Do We Really Need Another Zombie Shirt?

ZOMBIE_BOATUh…that answer would be YES! Especially when it is something a little different than the usual images we have from Fulci’s Zombie! Pallbearer Press, who consistently puts out not only high quality products, but comes up with some great looking and original designs. And this is no different. This art is from Barlow and is just fantastic.

I know the new thing is to have these multi-colored shirts of our favorite horror films, but honestly for me, there is something special about a nice 1 or 2 color shirt. Maybe its nostalgia or just being an old man, but the look of these kinds of shirts just feel right. Continue reading

Color Comes Back to Langella’s Dracula

frank-langella-dracula-1979

I can remember watching the 1979 version of Dracula on VHS, and loving the look, the feel, and the atmosphere of it, especially in its glorious color. But something happened when it was released to DVD for the first time. All of the color was bled out, making it almost look black and white. Here’s the little backstory to that. Originally, director John Badham wanted to film it in black and white but the studios said no way in hell. When it came to be released on DVD, Badham had control over the look of the film and had it modified to fit the version he originally wanted to make. Continue reading

2014 Year End Review

(Originally posted on our old site on January 13th, 2015)

yearend2014

2014 really has been a rollercoaster of a year and one that I am glad is over. Not that anything really bad happened, but just that it has been a bumpy ride. Last December, I started a new job which had me working 12-14 hour days for most of the first part of the year. I have to say those kind of hours can really cut down on one’s movie-watching time, not to mention everything else. So my movie count for this year was way lower than I usually get to. But at least I have a job, right? So shouldn’t really be complaining about that. The hours are better now and while not saying this place doesn’t have its share of issues, I’m trying to remain somewhat positive and hopeful. But besides the job and the long hours, we’ve had to deal with a (supposedly) busted sewer pipe, which meant having our basement floor dug up. Granted, it was an unfinished basement, so again, it could have been worse. Though, after spending a few thousand dollars to get it fixed, it really didn’t matter. Then throw in the fact that after spending a grand to have a leak somewhere in our A/C system fixed, we discover there is ANOTHER leak somewhere else that is going to cost another grand to find and fix. And of course, that is not to say that yet another leak won’t appear. Granted, the AC place be more than happy to install a whole system where they could guarantee no future leaks. Sure, let me just grab that extra $4000 sitting in on my shelf. Continue reading

Archiving the Old Krypt

File cabinetFor those who weren’t aware of it, I started Kitley’s Krypt back in October of 1998, using Microsoft Front Page. After many upgrades and computer replacements, Front Page wasn’t compatible with Microsoft’s latest version of Windows, so in early 2015, I moved the site to this WordPress Blog format. There was a link to the old site on the right, but not sure how many really went over there. I have been bringing reviews and such from the old site and posting them here every now and then.

But there is still about 16 years of the daily updates on the old site. Granted, the info is way outdated, but I kept it around because it does show not only the progression of the Krypt, but it is also kind of a neat look back into the past, almost like a diary of a horror fan!

For the last week or so, I’ve been working on bringing that content over to the WordPress site, so at least it would be all on the site location. My plan is simple. My Year End Review posts will be posted separately and tagged in that Category, so you can head right to that section to get an idea of what I was thinking about at the end of each year.

Then there will also be a Kryptic Archive section which will have a folder for each of those 16 years from the old site. Again, the information is outdated but at least it will give you a little step back in time, if you so care to start wandering. I know I have been having fun returning back to those years, seeing what I was posting about.

I’m not sure how this is going to work out, or even look exactly, but we’ll see before too long!

Thanks again for sticking around and continuing to follow the Krypt!

Double Dose of Naschy Blu-Rays!

After 3 1/2 decades after it’s release, you can finally get a legit copy of Paul Naschy’s 1983 epic The Beast and the Magic Sword, all thanks to Mondo Macabro! This is one of those Naschy titles that for some reason never made it to the states in a legitimate release, which is a damn shame since it is a great little flick. I mean, when is the last time you saw a werewolf battling samurais?

Not a lot of info is out about this release, other than it will be a 2K restoration from an original camera negative, and will feature an audio commentary by Rodney Barnett and Troy Guinn from the Naschycast! Those two things, besides that it is a Naschy film, are more than enough reasons to add this to your collection! They are aiming for a Aug/Sept release, with delivery in October.

Then this coming Monday, the 22nd, you will have the chance to order your copy of Naschy’s The Mummy’s Revenge that is coming out from Scorpion Releasing, that will be available through Ronin. Keep in mind, this will only be a limited edition run of 1500 and will not be sold in the usual retail markets, but only through Ronin. So make sure Monday, you are paying attention!

This version will be not only the HD version of the Spanish cut, but also an HD version of the longer Spanish cut as well. They both with have Spanish and English language options and subtitles. There will be an audio commentary by Troy Howarth and liner notes by Mirek Lipinski.

Movie Review: New York Ripper

NYR 6

New York Ripper (1982)
Directed by Lucio Fulci
Starring Jack Hedley, Almanta Suska, Howard Ross, Andrea Occhipinti, Alexandra Delli Colli, Paolo Malco, Barbara Cupisti, Zora Kerova, Daniela Doria

Back in my early days, when searching out the video store shelves looking for the latest and greatest gore film, it didn’t take long to become familiar with Lucio Fulci. Starting with Zombie, which was always pretty accessible, you’d move to unknowingly cut versions of Gates of Hell (1980) and House by the Cemetery (1981), but still were damn happy to find them. Then you came across New York Ripper. This wasn’t any zombie chomping into their victim, no supernatural elements here but a sick and twisted serial killer that quacked like a duck!?!?! W-T-F? But at that time, who cared if it was crazy or just plain weird, Fulci delivered the goods with plenty of gore and exposed flesh. Continue reading

The Haunted House on Film

Haunted House on filmJust throwing this out there, so other lovers of movies about spooky houses can add it to their list of upcoming books to buy, McFarland has announced this title to be released later this year. I don’t have a lot of information about it other than the title is The Haunted House on Film and is by Paul Meehan. I’ve been a huge fan of haunted house movies ever since those old black and white thrillers from the ’30s and ’40s (which always turned out to be some sort of Scooby Doo endings), but once I got to see The Haunting (1963) and The Legend of Hell House (1973), there was no turning back. So I’m thrilled that someone has put a book together compiling all of these great movies. Granted, the “Historial Analysis” has me worried a bit that it might be one of those academic, microscopic looks at the sub-genre, but one can hope, right?

I guess we’ll just have to wait and see. But figured I would just start getting the word out there!

Blood & Flesh: The Reel Life and Ghastly Death of Al Adamson

Flesh & Blood - Adamson documentaryI’ve been a long time fan of the work of Al Adamson. I know, some say that would be on par with being a fan of Larry Buchanan, but as I’ve said many times before, if you’re entertained by their work, then they can’t be bad movies! And I still stand by that statement! Adamson made some of the best in low budget horror and exploitation films, such as titles like Satan’s Sadist (1969), Horror of the Blood Monsters (1970), Brain of Blood (1971), Dracula vs. Frankenstein (1971), The Naughty Stewardesses (1975) and Blazing Stewardesses (1975), and so many more. But Adamson’s ending was right out of one of his movies.

Now thanks to David Gregory and Severin Films, you’ll be able to learn more about this man than you ever thought possible. Maybe afterwards you’ll have a little more respect for this underrated filmmaker.

We don’t have a release date yet, but the documentary will be making its debut at this year’s Fantasia International Film Festival. Stay tuned for more information.

Frankenstein at the Lookingglass Theatre

frankenstein lookingglass theatre3

Right now, playing at Chicago’s Lookingglass Theatre, there is a new stage production of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. We went last year to see a Frankenstein play at the Lifeline Theatre, which was a different take on the story, but was still entertaining. So when I heard there was a new adaptation of the story, well… I’m a sucker for anything Frankenstein, so it’s hard for me not to want to see what they are doing with this amazing and timeless story.

It is playing from now through Aug. 4th, which seems to be filling up rather quickly. When I went online to buy tickets, seats are becoming few and far between, so if you’re remotely interested, I would jump on it now! Continue reading

Hammer Horror & More from Scream Factory

How to make the beginning of the week better? Easy. Hearing a slew of great titles announced from Scream Factory that will be hitting Blu-ray last this fall!

Of course, anytime a Hammer title is release, there should be much rejoicing! No matter the title, to have these in a nice Blu-ray edition, with the blazing colors and clarity, it will be great to see these titles looking their best. Being release on Sept. 10th is Scars of Dracula (1970) starring Christopher Lee and Blood from the Mummy’s Tomb (1972) starring the stunning Valerie Leon! I know these titles don’t have a lot of fans, compared to maybe Hammer’s earlier titles, but they are still fun and entertaining.

Continue reading