Category Archives: Conventions

Celebrate the Slasher this Weekend

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DePaul Pop Culture Conference

Just as a reminder, tomorrow at the DePaul University Loop Campus, they will be holding their annual Pop Culture Conference, with their Celebration of Slashers. Starting at 9am and going to 6pm, the day will be filled with movie screenings of titles like Sleepaway Camp, Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon, Freddy’s Dead: The Final Nightmare, Candyman, Black Christmas, Halloween, Friday the 13th Part 3 in 3D. There will also be a variety of panels from scholars discussing such topics as Questioning the Slasher, Gods and Monsters: Religion and Politics in the Slasher, Feminism and the Final Girl, Under the Mask: Characters in Slashers, and many more. 

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Wasteland Survivor

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For the last 18 years, we’ve been heading to Strongsville, OH for the Cinema Wasteland convention. And this last weekend was no different. Each and every time we set up there, we have a blast. Picked up more than a few Blu-rays from Diabolik DVD (which I think a lot of people coming through the door were), but came home with some great titles that I can’t wait to pop in and watch! There was a real nice crowd this year, and even though they just weren’t the book-buying crowd, we still had a blast. And that is because of these people below, plus plenty more that I didn’t get photos of.

I’ve mentioned before of our convention family and these people are part of that. They truly are one of the best part of these little gatherings. We get to talk about the recent films we’ve seen, older ones we’ve discovered, and all eager to hear other’s opinions on them. Sure there is always a little ribbing going on, but when done amongst great friends, it’s taken for what it is. And having the difference of opinions makes the conversations even more interesting. I’m sure most of us go away with a few new titles on their Need-to-Watch list each and every time.

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Wasteland Weekend!

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In just a couple of days, we’ll be continuing our 2018 Kryptic World Tour, celebrating 20 years of the Krypt, as we head to Strongsville, Ohio for the Cinema Wasteland show! We’re creeping on 20 years for that show as well, and I’ve never missed one and have always had a great time. And I know this one will be no different. It is always great to see our convention family again, staying up to the wee hours of the morning talking about the movies we love (and sometimes hate!).

We’ve got a few new book titles on the table as well as a couple more pillow and tote bag designs from Horror Slave too! So make sure you stop by our table to say hello! Honestly, that is one of the best parts of this, or any show, is getting to hang out and talk horror movies with like-minded film fans! Granted, I only get about 8 hours of sleep in those 3 days, but it is well worth it!

Love and other stuntsThey’ve got a hell of a lineup at this show too, with names like Dee Wallace, Michael Berryman, P.J. Soles, Gary Kent, and plenty more!

You might not have heard of Gary Kent, but I’m sure you know the movies that he’s worked in as a stuntman, or any of the countless other jobs he’s had in the industry. In fact, they will be screening a new documentary on Kent at the shows on Friday night, with the director Joe O’Connell and Kent there to introduce it. The film is called Love and Other Stunts. Make sure you check it out!

Just head over to the Wasteland website (HERE) to get all the latest details. Hope to see you there!

The 20-Year Anniversary Kryptic World Tour Kicks Off Friday!

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The waiting is almost over. This coming Friday will see the first stop in our 20-Year Anniversary Kryptic World Tour! That’s right, as I’ve may have mentioned once or twice before, this year marks my 20th year running the Krypt, so we hope to celebrate that even more at each and every show on this year’s tour. We have new T-shirts and even a couple of those enamel pins that everyone seems to be going crazy over, to help celebrate this milestone. And if you’re in the market for a new horror reference book, our inventory is bursting at the shelves, as we’ve been stockpiling over the winter and have some amazing titles for you to add to your own horror library! Some of the titles are in limited quantities (usually just one!) so make sure you hurry over to our table so you don’t lose out.

I can’t tell you how much I appreciate everyone’s support over the last two decades, both here online as well as at the conventions. I know there are some of you that have been following my little ramblings for quite some time, so thank you!

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Kryptic 20-Year-Old Anniversary Tour

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meNext October, Kitley’s Krypt will officially be 20 years old. That’s right…that means come October, I’ll have been ranting and raving on my little world wide web soapbox for two whole decades. While I’m not 100% positive, I’m pretty sure the Krypt is the longest running site out here on this inter-web thingy, at least here in the States. That is a lot of ramblings over those years, and hopefully inciting a little spark or two in some of you to look and learn more about the horror genre, and to really Discover the Horror. That is a moniker that I still truly stand by and belief in.

Trust me, it’s hard sometimes for me to believe that I’m still at this and haven’t given up on it. There’s been a few times I thought about it, but always continued on. And sure, the Krypt isn’t one of the big boys on the block, but honestly, if that would mean being owned by a studio and having to give up some journalistic integrity, then I guess I’m pretty happy right where I’m at. But when it all comes down to it, I do this because this is what I love doing….talking about horror movies. It really is my life’s passion and one that I don’t see myself ever stopping. All I need to know is that I’ve given a fan a little push in the right direction, having them decide to look a little deeper into the genre, then I know I’ve done right by the genre.

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Suspiria Screening at Flashback Weekend

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Suspiria

Okay Argento fans, now is your chance to see Suspiria on the big screen like you’ve never seen it before. On Friday night, Aug. 4th, at 10:30pm at the AMC Rosemont 18 (formally Muvico), they will be screening the new 4K restoration of this Argento classic on the big screen, thanks to Synapse Films. We all know the incredible work that Synapse has done on their previous releases, so you know that this version, “beautifully restored from an original fully uncut and uncensored 35mm Italian camera negative, presented with the original 4.0 discrete sound mix not heard since the original theatrical release in 1977”, it is going to be just jaw-dropping amazing to witness.

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Freddy Mania at Flashback Weekend

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If you are a fan of the Nightmare on Elm Street movies, then the Flashback Weekend convention happening in about a month, is one that you are not going to want to miss. Not only will Freddy himself, Robert Englund be there, but there will be a total of 18 guests there that has appeared in one or more of the series, from the very first, all the way to Freddy vs Jason. Here’s all the Nightmare guests that they have announced:

Robert Englund, Heather Langenkamp, Amanda Wyss, Ronee Blakley, Joann Willette, Lisa Wilcox, Brooke Bundy, Tuesday Knight, Danny Hassell, Brooke Theiss, Toy Newkirk, Andras Jones, Kelly Jo Minter, Ricky Dean Logan, Ken Kirzinger, Katharine Isabelle, Jesse Hutch, and Paula Shaw!

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Monster Bash 2017 Report: Part 2 – Blaisdell, Blood Freak, and Books!

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While wandering through the dealer room on Saturday before the show opened, I came upon an art print that blew me away. It was a collage of all the different creatures/monsters that were created by low budget monster maker Paul Blaisdell, which even included a couple of images of Blaisdell himself. If you’re not familiar with highly underrated talent then you have some homework to do! He created a bunch of different creatures for the low budget AIP features back in the ’50s, with very little time and money. But he always came up with some interesting monsters and aliens, like we’ve never seen before. He worked on titles like It Conquered the World, Invasion of the Saucer Men, The She-Creature, and a few more. So to see him and his work highlighted in this beautiful piece of art made my heart swell. I can now proudly say that it is now framed and hanging in my office. The artist is Scott Jackson and has been doing this kind of work for quite some time. He had some other great prints for sale, including a stunning one from The Picture of Dorian Gray, with him standing in front of is decayed portrait. Definitely will be picking that one up from him in the future. You can check out his work at his site HERE.

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Monster Bash 2017 Report: Part 1 – The Journey Begins

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This year’s Monster Bash, held once again in Mars, PA, was their 20th Anniversary show. I can’t express how sad I am that I had only started coming to this show a few years ago. For years, I put some serious thought into setting up as a vendor there, but I always talked myself out of it because of the distance being too far and if it would really be worth it. Now, with this show becoming one of my favorite stops on our Kryptic World Tour, I realize just how I wrong I was.

This time out, I would be making the 500 mile journey to the show on my own, since my wife Dawn is taking care of her father. It sucks having to do the show alone, but there are certain things in life that are way more important, and family is one of them. It’s only a couple of hours past where we go for Wasteland, so it should be that bad. Though, looking at the weather in the area for that Friday, it was calling for rain…all…day…long! I’ve never had to unload for a show in the rain and was not looking forward to it. I decided to leave after work on Thursday, drive to Cleveland area and then stop for a few hours of sleep, then drive the last couple of hours the next morning to be there by 8am for set up.

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Monster Bash Approaches

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In three weeks, we will be heading out to Mars, PA for the annual Monster Bash Conference, and needless to say, we’re pretty excited. This show is the farthest distance that we travel which is why it took us so long before we decided to finally take the plunge. Now I only regret not starting going sooner.

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