(Originally posted on our old site on January 1st, 2012)

Where to start? This has been one challenging year for us here at the Krypt, both on a professional level, as well on a personal one. So many times it is so easy to forget and/or look past all the great things we have in our lives, sometimes right in front of us. If you only make one New Year’s resolution, make it to appreciate what you have and the people around you, and make sure you let them know just that. But we have made it through and are looking forward to 2012 and to more than make up for this last year. We are not hoping for great things to happen, but are going to make them happen. One of the reasons that we survived this year was due to the strong support of my close friends and especially my wife of 23 years, Dawn. I wouldn’t have made it though it had it not been for them. So thank you for being there.

One of the most important things we do in our Year End Review is mention all the great talent that we lost over the year. As horror fans, it is our job and our duty to make sure that these people and their work are never forgotten. It is our job to try and enlighten a new fan of their work that they might not have known about. Thus, not only continuing that person’s horror education, but it also keeps the memory of these people alive, so them and their work will always be remembered. Here are the great ones that we lost in 2011. They will be missed, but never forgotten.

Roberts Blossom, Robert Easton, Annne Francis, David Friedman, Dolores Fuller, Richard Gordon, Susan Gordon, Michael Gough, Farley Granger, Jill Haworth, David Hess, Alberto de Mendoza, Pete Postlethwaite, Ken Russell, Jimmy Sangster, Michael Sarrazin, Tura Satana, Don Sharp, Juan Piquer Simon, Yvette Vickers

2011 was our 13th year running Kitley’s Krypt, which I believe makes it one of the oldest running horror websites out there. Not to mention one that isn’t littered with ads everywhere. When I started the site all those years ago, my main goal was to connect with other horror fans and help them learn more about the genre, to seek out new doorways and paths in this huge and never ending genre. I think in the last 5 years or so, I’ve really strived to push that goal. Really hard to think that I have been doing this for this long, but if it wasn’t for my love of the genre and connecting with all of you out there, I would have quit years ago. The positive responses that I get from you, through emails or at the conventions we are at, you make all this work well worth the effort. So thank you for your support. You have no idea how much it means to me.  Here’s to another 13 years!

While on the subject of the Krypt, 2011 was our 2nd year for the Kryptic Army. I have to say that coming up with new theme ideas each month is getting a little tougher, but it is making me be a little more creative. And I have to say I am enjoying it when I do stumble upon a unique idea, just wishing I could see the army’s faces when they read what their new mission is. We seemed to have lost a few faces over the course of the  year, but have plenty of new faces in the ranks as well. Hopefully we will all see you re-enlisting for 2012. Maybe we’ll even be able to increase our numbers to better help fighting the cause. If you are in the army and know someone who might be willing to put themselves through the month challenges, then please send them to the recruitment center.

Our movie count for this year wasn’t nearly as impressive (for us at least) as last year. Last year, we hit 277 titles. We were hoping to get at least 250 in this year, but didn’t come close. Our final total was a mere 209. While I would love to spend more time in front of the TV watching more movies, this year had too much other stuff going on that was more important. But maybe in 2012 we can work on getting a few more movies in.

2011 also was the year that the Kitley family did something for really the first time in over a decade. And that was to take a family vacation. Of course, being my family, this wasn’t one that most families would call a normal vacation. We headed into Pennsylvania for a 2-night drive-in event, stopping by the Monroeville mall from Dawn of the Dead and the original cemetery from Night of the Living Dead.  During the trip, stopping at some amazing restaurants, book stores, and just having an amazing time.  We’re hoping to do plan something very similar again this year as well.

One of the biggest highlights of this last year happened at the Flashback Weekend in August. Meeting AJ & Amy Wagar from Meatspider Studios lead to him creating a 3-D sculpture of my logo, which to this day just amazes me every single time I look at it. Plus, since we bring this to the conventions we attend, its great seeing the faces of our followers when they see it as well. Its one thing to see a photo of it here on the site, but seeing it in actual 3-D is pretty damn cool. So thank you once again AJ for bringing this logo to life. Can’t thank you enough.

Seeing makeup maestro Dick Smith receive an honorary Oscar for his work in the film industry was simply awe-inspiring. For a man who cared more about advancing the industry and other artists than he did about his own career and trade secrets that he discovered, he truly is an icon. While he only made a few horror films, the ones that he did were exceptional. But even the films that weren’t necessarily horror, his creations were impeccable. So while it would have been nice to see him get this award at the actual Oscars, I guess we should be happy that he did get one. He is one makeup artist that anybody interested in the horror genre, or in just that field, you better know who this guy is. You can see his acceptance speech on youtube which almost brought me to tears. Such a great man.

And speaking of conventions, this was another year of great shows, getting to meet some icons of the genre as well as other celebrities that we’ve admired over the years. Last March at the Indianapolis HorrorHound Weekend, we got to meet one of the few remaining true icons of the genre: Barbara Steele. There really isn’t too many of this stature left, which is so unfortunate. But Barbara Steele appeared in so many classic films of the genre, especially all the incredible films she made in Italy in the ‘60s. So being able to meet her was one of those that last few living icons that I could check off my list.

Another great thrill for me was at that same convention, where they were hosting 30th Anniversary reunion of Lucio Fulci’s House by the Cemetery.  This has been one of my favorites of Fulci’s, since it really is a great example of Italian horror: Lots of gore and lots of things that make no sense! Plus, for HorrorHound’s special convention issue, I had written the retrospective for House.  So going up the meet the cast and hearing the praise from them about my article, just made my weekend. Once again, it is so strange getting to meet the stars from a movie made 30 years ago, that I grew up watching, that are now standing in front of me at a convention. Great times indeed.

But out of all the conventions and events that we attended in 2011, there was one celebrity that stands above all the rest.  Literally. And that would be actor extraordinaire Doug Jones. Back in October, we had the chance to see Mr. Jones in Chicago at a screening of some short films that he did, along with a feature length one. There was a great Q&A afterwards where he also signed some stuff. In all my years of meeting celebrities, I have never met someone quite like Mr. Jones. He redefines the word friendly.

He had plenty of great stories and was just so personable. My wife and son where there as well, so they also had the chance to meet him. Well, a few weeks later, he was appearing at the HorrorHound Weekend in Columbus. When we go up to his table, he recognizes my wife but can’t place from where. When we told him about Chicago, he then remembered and gave us both a big hug. Later on, Dawn and Nick went over to get another autograph from him and to get their picture taken with him. And once again, he goes out of his way to make sure his fans know how much he appreciate that we love and support his work.

Before we get to our movie highlights for the year, I wanted to do something a little new and mention some of the soundtracks that have come out this year. Being a huge fan of movie soundtracks, I think this is just as important as the movies. This year has given us some great scores that finally got a release. Most of these are from older movies, but the fact that these are getting actual releases shows that I am definitely not the only crazy soundtrack enthusiast out there. So here we go:

• Castle of the Living Dead (Il Castello dei Morti Vivi) – Composer Angelo F. Lavagnino created great score for this lesser known horror movie starring Christopher Lee. Mainly quiet background sounds, the soundtrack does have a few of melodies and themes that are very memorable.
• Chillerama – Here’s something different…praise for a film score for a film that I really hated. I had heard the score before seeing the movie and just loved it, but unfortunately, I can’t say the same about the film. The score, however, is a lot of fun, taking cues from many different film styles. Besides, just love the work of composer Bear McCreary.
• Crypt of the Vampire (La Cripta e L’incubo) – Another great gothic score by Carlo Savina for another Christopher Lee movie. Some wonderful organ here, again creating that great European sound and style.
• Dark Night of the Scarecrow – The score for this eerie made-for-TV score may be very simple, but it is very effective in creating an eeriness around you when listening to it. The composer did a great job of enhancing what was going on the screen with his music. After seeing the movie so many times, just hearing this music brings back those goosebumps.
• It! Terror from Beyond Space – A famous early sci-fi monster movie that set the standards for movies to come. Paul Sawtell and Bert Shefter came up with a complete monster score here, giving us tension, action, and just out-worldly eeriness. They also came up with piece of music using only an electronic violin that will sound so familiar to you, mainly because it has been used over and over again over the years.
• Malenka / Feast of Satan – Okay, I’m really a sucker for those European scores from the ‘60s and ‘70s. A lot of these I buy without even remembering or knowing the music. Most of the time I am not disappointed. Such as this one. Using plenty of organ music to create a beautifully haunting soundtrack, composer Carlo Savina once again gives us something well worth listening to over and over again.
• The Monster That Challenged the World – Getting back to the 50’s monster move music, this year also seen the release of Heinz Roemheld’s score for one of my favorite of those types of movies.  Just like the European style of film music, American monster movies from this era also have a very unique style to them that just brings back that feeling of being a kid and catching these movies on TV.  Just love them.
• Stake Land – One of the most recent film scores, Jeff Grace is one composer that really came to my attention his year and that was mainly due to this soundtrack. I remember first seeing this film in the theater and being impressed with the music. It has been one score that I’ve listened to over and over again this year.
• The Strange Vice of Mrs. Wardh (Lo Strano Vizio della Signora Wardh) – Part of the melody of this score actually was written for an earlier Richardo Freda film, so composer Nora Orlandi used it here (and Taratino later used it in Kill Bill) and does a wonderful job combining several musical styles here for an incredible film score.
• The Thing – Granted this score was released on CD years ago and has become long out of print, but now it has been reissued but with much more meat in there. The original score actually had music that was never used in the film. Plus, there were music cues and whatnot that Carpenter added in when he didn’t have enough of a score from Morricone. This new release has the tracks in order they appear in the film, as well as other pieces that were never used in the film.

Now on to our Highlights and Lowlights of the movies that we seen over this last year.  Remember, these are movies that we had seen for the first time this year, so these are not necessarily movies that came out in 2011.  But I will say that most of these films listed are relatively new, coming out in the last year or so.  So let’s get to them:

• Black Swan (2010) – Almost didn’t put this on my list, since it was probably on most of people’s list last year. While it is borderline horror, I think it is a great tale of showing the inner workings of someone who is losing their grasp of their sanity and reality. Portman’s performance surely deserved the Oscar.
• The Dead (2010) – The buzz has been going around for some time on this new zombie film shot in Africa. I have to say, and pardon the pun, but for someone to take a sub-genre as dead as zombie films have gotten, they really delivered a high quality film. Very simple story, but with believable characters, and some high quality moments of gore, not to mention being downright scary in several sequences, this is one not to miss.
• Dream Home (2010) – The bottom line is that this film pulls no punches and delivers some of the most original quality kills that I’ve seen in quite some time. Again, a very simple story, but made with some very talented people.
• Harpoon: Whale Watching Massacre (2009) – This one really threw us for a loop since the very premise is so strange. But it worked. Never falling into the same old worn out Hollywood footsteps that so many films try to do, but giving us a simple slasher film…. except set on a whaling ship off the coast of Iceland!
• Machete Maidens Unleashed (2010) – Now this is a slight change since this is a documentary, not a feature. But it is so damn entertaining and highlights so many great horror and exploitation films that it is one that needs to be seen, with a notepad to write down all the movies you are going to want to see out. Plus, you will be amazed at how these films got made and that the actors survived!
• Razorback (1984) – Our oldest movie on our list is one from Australia about a giant killer boar. Once again we have a very simple story, but one that is well shot with a great cast. Basically a Jaws on land… in the outback.
• Skin and Bones (2008) – Here is another one that isn’t a feature length movie, but an hour long episode from the failed TV series Fear Itself. But this particular episode, directed by one of our favorite directors, Larry Fessenden, and starring one of our favorite actors, Doug Jones, is one not to be missed. Jones is so damn scary here that it is hard to realize that this is the same uber-friendly person you’ll meet at a convention.
• Stake Land (2011) – Speaking of Mr. Fessenden, he continues to produce not only amazing films, but helps get other great filmmakers their work out there, and this film shows just that, between the co-writer/director Jim Mickle and co-writer/actor Nick Damici, they created a dark and gloomy future world where vampires having spread across the country like a plague and humanity fights to stay alive.
• Tucker and Dale vs Evil (2010) – I remember hearing the basic plot of this movie and just shrugged it off as another one of those attempts at a silly horror film.  But once we were sitting down watching it, all of that fell away and I was laughing my butt off. This script is so smart that by taking a plot that would see so easy to screw up, they are able to make it funny as well as actually telling a good story without just trying to be a funny movie. Plus, the acting is top-notch, especially the two title characters, played by Tyler Labine and Alan Tudyk.
• Wake Wood (2011) – And lastly, we finish our Top Ten list with the return of Hammer Films. Sure, we had a couple of films come out under the new banner (The Resident and Let Me In), Wake Wood really gives us the feeling of a true Hammer horror film of yesteryear. This film could have been made back in the ‘70s and we’d never know. This is the kind of film that epitomizes that old school British horror style that is sadly missed. If you’re expecting a straight out horror movie, then you might be disappointed. But if you’re looking for a great and dale morality play, then take the journey to Wake Wood.

Now, we only came up with 5 titles (well actually 6 but we’ll explain) of films that we just thought were terrible or just a huge disappointment. We try to avoid being completely negative on movies because we know that any movie being made is made with a lot of passion by a lot of people. But… there are some that we just feel the need to express our opinion on these to hopefully warn others of wasting their time and money. So here we go.

• Blood Night: The Legend of Mary Hatchet (2009) – This was one movie that was tough to get a hold of at first. With the only way to get it was buying it directly from the makers, it made it hard to take that chance. Though with all the praise I was hearing, I almost took the plunge. Lucky for me I didn’t. Terrible acting, even worse story, and just a waste of time. Might have been due to my expectations being so high, but what a let down.
• Chillerama (2011) – This one really divided the fans it seems. At first, I heard nothing but terrible things about this anthology film. But then after a few good comments, I figured I’d give it a try.  Well, maybe if I was back in the 8th grade I might have found the crude toilet humor funny. But in reality, I just found it stupid, silly, and nowhere near funny. Love the soundtrack though!
• Hatchet 2 (2010) – While I wasn’t a huge fan of the first film, I did enjoy it for what it was. Green didn’t make any excuses for what he was trying to make there, and I think he did an admirable job. But this sequel was just god-awful. The acting was terrible. It wasn’t funny, but just damn stupid. The gore was so over-the-top that it because ridiculous and no effect other than wondering when the director was going to call “cut”.  Total waste of time.
• Velvet Vampire (1971) – Seeing this cult film for the first time was inspired by two things. The first was that it finally got a DVD release, so that made it much easier. But also I had just acquired a theatrical poster for this movie, which is a great piece of cinematic artwork. Unfortunately, looking at the poster is much more entertaining than this movie. Sure, there is some nudity in there, but there is also some of the worse acting I’ve seen, some that makes a H.G. Lewis casting look like Oscar winners. Did I mention that nothing really happens?
• Vanishing on 7th Street (2010) and Transsiberian (2008) – Now the reason I have two films here are because they are both made by Brad Anderson. After seeing his two films, Session 9 (2001) and The Machinist (2004), I would have followed this man into any theater to see what he wanted to show me. But these last two films of his were such a disappointment. Transsiberian was okay, but just expected more from him.  As for Vanishing, have no idea what the point of that movie was. Great concept, but again, completely lost on me. So while these films weren’t terrible or no where near close in the same caliper as the previous 4 titles, I just expected so much more from Anderson. Sorry guy, but when you make a couple of masterpieces like you did, you automatically raise the bar.