The best Forrest J. Ackerman’s documentary movies
We present our ranking of the best Forrest J. Ackerman’s movies. Do you love cinema? Or are you looking for a movie of your favorite actor to watch tonight? Surely you have some to see or that you did not know yet about Forrest J. Ackerman.
The Sci-Fi Boys
6.9/10
Legendary all-stars of cinema bring to life the evolution of science-fiction and special effects films from the wild and funny days of B-movies to blockbusters that have captured the world's imagination. This is the story of the Sci-Fi Boys, who started out as kids making amateur movies inspired by Forrest J Ackerman's FAMOUS MONSTERS magazine and grew up to take Hollywood by storm, inventing the art and technology for filming anything the mind can dream.
Universal Horror
7.6/10
A documentary about the era of classic monster movies that were made at Universal Studios during the 1930s and 1940s.
Ringers - Lord of the Fans
6.1/10
'Ringers: Lord of the Fans' is a feature-length documentary that explores how "The Lord of the Rings" has influenced Western popular culture over the past 50 years.
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: A Family Portrait
6/10
A documentary about the classic 'Texas Chainsaw Massacre' film, including interviews with Gunnar Hansen, Edwin Neal, John Dugan and Jim Seidow.
American Scary
6.6/10
A fond remembrance of and tribute to the uniquely American institution of the horror movie host.
Hollywood Rated 'R'
5.8/10
A roller-coaster ride through the history of American exploitation films, ranging from Roger Corman's sci-fi and horror monster movies, 1960s beach movies, H.G. Lewis' gore-fests, William Castle's schlocky theatrical gimmicks, to 1970s blaxploitation, pre-"Deep Throat" sex tease films, Russ Meyer's bosom-heavy masterpieces, etc, etc. Over 25 interviews of the greatest purveyors of weird films of all kind from 1940 to 1975. Illustrated with dozens of films clips, trailers, extra footage, etc. This documentary as a shorter companion piece focusing on exploitation king David F. Friedman.
Charles Beaumont: The Short Life of Twilight Zone's Magic Man
7.9/10
A documentary about one of the most influential science fiction writers of the 1950s and 1960s. Charles Beaumont was responsible for penning some of the most memorable Twilight Zone episodes before his untimely death at age 38.
Drive-In Madness
5.7/10
A compilation of trailers and previews from classic low-budget sci-fi and horror films.
The Life After Death Project
7.2/10
A fascinating quest for proof of life after death -- a true-life enigma that begins with one small, odd incident and mushrooms into a huge scientific inquiry into apparent messages from the 'Other Side.'
Shock Cinema: Volume Two
6.5/10
Hour long documentary features interviews with filmmakers, actors and others who work low budget movies.
Dinosaur Movies
6/10
Dinosaurs Vs. Apes: DINOSAUR MOVIES and HOLLYWOOD GOES APE! have been hailed as the definitive documentaries on the prehistoric and anthropoid creatures that have appeared on the silver screen. Filled with rare movie clips, behind-the-scenes footage and interviews.
Spine Tingler! The William Castle Story
7.5/10
Chronicles the last great American showman, filmmaker William Castle, a master of ballyhoo who became a brand name in movie horror with his outrageous audience participation gimmicks.
Flying Saucers Over Hollywood: The 'Plan 9' Companion
7.3/10
A documentary detailing the making of the cult favorite movie "Plan 9 From Outer Space," and interviews with cast members and prominent filmmakers about the film and its creator, Edward D. Wood Jr.
Lon Chaney: A Thousand Faces
7.8/10
Lon Chaney, the silent movie star and makeup artist, renowned for his various characterizations and celebrated for his horror films, becomes the subject of this documentary.
Frazetta: Painting with Fire
7.4/10
A documentary on the life of painter Frank Frazetta, who revolutionized science fiction, fantasy and comic art with breathtaking realistic paintings of fantastic heroes, most famously Conan the Barbarian.
Schlock! The Secret History of American Movies
7.1/10
Hollywood is a town of tinsel and glamour; but there is another Hollywood, a place where maverick independent exploitation filmmakers went toe to toe with the big guys and came out on top.
Famous Monster: Forrest J Ackerman
7.7/10
Famous Monster takes a fast-paced, colorful look at the life of science fiction's greatest fan - Forrest J. Ackerman, whose 85 year love affair with the genre helped bring it into the mainstream and shape the way we view science fiction today.
Fangoria's Weekend of Horrors
6.5/10
Actors, directors and special effects technicians are interviewed at a horror-film convention.
Lon Chaney: Son of a Thousand Faces
5.9/10
Born Creighton Chaney, this is a biographical documentary on Lon Chaney Jr, the only star to play all four of the classic monsters: the Mummy, the Wolf Man, Frankenstein and Dracula.
Sleazemania Strikes Back
6.3/10
A compilation tape featuring trailers for and footage from low-budget sci-fi and exploitation films. This entry features Forbidden Adventure, Marihuana, The Gorilla Woman, Teenage Cruisers, College Girl Confidential, numerous H.G. Lewis and Ed Wood films and others. It also includes test footage from Fred Olen Ray's unfinished Beach Blanket Bloodbath project, which was based on a script (again, unfinished) written by Wood shortly before his death.
