The Spooky World of Chris Ringler
Welcome to my strange world of Blogs, Books, Movie Reviews, Podcasts, Stories, and Art!
"This Beautiful Darkness is thirteen stories that reveal the darkness in the human heart. From a father teaching his son how to kill, to a woman who inherits a haunted bed, these are the nightmares living in the shadows. This tenth anniversary edition is a celebration of terror with a bonus story just for you."
"A Shadow Over Ever" follows Pete Anders, a troubled man seeking revenge on Halloween but unaware of the dangerous forces guiding him. Blending elements of fantasy and horror, the narrative explores themes of existence and power. This unique novel, born from a short story, reflects the author's eccentric personality and promises an unforgettable experience.
Over the past year, the author reviewed short films by an emerging filmmaker, particularly highlighting "The Amasol Project" and "NightBound." While both films exhibit Rios's growth and creativity, they suffer from reliance on dialogue and digital effects. The potential for improvement lies in reduced narration and more tangible scares. Rios's passion is evident.
"Cemetery Earth" depicts the end of humanity in a dark world reclaimed by the dead, driven by an unseen force. The author initially created a short story about a zombie attack during a war, which grew into a larger collection of interconnected tales featuring the character Hunter. The book combines elements of horror and resilience against extinction.
The author recommends "Red Dreams" as an ideal introduction to their writing, citing its horror anthology as a collection of stories blending real-world and supernatural horror. With fifteen tales that explore darkness and fear, the book showcases the author's style and themes, making it accessible for new readers.
The latest entry in the found-footage horror franchise presents several short films themed around Halloween, but struggles with coherence and originality. While one episode excels in creepiness, others fall flat or feel silly. Overall, the collection lacks depth and connection to Halloween, leaving the reviewer disappointed and unable to recommend it.
On this episode I have another great conversation with author JC Vande Zande, who returns to talk about his newest novel: "Blood on the Witness Tree," a sequel to "The Dance of Rotten Sticks." It's a great conversation that gets into book promotion, how Van writes, the new book, and his advice for someone interested in writing.
MANOR OF DARKNESS follows a desperate brother and sister aiming to rob a posh estate to finance their ailing mother’s care. As they uncover secrets within the home, the film evolves from a typical horror narrative into something more intriguing. Despite some flaws, it offers a unique, suspenseful experience worth watching.
BODY & SOUL is a found footage film depicting police officers on duty, initially engaging with the public effectively. However, it falters when the plot shifts to a tense chase in the woods, becoming disjointed with two bickering officers and lacking narrative depth. Despite its promising concept, the film ultimately disappoints.
THE CHILDREN UNDER THE HOUSE is an analog horror film presented through VHS interviews between a therapist and a non-verbal girl who claims to see deceased children. This unique storytelling technique evokes imagination and fear, despite some emotional delivery issues. It's a chilling, low-budget film worth watching for horror enthusiasts.
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.
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.
I was able to take part in this year's Halloween podcast offerings from the "To Boldly Pod" podcast. Listen to me rattle off some Halloween movie recommendations. Big thanks to Dan, the host of the podcast.
The Spooky World of Chris Ringler 