CategoryTrue Story
Horror films based on true events — the real cases behind the movies and how much they got right.
374 stories
MoviesReviewsTrue Story
Following the story of a young women diagnosed with agoraphobia and confined to her mother’s home during the Spring of 1988 leading up to a psycho trying to kill her, The Torment Of Laurie Cullom wasn’t a let down. Set in the same vain as HUSH, the film (WINNER BEST ACTRESS AWARD and OFFICIAL SELECTION of THE ORLANDO FREAK SHOW HORROR FILM FESTIVAL) built pace and suspense rather than being a blood bath. The first 30 or so minutes in frankly I believed I was watching a haunting film: stuff falling, things being misplaced or actually the real kicker, a jug of milk becoming a jug of blood. All this happening actually made me begin to expect a ghoul to pop up..somewhere. I then found myself surprised and intently watching as the screen went black and my eyes scooped all over my screen for signs of life. About 10 seconds later a novelty mask donned Killer emerged from the shadows
Continue reading →
InterviewsNewsProductTrue Story
I’ve attended a lot of Hollywood meetings. Creative. Business. Social. In every one of these, ideas and projects get thrown around. People get excited. Plans are made. I usually wait until the very end to ask the most important question. If it is not mentioned up front, you kind of have your answer, but it’s a game in the end to see if you’re as smart as you think you are. That question is: Is the financing in place? You get either leaden silence as if you committed some grave social faux pas, or you get the “well, we are talking to so and so…” Translated: there is no money. Don’t believe the Hollywood fables of making a film for $15,000 and making $400 million. With all legends there is a grain of truth, but like an oyster makes a pearl, it’s slathered with layers of mucus and shit. No, your $7000 movie is not going to make a million.
Continue reading →
HalloweenHoliday HorrorIndieMoviesNewsReviewsTrue Story
Expect more from your entertainment. Don’t be spoon fed. Whether film, literature, music, even video gaming…refuse to be dumbed down. As I move over the half way point in post production for “Death House” I’ve had time to reflect on the film and wonder how it will be received. The latest news on yet another “Friday the 13th” installment is it will be an origins story. I guess my question is…was there ever that much there in the first place to warrant an origin backstory? Doesn’t it defeat the point of making a simple slasher film to entertain, scare and titillate? Do we really need an origins story whether on Pamela Vorhees or Jason or how Camp Crystal Lake was founded? The Millennial Generation and after are said to be too literal. They need everything spelled out for them. They have all the information they need on their phones. Why think? Why extrapolate? Hell, why even dream? School is taught
Continue reading →
True Story
For those of you (we assume it’s all of you) who have seen the iconic 1975 film Jaws, know that one of the more important scenes feature Brody (Roy Scheider), Hooper (Richard Dreyfuss) and Quint (Robert Shaw) having a drink in the boat’s galley and comparing scars. Quint has a scar where a tattoo once was. When Hooper asks him about it, Quint explains it was a tattoo from when he was stationed aboard the U.S.S. Indianapolis and Hooper falls back in seat in shock. Quint explains to Brody that “Eleven-hundred men went into the water. Three-hundred and sixteen men came out – sharks took the rest.” Quints tale was based on a true story. Soon we will be getting a film that reveals more of Quint’s back story. It follows the story of the U.S.S. Indianapolis and the men who both lived and died when the ship was hit and sank while on a secret mission in the Philippine
Continue reading →
NewsStreaming TVTrue CrimeTrue Story
Today (May 7) marks the anniversary of the death of America’s first and most prolific serial killer, Henry H. Holmes. Born on May 16, 1861, as Herman Webster Mudgett, H. H. Holmes built a grand hotel, often referred to as “The Murder Castle”, which operated during the World’s Fair, a hotel built with murder in mind. Holmes’ “Murder Castle” had hidden body shoots, and rooms that appeared normal, but were actually gas chambers. There was even a crematorium built into the basement so that he could dispose of bodies and evidence. Holmes would also kill guests, clean and bleach their bones, then sell their skeletons to medical schools and doctors. When police began to investigate the missing people, last seen checking into the hotel, Holmes fled. The hotel was then burned to the ground thanks to an unknown arsonist. Holmes was captured in 1895 and soon confessed to killing 27. However, officials believed that the real body count was actually
Continue reading →
True Story
A new true-crime film from Shoreline Entertainment is currently in development about Katherine Knight, known as Australia’s worst female killer. The film is an adaption of the book Blood Stain, about Knight’s crime, by journalist and author Peter Lalor. She may not look like your average killer, but looks can be deceiving. On February 30, 2000 Kathrine Knight made headlines around the world. Knight murdered her boyfriend of 5 years, John Price, by stabbing him 37 times, but that’s not the worst of it. After he died, she hung his body on a hook. She then made a skin “suit” from his flesh, and cut-off his head. The disturbing event still does not end there. When police found the scene, they found Price’s head bobbing in a cooking pot on the stove with potatoes, gravy and vegetables. The dinner table was set, complete with place cards for Price’s 3 children, she intended to serve them their father with a side
Continue reading →
DocumentariesForeignIndieMoviesStreaming TVTrue Story
…with “other things being equal, simpler explanations are generally better than more complex ones.” — Occam’s Razor Read the above statement on Occam’s Razor. This post is about the “docuseries” Making a Murderer, the Netflix “docuseries” that has a second season coming. This post is not about whether Steven Avery is guilty or innocent. It is not about whether there are injustices in our legal system. We know there are. This piece is about the cynicism behind making a piece of entertainment disguised as social crusading. I was inspired to write this after trying to make my point in a series of online tweets. There was backlash from people who made it about a social cause, and that I was ignoring the issues in our criminal justice system. My point was simple: Making a Murderer is not about the correction of our legal system or justice for a man wrongly accused. The series is about entertainment. Manipulation Set aside your
Continue reading →
DocumentariesEventsIndieInterviewsMoviesReviewsStreaming TVTrailersTrue Story
You’ll Know My Name Drama 2010 Not Rated Directed, Written & Produced by Joe Raffa Starring: Joe Raffa, David J. Bonner, Alexander Mandell, Mianna Saxton, Chuck Connors, Tommy Sztubinksi, Brian Gallagher, Davy Raphaley, Nicole Cinaglia Website: YKMN Cynema is not about reviews. While a critical look is often afforded to specific films, this is not about whether a film is “good” or “bad.” It’s about how they are MADE. My previous entries looked at wide ranges from Jurassic World to Halloween III.This is a look at a young filmmaker who has taken risks and made a film that is outside the realm of what is popular or what studios are developing. Joe Raffa is anti-Cynema because he does what few others are doing: he takes real risks. Thanks to the digital revolution, anyone with a camcorder and computer thinks they’re a filmmaker. Shooting your video and putting it up in ten minute bites online does not make you a professional.
Continue reading →
DocumentariesIndieMoviesReviewsStreaming TVTrue Story
We all have that one person who is our go to paranoid conspiracy theorist… heck, maybe it is even you! Christopher MacBride’s “The Conspiracy” perfectly descends deeper and deeper into the world occupied by those who believe in certain paranoias, such as, 9/11 and The Illuminati. The film itself is marketed as a horror documentary, and is quite believable as they use actual conspiracy theories and multiple sources for their investigation, but it is important to remember it is complete fiction. I assure you, the two main actors Aaron Poole and James Gilbert are doing quite well. I enjoyed this film, although, being a conspiracy theorist myself, I started to wonder if “The Conspiracy” mocks people like me, because after all is it a MOCUMENTARY. It is shot extremely well and is quite an easy watch. While it focuses heavily on the dangers of secret societies, it will get you thinking about your freedom and rights you have (or have
Continue reading →
DocumentariesHoliday HorrorIndieMoviesReviewsStreaming TVTrailersTrue Story
This year was a fantastic year for film! “Mad Max,” “Jurassic Park,” “Star Wars,” and “The Terminator” all appeared once again on the big screen. Horror fans had an opportunity to enjoy remakes such as “Poltergeist,” and see sequels to “Insidious” as well as “Paranormal Activity.” We had the conclusion to “The Hunger Games” and finally got to see the works of Guillermo del Toro with “Crimson Peak,” and the rebirth of the iconic horror-thriller director M. Night Shyamalan with “The Visit.” Did any these films make my favorite five list? Read on to find out! _________________________________________________ 5.) “Dinosaur 13” Being from Chicago, I’ve had the opportunity to visit the Field Museum regularly. For those who do not know, when you first step into the main hall you are greeted by “Sue,” the worlds most complete Tyrannosaurus Rex fossil. I had no idea that there was a story and a battle behind this impressive fossil. “Dinosaur 13” is an impressive
Continue reading →
More from True Story
MoviesReviewsTrue Story
Following the story of a young women diagnosed with agoraphobia and confined to her mother’s home during the Spring of 1988 leading up to a psycho trying to kill her, The Torment Of Laurie Cullom wasn’t a let down. Set in the same vain as HUSH, the film (WINNER BEST ACTRESS AWARD and OFFICIAL SELECTION of THE ORLANDO FREAK SHOW HORROR FILM FESTIVAL) built pace and suspense rather than being a blood bath. The first 30 or so minutes in frankly I believed I was watching a haunting film: stuff falling, things being misplaced or actually the real kicker, a jug of milk becoming a jug of blood. All this happening actually made me begin to expect a ghoul to pop up..somewhere. I then found myself surprised and intently watching as the screen went black and my eyes scooped all over my screen for signs of life. About 10 seconds later a novelty mask donned Killer emerged from the shadows
Continue reading →
InterviewsNewsProductTrue Story
I’ve attended a lot of Hollywood meetings. Creative. Business. Social. In every one of these, ideas and projects get thrown around. People get excited. Plans are made. I usually wait until the very end to ask the most important question. If it is not mentioned up front, you kind of have your answer, but it’s a game in the end to see if you’re as smart as you think you are. That question is: Is the financing in place? You get either leaden silence as if you committed some grave social faux pas, or you get the “well, we are talking to so and so…” Translated: there is no money. Don’t believe the Hollywood fables of making a film for $15,000 and making $400 million. With all legends there is a grain of truth, but like an oyster makes a pearl, it’s slathered with layers of mucus and shit. No, your $7000 movie is not going to make a million.
Continue reading →
HalloweenHoliday HorrorIndieMoviesNewsReviewsTrue Story
Expect more from your entertainment. Don’t be spoon fed. Whether film, literature, music, even video gaming…refuse to be dumbed down. As I move over the half way point in post production for “Death House” I’ve had time to reflect on the film and wonder how it will be received. The latest news on yet another “Friday the 13th” installment is it will be an origins story. I guess my question is…was there ever that much there in the first place to warrant an origin backstory? Doesn’t it defeat the point of making a simple slasher film to entertain, scare and titillate? Do we really need an origins story whether on Pamela Vorhees or Jason or how Camp Crystal Lake was founded? The Millennial Generation and after are said to be too literal. They need everything spelled out for them. They have all the information they need on their phones. Why think? Why extrapolate? Hell, why even dream? School is taught
Continue reading →
True Story
For those of you (we assume it’s all of you) who have seen the iconic 1975 film Jaws, know that one of the more important scenes feature Brody (Roy Scheider), Hooper (Richard Dreyfuss) and Quint (Robert Shaw) having a drink in the boat’s galley and comparing scars. Quint has a scar where a tattoo once was. When Hooper asks him about it, Quint explains it was a tattoo from when he was stationed aboard the U.S.S. Indianapolis and Hooper falls back in seat in shock. Quint explains to Brody that “Eleven-hundred men went into the water. Three-hundred and sixteen men came out – sharks took the rest.” Quints tale was based on a true story. Soon we will be getting a film that reveals more of Quint’s back story. It follows the story of the U.S.S. Indianapolis and the men who both lived and died when the ship was hit and sank while on a secret mission in the Philippine
Continue reading →
NewsStreaming TVTrue CrimeTrue Story
Today (May 7) marks the anniversary of the death of America’s first and most prolific serial killer, Henry H. Holmes. Born on May 16, 1861, as Herman Webster Mudgett, H. H. Holmes built a grand hotel, often referred to as “The Murder Castle”, which operated during the World’s Fair, a hotel built with murder in mind. Holmes’ “Murder Castle” had hidden body shoots, and rooms that appeared normal, but were actually gas chambers. There was even a crematorium built into the basement so that he could dispose of bodies and evidence. Holmes would also kill guests, clean and bleach their bones, then sell their skeletons to medical schools and doctors. When police began to investigate the missing people, last seen checking into the hotel, Holmes fled. The hotel was then burned to the ground thanks to an unknown arsonist. Holmes was captured in 1895 and soon confessed to killing 27. However, officials believed that the real body count was actually
Continue reading →
True Story
A new true-crime film from Shoreline Entertainment is currently in development about Katherine Knight, known as Australia’s worst female killer. The film is an adaption of the book Blood Stain, about Knight’s crime, by journalist and author Peter Lalor. She may not look like your average killer, but looks can be deceiving. On February 30, 2000 Kathrine Knight made headlines around the world. Knight murdered her boyfriend of 5 years, John Price, by stabbing him 37 times, but that’s not the worst of it. After he died, she hung his body on a hook. She then made a skin “suit” from his flesh, and cut-off his head. The disturbing event still does not end there. When police found the scene, they found Price’s head bobbing in a cooking pot on the stove with potatoes, gravy and vegetables. The dinner table was set, complete with place cards for Price’s 3 children, she intended to serve them their father with a side
Continue reading →
DocumentariesForeignIndieMoviesStreaming TVTrue Story
…with “other things being equal, simpler explanations are generally better than more complex ones.” — Occam’s Razor Read the above statement on Occam’s Razor. This post is about the “docuseries” Making a Murderer, the Netflix “docuseries” that has a second season coming. This post is not about whether Steven Avery is guilty or innocent. It is not about whether there are injustices in our legal system. We know there are. This piece is about the cynicism behind making a piece of entertainment disguised as social crusading. I was inspired to write this after trying to make my point in a series of online tweets. There was backlash from people who made it about a social cause, and that I was ignoring the issues in our criminal justice system. My point was simple: Making a Murderer is not about the correction of our legal system or justice for a man wrongly accused. The series is about entertainment. Manipulation Set aside your
Continue reading →
DocumentariesEventsIndieInterviewsMoviesReviewsStreaming TVTrailersTrue Story
You’ll Know My Name Drama 2010 Not Rated Directed, Written & Produced by Joe Raffa Starring: Joe Raffa, David J. Bonner, Alexander Mandell, Mianna Saxton, Chuck Connors, Tommy Sztubinksi, Brian Gallagher, Davy Raphaley, Nicole Cinaglia Website: YKMN Cynema is not about reviews. While a critical look is often afforded to specific films, this is not about whether a film is “good” or “bad.” It’s about how they are MADE. My previous entries looked at wide ranges from Jurassic World to Halloween III.This is a look at a young filmmaker who has taken risks and made a film that is outside the realm of what is popular or what studios are developing. Joe Raffa is anti-Cynema because he does what few others are doing: he takes real risks. Thanks to the digital revolution, anyone with a camcorder and computer thinks they’re a filmmaker. Shooting your video and putting it up in ten minute bites online does not make you a professional.
Continue reading →
DocumentariesIndieMoviesReviewsStreaming TVTrue Story
We all have that one person who is our go to paranoid conspiracy theorist… heck, maybe it is even you! Christopher MacBride’s “The Conspiracy” perfectly descends deeper and deeper into the world occupied by those who believe in certain paranoias, such as, 9/11 and The Illuminati. The film itself is marketed as a horror documentary, and is quite believable as they use actual conspiracy theories and multiple sources for their investigation, but it is important to remember it is complete fiction. I assure you, the two main actors Aaron Poole and James Gilbert are doing quite well. I enjoyed this film, although, being a conspiracy theorist myself, I started to wonder if “The Conspiracy” mocks people like me, because after all is it a MOCUMENTARY. It is shot extremely well and is quite an easy watch. While it focuses heavily on the dangers of secret societies, it will get you thinking about your freedom and rights you have (or have
Continue reading →
DocumentariesHoliday HorrorIndieMoviesReviewsStreaming TVTrailersTrue Story
This year was a fantastic year for film! “Mad Max,” “Jurassic Park,” “Star Wars,” and “The Terminator” all appeared once again on the big screen. Horror fans had an opportunity to enjoy remakes such as “Poltergeist,” and see sequels to “Insidious” as well as “Paranormal Activity.” We had the conclusion to “The Hunger Games” and finally got to see the works of Guillermo del Toro with “Crimson Peak,” and the rebirth of the iconic horror-thriller director M. Night Shyamalan with “The Visit.” Did any these films make my favorite five list? Read on to find out! _________________________________________________ 5.) “Dinosaur 13” Being from Chicago, I’ve had the opportunity to visit the Field Museum regularly. For those who do not know, when you first step into the main hall you are greeted by “Sue,” the worlds most complete Tyrannosaurus Rex fossil. I had no idea that there was a story and a battle behind this impressive fossil. “Dinosaur 13” is an impressive
Continue reading →
