dakota Fanning) world, a world filled with depravity, incest, torture, fear, and strife and it was heart breaking. So few female characters are given the strength and determination that Koolhoven gifted to Liz, and for that I say “thank you”. Fanning was absolutely fantastic. In my opinion, there is no question, it is her best performance to

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jul 10, 2017
Horror Fuel

Movie Review: ‘The Ice Cream Truck’ Is A Slow Rolling Suburban Tale.

It’s not always true that you can never go home again. In fact, Mary, her husband and their two children are all relocating to the suburbs of Mary’s hometown. Mary arrives at their new home first, while her husband and kids wrap up things back in Seattle before coming out to join her. Left on her own to face the suburban monotony, Mary makes an earnest attempt to play nice with local suburbanites. Existing in the suburbs is not what it used to be and is definitely not for the faint of heart, and for Mary it’s the equivalent of fitting a square peg in a round hole. But complacency can be a dangerous thing in the ‘burbs, especially when some dangers are hidden behind a seemingly innocent facade. Megan Freels Johnston was at the helm for this film, which she also wrote the screenplay for. The vilification of those summertime purveyors of frozen treats and novelties is nothing new.

Continue reading →
Capt McNeely
Jul 7, 2017
Horror Fuel

A Recap Of Preacher’s Season 2 Premiere

Tonight, Preacher come thundering back with its second season premiere. Jesse (Dominic Cooper), Tulip (Ruth Negga), and their friend Cassidy (Joseph Gilgun), a 119-year-old, alcoholic, Irish vampire, have hit the road to hunt down God. In the beginning of the episode the trio runs into the law and after a car chase Tulip’s car runs out of gas. Fortunately, Jesse still has control of Genesis, an entity that gives him the power to make people to do what ever he commands. Jesse puts his power to good use, by making the officers carry out activities like holding hands. While the three are entertaining themselves the Saint of Killers opens fire on them all. Of course Jesse and the gang make off in the nick of time. Remember the car breaking down? The used intestines to siphon gas from a cop car. Crazy, right? Once they are free of the hail of bullets they continue on their way to the home

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Jun 26, 2017
Horror Fuel

Short Film Review: ‘Worm’ Tells A Tale Of A Truly Twisted Psyche

In this world, many people feel the need to conceal their true feelings behind the veneer of a brave face or a saccharin smile to hide what they truly feel deep down. Such is the case for Geoffrey Oswald Dodd, a mild mannered high school teacher. At first glance he seems like a fairly amiable gent, but deep inside he is filled with venom and vitriol for his students and colleagues. He goes about his day, observing the same old humdrum routine. But little do those around him know of the malice, anger, frustration and resentment that are festering beneath the surface. Everyone has varying levels of tolerance in regard to reaching ones breaking point…has Mr. Dodd finally reached and breached his? Worm was directed by Richard Powell, from a script he also penned. It’s a disturbing look behind the curtain of one man’s warped psyche. What I really liked about this story is that it’s primarily driven by the

Continue reading →
Capt McNeely
Jun 23, 2017
Horror Fuel

Is ‘The Mummy’ As Bad As Everyone Says?

Yes. Yes it is. ………But I think its worth watching anyway, as a lesson in how not to make a horror movie, if nothing else. Studio horror rightfully gets a lot of shit, and The Mummy might just be the perfect example of a production studio that doesn’t have a fucking clue what horror fans want. But what this disaster-piece really does is show how little faith studios have in horror at all. Despite films like The Conjuring grossing over $300 Million dollars, film producers still don’t believe horror has the drawing power that more traditional Blockbuster and action films do. So rather than anything close to a horror movie, The Mummy is instead a big budget Tom Cruise action film, the start of a cinematic universe no less (on a related note, has anyone outside of Marvel even come close to a halfway watchable cinematic universe?) Never mind the fact that the mummy is a monster with literally thousands

Continue reading →
Capt McNeely
Jun 21, 2017
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