The Proof is in the Pus

Harbinger Down PosterSometimes it’s funny. Even though being a huge horror nerd, there are a lot of times I don’t really pay attention to the news sites or what is coming out or the dozens of rumors always floating around the net. Too easy to get caught up in all that crap, so I just let it pass over me. So I was really surprised to find out about a new film that comes out next week on VOD and a limited released. The film is called Harbinger Down and stars Lance Henriksen. It was written and directed by Alec Gillis and produced (amongst others) by Tom Woodruff Jr., both of which run Amalgamated Dynamics, and how have worked in the effects industry for years. They both worked for Stan Winston for years and worked on countless classic movies throughout their careers, from most of the Alien films, the Tremors flicks, and tons more.

Amalgamated Dynamics were hired to work on the effects in the 2011 film The Thing, but as we all later found out, most of their practical effects work was replaced with CGI for the final cut of the film. Needless to say, like us, they were not too happy with the end results. So they decided to make their own movie, using a Kickstarter fun, and create Harbinger Down, which according to a statement on its IMDB page, “features entirely practical creature effects created through the use of animatronics, prosthetic makeup, stop motion and miniature effects. There are zero computer animated monsters in this film.”

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Those Who Inspire Us….

AC&meOn this date ten years ago, I was set up at the Flashback Weekend show, selling my usually wares of horror reference books. Some things just don’t change, you know? Well, on this fateful day, a guy stopped by the table and was looking through the books I had on display. I noticed this bad-ass Godzilla shirt that he was wearing that I knew my son would get a kick out of, since he was really getting into the Kai-ju films around then. So I mentioned this to him and asked him where he got the shirt. That led us to talking about Godzilla films and eventually horror reference books. It seems that this gentleman was in the beginning process of starting to write his own film guide book. Of course, I offered my services to him, that I might be able to help him out finding some titles that he hadn’t been able to find. We had a nice conversation, exchanged info, and he walked away. Little did I realize how much this man was going to change my life. In the ten years since that fateful weekend, he has not only become my editor, my soundboard, my Turkey Day co-pilot, a life coach, but also has taught me in more ways in not only appreciating the horror genre, but other fans as well. He has also become one of my best friends. This guy’s name is Aaron Christensen.

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Scream Factory Announces Blood and Lace

blood&lacehalfsheetScream Factory has recently announced a slew of new titles they will be releasing, some of them making their debut on blu-ray, while some have already had a blu-ray release, and some that are in much neeed a special edition. Granted, we don’t know of any details as far as extras for any of them, but are very anxious on a few of them. Here’s the list of what they’ve announced:

  • Women’s Prison Massacre (1983)
  • Blood and Lace (1971)
  • Troll (1986) & Troll 2 (1990) double feature
  • Ghost Story (1981)
  • The Guardian (1990)
  • The Car (1977)
  • Nightmares (1983)
  • Death Becomes Her (1992)
  • Garbage Pail Kids: The Movie (1987)
  • Return of the Living Dead (1985)

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The Art of Don England

IBlind Dead - Charcoal‘ve known Don England for many years, first meeting him at one of the early Cinema Wasteland shows. We’ve become good friends since then and see each other several times a year at different conventions. He is one incredibly talented artist, and one that still does it the old fashion way…with his hand. Sure, using the computer to do your coloring and all that can look pretty impressive, and nothing against it, but honestly, for me personally, there is something special about a good old fashion pen and ink drawing. But lately Don has been doing some work with charcoal that has once again impressed the hell out of me. One of the first ones that he did recently was a Blind Dead one, which I immediately knew I had to have for my collection and purchased it right away. Since then, he has continued to crank out these little masterpieces and always make me envious of his talent.

So when you get a chance, head over to his website (HERE) and check out some of his artwork. Who knows, maybe you’ll be adding an original piece to your own collection as well. Remember, supporting people like Don shows that what they are doing is still important and appreciated!

Phibes - Charcoal pinhead-charcoal American Werewolf - Charcoal

Nightmare Castle Comes to Blu-ray!

nightmare-castleAs horror fans, we all know that Barbara Steele made a few gothic horror flicks in her day. Some of the plots might even sound a bit similar….I mean, how many films can you make about ghosts coming back from the dead for revenge? Well…quite a few it seems. But the difference with these films is that they were made by talented filmmakers! So it didn’t matter if the plot had been used several times before, it was still a great movie. A prime example of that is Nightmare Castle

Sure, we all know and love Mario Bava’s Black Sunday, which was the film to catapult Steele into her path towards being a Queen of gothic horror, but I have to say that Nightmare Castle is one of my favorites of hers. The tale is about a deceitful wife and her lover who are tortured to death by her sadistic husband. But the story doesn’t end there, when they come back to haunt the husband and his new wife. With some incredible music by Ennio Morricone, and co-starring Paul Muller and the beautiful Helga Liné, I couldn’t recommend this film enough.

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The New Krypt Hits 100 Post Milestone!

Well, it has been about four months since we’ve switched the Krypt over to the new site and this is our 100th post! It was a struggle in making the transition but I still think it was for the best. I know I am enjoying the new way of doing this, which I have to say is much easier. I can only hope that everyone out there is still enjoying the updates and my ramblings.

Even though we’ve changed where we are doing it, my goal is still the same, that I am still delivering you the same quality content that I had been doing with the old site for the last 17 years, and hope to continue to do so for more years to come. As it has been since the beginning, this is a labor of love and passion and am grateful to all of you out there that follow this site and show your support. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it.

Don’t forget you can follow this site by clicking either the Follow button on the right, or entering your email address in there. That way, each time we post something, you’ll automatically get an email letting you know. Pretty fancy, huh? Also, we’d love to hear more thoughts and comments from you out there. One of the things I really liked about this new format is the ability for you, the reader, to post your own thoughts and comments directly here on the site. There is nothing more I enjoy then having a nice conversation about this genre that we all love. So please, feel free to add your own two cents in to whatever I’m yapping about, or even if you have questions. I’m all ears.

Alright…back to work for now.

Looking for a Hidden Horror? The Sender Comes to Blu-ray and DVD

senderBlurayA couple of years ago, we published a book called Hidden Horror. Heard of it? Well, it was a collection of essays on 101 horror films that we felt more people needed to see as well as maybe not even being too familiar with. Author Will Wilson’s pick for his essay was the 1982 film The Sender. And now thanks to the fine folks at Olive Films, access to this wonderfully creepy film is a little more…accessible!

The story deals with a young trouble man who attempts to kill himself at the opening of the film. He is placed in a psychiatric facility for observation. But strange things start to happen, with bizarre and terrifying images start appearing in people’s minds. The young man, is played by the brilliant character Zeljko Ivanek, making his debut performance here.

I don’t want to go into much detail about it, but only that it is well worth your watch. So order your copy now and I’m sure you won’t regret it and might even be wondering why you had never even heard of this film before.

Unfortunately, Olive Films website doesn’t list any extras on the disc, so we’re not sure what, if any, they are. We’ve already reached out to them to find out and will post it here if we hear back. But you can check out their site HERE for what info they do have.

Larry Fessenden’s Habit Comes to Blu-ray

habitposterScream Factory announced that they would be putting out the Larry Fessenden Collection later this year. The films include No Telling, Wendigo, The Last Winter, and lastly, his film Habit, which I personally think is one of the best low budget and realistic modern-day vampire films out there. This was the first film I had seen of Fessenden and have become a fan of his work ever since. I’m also excited about getting to see No Telling, which is the only one of these titles that I haven’t seen yet.

There’s no release date yet, or what extras are going to be on here, other than the promise of a lot of them. No matter what they are, I know I’ll be picking this up when it hits the streets. Fessenden is an extremely talented man and I’ve pretty much loved most of the stuff he is involved with, whether as an actor, director, or producer.

My good friend Aaron Christensen not only is responsible for pointing this film in my direction, but also chose to write about it in the book Hidden Horror.

I urge everyone out there to check these out…especially Habit, and even more so if you’re one of these that is tired of the vampire genre. This one just might change your mind.

Evilspeak # 4….coming next month

evilspeak4Next month will see the release of Volume 4 of Evilspeak Magazine. With close to 300 pages, you’ll get to read about some of Pete Walker’s films, Creepy Canine Cinema, A Nightmare in a Damaged Brain, Daria Nicolodi, Naschy’s Night of the Howling Beast, and much more. Plus they have this amazingly wicked cover by Ed Repka! Stay tuned to find out when this beast has been unleased!

For all the information on this volume, along with the previous 3, as well as some kick-ass horror shirts that they are offering, just click HERE. They have a great selection of some simple horror worship t-shirts, including a couple of great Paul Naschy ones, so how could not need one of those!?!?!

Little Shoppe of Horrors # 34

LSoH34I don’t buy too many magazines these days. They are a bit pricey for the content you actual get, plus they are not the hardest to find these days. Sure, I’ve tried subscribing to a few, but some of them don’t seem to worry about when you get your issue. Since most of them are 1/3 of ads, I feel that you’re better off putting that $10 towards an actual book. But that is just me.

But, one magazine that I think is much different than those, and one that I buy each and every time a new issue comes out, is Richard Klemensen’s Little Shoppe of Horrors. I have been picking up them religiously since issue #8, which came out back in 1984. “The Klem” as he is called, has been putting this magazine out for over 40 years. If there are two things that shows in each and every issue is passion and dedication for Hammer Films, as well as British horror in general. With every issue, information is packed to the gills from the topics they are covering, with some stunning artwork filling out the pages. You’ll find information and interviews that give you a lot of insight of these films. And the “making of” pieces, which are usually written by Bruce G. Hallenbeck, are worth the cost of the issue alone. He never fails to shed new light on whatever film he is writing on.

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