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Horror Fuel

Short Film Review: Pappy’s World (2018)

On Christmas Eve, a girl fishes down a present from the top of an impossibly high pile of gifts with the help of her sleeping grandfather’s cane. upon opening the package she meets “Pappy” a talking doll that shows her strange visions. Soon the doll is out for blood (after a bit of a tickle sesh) and ol’ grandpa has to attempt to rescue his charge from that evil effigy; all while dealing with that doll’s devious deviltry and his own left-over trauma from the war. There’s also pie and doll fuckin’ involved… What can I say; Pappy’s World is one fever dream of a sinister short! With it’s absolutely balls-to-the-wall surreal aesthetic, nightmarish visions, PTSD trauma, doll hookers…and so much more, I can guarantee you have never, ever seen anything even remotely close to this one horror hounds! Director/Co-writer Matt Wisniewski (aided and abetted by Co-writer/Actor Fred Polone…who also plays Grandpa and Pappy) have created a rich bit of

Continue reading →
DanXIII
Sep 15, 2018
Horror Fuel

Short Film Review: octOber (2018)

Two friends, Alex and Jeremy, stroll along some train tracks under a steel grey sky. Alex discusses the disappearance of his sister, and the toll it has taken on his family…and he also explains that he thinks he knows who did it…a local man named Mr. Whitman whom he claims he has seen bump off other townsfolk. Well, our erstwhile heroes get to investigating, and Jeremy is slaughtered, while Alex makes like a fuckin’ banana and splits. Of course his meddling sets of a whole lot of horror biz…biz he may not be able to survive! Stylish, super slick, and possessing a strong story (of which this is but one part of an over reaching narrative…this is part 2 for those keepin’ score at home), octOber is a mini-masterpiece of suburban horror and taught tension. It’s the type of flick that as you watch you just know something horrible is going to happen, but just what or more importantly when

Continue reading →
DanXIII
Sep 8, 2018
Horror Fuel

Short Film Review: The Confined (2017)

A duo of young architects are shown the inside of a large, dilapidated building; once the home to a suicide cult, but now being eyed as the site for upscale condos. However, they are not really sold on the vision for the building’s future, due in no small part to its dark history. Before long however our heroes realize much too late that the malevolent forces that inhabited the building are very much still present. The main thing The Confined has in its favor is it’s world-building. The idea of a property that was once the home of an evil cult now being turned into residential property is one rife for further exploration…and the taste of the premise that we get with this short is definitely enticing. Also of note is a nice bit of business involving an old movie projector that was suitably creepy. On the downside, The Confined wasn’t lit very well; sequences are very dark, and not

Continue reading →
DanXIII
Sep 3, 2018
Horror Fuel

Short Film Review: Conductor (2018)

A gaggle gathers in a mall to test and and potentially win a brand new, state of the art drum machine. Among those competing is Josh (Michael Maclane) who’s attempts are no bueno. Enter Alexis (Kelli Jordan) a pro sound engineer that helps our man win the day…except, the beat triggers an unbelievably violent surprise that ends up being music to someone’s ears…but I’m keeping that under wraps! Writer/director Alex Noyer has done one hell of a job with Conductor. The film is unique, stylish, and unexpectedly filled to the brim with top notch practical gore effects that will warm the heart of any grue lovin’ horror hound! There is also an interesting bit of world building present in a flick that runs around five minutes or so, and many questions are left unanswered…which is a good thing, because your’s cruelly wouldn’t mind one damn bit if this was expanded into feature (or returned to in future shorts). Bottom line,

Continue reading →
DanXIII
Aug 31, 2018
Horror Fuel

Short Film Review: I Am The Doorway (2018)

Arthur (Simon Merrells) has a few things to be proud of; he’s the first astronaut to orbit Pluto, he survives a rather shit crash landing back on Earth, and he grows alien eyes on his hands that present to him monstrous visions and cause him to not only believe he has murdered, but to believe he is the conduit (or doorway if you like) for an alien invasion. I Am the Doorway is one hell of a somber, grim, and ultimately intriguing sci-fi yarn. Based on a short story by some dude I’ve never heard of named Stephen King (I sincerely hope you boils n’ ghouls know I’m assing around here), this is a moody, darkly atmospheric affair that details one man’s descent into madness facilitated by cosmic interference (let’s just say this is King at his most Lovecraftian); and everything from the muted color palette, to the locations, to the grizzled appearance of Merrells as our protagonist adds to

Continue reading →
DanXIII
Aug 29, 2018
Horror Fuel

Short Film Review: Bathroom Troll (2018)

Look obsessed bitches on wheels give our meek androgynous heroine Cassie (Bianca Sanchez) a veritable shit ton of static in the Girl’s Room because she doesn’t fit their idea of how a female should look. Back at home, Cassie’s occultist mother hears her daughter’s story and decides to venture to an unholy landmark and attempt to call up a troll to get even with those who wronged Cassie. Unbelievably (or maybe believably since this is a fright flick) this works, and those girls are in for a world of ass beatings…but Cassie is none to comfortable with the vengeance handed out. Can she stop the troll before things go too far? The biggest plus Bathroom Troll has going for it is Sanchez in the role of Cassie (but make no mistake, everyone involved plays their roles to the hilt)…she’s such a fragile, emotional mess that you can’t help but root for her in the terrible situations she finds herself in,

Continue reading →
DanXIII
Aug 28, 2018
Horror Fuel

Short Film Review: Masks (2018)

Brad (Alex Loubert) has the high-larious idea to prank his pal Marsha (Vanessa Trenton) as she prepares herself backstage. He stalks the scene as a masked maniac, but soon the ruse is revealed…but the mask goes missing…only to reappear over the face of a stalking psycho! Masks is a simple tale well told. It’s your basic slasher set up for sure, but it’s filled to the brim with slick cinematography, mounting tension, creepy touches (mysterious dolls in this case), and a memorable and iconic killer design (which as long time readers well know I consider an absolute must in a stalk n’ slay flick. To sum it up, writer/director Peter Genoway knows his way around our beloved slasher sub-genre, and I hope to see more from this fella right quick in the ol’ horror biz!

Continue reading →
DanXIII
Aug 28, 2018
Horror Fuel

Short Film Review: Mystery Box (2018)

Moa (Lisa Henni) is trying her damnedest to grab a lil’ R&R in a cabin on a remote island…but that goes south six ways to Sunday when she finds a strange metal box while fishing. That night, the box keeps appearing on her front porch no matter where she moves it too, followed by a litany of strange noises. Before you can say “Pandora” our protagonist opens that cursed container (after barfin’ up a key ‘natch) and what she finds…well, you’ll have to see the flick yourself for that one my creeps! Directed and co-written (along with David Liljeblad) by Sonny Laguna, who can be one of my favorite people ever thanks to bringing us the excellent Puppet Master The Littlest Reich or one of my most reviled since he made the execrable Animalistic. Well, I’m pleased as poisoned punch to say he knocked Mystery Box out of the park (thank Dagon, because no matter what I feel about the

Continue reading →
DanXIII
Aug 27, 2018
Horror Fuel

Short Film Review: A Death Story Called Girl (2018)

A young woman named Bambi (Livvy Bennett) awakes and goes about her daily routine as if she is a robot. After journeying outside she visits an elderly couple and serves them odd food combinations and poisoned drinks. Hell ensues. Running a very surreal twelve minutes, A Death Story Called Girl is a fantastically bizarre and stylized view into the life of one fucked up girl living in the ultimate version of suburbia. Writer/Director Bas-Tzion Beahan presents an over-saturated, sun-soaked paradise where no one even notices when one of their blood soaked own walks merrily down the street…are they all oblivious, do they themselves have dark secrets? Who knows…but it got me thinking as I was totally enthralled by the universe presented. Also special mention has to be made of the ethereal and unhinged portrayl of Bambi courtesy of Bennett; what a character and performance…I want to see more of her misadventures post-haste. finally, the sound design in this piece is

Continue reading →
DanXIII
Aug 27, 2018
Horror Fuel

Short Film Review: Nepenthes (2018)

Max (Ariel Slack) sits in a cafe doing the things one does (sitting for hours soaking up the free Wi-fi while ordering one small cup of coffee) at such establishments. Suddenly her phone comes alive and displays an interested party on her dating app; an beautiful and enigmatic woman named Venus (Tristan Risk). Alex being the curious (read: horny) type, she treks out to Venus’ pad, but of course what awaits her is not quite what was advertised! I’m always amazed at what folks can do in the fright flick biz on a low budget and short run time, and Nepenthes was no exception! Filled with choice, and well executed, practical effects, a strong lead in Slack, and confident writing and direction from Ariel Hansen, this flick packs a putrid punch my creeps! And talk about your surprise ending…well, let’s just say you won’t believe your eerie eyeballs at the outcome of this lil’ terror tale! Nepenthes is currently doin’

Continue reading →
DanXIII
Aug 7, 2018

More from Short film

Horror Fuel

Short Film Review: Pappy’s World (2018)

On Christmas Eve, a girl fishes down a present from the top of an impossibly high pile of gifts with the help of her sleeping grandfather’s cane. upon opening the package she meets “Pappy” a talking doll that shows her strange visions. Soon the doll is out for blood (after a bit of a tickle sesh) and ol’ grandpa has to attempt to rescue his charge from that evil effigy; all while dealing with that doll’s devious deviltry and his own left-over trauma from the war. There’s also pie and doll fuckin’ involved… What can I say; Pappy’s World is one fever dream of a sinister short! With it’s absolutely balls-to-the-wall surreal aesthetic, nightmarish visions, PTSD trauma, doll hookers…and so much more, I can guarantee you have never, ever seen anything even remotely close to this one horror hounds! Director/Co-writer Matt Wisniewski (aided and abetted by Co-writer/Actor Fred Polone…who also plays Grandpa and Pappy) have created a rich bit of

Continue reading →
DanXIII
Sep 15, 2018
Horror Fuel

Short Film Review: octOber (2018)

Two friends, Alex and Jeremy, stroll along some train tracks under a steel grey sky. Alex discusses the disappearance of his sister, and the toll it has taken on his family…and he also explains that he thinks he knows who did it…a local man named Mr. Whitman whom he claims he has seen bump off other townsfolk. Well, our erstwhile heroes get to investigating, and Jeremy is slaughtered, while Alex makes like a fuckin’ banana and splits. Of course his meddling sets of a whole lot of horror biz…biz he may not be able to survive! Stylish, super slick, and possessing a strong story (of which this is but one part of an over reaching narrative…this is part 2 for those keepin’ score at home), octOber is a mini-masterpiece of suburban horror and taught tension. It’s the type of flick that as you watch you just know something horrible is going to happen, but just what or more importantly when

Continue reading →
DanXIII
Sep 8, 2018
Horror Fuel

Short Film Review: The Confined (2017)

A duo of young architects are shown the inside of a large, dilapidated building; once the home to a suicide cult, but now being eyed as the site for upscale condos. However, they are not really sold on the vision for the building’s future, due in no small part to its dark history. Before long however our heroes realize much too late that the malevolent forces that inhabited the building are very much still present. The main thing The Confined has in its favor is it’s world-building. The idea of a property that was once the home of an evil cult now being turned into residential property is one rife for further exploration…and the taste of the premise that we get with this short is definitely enticing. Also of note is a nice bit of business involving an old movie projector that was suitably creepy. On the downside, The Confined wasn’t lit very well; sequences are very dark, and not

Continue reading →
DanXIII
Sep 3, 2018
Horror Fuel

Short Film Review: Conductor (2018)

A gaggle gathers in a mall to test and and potentially win a brand new, state of the art drum machine. Among those competing is Josh (Michael Maclane) who’s attempts are no bueno. Enter Alexis (Kelli Jordan) a pro sound engineer that helps our man win the day…except, the beat triggers an unbelievably violent surprise that ends up being music to someone’s ears…but I’m keeping that under wraps! Writer/director Alex Noyer has done one hell of a job with Conductor. The film is unique, stylish, and unexpectedly filled to the brim with top notch practical gore effects that will warm the heart of any grue lovin’ horror hound! There is also an interesting bit of world building present in a flick that runs around five minutes or so, and many questions are left unanswered…which is a good thing, because your’s cruelly wouldn’t mind one damn bit if this was expanded into feature (or returned to in future shorts). Bottom line,

Continue reading →
DanXIII
Aug 31, 2018
Horror Fuel

Short Film Review: I Am The Doorway (2018)

Arthur (Simon Merrells) has a few things to be proud of; he’s the first astronaut to orbit Pluto, he survives a rather shit crash landing back on Earth, and he grows alien eyes on his hands that present to him monstrous visions and cause him to not only believe he has murdered, but to believe he is the conduit (or doorway if you like) for an alien invasion. I Am the Doorway is one hell of a somber, grim, and ultimately intriguing sci-fi yarn. Based on a short story by some dude I’ve never heard of named Stephen King (I sincerely hope you boils n’ ghouls know I’m assing around here), this is a moody, darkly atmospheric affair that details one man’s descent into madness facilitated by cosmic interference (let’s just say this is King at his most Lovecraftian); and everything from the muted color palette, to the locations, to the grizzled appearance of Merrells as our protagonist adds to

Continue reading →
DanXIII
Aug 29, 2018
Horror Fuel

Short Film Review: Bathroom Troll (2018)

Look obsessed bitches on wheels give our meek androgynous heroine Cassie (Bianca Sanchez) a veritable shit ton of static in the Girl’s Room because she doesn’t fit their idea of how a female should look. Back at home, Cassie’s occultist mother hears her daughter’s story and decides to venture to an unholy landmark and attempt to call up a troll to get even with those who wronged Cassie. Unbelievably (or maybe believably since this is a fright flick) this works, and those girls are in for a world of ass beatings…but Cassie is none to comfortable with the vengeance handed out. Can she stop the troll before things go too far? The biggest plus Bathroom Troll has going for it is Sanchez in the role of Cassie (but make no mistake, everyone involved plays their roles to the hilt)…she’s such a fragile, emotional mess that you can’t help but root for her in the terrible situations she finds herself in,

Continue reading →
DanXIII
Aug 28, 2018
Horror Fuel

Short Film Review: Masks (2018)

Brad (Alex Loubert) has the high-larious idea to prank his pal Marsha (Vanessa Trenton) as she prepares herself backstage. He stalks the scene as a masked maniac, but soon the ruse is revealed…but the mask goes missing…only to reappear over the face of a stalking psycho! Masks is a simple tale well told. It’s your basic slasher set up for sure, but it’s filled to the brim with slick cinematography, mounting tension, creepy touches (mysterious dolls in this case), and a memorable and iconic killer design (which as long time readers well know I consider an absolute must in a stalk n’ slay flick. To sum it up, writer/director Peter Genoway knows his way around our beloved slasher sub-genre, and I hope to see more from this fella right quick in the ol’ horror biz!

Continue reading →
DanXIII
Aug 28, 2018
Horror Fuel

Short Film Review: Mystery Box (2018)

Moa (Lisa Henni) is trying her damnedest to grab a lil’ R&R in a cabin on a remote island…but that goes south six ways to Sunday when she finds a strange metal box while fishing. That night, the box keeps appearing on her front porch no matter where she moves it too, followed by a litany of strange noises. Before you can say “Pandora” our protagonist opens that cursed container (after barfin’ up a key ‘natch) and what she finds…well, you’ll have to see the flick yourself for that one my creeps! Directed and co-written (along with David Liljeblad) by Sonny Laguna, who can be one of my favorite people ever thanks to bringing us the excellent Puppet Master The Littlest Reich or one of my most reviled since he made the execrable Animalistic. Well, I’m pleased as poisoned punch to say he knocked Mystery Box out of the park (thank Dagon, because no matter what I feel about the

Continue reading →
DanXIII
Aug 27, 2018
Horror Fuel

Short Film Review: A Death Story Called Girl (2018)

A young woman named Bambi (Livvy Bennett) awakes and goes about her daily routine as if she is a robot. After journeying outside she visits an elderly couple and serves them odd food combinations and poisoned drinks. Hell ensues. Running a very surreal twelve minutes, A Death Story Called Girl is a fantastically bizarre and stylized view into the life of one fucked up girl living in the ultimate version of suburbia. Writer/Director Bas-Tzion Beahan presents an over-saturated, sun-soaked paradise where no one even notices when one of their blood soaked own walks merrily down the street…are they all oblivious, do they themselves have dark secrets? Who knows…but it got me thinking as I was totally enthralled by the universe presented. Also special mention has to be made of the ethereal and unhinged portrayl of Bambi courtesy of Bennett; what a character and performance…I want to see more of her misadventures post-haste. finally, the sound design in this piece is

Continue reading →
DanXIII
Aug 27, 2018
Horror Fuel

Short Film Review: Nepenthes (2018)

Max (Ariel Slack) sits in a cafe doing the things one does (sitting for hours soaking up the free Wi-fi while ordering one small cup of coffee) at such establishments. Suddenly her phone comes alive and displays an interested party on her dating app; an beautiful and enigmatic woman named Venus (Tristan Risk). Alex being the curious (read: horny) type, she treks out to Venus’ pad, but of course what awaits her is not quite what was advertised! I’m always amazed at what folks can do in the fright flick biz on a low budget and short run time, and Nepenthes was no exception! Filled with choice, and well executed, practical effects, a strong lead in Slack, and confident writing and direction from Ariel Hansen, this flick packs a putrid punch my creeps! And talk about your surprise ending…well, let’s just say you won’t believe your eerie eyeballs at the outcome of this lil’ terror tale! Nepenthes is currently doin’

Continue reading →
DanXIII
Aug 7, 2018
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