Author Archives: Jon Kitley

Book Review: Sausages – The Making of Dog Soldiers

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Sausages: The Making of Dog Soliders
Published by Encyclopocalypse Publications, 2022. 307 pages.
By Janine Pipe

I picked up this book some time ago, but like most of the books I buy, they each anxiously await to be read. When you buy as many as I do, sometimes that can be a long wait. But due to another book coming out about a movie directed by Neil Marshall, and co-written by the same author here, I figured it was about time to dig into this.

Right off the bat, the thing that I really enjoy about Pipe’s writing is that it comes across like talking with another fan. Her love and passion for the subject is front and center, which can’t help but engulf the reader in it. This isn’t just a fan gushing about a favorite movie, but so much more. In fact, it was Marshall himself that suggested the idea to Pipe about tackling this book project. Pipe has interviewed so many people involved, from most of the major cast, and plenty of the crew, with each of them gives insight into their little part of this world that Marshall had created. Working all together, they have left us with one of the best werewolf films with practical effects since the early ’80s, that still holds up after two decades.

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DtH: Episode 101 – Horror 101 with Dr. AC

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Better get your pad and pencil before you hit play on this episode. In this extra-long episode, where we go through some different sub-genres and come up with some titles that each of us feel is a good representation of that sub-genre. Not the best, but one that we feel can define that specific category. And to do that, we’ve asked Aaron Christensen, aka Dr. AC, back to the show to help us tackle this ridiculous attempt to such a task. 

Hopefully you have seen a lot of what we’re discussing, but I have a feeling there will be a few titles you never heard of, or knew about, but never got around to. Now’s your chance to start that new list! Again, these aren’t the best, but ones that we feel are pretty important, not to mention well worth your time. Okay… all set? Got your notes ready? Maybe some coffee or energy drink ready? Then hit play!

And if you haven’t already, go check out Aaron’s YouTube Channel HERE.

Titles mentioned in this episode:

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Mystery Photo 7-21

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Last week’s photo was from one of those films that you almost can’t believe that title is actually from real movie, but it is! It is, of course, from Jesse James Meets Frankenstein’s Daughter (1966), directed by William Beaudine, who had been making features since 1915, and had more than 400+ credits to his name. When he made this film, along with Billy the Kid vs Dracula, both made the same year, he was the oldest working director, at the age of 74. Like it or hate it, it does exist and is worth your time…at least one. Though, I will say watching the film while listening to Joe Bob’s commentary is pretty entertaining. Kudos to the following for sending in the correct answer: Hoby Abernathy, Kevin Hart, Bob Hartman, Erik Martin, Charles Miller, and Mike Shields. Well done! You are a special bunch of fans to recognize that one!

On to this week’s photo. As usual, take a peek and see what you can come up with. Just remember to send me your guess in an email, to jon@kitleyskrypt.com. And most importantly, Good Luck!

Movie Review: Marshmallow

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(2025)
Directed by Daniel DelPurgatorio
Starring Kue Lawrence, Corbin Bernsen, Giorgia Whigham, Kai Cech, Paul Soter, Pierson Fode, Miya Cech, Max Malas

In this day and age, it’s not too often when a movie comes about that blows your expectations, especially when you think you know where the story is going. This film is one of them. The film starts off with a very young boy who obviously has issues making friends and is just basically an outcast for no apparent reason. His parents are about to shove him off to summer camp for the first time, which he is not too happy about.

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Being Thankful in the Midst of Chaos

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I know the world, specifically the US, is a real shithole right now. There are a lot of people deeply affected by what is going on, from losing their jobs, insurance, and just basic human rights. I always wanted to keep the real world and all of that away from this site because I wanted this to be a place people could go to, to temporarily escape all the BS of reality. Not to dismiss or diminish the struggles everyone might be going through, if I could try and point out that in the midst of all this chaos and crisis, there are still some positives out there.

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Mystery Photo 7-14

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Yeap….another Monday. But since this is the middle of July, that means we’re at the halfway point of summer, right? Which means that nice cool temps of fall are closer! Yeah, if you can’t tell, I don’t like the heat. Anyway, our photo from last week was from Wes Craven’s 1981 film Deadly Blessing, proving once again that Ernest Borgnine could be one scary dude! Kudos to the following for sending in the correct answer: Hoby Abernathy, Todd Barwick, Aaron Christensen, Cary Conley, Christopher Highland, Erik Martin, Gary Miller, Mike Shields, and William Wilson. Well done!

Now on to this week’s photo. Maybe if you have one of these cool helmets, it might help you think harder so you can recognize which movie this shot is from. Or do you just know it without the helmet? Give a look and then send me your guess, in an email, to jon@kitleyskrypt.com. Good Luck!

DtH Episode 100 – The Bloody Best Of!

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That’s right . . . we made it to episode 100! Taking a nod from Fangoria Magazine from back in the day, when they would put out their annual “Bloody Best Of” issue, we’re going to follow suit (in a way) by revisiting favorite moments from our previous 99.

When we published our first episode back on Oct. 5th, 2021, who knew we were going to make it this far? But we can honestly say that hearing all the positive feedback from you, our listeners, and hearing that you are seeking out films because we talked about them, seeing them either for the first time, or maybe seeing more of them a second or third time around, really does make all the work we put into each show worth it. And has us excited to bring you another 100.

So, we have much more in store for you, but for now, sit back and enjoy some highlights from past shows, as well as learning once again why keep this going, and why we all will never stop Discovering the Horror!

Films mentioned in this episode:

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Mystery Photo 7-7

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Welcome to July! While we struggle through the heat, each day means we are closer to the fall, and to Halloween! Gotta stay focused! Our photo from last week was from the 2001 film The Others, which still packs one hell of a punch. Just love the look and feel of that one. Great stuff. Kudos to the following for sending in the correct answer: Hoby Abernathy, Dada Debaser, Kevin Hart, Steven Kennedy, Dominique Lamssies, Erik Martin, Chris Richmond, Mickey Thompson, William Wilson, and Greg Wojick. Well done, indeed!

Since you’re probably hungry for this week’s photo, let’s not put it off any longer, shall we? Take a peek and see if you can remember what film this little tidbit is from. Just remember, send me your guess in an email, to jon@kitleyskrypt.com. Good Luck!

Book Review: German Popular Cinema and the Rialto Krimi Phenomenon

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German Popular Cinema and the Rialto Krimi Phenomenon: Dark Eyes of London
Published by Lexinton Books, 2022. 211 pages.
By Nicholas G. Schlegel

I had this author’s previous book, Sex, Sadism, Spain, and Cinema, which is on the Spanish genre and really enjoyed it. I loved that he was putting a nice spotlight on a sub-genre that tends to get overlooked. So, when I heard his next book was going to be on the German Krimi films, I was actually even more excited. I had already been a big fan of the Spanish horror film, but knew very little of the Krimi, which means this was going to be a great learning experience for me. It was, as well as expensive, since it has sent me down another sub-genre of films to try and add to my collection! So be warned!

Before we get into the book, there are two quotes at the beginning of it that I just loved, and it really shows the difference about what some critics consider “good” and what the public thinks about them. Author Edgar Wallace had said, “I do not write good books, I write bestsellers.” So, no matter what the critics thought, they sold, which means people enjoyed them. And when it comes to the films based on his work, film scholar Olaf Möller wrote, “Nobody really seems to have liked this cinema other than the public.” Again, critics may have torn the films apart or just didn’t like them, but that didn’t stop people from going to the cinemas to see them. There have been several times in my lifetime that a film was overly criticized upon its release, but yet still made a ton of money at the box office. Or decades later it is now a fan favorite. I guess that shows that opinion is just that. And a critic’s opinion could mean just as much as your neighbor.

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Michael Madsen – Rest in Peace

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Fans have lost another highly memorable character actor, Michael Madsen, who passed away yesterday at the age of 67. With well over 300 credits on IMDB, it is just amazing the amount of work he was involved with. Sure, there were a lot of low budget films in there, but as an actor, you have to work. He worked in about every genre but is probably best known for his portrayal of Mr. Blonde in Quintin Tarantino’s Reservoir Dogs (1993). Either that, or Free Willy (1993)! That’s not a joke, since he was known by a lot of younger audiences because that role. No matter what role or movie he was in, he never phoned it in and always made an impression. When he played a bad guy, he was one of the best. I know a lot of us can never hear the song Stuck in the Middle with You by Stealers Wheel and not think of him doing his little dance before some truly dark moments.

But at least he will always be remembered, not just when we hear that song, but for the hundreds of other performances that he has left us. Gone, but never forgotten. Our thoughts go out to his friends and family during this difficult time. Rest in Peace, Mr. Madsen.