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Honest horror reviews of films, series, games and books — no hype, no spoilers, just whether it is worth your time and your nerves.

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Horror Fuel

Movie Review: ‘7 Witches’ Tries To Spin A Dreary And Atmospheric Yarn

Weddings are seen as a union between two people, but it’s also the joining of two families. And while everyone hopes for a harmonious merger of family units, it can be an incredibly awkward time…especially when the families ar meeting for the very first time. Add to that a palpable tension between the bride to a bride to be and her sister, as well as Kate’s ex-boyfriend (who Kate’s family thinks she’s still with) and the comfort level can just bottom out. Such would be the case with Kate Boyle, whose sister Rose is about to marry her fiance, Agatha Sklar. Despite the love and support the members of the Boyle family try to lend on Rose’s happy occasion, sibling animosity hangs over like a layer of dark clouds. The wedding is to be held on the remote grounds of an old unused military fort, and this is where they will finally get to meet Agatha’s family. The Sklar family

Continue reading →
Capt McNeely
Aug 24, 2017
Horror Fuel

‘Goodnight, Gracie’, A Chilling Wide-Awake Nightmare

Goodnight, Gracie, a new short film written and directed by Stellan Kendrick, is a creepy, beautifully filmed, horrific tale about faith, family, childhood fears, and things that go bump in the night. The cast and crew screening for Goodnight, Gracie, was held at Evidence Film Studios in Los Angeles, a fantastic venue that the film’s producers had taken full advantage of. Moody multi-colored lights everywhere, music pumping, specialty film-themed cocktails flowing, clips of various well known, and not so well known horror films clips played on the white cyclorama that took up the huge corner of the warehouse style space, and concept art and storyboards covered the walls like a bloody murderous East Village art show. There were about 100 people in attendance, dressed to the nines, laughing and buzzing around the space, taking photos with the movie props in front of the faux brick wall step-and-repeat with the ingenious self-taking photo set up. The air of excitement and relief

Continue reading →
Capt McNeely
Aug 17, 2017
Horror Fuel

Movie Review: ‘Man Underground’ Is More Human Drama Than Sci-Fi…And That’s OK

Willem Koda is reclusive and a tad socially awkward. He worked as a geologist on a project for the US government, and during his tenure encountered extra terrestrials. Now he speaks to groups with like minded interests, although there are some who would refer to him as a conspiracy theorist, based on his personal accounts about the existence of aliens and the role of the government in covering it up. Willem intends to turn the story surrounding his alien encounters into a film, and enlists his one true friend, Todd, to help him in this endeavor. During a one of his routine daily meals at the local diner, Willem meets a young twenty-something waitress named Flossie. They hit it off rather well despite Willem’s awkward disposition, and soon become friends. this relationship seems even more fortuitous as Flossie is enlisted to act in Willem and Todd’s film. As time passes and the three move further through the production of the

Continue reading →
Capt McNeely
Aug 17, 2017
Horror Fuel

‘Clowntergeist’ Is Worth Checking Out

I had the opportunity to watch Aaron Mirtes’ horror film ‘Clowntergeist’. First things first, I enjoyed it. There were a few things in the film that hurt the movie a bit, but it is a good flick. I admit that I am a little done with the whole clown thing, but I would recommend this movie. Written by Director Aaron Mirtes and starring Brittany Belland, Aaron Mirtes, and Madeleine Heil. This fim follows Emma (Belland), a college student with a crippling fear of clowns, must come face to face with her worst fear when an evil spirit in the body of a clown terrorizes the small town she is living in for the summer. There were some really great things in the movie! Vile messages written on balloons that appeared out of nowhere were great and used exceptionally well. The demon speaking through the radio was a great thought. There were uses, and I loved it, of well-known urban myths

Continue reading →
Capt McNeely
Aug 10, 2017
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Horror Fuel

Review: ‘Death House’ Is A Dark Twisted Discent Into Hell (In A Good Way)

The highly anticipated genre film Death House, from director Harrison Smith, is approaching its fall release and we’ve reviewed it. Before we get into a review of the film, you should know about the story behind the movie. Originally, the script was penned by Texas Chainsaw Massacre Actor and genre icon Gunnar Hansen. Smith re-wrote the script, keeping Hansen’s vision intact. Smith also got the okay on the script from Hansen just before he passed away. Death House was a big undertaking. No other film in the history of horror has had such an enormous and impressive cast of well known genre actors. The cast list reads like a who’s who of horror and includes stars like Danny Trejo (Machete Kills), Tony Todd (Candyman), Michael Berryman (The Hills Have Eyes), Dee Wallace (Cujo), Kane Hodder (Friday the 13th), Bill Moseley (The Devil’s Rejects), Sid Haig (The Devil’s Rejects), Adrienne Barbeau (The Fog), Barbara Crampton (We Are Still Here), Cody Longo

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Aug 9, 2017
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

More from Reviews

Horror Fuel

Movie Review: ‘7 Witches’ Tries To Spin A Dreary And Atmospheric Yarn

Weddings are seen as a union between two people, but it’s also the joining of two families. And while everyone hopes for a harmonious merger of family units, it can be an incredibly awkward time…especially when the families ar meeting for the very first time. Add to that a palpable tension between the bride to a bride to be and her sister, as well as Kate’s ex-boyfriend (who Kate’s family thinks she’s still with) and the comfort level can just bottom out. Such would be the case with Kate Boyle, whose sister Rose is about to marry her fiance, Agatha Sklar. Despite the love and support the members of the Boyle family try to lend on Rose’s happy occasion, sibling animosity hangs over like a layer of dark clouds. The wedding is to be held on the remote grounds of an old unused military fort, and this is where they will finally get to meet Agatha’s family. The Sklar family

Continue reading →
Capt McNeely
Aug 24, 2017
Horror Fuel

‘Goodnight, Gracie’, A Chilling Wide-Awake Nightmare

Goodnight, Gracie, a new short film written and directed by Stellan Kendrick, is a creepy, beautifully filmed, horrific tale about faith, family, childhood fears, and things that go bump in the night. The cast and crew screening for Goodnight, Gracie, was held at Evidence Film Studios in Los Angeles, a fantastic venue that the film’s producers had taken full advantage of. Moody multi-colored lights everywhere, music pumping, specialty film-themed cocktails flowing, clips of various well known, and not so well known horror films clips played on the white cyclorama that took up the huge corner of the warehouse style space, and concept art and storyboards covered the walls like a bloody murderous East Village art show. There were about 100 people in attendance, dressed to the nines, laughing and buzzing around the space, taking photos with the movie props in front of the faux brick wall step-and-repeat with the ingenious self-taking photo set up. The air of excitement and relief

Continue reading →
Capt McNeely
Aug 17, 2017
Horror Fuel

Movie Review: ‘Man Underground’ Is More Human Drama Than Sci-Fi…And That’s OK

Willem Koda is reclusive and a tad socially awkward. He worked as a geologist on a project for the US government, and during his tenure encountered extra terrestrials. Now he speaks to groups with like minded interests, although there are some who would refer to him as a conspiracy theorist, based on his personal accounts about the existence of aliens and the role of the government in covering it up. Willem intends to turn the story surrounding his alien encounters into a film, and enlists his one true friend, Todd, to help him in this endeavor. During a one of his routine daily meals at the local diner, Willem meets a young twenty-something waitress named Flossie. They hit it off rather well despite Willem’s awkward disposition, and soon become friends. this relationship seems even more fortuitous as Flossie is enlisted to act in Willem and Todd’s film. As time passes and the three move further through the production of the

Continue reading →
Capt McNeely
Aug 17, 2017
Horror Fuel

‘Clowntergeist’ Is Worth Checking Out

I had the opportunity to watch Aaron Mirtes’ horror film ‘Clowntergeist’. First things first, I enjoyed it. There were a few things in the film that hurt the movie a bit, but it is a good flick. I admit that I am a little done with the whole clown thing, but I would recommend this movie. Written by Director Aaron Mirtes and starring Brittany Belland, Aaron Mirtes, and Madeleine Heil. This fim follows Emma (Belland), a college student with a crippling fear of clowns, must come face to face with her worst fear when an evil spirit in the body of a clown terrorizes the small town she is living in for the summer. There were some really great things in the movie! Vile messages written on balloons that appeared out of nowhere were great and used exceptionally well. The demon speaking through the radio was a great thought. There were uses, and I loved it, of well-known urban myths

Continue reading →
Capt McNeely
Aug 10, 2017
Horror Fuel

Review: ‘Death House’ Is A Dark Twisted Discent Into Hell (In A Good Way)

The highly anticipated genre film Death House, from director Harrison Smith, is approaching its fall release and we’ve reviewed it. Before we get into a review of the film, you should know about the story behind the movie. Originally, the script was penned by Texas Chainsaw Massacre Actor and genre icon Gunnar Hansen. Smith re-wrote the script, keeping Hansen’s vision intact. Smith also got the okay on the script from Hansen just before he passed away. Death House was a big undertaking. No other film in the history of horror has had such an enormous and impressive cast of well known genre actors. The cast list reads like a who’s who of horror and includes stars like Danny Trejo (Machete Kills), Tony Todd (Candyman), Michael Berryman (The Hills Have Eyes), Dee Wallace (Cujo), Kane Hodder (Friday the 13th), Bill Moseley (The Devil’s Rejects), Sid Haig (The Devil’s Rejects), Adrienne Barbeau (The Fog), Barbara Crampton (We Are Still Here), Cody Longo

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Aug 9, 2017
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
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