'KILLER LEGENDS' (Screener Review)

RATED- Unrated
RUN TIME- 86 Mins
WRITER(S)- Joshua Zeman
STARRING- Rachel Mills and Joshua Zeman
DIRECTOR(S)- Joshua Zeman



Synopsis taken from IMDb
Delving into our collective nightmares, this horror-documentary investigates the origins of our most terrifying urban legends and true stories that may have inspired them.




This was a screener that I was really looking forward to. If there's something I love, it's a good horror-based documentary. I love learning, and there's nothing better to learn about then anything horror. In this case, Killer Legends, takes you all over the place, from Texas to Missouri, to Chicago investigating and finding the truth behind some of the cruelest urban legends. I've seen a lot of narratives before, but never one that dug to find the ugly truth that inspired some of the most chilling stories ever told. So this was a treat, and it's incredibly well made.

INVASION OF THE SCREAM QUEENS (Screener Review)

Get an inside look at what it takes to be a scream queen and hear the behind-the-scenes stories including The Hills Have Eyes, I Spit on Your Grave, Slumber Party Massacre, and many more. Invasion of the Scream Queens takes you back to a time when the term "Scream Queen" was brand new and promised the hottest actresses in the most outrageous low budget horror movies. 

With this documentary, comes good news and bad news. I'll start with the bad news. The footage featured in Invasion of the Scream Queens was shot in the early 90's, and now it's being released onto a 20th Anniversary Special Edition, this coming Tuesday, the 17th of June. What irks me about this, is that none of the footage is transferred to a higher grade of picture! Wild Eye Releasing found this old documentary, threw it on a DVD, and added in an interview with Donald Farmer (Demon Queen, Savage Vengeance) along with some deleted/extended scenes as bonus features and called it a day. The picture quality is literally that of a VHS.

ADJUST YOUR TRACKING (Screener Review)

Some see VHS as worthless plastic, but Adjust Your Tracking shows a vibrant world of collectors and movie fans who are keeping the format, and the movies, alive. Over 100 collectors, filmmakers, producers, and video store owners express how VHS has changed their lives. Travel back to the days of video rental stores with those who still buy, sell, rent and trade the format that will not die- VHS. 

I've always had a thing for VHS tapes. It's the nostalgic feeling you get matched only by the excitement that comes along with it. I still own a good pile of VHS tapes, but after watching this documentary, I'm pretty sure my collection will be expanding. Just recently, within the last two or three months, I actually finished a special project I was working on, where I made shelving for my VHS' out of old used VHS tapes that I bought at the local Farmer's Market. So now, all I need to work on is filling the shelving unit out with more tapes. Although they aren't very rare, I'm always on the lookout for Night of the Demons and Trick or Treat. Neither of which I've found yet, but that's the thrill of the hunt for ya.

ROOM 237 will blow your mind

RATED- UNRATED
RUN TIME- 102 MINS
WRITER(S)- RODNEY ASCHER
STARRING- BILL BLAKEMORE, GEOFFREY COCKS, AND JULIE KEARNS
DIRECTOR- RODNEY ASCHER



Synopsis taken from IMDb
A subjective documentary that explores the numerous theories about the hidden meanings within 'Stanley Kubrick (l)' 's Kubrick' 's film The Shining (1980). The film may be over 30 years old but it continues to inspire debate, speculation, and mystery. Five very different points of view are illuminated through voice over, film clips, animation and dramatic reenactments. Together they'll draw the audience into a new maze, one with endless detours and dead ends, many ways in, but no way out.

   

Again, I don't usually review documentaries because it's hard to judge them as films, seeing as they're meant for more educational value than entertainment. I had to make an exception with this one though.

I didn't even know it was possible to like "The Shining" even more, but guess what? After watching this, I most certainly do! This has got to be the most in-depth documentary on a film I have ever seen! And the stuff you learn both about the movie and Kubrick can actually be jaw-dropping. The second the documentary ends you want to watch the film and look for all the hidden things spread throughout.

I've actually been doing my research, and went on to find more videos and articles on Kubrick's film, that's taken me in even deeper. I've never walked away from a documentary wanting to learn more, except for this one. It's absolutely fascinating! All the people who say that "The Shining" has flaws, need to watch this. It may not pull you into liking the film, but it will absolutely make you see the film in a new light.

There's a lot of hidden meaning, messages and images throughout the film, that you can't help but be enthralled finding out what some of it means. So much knowledge! I truly know now, that the film is a masterpiece, not just from my own opinion, but from knowing how flawless it is. Everything is intentional and has a meaning and purpose.

Finding out that Kubrick had an IQ of 200, and read up on subliminal messaging was when I knew "The Shining" would be laced with things right in front of our faces that we've probably never seen. And I was right. Kubrick also went to advertising corporations and got tips on their methods of subliminal images and messages. He really did his research, and then packed his film with stuff that people still haven't deciphered or discovered.

Also, in this documentary, it's brought to your attention of how obvious it is that the film is about Native Americans being slaughtered. There's a lot of history and politics involved in the subliminal underlining of the movie, that you really catch on to and see how obvious it is.

I appreciate that this documentary has such insightful people exploring the film's messages for us and making them obvious. It really does just put everything in a new light. I'm not going to go further into things that are discussed, I'm not spoiling anything because it's something you need to experience on your own. I mean, they even go into what Jack's typewriter means. Trust me, you'll never watch "The Shining" the same way again. 

Unearthed & Untold: The Path to Pet Sematary (Documentary)

For those of you who love Pet Sematary keep your eyes peeled because an in-depth documentary is being made. There is one on one interviews with the actors and film makers involved with the movie.

I'm very excited to see this! I love Pet Sematary, it's a classic. And so after talking with the director John Campopiano, the co-director of this documentary, I decided I'd put something on my site to help spread the word. I'm always supportive of anyone trying to do something in the name of horror movies, and this has got my full attention.

Fangoria posted an article on it recently.

http://www.fangoria.com/index.php/home/all-news/1-latest-news/7805-qpet-semataryq-documentary-rises

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