Author Archives: Jon Kitley

Natural Thorn Killers Book

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There are a lot of different books out there covering a wide variety of sub-genres, and sub-sub-genres. Trust me, I know, because I have quite a few of them! And when I come across one that covers something completely new and different, I’m even more excited to add it to my library. That is exactly how I felt when I stumbled upon this recently published volume on plant horror! The more I read about the book, the more I realized there are quite a few titles that would fall under this bizarre sub-genre and then realizing that I find most of them pretty entertaining!

Authors Lauren Jane Barnett and Tony Mardon tackle “flora from outer space, man-made monsters, mushrooms and fungi, killer trees, naturally evolved threats, grasslands and cornfields, and a cornucopia of other films related to the genre.” Within the pages, they will cover titles like Creepshow, Godzilla vs. Biollante, Splinter, The Navy vs. The Night Monsters, Die Monster Die, Maneater of Hydra, In the Tall Grass, and many more.

The 253-page book is from Telos Publishing and should be out this month. Priced at £16.99, which is about $22 US, but not sure if it will be available here in the states through Amazon. But you can check out more on the book by going to Telos Publishing’s site HERE, as well as seeing some of the other cool titles they have.

Double Dose of Frankenstein Soundtrack?

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Even before the movie came out, because I was so excited about it, when Alexadra Desplat’s soundtrack became available on Amazon in a digital format, I bought it. It had 37 tracks with a running time of about 105 minutes. Granted, for a movie almost 2 1/2 hours long, and being del Toro, you know it’s going to have a big score. That is the artwork on the left below.

But about a week ago, I saw they were releasing the actual CD soundtrack, put out by AEC, (pictured on the right below) but even though it is a 2-disc release, it does not have the whole score that I originally purchased on Amazon. This version only has 29 tracks, but it doesn’t list the complete running time, but it looks like it’s about 15 minutes shorter. Not sure why they would do that, but there you have it. If you want the longer score, the digital format might be the only way. They are both showing available on Amazon.

Mystery Photo 3-23

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Another late posting, but since I’m half-awake right now, I’d still say that’s a positive! From getting home late last night from HorrorHound weekend, to then getting called into work really early, I’m amazed I’m standing! But we’re not going to let a lack of sleep stop us from getting this posted. Granted, might be some typos, but we’ll do our best! Our last photo was from the one and only Xtro (1982). We had this one at the theater when I worked there and it has never lost its charm! Congrats to the following for sending in the correct answer: Hoby Abernathy, Erik Martin, Michael Pniewski, Alan Tromp, and William Wilson. Well done!

Okay, this week’s photo is appropriate for an obvious reason, if you know the film. If not, then take a stab at it and see if you can recognize what it is from. Just remember to send your guess to me in an email, to jon@kitleyskrypt.com. And Good Luck!

DtH Episode 118 – Traumatizing Horror Movies

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Horror films are a unique genre because they can have a profound effect on the viewer. They can literally change lives, leaving such a strong impression that something shifts in the psyche. Whether it makes someone afraid to go in the water, uneasy around bugs, frightened by Frankenstein’s creature, or just generally on edge, these films can have a lasting impact.

They are meant to scare us, but for some, they remain harmless entertainment. For others, certain films reach much deeper, lingering in the mind long after the credits roll. And yet, we keep coming back for more.

Do these films help us confront our fears? Do they help us overcome them? Can they serve as a way to process real-world trauma, something made easier to face when it exists within the safe boundaries of a movie?

Join us for this episode as we explore the films that have had a lasting impact on us, along with others that have left a powerful mark on audiences.

Movies mentioned in this episode:

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Mystery Photo 3-16

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Sorry for the late posting but we were out of town over the weekend at the Michigan is Dead show in Muskegon, Michigan. Fun time and a lot of people there, but they seemed mainly interested in the VHS tapes, which is fine. But I will say that if you’re ever in that area, the Static Tape Video store is insane! Their selection is just incredible, from all different boutique labels, to much, much, more. Very impressive. But let’s get down to business! Our photo from last week was from the 1958 film Curse of the Faceless Man. Pretty fun movie and quite different from a lot of the films of that era. But I love that even though it is sort of obscure, that didn’t stop a lot of you from sending in the correct answer! Kudos out to the following: Hoby Abernathy, Todd Barwick, Tom Brennan, Don Cunningham, Dave Fronto, Kevin Hart, Doug Lamoreux, Charles Miller, Michael Pniewski, Jeff Owens, Bryan Senn, and Mike Shields. Well done!

Okay, here’s this week’s photo and it’s a doozy! Take a peek and see what you think and then send your guess to me in an email, to jon@kitleyskrypt.com. Good Luck!

Book Review: Behind the Mask

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Behind the Mask: The Secrets of Hollywood’s Leading Creature Suit Performers
Published by BearManor Media, 2025. 308 pages.
By Joe Nazzaro

This was a tough review to write. There is so much information within these pages, on so many talented people working in the movie business that consistently create new characters to put on screen that just give us a sense of wonder. On more than one occasion, it had me busting out a movie to rewatch because of the information they go into on creating a creature suit and how they did it. Nazzaro covers a lot of different artists and designers, sculptors and painters, that really help make these movies what they are.

But here’s the part that gets me. The title of the book is about suit performers, but that is only a very small part of the book, talking to the actual performers. It is mainly on the effects people creating the suits, but very little time is given to the ones having to wear them. There is 20 pages spent discussing all the different characters in Guillermo del Toro’s Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008), from the main characters to minor ones like Wink, the Angel of Death, and the legless goblin with a cart. Then when interviewing John Alexander who played that goblin character, as well as Johann Krauss, it’s only 6 pages. Alexander had played apes or gorillas in a few movies over the years, starting with the character of White Eyes in Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan (1984), as well as the title character in Mighty Joe Young (1998). So, it’s a shame that we don’t get to hear more from him, as well as all of these other performers, which is what I assumed the book was about.

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Mystery Photo 3-9

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It’s funny with last week’s photo, which was from Amando de Ossorio’s The Ghost Galleon (1974) aka Horror of the Zombies, was actually supposed to be posted the previous week but didn’t because I was too sick! I had no clue that Vinegar Syndrome was going to announce their new 4K release of it the day before I posted it! I wish I could manipulate the world of 4K releases with my Mystery Photo pics! It was great to see the second of the four films to now get a 4K release, which means we’re halfway there! Kudos to the following for sending in the correct guess: Hoby Abernathy, Steve Archacki, Enai Aye, Chris Dyer, Dave Fronto, Kevin Hart, Erik Martin, and William Wilson. Well done, people!

Going back to the black and white classics this time out. Might be easy for some, but I will say while it has a great title, it’s not one that you see many talking about. So, let’s hope we can change that, shall we? Take a look and see if you can recognize where this shot is from. Just remember to send your guess to me in an email, to jon@kitleyskrypt.com. And most of all, Good Luck!

Movie Review: Salem’s Lot

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(1979)
Directed by Tobe Hooper
Starring Davil Soul, James Mason, Lance Kerwin, Bonnie Bedelia, Lew Ayres, Elisha Cook Jr., George Dzundza, Ed Flanders, Geoffrey Lewis, Kenneth McMillian, Fred Willard, Reggie Nalder

My first experience with the film Salem’s Lot was not a good one. I don’t remember seeing it when it was first broadcast on TV back in 1979, which seems odd enough. But in the early 80s, I began to dive into horror fiction, which spread faster than a vampire plague in a small town! When I got to King’s Salem’s Lot, I absolutely loved it and over the years, it would remain my favorite. Maybe because I grew up in a similar small town, though in Michigan, where everyone knew everyone’s business, but it really resonated with me. So, after finishing the book I went out and rented the VHS release of it, not realizing it was the shorter theatrical version. I absolutely hated it. I hated that Barlow looked like Nosferatu, which is completely different than he is in the novel. I hated they had left so much character development and backstory out. This was in my younger and naive days when I had no clue what it took to adapt a novel into a feature film, not to mention that the version I had just watched was condensed version of the full 2-part series.

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The Thing Expanded

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I know with the amount of attention this has been getting, from all over social media to just the fans aching to see and hear more about not only one of their favorite films, but let’s face it… it’s simply one of the greatest horror films ever made. Am I right? But why this post when everyone in the horror genre already knows about it, possibly even supported the online support process to get your name in the credits as well as some cool additional stuff besides the documentary. Simple. Because we need to remember the fact that upon its initial release, it was hated by most critics and the general public. But us fans… we knew then how fantastic and incredible this film was. And we supported it then and continued to support it until those lame critics faded away, along with those words they wrote some 40+ years ago. Unlike those words, this movie has lasted.

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1000 Women in Horror Documentary

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Back in 2020, I reviewed the book 1000 Women in Horror by Alexandra Heller-Nicholas, which I recommended highly then, and I still do. If you want, you can read our review by clicking HERE.

It really shows the amazing amount of work out there, from the very beginning of cinema to modern day work, that is being created by women. From writing, directing, actresses, makeup effects work, and everything in between. Just name the profession, and there’s women doing it. Back in the early days, especially when the studio system started to take over, it was pretty tough to be taken seriously. Thankfully today it’s a little easier, though I think we can still make even more progress.

Just do a search for how many horror films were directed by women in the last 10 years and you’ll be amazed. Especially since quite a few of them are really well done!

And to show that, this incredible book is now a new documentary, using the same title, that will make its debut on Shudder on March 20th! I guarantee that you will not only learn something new but will probably be amazed at some of what you do learn. Below is the trailer for it, so take a peek and make sure you check it out when it hits Shudder.