Horror Fuel
☰ Browse the Crypt
Tag

#review

878 stories
Horror Fuel

Music Review: Kælan Mikla (2019)

Do you like the feeling of having a vivid nightmare poured into your eerie earholes? You bet your ass you do! And, there’s no better band out there to make that a reality than Icelandic darkwave geniuses Kælan Mikla. Comprised of eight tracks, Kælan Mikla’s eponymous U.S. debut (released through MVD Entertainment and Toronto-based Artoffact Records) is filled with haunting melodies, ethereal vocals (though they can posses downright punk rock power when it’s required), and ambient soundscapes a plenty; but their main bread and butter sounds as if Gary Numan composed a rock opera around Dracula… doesn’t get better than that cats n’ creeps, believe you me! All horrific hyperbole aside; this is some serious marvelously moody music, and the heady blend of Laufey Soffía Þórsdóttir on vocals, Sólveig Matthildur Kristjánsdóttir on synths and percussion, and Margrét Rósa Dóru-Harrysdóttir on bass is absolutely irresistible and essential autumnal listening (or for when you are trying to conjure autumn in your fevered

Continue reading →
DanXIII
Sep 21, 2019
Horror Fuel

Comic Book Review: Serious Creatures Issue 1

Massachusetts based writer/artist Tony McMillen’s (Lumen) latest comic book offering Serious Creatures is a book that should be easily embraced by those that visit this site. Don’t believe me? Well, you’re an asshole… but an asshole that should read on to learn just why I’m so hyped on this beastly book! Serious Creatures concerns the adventures of teen Bobby Feckle, a young kid in the early 70’s with aspirations of being a special effects artist. A chance encounter during the filming of the biggest blockbuster of the mid-’70s (called Fin here, but you cats will dig what the book is laying down) sets Bobby on the first baby-steps of making his dreams a reality while at the same time his home-life begins to degrade. I’m willing to bet demons to doughnuts that many of you cats n’ creeps are a lot like Bobby; you live, eat, and breath movie monsters morning, noon, and night… and I’d wager a good many

Continue reading →
DanXIII
Sep 21, 2019
Horror Fuel

Blu-ray Review: A Bucket of Blood (1959): Olive Signature Edition

Walter Paisley (Dick Miller) is a lowly busboy at a beatnik haven called The Yellow Door Cafe…the type of place that’s just lousy with sax solos, poetry, and artists (oh, and berets). Now our hero wants nothing more than to be just like the hep cats what populate that establishment mentioned up yonder, but his skill set is akin to that of an armless chimp rolling in Play-doh. But, as fate would have it after an incident involving a steak knife, a plaster wall, and a now ex-cat, ol’ Walter discovers he can create a celebrated work of art by simply slapping some clay over that dead feline. You can just guess what happens next; more accidents lead to more “sculptures” and even more accolades…but also rouses the suspicions of undercover detectives casing The Yellow Door (not to mention the Cafe’s owner who stumbles on Walter’s secret but balances his horror with the growing financial gain the morbid work generates).

Continue reading →
DanXIII
Sep 21, 2019
Horror Fuel

Blu-ray Review: The Hills Have Eyes Part II (1984)

Having escaped those crazed cannibals that terrorized his ass a few years previous, Bobby (Robert Houston) and Rachel (Janus Blythe), formerly the freaky family member named Ruby who decided to leave her past and rejoin the modern world, have formed a dirt bike racing team and developed a super fuel… as one does. Long story short, the team gets the chance to participate in a desert race taking place close to the same wasted hellscape the first film took place in. Bobby, who has common sense, declines, but the rest of the squad soldiers on. Along the way they take a short cut… then their bus breaks down… and guess what? Those hills still have goddamn eyes and motorcyclist mutton is on the menu! Hey cats n’ creeps, did ya forget the events of the first The Hills Have Eyes? Well, don’t worry; this sequel has your back! This thing is the Silent Night, Deadly Night Part 2 of the

Continue reading →
DanXIII
Sep 21, 2019
Horror Fuel

Blu-ray Review: Who Saw Her Die? (1972)

When Roberta (Nicoletta Elmi),the daughter of sculptor Franco (one-time Bond George Lazenby), ends up face down dead in a river down Venice way, our hero teams up with his estranged wife Elizabeth (Anita Strindberg) to solve the case. Of course whoever is responsible doesn’t want to be caught and the body count rises as the trail leads to some of the most respected figures in Venetian society. Starting off with a real showstopper in the revolting murder of young Roberta, Who Saw Her Die? trucks along in typical giallo freaky fashion with all of the accoutrements firmly in place. You get your black gloved killer, a barrel of red herring served up nice n’ hot, nonsensical explanations, and the ol’ money shots; plenty of acts of murderous mayhem! Adding to the experience are the cold, almost emotionless performances of the leads, with Lazenby and Strindberg carrying on as if in shock (which honestly they would be) which gives the entire

Continue reading →
DanXIII
Sep 19, 2019
Horror Fuel

Movie Review: Scooter (2019)

Scooter presents the tale (via a combo of mockumentary and found footage) of three internet celebs who get the wild hair to make a long distance trek via scooters for their lil’ web pro-grim. Along the way tensions begin to flare, and things only get worse when our heroes record a murder as it happens in the ass-end of nowhere! Of course escape becomes impossible, and soon the three amigos find themselves at the not-so-tender mercy of that murderous maniac… but what will their ultimate fate be? Scooter starts out promising; the cast is likable… and more importantly believable, as is the basic premise of the fright flick. There is a nice sense of world building, and things truck along at a reasonable pace while setting up a nice bit of tension; we know shit is going to go south, but when and how remains a mystery for a good chunk of the run-time (yeah, this is a slow burn

Continue reading →
DanXIII
Sep 18, 2019
Horror Fuel

Short Film Review: Mad Santa (2019)

One angry sumbitch with dashed aspirations of portraying Santa at the local mall goes ahead and kidnaps the manager of said establishment, her family, and her lover; and lets them know he’s a smidge miffed he lost the coveted Yuletide gig. Created for the Vancouver 48 Hour Run N Gun Horror Film Festival (which means the entire sinister shebang was written, shot, edited, and scored in 48 hours… which seems crazy as all fuck to undertake but kudos to the lunatics that ran those particular asylums) by writer/director/actor Bruce Blain (who portrays the eponymous lead character), Mad Santa is a vicious lil’ slice of fearsome fruitcake served up with a splash of shocking violence… and goddamn is it ever a satisfying short subject! In a mere seven minutes we get a powerhouse performance from Blain, cringe-worthy brutality, tension thicker than the heels of Karloff’s Frankenstein boots, and even an unexpected dash of playfulness… which adds up to a joltin’ jaunt

Continue reading →
DanXIII
Sep 13, 2019
Horror Fuel

DVD Review: Clownado (2019)

As Clownado opens, we learn of the dangers of circus-related theft (a true plague to the youth of the nation these days)…which could best be described as kooky clowns showing us that tits n’ darts don’t mix (a lesson I learned all too well at my last soiree at the Crypt o’ XIII)…if they don’t just murderize your ass outright. Savanna (Rachel Lagen), the victim of their big top titty terror, seeks revenge against those clowns, lead by her brute of a husband Big Ronnie (John O’Hara), via magic courtesy of one Autumn Moonspell (porn legend Jeanne Silver). The spell helps her escape the grease-painted ghouls, but it has the unintended side-effect of giving the clowns tornado based supernatural abilities…as is often the way. Soon a group of disparate strangers who’s ranks include; a no-nonsense shit-kicker (Bobby Westrick), an Elvis impersonator (Antwoine Steele), a stripper (Dilynn Fawn Harvey), and a teen runaway (Sierra Stodden) will be tasked with ending the

Continue reading →
DanXIII
Sep 12, 2019
Horror Fuel

Movie Review: Seeds (2018)

Marcus Milton (Trevor Long) is a rich ass mother fucker that ends up killing a woman dressed as a moth during consensual, though substance enhanced, sex (doubtless more common than one would think among the jet-set). Anyway, after hiring someone to clean up that lil’ indiscretion, Double M hauls ass to family’s New England coastal estate currently occupied by his his brother Michael (Chris McGarry) and his kids, the teenage Lily (Andrea Chen) and her younger bro Spencer (Garr Long). Speaking of Mikey, that dude soon splits the scene to try and win back his wife, so it’s up to ol’ Uncle Marcus to watch the “children”, which of course is a pretty shitty plan, because Marc-dawg is no Uncle Buck; flippin’ giant pancakes and shit, rather it becomes obvious he has the horny’s for his niece… not that she seems to mind. Of course there’s some sort of preternatural beast involved as well, and that creepy bastard is unlocking

Continue reading →
DanXIII
Sep 10, 2019
Horror Fuel

Movie Review: Hellmington (2018)

Detective Samantha Woodhouse (Nicola Correia-Drakulic) goes a-sleuthing after her father spits out the name of a girl who has been missing for nigh-on nine years upon his death bed… a girl who went missing after some sort of prom thing or another. Complicating matters are the strange cult that inhabits Sammy’s hometown… not to mention the fact our heroine may have a connection to the disappearance! Will Samantha be able to crack the case and remain confident of who she is? Filmmakers Jay Drakulic and Alex Lee Williams deliver one hell of a stylish thriller with Hellmington… but the film has much more going for it than aesthetics and groovy camera-work. The suspense remains tight throughout (with plenty of well-constructed ramp-ups), the mystery is engaging, and the performances, especially that provided by Correia-Drakulic as Samantha are on-point… especially as the emotional turmoil of her investigation takes it’s toll on her character’s psyche. Another big check in the plus column for

Continue reading →
DanXIII
Sep 10, 2019

More from #review

Horror Fuel

Music Review: Kælan Mikla (2019)

Do you like the feeling of having a vivid nightmare poured into your eerie earholes? You bet your ass you do! And, there’s no better band out there to make that a reality than Icelandic darkwave geniuses Kælan Mikla. Comprised of eight tracks, Kælan Mikla’s eponymous U.S. debut (released through MVD Entertainment and Toronto-based Artoffact Records) is filled with haunting melodies, ethereal vocals (though they can posses downright punk rock power when it’s required), and ambient soundscapes a plenty; but their main bread and butter sounds as if Gary Numan composed a rock opera around Dracula… doesn’t get better than that cats n’ creeps, believe you me! All horrific hyperbole aside; this is some serious marvelously moody music, and the heady blend of Laufey Soffía Þórsdóttir on vocals, Sólveig Matthildur Kristjánsdóttir on synths and percussion, and Margrét Rósa Dóru-Harrysdóttir on bass is absolutely irresistible and essential autumnal listening (or for when you are trying to conjure autumn in your fevered

Continue reading →
DanXIII
Sep 21, 2019
Horror Fuel

Comic Book Review: Serious Creatures Issue 1

Massachusetts based writer/artist Tony McMillen’s (Lumen) latest comic book offering Serious Creatures is a book that should be easily embraced by those that visit this site. Don’t believe me? Well, you’re an asshole… but an asshole that should read on to learn just why I’m so hyped on this beastly book! Serious Creatures concerns the adventures of teen Bobby Feckle, a young kid in the early 70’s with aspirations of being a special effects artist. A chance encounter during the filming of the biggest blockbuster of the mid-’70s (called Fin here, but you cats will dig what the book is laying down) sets Bobby on the first baby-steps of making his dreams a reality while at the same time his home-life begins to degrade. I’m willing to bet demons to doughnuts that many of you cats n’ creeps are a lot like Bobby; you live, eat, and breath movie monsters morning, noon, and night… and I’d wager a good many

Continue reading →
DanXIII
Sep 21, 2019
Horror Fuel

Blu-ray Review: A Bucket of Blood (1959): Olive Signature Edition

Walter Paisley (Dick Miller) is a lowly busboy at a beatnik haven called The Yellow Door Cafe…the type of place that’s just lousy with sax solos, poetry, and artists (oh, and berets). Now our hero wants nothing more than to be just like the hep cats what populate that establishment mentioned up yonder, but his skill set is akin to that of an armless chimp rolling in Play-doh. But, as fate would have it after an incident involving a steak knife, a plaster wall, and a now ex-cat, ol’ Walter discovers he can create a celebrated work of art by simply slapping some clay over that dead feline. You can just guess what happens next; more accidents lead to more “sculptures” and even more accolades…but also rouses the suspicions of undercover detectives casing The Yellow Door (not to mention the Cafe’s owner who stumbles on Walter’s secret but balances his horror with the growing financial gain the morbid work generates).

Continue reading →
DanXIII
Sep 21, 2019
Horror Fuel

Blu-ray Review: The Hills Have Eyes Part II (1984)

Having escaped those crazed cannibals that terrorized his ass a few years previous, Bobby (Robert Houston) and Rachel (Janus Blythe), formerly the freaky family member named Ruby who decided to leave her past and rejoin the modern world, have formed a dirt bike racing team and developed a super fuel… as one does. Long story short, the team gets the chance to participate in a desert race taking place close to the same wasted hellscape the first film took place in. Bobby, who has common sense, declines, but the rest of the squad soldiers on. Along the way they take a short cut… then their bus breaks down… and guess what? Those hills still have goddamn eyes and motorcyclist mutton is on the menu! Hey cats n’ creeps, did ya forget the events of the first The Hills Have Eyes? Well, don’t worry; this sequel has your back! This thing is the Silent Night, Deadly Night Part 2 of the

Continue reading →
DanXIII
Sep 21, 2019
Horror Fuel

Blu-ray Review: Who Saw Her Die? (1972)

When Roberta (Nicoletta Elmi),the daughter of sculptor Franco (one-time Bond George Lazenby), ends up face down dead in a river down Venice way, our hero teams up with his estranged wife Elizabeth (Anita Strindberg) to solve the case. Of course whoever is responsible doesn’t want to be caught and the body count rises as the trail leads to some of the most respected figures in Venetian society. Starting off with a real showstopper in the revolting murder of young Roberta, Who Saw Her Die? trucks along in typical giallo freaky fashion with all of the accoutrements firmly in place. You get your black gloved killer, a barrel of red herring served up nice n’ hot, nonsensical explanations, and the ol’ money shots; plenty of acts of murderous mayhem! Adding to the experience are the cold, almost emotionless performances of the leads, with Lazenby and Strindberg carrying on as if in shock (which honestly they would be) which gives the entire

Continue reading →
DanXIII
Sep 19, 2019
Horror Fuel

Movie Review: Scooter (2019)

Scooter presents the tale (via a combo of mockumentary and found footage) of three internet celebs who get the wild hair to make a long distance trek via scooters for their lil’ web pro-grim. Along the way tensions begin to flare, and things only get worse when our heroes record a murder as it happens in the ass-end of nowhere! Of course escape becomes impossible, and soon the three amigos find themselves at the not-so-tender mercy of that murderous maniac… but what will their ultimate fate be? Scooter starts out promising; the cast is likable… and more importantly believable, as is the basic premise of the fright flick. There is a nice sense of world building, and things truck along at a reasonable pace while setting up a nice bit of tension; we know shit is going to go south, but when and how remains a mystery for a good chunk of the run-time (yeah, this is a slow burn

Continue reading →
DanXIII
Sep 18, 2019
Horror Fuel

Short Film Review: Mad Santa (2019)

One angry sumbitch with dashed aspirations of portraying Santa at the local mall goes ahead and kidnaps the manager of said establishment, her family, and her lover; and lets them know he’s a smidge miffed he lost the coveted Yuletide gig. Created for the Vancouver 48 Hour Run N Gun Horror Film Festival (which means the entire sinister shebang was written, shot, edited, and scored in 48 hours… which seems crazy as all fuck to undertake but kudos to the lunatics that ran those particular asylums) by writer/director/actor Bruce Blain (who portrays the eponymous lead character), Mad Santa is a vicious lil’ slice of fearsome fruitcake served up with a splash of shocking violence… and goddamn is it ever a satisfying short subject! In a mere seven minutes we get a powerhouse performance from Blain, cringe-worthy brutality, tension thicker than the heels of Karloff’s Frankenstein boots, and even an unexpected dash of playfulness… which adds up to a joltin’ jaunt

Continue reading →
DanXIII
Sep 13, 2019
Horror Fuel

DVD Review: Clownado (2019)

As Clownado opens, we learn of the dangers of circus-related theft (a true plague to the youth of the nation these days)…which could best be described as kooky clowns showing us that tits n’ darts don’t mix (a lesson I learned all too well at my last soiree at the Crypt o’ XIII)…if they don’t just murderize your ass outright. Savanna (Rachel Lagen), the victim of their big top titty terror, seeks revenge against those clowns, lead by her brute of a husband Big Ronnie (John O’Hara), via magic courtesy of one Autumn Moonspell (porn legend Jeanne Silver). The spell helps her escape the grease-painted ghouls, but it has the unintended side-effect of giving the clowns tornado based supernatural abilities…as is often the way. Soon a group of disparate strangers who’s ranks include; a no-nonsense shit-kicker (Bobby Westrick), an Elvis impersonator (Antwoine Steele), a stripper (Dilynn Fawn Harvey), and a teen runaway (Sierra Stodden) will be tasked with ending the

Continue reading →
DanXIII
Sep 12, 2019
Horror Fuel

Movie Review: Seeds (2018)

Marcus Milton (Trevor Long) is a rich ass mother fucker that ends up killing a woman dressed as a moth during consensual, though substance enhanced, sex (doubtless more common than one would think among the jet-set). Anyway, after hiring someone to clean up that lil’ indiscretion, Double M hauls ass to family’s New England coastal estate currently occupied by his his brother Michael (Chris McGarry) and his kids, the teenage Lily (Andrea Chen) and her younger bro Spencer (Garr Long). Speaking of Mikey, that dude soon splits the scene to try and win back his wife, so it’s up to ol’ Uncle Marcus to watch the “children”, which of course is a pretty shitty plan, because Marc-dawg is no Uncle Buck; flippin’ giant pancakes and shit, rather it becomes obvious he has the horny’s for his niece… not that she seems to mind. Of course there’s some sort of preternatural beast involved as well, and that creepy bastard is unlocking

Continue reading →
DanXIII
Sep 10, 2019
Horror Fuel

Movie Review: Hellmington (2018)

Detective Samantha Woodhouse (Nicola Correia-Drakulic) goes a-sleuthing after her father spits out the name of a girl who has been missing for nigh-on nine years upon his death bed… a girl who went missing after some sort of prom thing or another. Complicating matters are the strange cult that inhabits Sammy’s hometown… not to mention the fact our heroine may have a connection to the disappearance! Will Samantha be able to crack the case and remain confident of who she is? Filmmakers Jay Drakulic and Alex Lee Williams deliver one hell of a stylish thriller with Hellmington… but the film has much more going for it than aesthetics and groovy camera-work. The suspense remains tight throughout (with plenty of well-constructed ramp-ups), the mystery is engaging, and the performances, especially that provided by Correia-Drakulic as Samantha are on-point… especially as the emotional turmoil of her investigation takes it’s toll on her character’s psyche. Another big check in the plus column for

Continue reading →
DanXIII
Sep 10, 2019
Next →