Fangoria Magazine

"Fangoria" Magazine is a publication produced totally for the horror movie lover. This magazine covers everything from straight to tape to mainstream release. From Japan to Australia, and right on back to the United States, this issue covers worldwide movies, all related to the horror genre. It's damn near impossible for any horror fan to dislike such a magazine because there's so much in depth coverage of the subject matter.

Like all magazines, "Fangoria" is up to date with the industry, covering the new releases whether in theaters or on DVD. The reviews are actually fairly brief, and all the more so for straight to tape schlock. The features on the new releases is actually fairly substantial with interviews, behind the scenes, anecdotes, and photos from the film. It's the photos, however, that are actually spoilers in revealing the fate of a character. If you haven't guessed by now, these images don't show the hero sitting pretty and drinking a cup of tea, they show victims being gutted, skinned alive, you name it, "Fangoria" illustrates it with these gruesome photos. Alternately frustrating, but perversely entertaining, it's enough to make you want to see the movie. But one such recall would be with the recent dud "Club Dread", in which the story reveals the fate of some key characters that would be considered a spoiler. If you want to go in the movie without predicting the outcome of either the film or the characters, then don't read "Fangoria".

But having said that, "Fangoria" is for the true horror fanatic. Someone who enjoys horror movies should read this publication because it's precisely what they'll want to know. The magazine also specializes in thrillers and science fiction movies with horror elements. It discusses movies like "One Hour Photo" or "Insomnia", both with Robin Williams which would be considered thrillers. It also goes into cover stories like "Starship Troopers" which of course, features gratuitous violence and blood and "Hellboy". The reviews of their films can be anything ranging from, as said straight to tape crapola to prestigious studio releases. The reviews are fair and democratic, and never speak down to the reader but actually seem more of a general review than a deconstruction of the movie and the director's work.

One of the drawbacks to this magazine is the design, which certainly strays from professional, and more embraces it's kitsch side. The fonts are lovingly designed to celebrate the spirit of the magazine from it's splatter design of the cover story titles, to it's page by page number. The font of the story seems a little outdated however, and almost kind of childish in that sense. Another is the price, which is above the normal price for a magazine because "Fangoria" is only a monthly publication, they charge a bit more in price. You're likely to find this magazine at a Barnes & Noble than your local newstand. For anyone who has neither, then I suggest a subscription. It also has a backup issue list of which you can special order these magazines dating all the way back to the 1980's. Considering they are backup issues, their worth is a little more than the average cost of the magazine. "Fangoria" also changes with the times, and is very up to date with all the happenings in the horror movie genre and occasionally covers television specials (think Stephen King's "Kingdom Hospital). Basically,

Summing things up, I can't think of a better magazine that would cover the horror genre more than "Fangoria". Consider it a guide called "All You Need To Know About Current Horror Movies" without ever having to watch the boob tube or go on the internet.