CategoryDocumentaries
True-crime and horror documentaries — real cases, real crimes, and the films that retell them.
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Documentaries
For those of you who are interested in the supernatural, there is a new documentary from director Martin Stalker, titled Hostage to the Devil, and you are not going to want to miss. It will be premiering later this month at Horror Channel FrightFest in London. The documentary tells the “true story of a Jesuit priest, an author, and an exorcist.” It also features interviews with real people that deal with the supernatural, the paranormal, and the occult, including Lorraine Warren. From the Press Release: Causeway Pictures, Underground Films, and Content Media are pleased to announce the world premiere of Hostage to the Devil at London’s FrightFest Film Festival 2016 on Friday 26th August, 4.00pm, Discovery Screen 3. Over five years in production, director Martin Stalker has made a film which examines age-old questions about the existence of the Devil and the debate over good versus evil, all through the life of a controversial Irish-born Jesuit priest, Fr Malachi Martin.
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Documentaries
Most of you will remember from your childhood the anthology book series Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz with illustrations by Stephen Gammell. I remember reading them under the covers at night with a flashlight when I was young (6 or 7). I remember the fear I felt, and how I enjoyed it. There is now a documentary in the works by Cody Meirick that delves into the history of the series and some of those in the current horror industry, as well as those in the literary industry, that were inspired by the books. The documentary will feature interviews with Schwartz’s family, folklorists, scholars and authors, including Goosebumps author R.L. Stine, and the effect Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark had on their lives and work. Guillermo del Toro is also working on a project involving Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark. He will be creating a feature film adaption of the spooky
Continue reading →
Documentaries
Back in September of last year we told you about Unearthed & Untold: The Path to Pet Sematary, a documentary about the making of Stephen King’s classic Pet Sematary and its journey from print to the silver screen. On April 21st, in celebration of the film’s 27th anniversary, Terror Films is releasing the trailer for the documentary, poster and a special promotion. Unearthed & Untold will be released this October, just in time for Halloween. From the Press Release: The Documentary promotional release will begin on April 27th and continue for 27 Days, ending on May 18th and will be the only time this Limited Edition Offer will be available, prior to the documentary’s official release currently set for October 2016. During this limited time frame fans will be able to order the Limited Edition Combo Pack, which will include a dual Region Free DVD / Blu-Ray copy of the Documentary featuring interviews with Director Mary Lambert and the entire
Continue reading →
Documentaries
A new full length documentary delves into the making of George A. Romero’s 1982 Creepshow, titled Just Desserts: The Making of Creepshow. The film heading to Blu-ray later this year with a horde of special features via Synapse Films in conjunction with Red Shirt Pictures. This past weekend Fangoria spoke with the documentary’s producer, Michael Felsher, at North Carolina’s Mad Monster Party Convention about the film, which he debuted at the convention. Just Desserts features interviews with Romero, makeup/creature FX genius Tom Savini, Producer Richard P. Rubinstein, and actors Adrienne Barbeau, Tom Atkins, Ed Harris and others. It also features on-set footage. Unfortunately Stephen King, who co-wrote Creepshow, will not be featured. The exact release date has not been announced at this time, but as soon as it is we will let you know. Here’s a clip from Just Desserts featuring Tom Savini and George A. Romero.
Continue reading →
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Documentaries
We reported back in January that HBO, capitalizing on the current obsession with true crime documentaries like Netflix’s Making a Murderer, would soon release a dark documentary of there own titled Beware the Slenderman. Today, the first poster for the documentary was unveiled. Beware the Slenderman, set to premiere at SXSW on March 11, delves into the legend of Slenderman and the case of Morgan Geyser and Anissa Weier, two 12- year-old Wisconsin girls, and their brutal attempted murder of their friend and classmate, another 12-year-old girl. What makes the case so interesting are the girls’ claims that it was an attempt to please Slenderman, a legend created by the Something Awful internet forum. The two girls were convinced that Slenderman was very real and that he would hurt their families if they did not make a human sacrifice to him. On May 31, 2014, after months of planning, the two girls lured the victim into the woods, stabbed her
Continue reading →
Documentaries
People have had a fascination with serial killers for most of history. We are captivated with true crime and trying to figure out what makes killers do the horrific things they do. There are many great documentaries on Netflix on the subject, and we just happened to have a list of the 8 best. Albert Fish: In Sin He Found Salvation (2007) Albert Fish, known as “The Werewolf of Wysteria” and “The Brooklyn Vampire”, was not only a serial killer, but a cannibal and pedophile. Fish, active from 1924 to 1932, is said to have killed over 100 people, mostly children. Fish suffered from Schizophrenia, but that did not keep him from meeting his end in the electric chair in 1936. H. H. Holmes: America’s First Serial Killer (2010) H. H. Holmes was not only America’s first serial killer, he was also one of the worst, yet most people have never heard of him. Holmes built a grand hotel, often
Continue reading →
Documentaries
A new documentary, Creature Designers: The Frankenstein Complex, will be making its first stop at EFM in Berlin. Alexandre Poncet and Giles Penso are the due behind the documentary, which features artists and creators including Rick Baker, John Landis and Greg Nicotero, Guillermo Del Toro and Joe Dante, as well as many other brilliant special effects masters. Poncet and Penso spent two years creating the documentary theat takes a look at the relationship between monsters and the masters and the relationship between monsters and cinema, the masters of special effects, and the way technology and CGI have changed the process of creating the monsters that we all love.
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 →
More from Documentaries
Documentaries
For those of you who are interested in the supernatural, there is a new documentary from director Martin Stalker, titled Hostage to the Devil, and you are not going to want to miss. It will be premiering later this month at Horror Channel FrightFest in London. The documentary tells the “true story of a Jesuit priest, an author, and an exorcist.” It also features interviews with real people that deal with the supernatural, the paranormal, and the occult, including Lorraine Warren. From the Press Release: Causeway Pictures, Underground Films, and Content Media are pleased to announce the world premiere of Hostage to the Devil at London’s FrightFest Film Festival 2016 on Friday 26th August, 4.00pm, Discovery Screen 3. Over five years in production, director Martin Stalker has made a film which examines age-old questions about the existence of the Devil and the debate over good versus evil, all through the life of a controversial Irish-born Jesuit priest, Fr Malachi Martin.
Continue reading →
Documentaries
Most of you will remember from your childhood the anthology book series Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz with illustrations by Stephen Gammell. I remember reading them under the covers at night with a flashlight when I was young (6 or 7). I remember the fear I felt, and how I enjoyed it. There is now a documentary in the works by Cody Meirick that delves into the history of the series and some of those in the current horror industry, as well as those in the literary industry, that were inspired by the books. The documentary will feature interviews with Schwartz’s family, folklorists, scholars and authors, including Goosebumps author R.L. Stine, and the effect Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark had on their lives and work. Guillermo del Toro is also working on a project involving Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark. He will be creating a feature film adaption of the spooky
Continue reading →
Documentaries
Back in September of last year we told you about Unearthed & Untold: The Path to Pet Sematary, a documentary about the making of Stephen King’s classic Pet Sematary and its journey from print to the silver screen. On April 21st, in celebration of the film’s 27th anniversary, Terror Films is releasing the trailer for the documentary, poster and a special promotion. Unearthed & Untold will be released this October, just in time for Halloween. From the Press Release: The Documentary promotional release will begin on April 27th and continue for 27 Days, ending on May 18th and will be the only time this Limited Edition Offer will be available, prior to the documentary’s official release currently set for October 2016. During this limited time frame fans will be able to order the Limited Edition Combo Pack, which will include a dual Region Free DVD / Blu-Ray copy of the Documentary featuring interviews with Director Mary Lambert and the entire
Continue reading →
Documentaries
A new full length documentary delves into the making of George A. Romero’s 1982 Creepshow, titled Just Desserts: The Making of Creepshow. The film heading to Blu-ray later this year with a horde of special features via Synapse Films in conjunction with Red Shirt Pictures. This past weekend Fangoria spoke with the documentary’s producer, Michael Felsher, at North Carolina’s Mad Monster Party Convention about the film, which he debuted at the convention. Just Desserts features interviews with Romero, makeup/creature FX genius Tom Savini, Producer Richard P. Rubinstein, and actors Adrienne Barbeau, Tom Atkins, Ed Harris and others. It also features on-set footage. Unfortunately Stephen King, who co-wrote Creepshow, will not be featured. The exact release date has not been announced at this time, but as soon as it is we will let you know. Here’s a clip from Just Desserts featuring Tom Savini and George A. Romero.
Continue reading →
Documentaries
We reported back in January that HBO, capitalizing on the current obsession with true crime documentaries like Netflix’s Making a Murderer, would soon release a dark documentary of there own titled Beware the Slenderman. Today, the first poster for the documentary was unveiled. Beware the Slenderman, set to premiere at SXSW on March 11, delves into the legend of Slenderman and the case of Morgan Geyser and Anissa Weier, two 12- year-old Wisconsin girls, and their brutal attempted murder of their friend and classmate, another 12-year-old girl. What makes the case so interesting are the girls’ claims that it was an attempt to please Slenderman, a legend created by the Something Awful internet forum. The two girls were convinced that Slenderman was very real and that he would hurt their families if they did not make a human sacrifice to him. On May 31, 2014, after months of planning, the two girls lured the victim into the woods, stabbed her
Continue reading →
Documentaries
People have had a fascination with serial killers for most of history. We are captivated with true crime and trying to figure out what makes killers do the horrific things they do. There are many great documentaries on Netflix on the subject, and we just happened to have a list of the 8 best. Albert Fish: In Sin He Found Salvation (2007) Albert Fish, known as “The Werewolf of Wysteria” and “The Brooklyn Vampire”, was not only a serial killer, but a cannibal and pedophile. Fish, active from 1924 to 1932, is said to have killed over 100 people, mostly children. Fish suffered from Schizophrenia, but that did not keep him from meeting his end in the electric chair in 1936. H. H. Holmes: America’s First Serial Killer (2010) H. H. Holmes was not only America’s first serial killer, he was also one of the worst, yet most people have never heard of him. Holmes built a grand hotel, often
Continue reading →
Documentaries
A new documentary, Creature Designers: The Frankenstein Complex, will be making its first stop at EFM in Berlin. Alexandre Poncet and Giles Penso are the due behind the documentary, which features artists and creators including Rick Baker, John Landis and Greg Nicotero, Guillermo Del Toro and Joe Dante, as well as many other brilliant special effects masters. Poncet and Penso spent two years creating the documentary theat takes a look at the relationship between monsters and the masters and the relationship between monsters and cinema, the masters of special effects, and the way technology and CGI have changed the process of creating the monsters that we all love.
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 →
