Author Archives: Jon Kitley

Book Review: Watching the World Die

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Watching the World Die: Nuclear Threat Films of the 1980s
Published by McFarland, 2023. 261 pages.
By Mike Bogue

Back in 2018, I reviewed Mike Bogue’s previous book, Apocalypse Then: American and Japanese Atomic Cinema, 1951-1967 (click HERE for that review), which I really enjoyed since it was much more than what it looked like at face value, not just about giant monsters created from atomic energy, but giving a really good insight to even the differences between countries and how they each looked and perceived what had, or could, happen.

When I received his latest book, Watching the World Die, at first thought it would just be about movies dealing with nuclear war and the aftermath, along the lines of films like The Day After (1983). And honestly, I have to say for someone that likes to use movies as an escape, reading about some truly terrifying films like Testament (1983) or Threads (1984) is a bit rough. Not to say that cinema can’t have a message, and a lot of these films do exactly what they set out to do, and do it well, but for me personally, it’s not a particular sub-genre that I enjoy watching or reading about. On that same note, writing about futuristic worlds that are struggling to survive after the destruction is easier to put it in more of terms of a fantasy, and even horror, that I can enjoy a lot easier. It’s about the after-effects, not the actual holocaust, if that makes sense.

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Sergio Martino at the Music Box

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This year’s January Giallo at the Music Box Theatre started off when a bang! I mean, having the chance to see any Paul Naschy film on the big screen is a rarity as it is, but then to have a screening of Blue Eyes of the Broken Doll (1974) made it even better. What a way to not only start the year off by seeing this Naschy flick on January 1st, but a great way to start off the January Giallo festival as well! I was a little worried being that it was screening on New Year’s Day that the crowd might not come out for it, but I was pleasantly surprised to see a very crowded theater that evening. A very cool evening, indeed.

I was out there for the second screening, the 1978 made-for-TV movie called Closed Circuit, that I’m still on the fence about! Really enjoyed the film but that ending . . . But once again, there was a really good turnout for it. I had planned to hit the next screening, the French film The Strangler (1970), but it was just way too cold to be heading anywhere outside, let alone an hour drive into Chicago.

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David Emge – Rest in Peace

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I know this is coming a little late, but it has been a wee bit busy here at the Krypt this week, so my apologies. But last Saturday, we lost an actor who was part of an iconic film that really did change the history of cinema. While George Romero’s Night of the Living Dead (1968) started the zombie genre, it was the sequel, Dawn of the Dead (1978) that made it a huge sensation. And part of that cast, was David Emge, playing the helicopter pilot Stephen aka “Flyboy”, who also just happened to make the audience think he was the main male lead. But we all know it doesn’t work out too well for him in the end. But it was Emge’s performance that drew the audiences in and thought that with his friends, Peter & Roger, and his girlfriend Fran, that we just might make it. But then we remember this is a Romero film.

Emge only made a few film appearances in his career, but he will forever be remembered as Flyboy. He passed away last Saturday at the age of 77. Our thoughts go out to his friends and family. Rest in Peace.

DtH Episode 62 – Bigfoot!

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Bigfoot (1970), Creature from Black Lake (1976), and Abominable (2006).

Tales of a mysterious, giant beast that wanders the wooded areas of the U.S., has never really proven to exist, but even to this day, is believed by many to really be out there, still hidden from mankind. Starting with Bigfoot in 1970, our furry giant became the subject of many movies and documentaries, and even on TV shows, such as The Six Million Dollar Man and even his own Saturday morning series, Bigfoot and Wildboy (1977). All this did was increase the interests in the subject matter, even if it didn’t make any new believers. It’s a subject that is still being used today with more modern-day films taking on this sub-genre, in many different variations and strange interpretations. So, join us as we discuss three different styles of the Bigfoot genre and see if you believe in Sasquatch!

Films mentioned in this episode:

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Mystery Photo 1-22

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As I expected, I got no guesses sent in from our last photo. I knew it was going to be tough one because up until a few months ago, I never even knew of this movie. So don’t feel bad. The shot was taken from a made-for-TV movie from 1964 called The Ghost of Sierra de Cobre, starring Martin Landau and Diane Baker, and written and directed by Joseph Stefano. It’s a great little creepy ghost story film that thankfully is available on Blu-ray through Kino Lober. So yes, I do recommend everyone try and see this. I did have it in my Best of Viewings from last year.

But let’s get to this week’s photo. Take a look and see if this one is a little easier. It’s from a film most of us should know, but will you be able to recognize it from this shot. Just remember to email me your answers (jon@kitleyskrypt.com). Good Luck!

Book Review: They Made How Many?!

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They Made How Many?!
Published by Rotted Rainbow Press, 2023. 646 pages
By Jason Paul Collum

Not only am I a sucker for horror film reference books, but even more so when there is a particular theme to it. I picked this up from Mr. Collum at the Flashback Weekend in 2023 and finally had the chance to really dive into it. If you’re looking for something to give you ideas of what movies to watch, then this is it. But tread lightly, which I’ll explain a little later.

Collum has taken on the monumental task of trying to go through all the American horror franchises of the 20th century, or “mostly” as stated on the front cover. But this massive 600+ page volume covers more than enough to keep you reading through it, as well as building that “I-Need-To-See” list of films. I really enjoyed the format, stating whether the individual titles are direct sequels or in name only. Trust me, in a few of these series, that alone gets pretty sketchy! Plus, the fun facts are great. There is a lot of trivia information that is really interesting and a lot of things I never knew.

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Mystery Photo 1-15-24

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Welcome to Monday. I almost forgot about getting this posted because I actually had the day off for the holiday. We typically don’t have this day off but now we do, so I am taking advantage of it, which is why I almost forgot to post the new one! But before we get to that, let’s review last week. We got 4 people who sent in the correct answer: Hoby Abernathy, Aaron Christensen, Gary Miller, and William Wilson. And the movie? Nope, not forgetting this week! It was from the 1991 film The Boneyard, which I had not bothered with for the longest time, simply because I thought it looked too silly. Well, let me tell you that if you love good old-fashioned rubber monster movies, then this is amazing. A lot of fun.

Okay, on to this week’s photo. This might be a tough one, so we’ll see how good you are. Take a peek and send in your guess to me, by emailing me at jon@kitleyskrypt.com. Good Luck!

Movie Review: Sea Fever

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(2019)
Written and directed by Neasa Hardiman
Starring Hermione Corfield, Jack Hickey, Olwen Fouéré, Dougray Scott,
Connie Nielsen, Ardalan Esmaili, Elie Bouakaze

This was a film that I just took a random chance on while scrolling through Prime, and I’m glad I stopped on it. The bad part about having endless titles to scroll through is if it doesn’t hook you in the first 10 minutes, you move on. We have to make that decision and stick with it. Yeah, sometimes you’re going to lose, but others are well worth the time. Sea Fever was one of those I feel is worth taking the time.

Watching the trailer, it almost makes it sound like the plot is about a fishing boat that runs across some sort of sea monster. And that is sort of the story, but not really. There is some sort of creature, but the story is more about the effects of microbiology that makes the film a little more interesting. And if you watch the trailer, I’m not giving anything away that it doesn’t do.

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Double Dose of Martino at the Music Box

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I know we had previously announced that Italian director Sergio Martino was going to be at the Music Box Theatre on the 22nd for a screening of his 1973 epic Torso as the last film in this year’s January Giallo series. But the Giallo Gods have smiled upon us once again and have the Music Box has added another Martino classic, The Strange Vice of Mrs. Wardh (1971), starring George Hilton, Edwige Fenech, Ivan Rassimov, and Alberto de Mendoza, which I would consider a very essential title in the giallo sub-genre. This screening will be taking place on Tuesday the 23rd, at 7pm.

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David J. Skal – Rest in Peace

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When I saw this news start popping up in my feeds, I was really thinking / hoping it wasn’t true, especially since it apparently happened almost two weeks ago and we’re just hearing about it now. But it apparently is true, that David J. Skal has passed away, and its truly a stake in the heart for us horror cinephiles.

Usually, the names I post here are the ones that we have loved watching on screen, or know they were the ones directing the film. But this loss is different. Skal spent his time writing and teaching us fans about the genre we loved. In fact, not only did I learn something from each one of his books I tackled, but it made me want to seek out and see or see again different films. Now there have been more than a few times when I’ve disagreed with some of his comments or points, but it no matter what, it makes us think. It makes us ponder different points of view that may not change ours, but at least lets you think and see it from another vantage point. And for me, that is why losing his voice is such a great loss.

But like the movies from the recently departed, that we’ll always have to remember them by, for Mr. Skal, we have plenty of books, audio commentaries, and documentaries that he had a huge part in, that will continue to make us fans, as well as the new ones coming into them, smarter and just a better fan. Thank you, Mr. Skal. Rest in Peace.