The Spooky World of Chris Ringler
Welcome to my strange world of Blogs, Books, Movie Reviews, Podcasts, Stories, and Art!
This podcast explores the character Freddy Krueger, delving into his motivations and the elements that contribute to his terrifying persona. The discussion includes additional topics, making for an engaging listen. Enjoy this intriguing analysis of one of horror's iconic figures.
The faux-documentary is a tricky business. You have to present yourself as a documentary, with those trappings, but have to offer something different. You have to walk in those steps to a point, and know when to deviate. And with so many murder docs out there, it becomes even harder to find the correct tone. STRANGE HARVEST reminds me a bit of the film THE POUGHKEEPSIE TAPES. It’s similar, but don’t mistake them for being the same. They both handle horrific stories about a serial killer, and do so with aplomb, but STRANGE HARVEST is its own animal, and it has its own lethal bite.
Legacy sequels are a strange beast. They are movies dipping heavily into nostalgia for a film property, and while calling back to the things that fans loved from that original film, they also have an eye on rejuvenating a property. Legacy movies are nothing too new, but they have really become a fad in Hollywood, especially in horror, as studios try to wring every last dollar from these movies. They lean on the nostalgic love of these movies, even bringing back characters from the originals. The problem with a lot of them, is that they often feel like cash grabs more than honest attempts at renewing these movies.
Over the past few months, I have had the honor to check out three of director Rios’ films. It’s been fascinating to watch him hone his craft, tighten his storytelling, and really evolve as a filmmaker. A willingness to keep working to improve, and to become a better creator and, in this case, filmmaker, is how you GET better. We hear the adage of “putting in the work” all the time, but not all of us want to actually do that.
If there’s a subgenre in horror that feels intimidating to try to enter, it’d be zombies. There are so many beloved properties that deal with the living dead that it would feel hard to set something else apart from the rest. The thing is though, if zombies have shown us anything over the years is that they are evergreen, and if you have a new idea, or way to come at them, people will pay attention.
There is something intoxicating about watching documentaries about the process of creating art, and in this case, making movies. Where it really gets good, though, is when you get a glimpse into the indie-filmmaking of emerging and inexperienced filmmakers. Think of “AMERICAN MOVIE” and how engaging the documentary was as it showed director Mark Borchardt… Continue reading Found Footage Movie Review – “FOUND FOOTAGE: The Making of the Patterson Project”
On this episode I talk about my thoughts on the recently held Flint Short Film Freakout film festival, the films, and other festivals I have been involved with in the past.
There is an interesting fine line between true-crime/thrillers and horror. At the core of true crime is horror; the idea that someone can stalk you, hunt you, kill you, and in many cases make you disappear is utterly terrifying. Our fascination with those stories, and the people that peretrate them is because we wonder what it takes to make someone into that sort of monster. These tales allow us to also face the idea that the world isn't as safe we as often hope it is in a way that still feels like we are in control.
The forgotten neighborhood of Opal Bay is where dreams go to die. Among those homes, though, something is waking; something ancient and angry. God has returned, but it's not the one that was promised. "The Fallen God of Opal Bay" is a horror thriller that features Jane, an outcast who is just discovering her true… Continue reading The Fallen God Has Risen- The Fallen God of Opal Bay (a new book from Chris Ringler)
T.S. O'Banion, the creator, writer, actor, and producer of The DeGrave Brothers Podcast joins me for a conversation about what interested him in horror, his inspiration for creating the DeGrave Brothers, and the process of making this really fun podcast. Find The DeGrave Brothers on your favorite podcast platform.
A couple investigates their old house with paranormal experts, finding the experience more tedious than thrilling, contrary to popular ghost-hunting shows. THE BLUE MOUNTAIN PROJECT portrays a lackluster documentary-style investigation of a haunted schoolhouse with no real scares or plot. The friendship of the main characters is the only redeeming quality. Rating: 1 out of 5.
THE DROWNED combines horror and thriller elements but struggles with a muddled plot and familiar tropes. It starts with a man on the run and unfolds around a crime, leaving viewers questioning key aspects. Despite strong visuals and acting, it feels incomplete and lacks engagement, leading to a disappointing experience. Rating: 2 out of 5.
The article discusses a found footage film titled CRUEL, focused on the Michigan Dogman cryptid. While it explores regional cryptids and the impact of such tales, the film suffers from a short runtime and plot inconsistencies. Despite a solid premise, it ultimately fails to deliver a satisfying narrative, lacking depth and cohesion.
The Spooky World of Chris Ringler 