Author Archives: Jon Kitley

Soundtrack Reviews: The Wolfman (2010)

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The Wolfman
By Danny Elfman
19 Tracks, with a total running time of 66:06 mins.

The last soundtrack from Danny Elfman that we bought was his score from Sleepy Hollow, which I hate to say but we were never really impressed with. In fact, it has been a long time since Danny Elfman has blown me away with a score Shame really too since he did some amazing ones back in the ’80s and ’90s. Because of that, I really haven’t been keeping track of what films he’s been working on. But once The Wolfman came out, I knew I’d have to pick up the score no matter what and give it a chance. Boy, am I glad I did.

Taking cues from the music and feel from the old Hammer films, Elfman has given us an incredible gothic and moody score. Sure, there are a few cues that sound very similar to other scores, especially the main hook from John Williams’ score from Dracula (1979). But none the less, Elfman does a great job bringing the violins and other strings that really set the mood and tone for this movie. Being a huge sucker for violin themes, we were really happy with hearing them used over and over here. Throw in some cellos and other strings, and we’re good to go. From the action-based themes to the slower and atmospheric cues, it’s great to see Elfman come up with a score that shows that he still has that talent left in there. We had almost given up hope.

Mystery Photo 1-31

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And here is our last photo for January already! Where does the time go? I was thrilled to see so many correct answers sent in for last week’s photo too! Being that I grew up on Made-for-TV horror movies, it seems that I wasn’t the only one that knew this one! It is from this 1973 tele-film The Devil’s Daughter, with a huge all-star cast, such as Shelly Winters, Belinda Montgomery, Robert Foxworth, Joseph Cotton, Diane Ladd, Robert Cornthwaite, Abe Vigoda, and even Jonathon Frid! Ah . . . those were the days. Congrats to the following for sending in the correct answer: Hoby Abernathy, Gregory Avery, Brett Baish, Todd Barwick, Brian Doering, Chris Dyer, Dave Fronto, Kevin Hart, Bob Hartman, Troy Howarth, Doug Lamoreux, Gary McGuire, Charles Miller, Jeff Owens, and Todd Warren. Awesome job!

This week’s photo might be a little tougher. I know I always tend to say that, but let’s see how right I am. Just take a peek below and see what you can come up with. Just remember to send your answer in an email to jon@kitleyskrypt.com. Good Luck!

Movie Review: Antlers (2021)

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Directed by Scott Cooper
Starring Keri Russell, Jesse Plemons, Jeremy T. Thomas, Graham Greene, Scott Haze, Rory Cochrane, Amy Madigan, Sawyer Jones

Keri Russell plays a schoolteacher who has recently moved back to her small hometown in Oregon to live with her brother. We’re not given a lot of details, but we know that she left home at an early age because some issues with her father and the abuse she had taken, which she is still dealing with. One day in school, she notices a young boy in her class, Lucas, that seems to be very withdrawn, and because of her past, she recognizes the signs of some sort of abuse. But when she tries to help him, he refuses any and wants to just be left alone.

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Soundtrack Review: Warning Sign

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Warning Sign (1985)
Released by Invada
29 Tracks with a total running time of 54 min.
Original Motion Picture Soundtrack by Craig Safan

Right off the bat, within the first few seconds of listening to this score, hearing the electronic sounds, it feels incredibly dated. Now that isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it shows you the time when it was made. Just look at what John Carpenter did in the ‘80s before you start criticizing. But that being said, this score is very subtle in its approach, almost like something you’d be listening to while in a deprivation tank. There are some tracks with a little more up-tempo music but for the most part it is slow and soothing.

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Movie Review: Bad Taste (1987)

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Directed by Peter Jackson
Starring Pete O’Herne, Terry Potter, Mike Minett, Craig Smith, Peter Jackson

Peter Jackson is very well known amongst all movie fans, either through his version of King Kong (2005) or especially The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. But most horror fans know Jackson from decades before, when he had made some over-the-top gory pictures that were just insane. Either with aliens invading a small town in New Zealand, a twisted version of what the Muppets could have been like had they actually been real, or one of the bloodiest and goriest zombie movies ever committed to film. Not to diminish any of those other titles, but THAT is why horror fans know Mr. Jackson.

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Episode 9 of Discover the Horror Podcast Now Live!

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Larrez. Rollin. Franco. Do those names mean anything to you? And if so, what images come to mind? For those that are aware of those names and their work, you might have an image of a vampire or two floating through your mind. In this episode, we take a look at 3 unique vampire films that are quite different than what most would consider a traditional genre entry, and each from a different director. We cover Jose Larrez’s Vampyres (1974), Jean Rollin’s Fascination (1979), and Jess Franco’s Vampyros Lesbos (1971).

Creepshow 2 Book!

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The original George Romero film Creepshow (1982) is one of my all-time favorite horror films, no questions. I would consider it one of those perfect films that just couldn’t get any better. So, when the sequel came out, trying to reproduce the same feeling of the original, I was very excited but very apprehensive that they would be able to strike gold twice. Well, they didn’t. But it not only was entertaining, I think it still holds up today.

One of the best ways to enjoy a film even more is to know more about the behind-the-scenes. When you understand maybe some of the production issues they had, or problems with the funds, cast and/or crew, it makes you see the end results a little differently. Might not make it a better film, but at least you see it and understand a few things a little differently. So, I’m thrilled to see a new book coming out that is tackling this sequel.

The Making of Creepshow 2 by Lee Karr will be published in August of this year, from Plexus Publishing. Running over 300 pages, author Karr chronicles the film from the pre-production to the finished product. There is a day-by-day diary with production files, scripts, storyboard art, and notes from director Michael Gornick himself. We get to hear from a ton of people involved in the film, from costume designers, stunt coordinators, and other members of the cast and crew.

I can’t wait to dig into this one!

Soundtrack Review: The Woman in Black (2012)

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The Woman in Black (2012)
Released by Silva America
22 Tracks, with a total running time of 55:00 min.
Music by Marco Beltrami

With the return of Hammer Films, one of the things that made their films so noticeable and memorable was the music. When the music started, you knew in an instant that it was from Hammer. So, we were excited both for this movie, but also to see if the music would be as predominate as before. The answer is . . . sort of. First and foremost, you have to get the old Hammer out of your mind and just listen to this on its own merits, which I think there are plenty of.

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Mystery Photo 1-24

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As easy the photo a week ago was, it seems our last photo was a little tougher bone to chew. Which I’m kind of surprised with all the talk of the recent box set on Folk Horror that Severin put out. It is from the film Tilbury, which is included in that fine set. A very strange film, indeed. The only one to send in a correct answer was Hoby Abernathy, so kudos to you!

This week we’ll go with one a little easier, at least we hope so. Take a peek below and see what you think. Just remember to email us your guess, at jon@kitleyskrypt.com. Good Luck!

Movie Review: The Alien Factor

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(1977)
Directed by Don Dohler
Starring Don Leifert, Tom Griffith, Mary Mertens, Richard Dyszel, Anne Frith, Richard Geiwitz, Eleanor Herman, and George Stover.

Even if you didn’t know that this film’s budget was around $4000, it is still amazing on just how entertaining, not to mention how well made, this film is. This is the first film from the East Coast King of Low Budget Filmmaking, Don Dohler. If you haven’t heard of that name and enjoy low budget and more importantly, creative filmmaking with little money, then check out his earlier work.

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