Category Archives: Misc. Ramblings

More Naschy on Blu-ray and UHD!

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I’ve been wanting to post something about this earlier but have been too busy or maybe just too giddy to type comprehensive sentences! But last weekend, Vinegar Syndrome announced that they would be releasing Paul Naschy’s 1971 film The Werewolf vs the Vampire Woman. Anchor Bay had originally released on DVD back in 2002 under the title Werewolf Shadow, followed by another release by BCI in 2008 under the same title. But it had never been released on Blu-ray here in the states, let alone in 4K UHD! This Vinegar Syndrome release will have 3 different cuts of the film: the international export version (which has the nudity) that runs 87 min, the Spanish clothed version, which runs 94 min, and an integral “nude” version. that runs 95″ min.

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Terror Tuesdays at the Chicago Public Library

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In the past, my partner-in-horror Aaron Christensen (aka Horror 101 with Dr. AC) and I have given some little seminars at the Sulzer branch of the Chicago Public Library, giving an overview of the horror genre. This year, however, not only did they ask us back, but they wanted MORE! So now, we’re taking over every Tuesday in October with TERROR TUESDAYS!

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A Colossal Release of Albert Glasser!

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Dragon’s Digital Domain Records have unleashed another CD of the work of composter Albert Glasser, another entry of the work he did with director Bert I. Gordon. This time out, we get both scores for The Amazing Colossal Man (1957) and its sequel War of the Colossal Beast (1958)! The release has 23 tracks with a total running time of 67 minutes! The release was mastered by James Nelson of Digital Outland, and also contains lineal notes from film music journalist Randall D. Larson.

Glasser worked on a lot of films, starting out by doing a lot of westerns. But once he got to the ’50s, he composed the scores for a lot of sci-fi/horror films. Thanks to the folks at Dragon’s Digital Domain Records, we’re able to enjoy Glasser’s music on their own. Composers have a lot to do on how the film plays for the audiences, and Glasser’s work is a good example of that.

Priced at only $17.95, you can order your copy from Screen Archives Entertainment by clicking HERE.

Why We Need to See Films in the Theater

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Last night, I ventured into Chicago to the Music Box Theatre for The Creepshow, a Stephen King film festival, where they had a bunch of King movies being screened over 3 days. Friday night, they were screening the original The Shining (1980) and Doctor Sleep (2019), which I had originally planned to go but didn’t make it. Which kind of worked out for the best, since I heard it sold out early in the day. But I did go last night because they were screening Creepshow (1982), which happens to be one of my favorite films of all time. They were also screening 1408 (2007), and Christine (1983), which we planned on staying for as well.

When we (myself and my partner-in-crime for the evening, Brian Martinez) drove up to the theater, we could already see a huge line outside the theater. I lucked out in finding a parking space right in front of the theater. Any locals know just how lucky you are when that happens. In fact, we were so excited, I completely forgot to pay the parking meter. So, after over 30 years of coming into the city for movies and such, I ended up getting my first parking ticket! But back to the real story.

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Last Voyage of the Demeter

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We all know there has been countless versions of Bram Stoker’s Dracula over the last 100 years, some pretty good and others . . . eh. Some of them try hard to stick to the novel, which is always a difficult task for any fiction adaptation just due to the size of the content, while others take a few liberties with the storyline and leave Stoker’s tale far behind. But I recently came across a new film that is due to come out next year that is based on a single chapter in Stoker’s novel, which is the journey the count takes from his native land in the Carpathia to England, on the Russian ship the Demeter. The film is called Last Voyage of the Demeter.

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Alive and Kickin’

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Sorry for the lack of updates, besides a few RIP notices, which are never fun to post. We were at Flashback convention last weekend, and it honestly took a few days to recover. We’ve been there since the very first show and haven’t missed one yet, and always have a great time and so glad to be there to help celebrate their 20th Anniversary show! Mike and Mia and all the Flashback crew make it look easier than it really is, with the staff being so nice and helpful.

It was great to see so many horror fans coming through the door all three days of the show. There was a time at most conventions when Sundays were just for a few stragglers wandering around, but they were still lining up to come in that last day. Always a good sign for vendors! But it really is the afterhours conversations that is the highlight for me at these conventions. Getting to talk about our favorite genre with other friends is so much fun and always a great time.

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Michael J. Murphy Box Set Announced!

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Don’t feel bad in you don’t know that name. Up until about six months ago, I didn’t know who he was either. And that’s coming from someone who’s been a diehard horror fan all his life! Which also goes to the fact why I still love the genre because you never stop discovering these entertaining filmmakers that has been working for over five decades!

Earlier in the year, a friend sent me a copy of the film Bloodstream (1985), which I had never seen before, or even heard of. After watching it, I knew I would be screening it on our next Turkey Day Marathon, which it was a lot of fun, even though very, very, very low budget. But the more I looked up the creator of this film, I was amazed to see his filmography and the fact that this was all new to me. I always love finding a new rabbit hole to dive into, and I found it with Murphy and his films. But luckily, I don’t need to do any hard work in searching out his films since thanks to Powerhouse Films / Indicator, they are releasing a HUGE box set of Murphy’s work, in Magic, Myth & Mutilation: The Micro-Budget Cinema of Michael J. Murphy, 1967-2015!

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Naschy Blu-Ray Sets On-Sale!

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For those out there that either haven’t delved into the world of Paul Naschy, or even those that might have dipped their toes into the water but still haven’t dived in, now is your chance. Shout Factory is having a sale on their Box Sets, at 40% off retail price until this Tuesday the 19th, and both the Naschy Collections are included in there. Both are priced at $35.99, which includes 5 movies in each set. That’s like $7 a title!!!

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Severin Films Unleashes Accion Mutante!

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Somewhere in the second half of the ’90s, I found out about this strange Spanish action/comedy/sci-fi flick about a group of handicapped terrorists that basically kidnap the rich and beautiful for ransom or other dastardly reasons. Only problem is that since their boss has been in prison, the rest of them don’t seem to be the brightest and their exploits never seem to go as planned. With a title of Acción mutante (aka Mutant Action) and a logo that shows a person in a wheelchair holding a machine gun, you know you’re in for something completely different, which is exactly what you get. This is one movie that you’ll never seen an American remake of! It was the first feature film by Álex de la Iglesia, which came out in 1993, and I’ve been following his career ever since and have never been disappointed.

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Covid in the Krypt!

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That’s right folks, that is my excuse for the lack of updates lately. Last week, my wife tested positive, and two days later, I did as well. Luckily, we were both vaccinated and boosted, so our symptoms were pretty mild. She just basically had a runny nose, while I had a pretty bad cough and slight fever, but that was about it. I know it could have been a lot worse. I’m very grateful we did have our shots because I don’t want to imagine how bad it could have been otherwise, especially for me since I am diabetic. This just shows that this plague is still out there roaming around, so please, PLEASE, stay safe and treat each other with respect. It’s the only way we get to the other side of this.

So, while I’m still quarantined and working from home, I feel better enough to try and tackle the crapload of stuff on my plate here! Obviously, I missed a few things this week, such as a new Mystery Photo, but we’ll be back to that next week. I also missed posting about Paul Naschy’s birthday on the 6th, which really bummed me out, but was just in no condition then to get something out.

So, if you were wondering, that is why it’s been kind of radio silence here for a while. We are doing much better and are on the upswing, so no worries. Hopefully things will get back to whatever “normal” is for me and the Krypt. On a positive note, I did use that time wisely and watched a ton of movies while I was down and out, so not all bad news! So even when you’re sick, you can still Discover the Horror!

(Art used by permission from Don England!)