Help Support Phil’s Ride!

Phil's RideIf you’ve been going to horror conventions for a few years, you’ve probably seen Phil Meenan around. He’s pretty easy to spot (unless he’s wearing his giant Frankenstein head), covered in horror tattoos, and just hanging out. Or you might have seen him on the first part of Shout Factory’s Horror Hunters show, where you can see his unbelievable monster collection. I’ve known Phil for over two decades and I can’t think of someone who is a complete opposite of what one might think of when you see Phil. He’s one of the friendliest, giving, and funny people that I have the great honor in calling a friend.

But now Phil is facing a monstrous task that is scarier than any character tattooed on his body. He has decided to do try and raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. In fact, his goal is to raise $21,000. And just how is he going to do this? By riding his bike from Chicago to Hollywood California, which is 2100 miles. This is a journey that he is making on his single gear bike, by himself, at the end of March of next year.

I personally think Phil is crazy, but then again, I thought that even before he decided to take on this task! But I can’t be more proud of him for what he’s trying to do and to raise money for a great cause. There is not a person alive that hasn’t not been affected by cancer in some form or another, either personally or a friend or loved one that has had to deal with it. So check out his donation page by clicking HERE and give something if you can. I know this is the holiday season and money is tight, but even a few dollars can help get Phil to his goal. Once he starts his journey next March, he will be posting updates as he goes, with I’m sure plenty of photos.

So take a few minutes to look over his page and give what you can.

 

Year of Naschy Continues!

El CaminanteIt looks like the Year of Naschy will continue into 2018!!!

El Caminante (1979), a film that Naschy co-wrote, directed, and stars in, will be making it’s way to Blu-ray early in January, from the fine folks at Mondo Macabro. For Naschy fans, this is a pretty amazing news since this title had never been released over here in the states on DVD or even VHS, so to not only be able to finally see it, but to see it in a nice brand new 4K restoration!?!?! Just amazing.

Also known as The Devil Incarnate, the story is about the Devil who takes human form and walks the earth to see how humans have progress over the years. But the story here is a very dark one depending on how deep you look, especially in today’s terms. In 1994, a special double Naschy issue of Videooze came out where the actor/writer/director himself talks about each of his films. His thoughts on this film are even more meaningful today than ever.

Naschy says that “we live in the age when becoming rich is the most important thing, no matter who may stand in the way. The age when friendship has no value; we sell it out for nothing. The age in which a man could take his friend’s wife to bed and think nothing of it. The age in which even murder is justified with politics. We live in the age of the Devil.” That was said over 20 years ago. 

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Kryptic 20-Year-Old Anniversary Tour

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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Gone…But Never Forgotten

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I’ve been seeing posts all day on social media about today being the anniversary of the death of one of the greatest horror icons to work in the genre, Jacinto Molina. Or as most of us knew him as, Paul Naschy. I can still remember being at work when my friend Aaron called to tell me that he had passed away. Following genre for so long, it wasn’t an uncommon thing when a horror celebrity passes away, but this one stung.

Naschy-mummy's revenge

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Soundtrack Review: Firestarter

 

Firestarter CD

Firestarter
Released by Varèse Sarabande Records, 2017
11 Tracks with a Total Running Time of 42 min.
Music by Tangerine Dream

Not sure if my introduction to the work of Tangerine Dream was from Risky Business soundtrack. Later one, it was the score they did for Near Dark that really blew me away. But no matter which one you might have heard first, once you did, it was very easy to get hooked on their style and sound. And this score for Firestarter that they did back in 1984 is no different.

The music they came up with for this film is not a horror score at all, but one that is very…almost dreamy, if you will. Although track # 2, The Run, almost sounds like something an ’80s nightclub show, the main part of the score is slow and moody, working its way in the background, weaving its way into your brain.

While it is very recognizable that it is a Tangerine Dream score, I do have to say it’s not one of my favorites.

This was release as part of the Stephen King Collection from Varèse Sarabande Records.

Posters…Truth in Advertising?

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For us horror fans, there is nothing like classic movies posters. Back when there was some amazing artwork, enticing audiences to come into the theater to see the latest picture. From the posters of the ’30s on up to the ’80s, there was some incredible artwork on those. But then something happened in the ’90s and it seems like the studios were going with basically photos of the stars in the movie. So much that many posters looked almost identical, like the Scream movies, I Know What You Did Last Summer, Halloween H2O, and so many more. So what happened?

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Stephen King CD Collection!

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If you’re a fan of Stephen King and love soundtracks, then you are probably going to love this bit of news. Varèse Sarabande Records has announced an 8-CD set that has the soundtracks for four of King’s films. They are:

Dreamcatcher (2003) – Composer James Newton Howard’s score on 2-CDs
Firestarter (1984) – Tangerine Dream
The Stand (1994) – Composer W.G. Snuffy Walden’s score on 2-CDs
The Shining (1997) – Composer Nicholas Pike’s score on 3-CDs

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More Argento & Soavi on Blu-Ray

Opera eyes poster

As if I didn’t love the Music Box Theatre enough already, they have made a deal with Scorpion Releasing to distribute a few of Scorpion’s titles on Blu-ray  and DVD, through their Doppelgänger Releasing division. The first of these titles to be coming out is one of my personal favorites of Dario Argento, his 1987 film Opera, which should be out before the end of this year. With the release of Suspiria from Synapse Films, this is going to make a great way to end the year for Italian horror fans.

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Flea Market & Toy Show Finds

Usually in October, a free weekend is non-existent for my wife and I. But somehow this year, we had one. So we took advantage of it, doing something we’ve been wanting to do for a while, but just never had the time. Which was heading out to the Haunted Halloween Flea Market in Wheaton, IL. We have several friends of ours that go to this every year, and even had some friends setting up there too. So the wife and I headed out early on Saturday afternoon, with a beautiful day for it too! No rain in the forecast and a nice cool evening.

Haunted Halloween Flea Market 1

The thing about flea markets, or really any kind of show that has vendors, you really need to know your market to know if the prices you’re seeing are fair or way over priced. I’m sure there are plenty of fair vendors out there, but there are also that are there trying to make a living, so their prices might be on the high “collector” side. You can find some great deals there, don’t get me wrong. You just need to know your stuff before hand, otherwise you can end up spending more than you should.

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Little Shoppe of Horrors # 39 Available Now!

LSoH39This is simply the best magazine out there covering Hammer Studios, not to mention the longest running. And there is a reason for that. The quality of work that goes into each issue, from the research and writing, to the wonderful illustrations, it doesn’t take long to realize that this is a work of passion and love for those involved. A fan of Hammer Studios can learn so much about this amazing studio and the people that worked there by reading through each and every issue. I know I do!

And now, issue # 39 is available to order!

The cover story for this issue is one of the last Hammer horror titles made: To the Devil…A Daughter! Author David Taylor has the complete story of how this film came to be. There is also an interview with the young star of the film, Nastassja Kinski as well!

Other features in this issue include an article on Peter Sallis, a brilliant character actor that appeared not only in several Hammer titles, but also was the voice of lovable Wallance in the Aardman animated Wallace and Gromit series. There is some coverage on Hammer’s space western, Moon Zero Two, which has a making-of article by Hammer scholar Bruce G. Hallenbeck, as well as an interview with actress Catherine Schell, as well as a piece on Mike Tilley, who worked for special effects artist Les Bowie on the film. Plus the usual great tidbits in every LSoH issue.

You can order your copy now by going to their website HERE.