True Story Horror Review, part 1

I was sitting down today, checking out some stuff online about good horror movies. Tons of sites claiming to have lists of the best horror movies ever. Well, I don't give a flying fuck about if it is the "best" or the "scariest." Which movies are honestly based on real life events, that's what I wanna know. So here is some information I dug up on some movies that claim to be "based on real events."

The Exorcist- By far one of the most famous horror movies of our times. Everyone has seen it, or at least has seen or heard references to it. It was marketed as "based on real life events" and that isn't exactly the truth. The novel is based upon a story heard about an exorcism of a young BOY in 1949. This exorcism supposedly took place in Mt. Rainier, Maryland and Bel-Nor, Missouri. It took a little more than 6 weeks to exorcise the demon from young Robbie.

So, is it based on real life. Yes, and no. It depends on if you believe in exorcisms in the first place. It is based upon something the writer had heard about and supposedly researched. Oh well, this one gets a silver sticker from me. It's hard to say if it really is, because so many facts were changed to help hide the real victims identity. Oh well, still a classic horror film in it's own right!





Amityville Horror- We've all known someone who knew someone who knew someone who's ACTUALLY been there, and it really is haunted, right? So, this movie was based upon a certain amount of what I will call "known truth." In other words, it is on record with the police, crime units, newspapers, and more of really happening.

So, here is the known truth. A murder really did take place there, a murder of the Defeo's. Ronald Defeo murdered his mother, father, two brothers, and two sisters. Here is the truth of the story (read the entire Wiki entry on it here)

At around 6:30 on the evening of November 13, 1974, Ronald DeFeo, Jr. burst into Henry's Bar in Amityville, Long Island, New York and declared: “You got to help me! I think my mother and father are shot.” DeFeo and a small group of people went to 112 Ocean Avenue, which was located not far from the bar, and found that DeFeo's parents were indeed dead. One of the group, Joe Yeswit, made an emergency call to the Suffolk County Police, who searched the house and found that six members of the same family were dead in their beds.

The victims were Ronald DeFeo, Sr., 43, Louise DeFeo, 42, and four of their children: Dawn, 18; Allison, 13; Marc, 12; and John Matthew, 9. All of the victims had been shot with a .35 caliber lever action Marlin rifle at around three o'clock in the morning of that day. DeFeo's parents had both been shot twice, while the children had all been killed with single shots. The DeFeo family had occupied 112 Ocean Avenue since purchasing it in 1965.

Ronald DeFeo, Jr. was the eldest son of the family, and was also known as "Butch". He was taken to the local police station for his own protection after suggesting to police officers at the scene of the crime that the killings had been carried out by a mob hit man named Louis Falini. However, an interview with DeFeo at the station soon exposed serious inconsistencies in his version of events, and the following day he confessed to carrying out the killings himself. He told detectives: "Once I started, I just couldn’t stop. It went so fast."


So, a real murder did indeed happen there, although there is arguments as to if it happened as most seem to believe. After that, the Lutz family moved in, and only managed to stay 28 days. The family had been full on aware since day one of what occurred in the house, and had not a single issue with it. Strange things started happening, according to Mr. Lutz, from the move in day (the dog attempting to hang itself over the fence, a priest while blessing the house stating uncomfortable feelings in a certain room, and other "small things").

Mysterious and repulsive odors pervaded the home. A strange green jello like substance leaked from the walls. The toilet bowls began to turn black. Swarms of houseflies were found time and time again in the sewing room. Strange drops of black goo oozed from the keyholes in the doors. Small indicators that something was wrong inside the house at 112 Ocean Avenue.
Personality changes also began to affect the Lutz family. George would suddenly awake precisely at 3:15 am each morning... with an uncontrollable urge to check the boathouse. He would go for days without bathing. George was often sick, losing a lot of weight, and energy. Kathy began having nightmares. The children often fought and argued with one another.


The Lutz's had never intended on abandoning their home. But the events unfolding night after night were becoming unbearable. The plan was simply to spend some time away from the house... and sort things out. Figure out what was going on. So arrangements were made to spend time at Kathy's mothers house.


The family managed to grab a few changes of clothing, while the temperature inside the home fluctuated from chilling cold, to hot. Strange banging noises were heard, and the interior walls of the house seemed to shift about, making groaning noises. And... as they were leaving the home, George encountered another apparition on the second floor landing. This time.. a hooded figure that stood motionless, pointing directly at George Lutz.


(from Amityvillehorrortwuth.com)


You can read through his entire interview, and take it to mean what you like. Some argue the Lutz family just did it to gain attention and earn some money. Which, it does appear they did indeed do. It has been reported that owners since the Lutz have experienced no problems, and the movers who moved the Lutz possessions out did not experience anything either. Personally, I see this as mostly fiction. Hoax! Red Star, bullshit!





Deranged: Confessions of a Necrophile- So most definitely a movie not many have heard of, and I doubt you've seen. However, this movie is believed by many Serial Killer buffs to be the best and most honest depiction of Ed Gein after his mother's death. Not a real life story, but supposedly a great movie that perhaps will let you see things the way Ed Gein may have. Gold star, real life horror, go check it out!











The Texas Chainsaw Massacre- Takes a silver star. Ed Gein apparently was quite a man, inspiring all sorts of movies with his killings. Here is another. Leatherface is NOT a real person. Never has been, probably never will be, just get over it. Apparently, the writer of the book once visited Ed Gein's house, and became en charmed with the story. From there he created a character whom we all know and love, Leatherface. Is it a true story, no. Is it based loosely upon a real person, yes. Is it a good movie, hell, I like blood!






(stay tuned for part two of my "true story horror" review)