Category Archives: Misc. Ramblings

WildClaw Presents Deathscribe XII

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deathscribe XIIOn Monday, March 30th, Chicago’s own WildClaw Theatre unleashes Deathscribe XII! For over a decade now, WildClaw Theatre has taken some stories from some of the most creative writers and turned them into amazing radio plays performed live on stage, with some of Chicago’s finest actors and a live Foley! It really is something dark, twisted, funny, and always entertaining.

This year, from over 160 entries, they have narrowed it down to a final five to be brought to life. Hosted by WildClaw’s Josh Zagoren, this year’s event will take place at The Den Theatre, located at 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave, in Chicago. Here are this year’s finalists: Continue reading →

Al Adamson: The Masterpiece Collection

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AlAdamsonBoxNo questions asked, I am a fan of Al Adamson and his films.

No, I won’t argue that they are quality made films.

I will argue that they… well, most of them… are high quality entertainment!

Adamson is one of those filmmakers that I admire the shit out of because of what he accomplished with what he had, when it came to time, budget, actors, and everything else needed to make a movie. He used what he had, he got them made, and out into the world. And they made money, or at least enough for him to continue doing it. So no matter how ‘bad’ some of them might be considered, I still give him a lot of credit. So a huge thanks to David Gregory at Severin for helping keep Adamson’s films and legacy alive and well for fans to remember and enjoy for years to come.

Now thanks to Severin Films, you can have your own Bu-ray copies of 31 of his films in one massive box set. PLUS, you get the new award-winning documentary Blood and Flesh: The Reel Life & Ghastly Death of Al Adamson, where you will learn more than you ever thought you could on the amazing life and tragic death of this true independent filmmaker. Continue reading →

It’s Rondo Time!

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Rondo nominated bookThe nominees for this year’s Rondo Awards have been announced and I’m proud to say that not only was my column for HorrorHound, They Came from the Krypt, nominated once again for Best Column, but my book, Discover the Horror, was also nominated for Book of the Year!!! I am shocked, amazed, as well as humbled to even have it nominated. Being in the same categories as authors like Gary D. Rhodes, Lee Gambin, Roberto Curti, and Bryan Senn, is an honor alone. And I’m sure my step-mother is rolling in her grave at the thought of the kid she used to help try forming a sentence that actually made sense, now has a book nominated for a Rondo! Wonders never cease.

If you by chance haven’t picked up your copy, you can still order them directly from me (and get it signed at no extra cost!!!). Just click the link to the right for all the info.

Now is the time for you to do your part and cast your vote. Yes, I would love to have you vote for me in the Best Column category as well as Book of the Year, but really I hope that you cast your vote. Quite a few of people listed throughout all the categories do what they do out of the passion of it. Some make a little money at it, while others make none. Some of them put their blood, sweat, and tears into these projects, so it is up to their fans and their peers to let them now what they are doing matters.

So please take a few minutes, head over to the Rondo Awards website (just click HERE), and cast your votes. You don’t have to vote for every category, but the ones that you do know. You have until March 29th to get them in. Just email your picks to David Colton at taraco@aol.com.

And yes, we’d love your vote, but please just vote!

 

 

 

Unearthed Films Releases What the Waters Left Behind

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What the Waters Left Behind PosterBack in 2013, two brothers from Argentina created a short film, just an over an hour long, called Sonno Profondo that was inspired by the Italian giallo films of the ’70s. With a miniscule budget and a crew that pretty much consisted of them, they showed how much style and talent they had. They were Luciano and Nicolás Onetti. Two years later, they released a feature length film entitled Francesca (2015), that once again showed their immense talent. If you didn’t know, and watched this film, you would swear that it was some lost Italian film from the ’70s. The look and feel of it, not to mention the amazing score (also done by Luciano), was just incredible.

But now they have left the giallo behind for now and have made a film that is reminiscent of the gritty and grimy slasher films of the ’70s, such as Texas Chain Saw Massacre and Hills Have Eyes. The film is called What the Waters Left Behind, and will be released by Unearthed Films on Blu-Ray and DVD on May 12th. Continue reading →

Stop-Animated Filth!

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FILTH - Promo 4

I’ve always been a sucker for stop-motion clay animation, or claymation, or just the stop-motion process every since the first time I saw Rankin and Bass’ Mad Monster Party? (1967). While all kids grew up watching and enjoy cartoons, myself included, there just seemed to be something special about claymation. Even in the early 90s, there was Will Vinton’s Claymation Comedy of Horrors, with Wilshire Pig and his friends meeting up with a variety of different monsters and creatures. Even the later day Wallace and Gromit shorts and movies, I’ve always loved them. When I realized just went into creating these, I knew it was done by a bunch of mad bastards because I simply couldn’t relate to how much time and patience it took to create them! Continue reading →

More Hammer Horror on Blu-Ray

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Curse of Werewolf Blu-rayTrust me, I’m not one for double and triple dipping. But when it comes to Hammer Films, when they are released on Blu-ray, usually looking just freaking stunning in all their glorious color, it really is hard to pass up. Even more so, when they have a special offer to get a limited edition poster print of the cover art by Mark Maddox! Which is exactly what they have announced for their release of The Curse of the Werewolf (1961)! Just look at that amazing artwork, which would look just beautiful hanging on any Hammer fan’s wall. But don’t wait too long because this offer is only until the supply of posters runs out. Just click HERE to pre-order yours now. You may think it is a bit pricy but considering the poster you’re getting, it is one hell of a deal. The Blu-ray is set to be released on April 21st, with no extras announced just yet. But I’m sure Scream Factory will do their usual stellar job. Continue reading →

2019 Year End Review: Part 4 – Best of the Decade, 2010-2019

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Best of the Decade

Since we have completed yet another decade (which I must admit I am surprised we have survived with the current state of affairs) and I have been recently pondering this whole concept of Top Ten lists (thanks Gregg!), I thought it might be interesting challenge to look back over these last ten years and pick my favorite ten horror films… IF… I could narrow it down to just ten film. My initial picks were just under thirty titles. So after some seriously contemplations, I have it narrowed down to a final ten. The funny thing is that the final “ten” has changed twice since I started this process! If this exercise has done anything for me, it has made be bust out a few of these and re-watch them. Not really to remind myself of how much I liked them, but because it had been a while. And going down that journey again gave me almost the same thrills and feelings I had the first time. Continue reading →

Merry Axe-Mass & Happy Horror-Days!

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chthulusanta

From everyone here at the Krypt, we wish all of you and yours a very Happy Holidays. No matter what you believe in, or don’t believe in, the one thing that we all should is the simple act of being kind. I’ve always said that as a species, humans suck for the most part. The way our government works, the medical system, everything about getting to the top, no matter who you’re stepping on to get there. Damn shame really. But until our Lord Cthulhu shows up, there are still those out there that really do try and tilt the scales, showing that we do have the capacity to do good and to care for our fellow man.

So thank you to those that go the extra mile to help a friend in need, even if that means lending a caring ear. Those that donate time and money to a worthy cause. Those that spend time with their families. Or those that are just kind to one another. Those are the people give me hope, and are constant reminders of who I want to be. 

Here’s to you and yours… wishing you a Very Scary Christmas from the Krypt!

 

Best of the Decade?

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As 2019 comes to a close, it marks the start of a new decade, which also means the end of one. When I was going through my list of films that I’ve watched in 2019, to look for my Best Viewing pics, I realized that since this is the end of a decade, I should really go through and pick out my personal favorites that came out from 2010 to 2019. I’m still working on them and will (hopefully) have them done for my Year In Review postings in a few weeks.

So I’m throwing that idea out to everyone out there to do the same. If you keep a record of what you watch each year (which I strongly suggest you do), why not go through and jot down the titles that really impressed you over the last 10 years. You can always post them on Facebook, your own blog if you have one, or just wait until I post mine and you can reply in the comments. I’d love to read them!

Okay… back to work everyone!

Physical vs Streaming

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Ever since streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime started, the debate has raging on which is better. We have the die-hard collectors, the ones collecting VHS and other physical media, denouncing the streaming avenue and those traveling down it. While the ones streaming, like the convenience of it, having a wide selection at their fingertips without having to spend a lot of money. Is one right and the other wrong? Since I consider myself an Old One (meaning old school movie collector, not a Lovecraftian deity), who used to spend hours, days, and even years looking for a certain movie, that seems to be available in an instant, so let me put my two cents in. As far as which is better, I think I can safely say this: How about we stop complaining about which is better and just WATCH THE DAMN MOVIES!?!?

Video store aisle 1

Continue reading →