My Top 10 Truly Satanic Films: Part 2

Alright kiddies! Here's the last half of my list. I've been told by so many that my choices were quite surprising for those not in the know. Read on and be prepared for more.


5.ZELIG (1983)
   Woody Allen's comedy masterpiece about a man with a chameleon like mental condition which causes him to consistently conform in an effort to win approval. From the Satanic viewpoint, one should just be yourself. Non-Conformity is one of the best attributes one can have. (Unless it suits a particular goal of yours, which then it makes sense to conform temporarily in order to achieve it.)

4. WESTWORLD (1973)
   This film embraces the idea of Artificial Human Companions and the idea of living in a Total Environment which are Satanic ideals. Imagine living in the time era of your own choosing instead of being stuck in an environment of what a lackluster society dictates. Directed and written by Michael Crichton (of JURASSIC PARK fame) and starring the always talented Yul Brynner.

3. WISE BLOOD (1979)
  Based on the novel by Mary Flannery O'Connor, this film stars the talented Brad Dourif as the character
Hazell Motes, who despises preachers on street corners and sees them as nothing more than frauds. After numerous comments on how he looks like a preacher in his hat, he decides to become one himself but preaches the truth as he sees it and starts up the Church Without Christ.

2. INHERIT THE WIND (1960)
   Based on the real life event of the Scopes Monkey Trial where a teacher was arrested for teaching evolution in the classroom, this award winning film stars Spencer Tracy as Henry Drummond, a well known  atheist lawyer who comes to defend him. Frederic March plays Matthew Harrison Brady, A Hellfire and brimstone lawyer who's determined that the teacher is found guilty for teaching against the Holy Bible. Gene Kelly plays E.K. Hornbeck (a character inspired by H.L. Mencken), a newspaper reporter that sees to it that the teacher is defended by the best lawyer in the business.

And now the moment you've all been waiting for! I give you my top Truly Satanic Film...


1. DUMBO (1941)
   Dumbo is an elephant with an abnormal condition, he was born with incredibly huge ears. The rest of the animals poke fun of him and make him an outcast. A mouse befriends and convinces him that with the aid of a "magic feather", Dumbo can put to great use of his deformity and literally soar above the others. Eventually, Dumbo comes to realize that the feather is just an ordinary feather and that the magic is actually within him and uses his deformity to his best advantage, by rescuing those who at first belittled and mocked him. By the end, Dumbo is praised by the rest of the animals and is treated like royalty.

   This ends my quick list of films that I consider to be truly Satanic. I'm sure you've been surprised, and even shocked by some of my choices, and I hope this list has made you think.
   I've taken the liberty of not including the two most obvious Satanic films, SATANIS and SPEAK OF THE DEVIL. Both of which are documentaries on LaVey and the Church of Satan.
 For more information on this philosophy, always go to the source: Church Of Satan


   Please feel free to comment and discuss these films. I'd love to hear your own opinion!


(Didn't read the first part? Here's a link! My Top 10 Truly Satanic Films: Part 1)

My Top 10 Truly Satanic Films: Part 1

   I've seen so many lists of so-called Satanic films which never hit their mark. Just because a movie references Satan or some demon doesn't make it Satanic. What makes a film truly Satanic goes much deeper below the surface. It embodies ideals and elements of the philosophy which were codified as Satanism by Anton Szandor LaVey in The Satanic Bible and the Satanic philosophy of the Church of Satan.

   With that being said, here is the first half (I'm doing this in two parts so I can keep the length of the post shorter) of my top 10 truly Satanic films and what makes them Satanic in my eyes.

10. THE CABINET OF DR. CALIGARI (1920)
    This silent German horror classic embraces the Law of the Trapezoid through it's use of the German Expressionistic harsh angles and dominant mass in it's set design. Angles can control human behavioral responses and harsh angles when used correctly have been known to illicit a change in the viewer. Through the use of angles, the mind can be sent into fear, rage and despair. The Satanic Law of the Trapezoid can capture attention or repel it, depending on the individual. (I explored this Law in my earlier artwork.)

9. MARJOE (1972)
   Winner of the 1972 Academy Award for Best Documentary feature, this film chronicles the life of a tent revival evangelist. In it, Marjoe explains and demonstrates his tactics for scamming a small fortune out of his congregation and others. Marjoe also talks and illustrates how the whole televangelist business is nothing more than hypocrisy and a scam.

8. ROSEMARY'S BABY (1968)
   While this horror film directed by Roman Polanski does indeed deal with Satanism overtly, it shows how Satanists truly are which is life loving and full of spirit while in pursuit of their own goals and ambitions. Ruth Gordon won an Academy Award and a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress in her portrayal of Minnie Castevet.

7.  SERIAL (1980)
   A delightful and quirky film starring Martin Mull with a special appearance by Sir Christopher Lee, this comedy concentrates on the zaniness and lack of common sense which is so prevalent in society today. The underlying theme is that the only way to be truly happy is to find it in yourself by doing what makes you happy and not what others dictate what happiness should be.

6. THE BOY WITH GREEN HAIR (1948)
   Starring Dean Stockwell in a very early role, this film explores what society and it's ills look like from a child's point of view and concentrates on the message of non-conformity and using your individuality and specific talents to your own advantage.

   This ends the first half of my list.

(*EDIT 10.27.11: You can now find Part 2 of this list right HERE!)

The Art Of Dr. Seuss!

   As I was combing the internet looking for reference images for an example painting I was about to do, I came across a delightful site containing the art of Dr. Seuss. Imagine my surprise upon seeing fully painted works and sculptures that had been created by Theodor Seuss Geisel (Dr. Seuss' real name). I always thought of him as a children's author, but never a visual artist. I now stand corrected in that mode of thinking, and am happier for it.

  His use of color and composition in his art are just as rich and exciting as his written works and both compliment each other wonderfully. Look at his painting titled, "Tower Of Babel". It really gives joy and lifts the spirit no matter how high or low it happens to be.


   I hope you decide to check out the wonderful site of The Art Of Dr. Seuss and have fun. Maybe even relive a little bit of your childhood in the process, and walk away with a newfound sense of wonder.


I know I did!

Tower Of Babel

36.25 x 24.25

Things That Go Bump In The Night Part II: Gothic Beauty

I've always been a fan of Gothic Beauty magazine. Their covers have always caught the eye and it's slick pages were always a delight to read. So you can imagine the delighted look on my face when I found out earlier that they would be attending the opening reception for Gallery Provocateur's annual Halloween and Dark Arts show. They have plans on writing a feature article about the exhibit (which I have seven paintings available for sale in).

I've always wanted to have my artwork in Gothic Beauty. I realize that a lot of my art isn't quite appropriate for this kind of publication, but I do have some paintings that would fit in perfectly.

Here's hoping that one of my paintings, or myself, gets mentioned...It would make the rest of this year utterly fantastic. I keep thinking of a G. Edwin Taylor original piece being in the magazine's pages, and it gives me a razor blade smile.

What's something that you want to happen which could add to your happiness and just make you feel completely ecstatic?

Thoughts On Master Fantasy Artist Frank Frazetta

 Of all the artists that were born last century, Frank Frazetta (February 9, 1928 - May 10, 2010) was one that inspired me the most. His command of form and color, his excellent composition, as well as being able to instill a life-like tension in each piece are unequaled in my opinion. Capturing a perfect moment with his brush, he leaves the viewer in a state of "What happens next?", or sometimes, "What happened before?"

Almost a year and a half later, it's still hard for me to believe that he's gone. No more new creations to ever come into existence from his hand. That's ok. He left a legacy behind that will continue to be a source of inspiration until the day I die.

Even though I never met Frazetta in real life, he was one of the few who reached deep inside me and gave me the conviction to keep painting. To never stop.

 And of course, to be myself.

Remember The Monster Classics?

   Think back and remember that feeling of when you were a little kid and the excitement you got when the classic horror and monster movies came on. Feeling that thrill and sense of wonder waiting for even just a glimpse of the creature. That was a time full of unknown surprises.

   I remember it like it was yesterday. I'd stay up late on Saturday night and watch Son of Svengoolie and Elvira, Mistress of the Dark. Creature Features never let me down either. They were a huge part of my childhood and the monster movies that aired on those programs are still part of my life to this day. This is why I've started up a Facebook Group called Classic Movie Monsters. With the proper amount of love, test tubes, goggles and madman passion it can be a short trip in time travel.

   This same passion has leaked into my art recently, more so than ever before. This childhood passion has influenced me to start an entire series of paintings all celebrating the monsters and villains of yesteryear.

I hope you'll come along for the ride. Trust me, you'll be safe.

   Maybe.

What Scares Me

As an artist whose work leans towards horror more often than not, I get asked what scares me. Since it's now the first day of October, and in an abstract spirit of Halloween, I'll let you in on it.

It's not spiders (I had tarantulas as pets for over a decade of my life), and it's not clowns. I will admit that I'd be creeped out if I saw a clown lurking on my porch around 2am though, but it's not something that truly terrifies me.

 What truly terrifies me is fanaticism. Religious and political fanatics to be precise. The thought that these people are so crazed and follow the doctrines so blindly and devoutly sends a shiver down my spine. If you don't believe and support their cause then you're the enemy and should be put to death. Now, that scares me. I imagine what would happen if these people came into power and could dictate my life and it has me hiding and shivering in the closet. The idea of these extremists wielding any form of power gives me goosebumps.

Eli Roth once made a comment on this in Time Magazine. He said, "...I see it happening now in America with religion and political parties more than anything. If you're not with us, you're against us, and if you're against us then you're against all that's good and decent and must be destroyed."

The thought of that happening has me quaking in my steel toe boots and is enough to make any sane person run for cover.