Category Archives: Misc. Ramblings

I Love Being a Horror Fan!

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Since I’m on the verge of hitting the big 60 next year and have been a horror film fan most of my life, watching as many different films as possible over those 6 decades, one would think that I’d be close to seeing everything, right! WRONG! Therein lies the beauty of the horror genre, or really cinema in general. If they stopped making movies today, we would still not be able to see all the films out there that we haven’t seen yet. And to prove this, is the latest stunning box set announced by Severin Films today, All Haunts be Ours: A Compendium of Folk Horror Vol. 2.

The first set was amazing enough, especially with the deep diving documentary Woodlands Dark and Days Bewitched, that opened up the doors to so many films. And now, Severin has done it again with volume 2, that features 13 discs, with 24 international folk horror classics! As I mentioned, I’ve been in the game a long time and there were many of these titles that I was not familiar with at all. That is why I never get tired of the horror genre. There is always more to discover.

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Indicator Scores Again!

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Yet another reason why we are so lucky right now. Last year, Indicator released their Mexico Macabre box set which featured 4 incredible titles from the Mexican horror output from the late ’50s and early ’60s, which was a much-needed release for fans who had missed out on the old Casa Nega DVDs. But there were 2 titles missing from that collection that were a must for any fan of this sub-genre. But have no fear because Indicator has announced this amazing double feature that will contain the film that started it all, El Vampiro aka The Vampire (1957), and it’s sequel, El ataúd del vampire aka The Vampire’s Coffin (1958), both starring Germán Robles in the title role, and Abel Salazar as the stand-in for Van Helsing! Both are filled with so much atmosphere you can cut it with a knife. Two perfect examples of the amazing work they were creating back then.

This set will include audio commentaries by star Germán Robles from 2007, as well as interviews with Claudia & Rosa Salazar Arenas about their father, actor and producer Abel Salazar, as well as other interviews with people involved in film fests, horror scholars, and film historians on the Spanish horror genre. The set also comes with a limited edition exclusive 80-page book with new essays Jesús Palacios and David Wilt, archival essays by Eduardo de la Vega Alfaro and Carmen A Serrano, cast interviews, an overview of contemporary critical responses, and film credits

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Friends Helping Friends

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Over 25 years ago, I met Tom Sueyres (Simmons at the time), through another friend, and we started tape trading. Tom ran Video Holocaust, which soon became Video Junkie, which also became a magazine. Video Junkie’s tag line was that it’s not a hobby, but a way of life. That was not only true of the business and the magazine, but of Tom himself. I don’t know what impressed me more, his knowledge of film, or just his sheer passion for cinema. I know that if wasn’t for Tom, I wouldn’t have gotten started creating and getting Kitley’s Krypt going. He was huge part in getting me on my way, in both running my website, writing in general, and a LOT of much needed advice when it came to basic journalism. Oh yeah, self-editing was a constant topic of conversation between us!

But now Tom is need of some funds due to some severe medical conditions he’s dealing with now and could use any and all help. No matter how much, it all adds up. So back in the days of buying movies that you couldn’t find anywhere else, if you happen to get any from Video Junkie, or even was entertained by the magazine, or any of the rantings he would post on the Video Junkie website, see if you can’t spare a little change to help a friend out. Click on the link to get to the GoFundMe page and read his story. I know we’re all struggling out there, but if you can, help a brother out and let’s keep this very creative mind kicking around for a few more decades. Just click HERE and give what you can.

What a Time to be Alive!

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I know as I get older and slowly move into Old Man Club, which I apparently have been doing for the past two decades, there are times that I never thought I would see the day. See that? That’s something an Old Man would say. But alas, it’s true. Severin Films had already announced their new 5-disc release of Dario Argento’s Opera (1987), featuring so many extras, including a CD of the soundtrack, so that alone was pretty damn amazing. And then came more recent announcement that had me staring at the notice with such a blank stare, as if to think that I should be waking up at any moment.

Years ago, back when I collected VHS tapes, I remember coming across a big box video of The Mummy and the Curse of the Jackals (1969), released by Academy Home Entertainment. Even though it starred John Carradine and Anthony Eisley, with that kind of title, and the fact that I had never heard of it before, I knew I had to add it to the collection. When I sat down with it . . . oof! How can it be a bad movie when you have a mummy AND a werewolf . . . or were-jackal, or something. While the movie is perfect for a Turkey Day marathon, which I did screen in 2016, the print quality wasn’t the greatest. In fact, you could barely see what was going on in some parts.

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Little Shoppe of Horrors Hits the Big 50!

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Issue # 50 of simply the best magazine devoted to Hammer Studios is about to release their 50th issue. Issue # 1 was published in June of 1972, over 50 years ago. And if you’ve purchased any of their issues, then you know just how packed full of information they are. This one is no different.

With the incredible cover art by Mark Maddox, this issue features in-depth making of The Devil Rides Out by Bruce G. Hallenbeck, called Angel of Death. There are also pieces on Charles Gray, as well as one on special effects artist Michael Stainer-Hutchins, an analysis of Richard Matheson’s screenplay for the film called The Devil in the Details, by Constantine Nasr.

Plus, Mr. Hallenbeck also gives us Fresh Blood, Fresh Brains: The Making of Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell!

Filled out with the other usual content, from book reviews, the Keith Dudley report, and Confessions of a Monster Chick by Pam Murray, this issue will be just as entertaining and engaging as all the rest. I can’t wait! You can order your copy now by clicking HERE.

Severin Drops Danza Macabra Vol. 3

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Fans of Spanish horror are going to love this latest box set from Severin Films. They still just blow me away with the titles they are releasing. This set has 2 films that I’ve never even heard of, and that is coming from a huge fan of Spanish horror! Not to mention the fact that they’ve never been released over here in the states. In fact, 3 out of the 4 titles have never legitimately been released over here! Plus, as usual with Severin’s releases, these are just packed full of extras, from commentaries to interviews, and much more.

PLUS, 3 of the titles are scanned in 4K from original negatives, while the last one is scanned in 2K from the negative. Keep in mind, the last time I saw Cross of the Devil was from about a 10 generation VHS tape. This was a rare title that was written by Paul Naschy and directed by John Gilling. So going from that to a 4K print!?!?! What a time to be alive!

Here’s a breakdown of the films and what extras each of them has:

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Curators . . . Not Collectors

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I’ve been a movie poster collector for over 30 years. The cost of what I will spend has gone up a bit over those three decades. In the past, the thought of spending $50 on a single poster was way too much for me to even consider. Then I saw an American 1-sheet for The Green Slime for $50. I bought it instantly. Now, I’m still not one of these big-time collectors, spending hundreds and hundreds of dollars on them, mainly just because of my budget. But what I will spend has increased to even dropping $175 for an Astro Zombies 1-sheet. I mean, it’s Ted V. Mikels!

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Last Chance for Rondos!

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In case you haven’t voted yet, the deadline for the 2023 Rondo Awards ends at midnight on Tuesday the 16th. Yes, I am nominated in few categories (Best Column, Best Article, and Best Podcast), and would love your vote, but more importantly, just vote. There are a lot of hard-working people nominated there, so it’s always nice to be recognized for that hard work. So, head over to the Rondo site (just click HERE) and take a few minutes to send off an email to them with your votes. It’s pretty simple. Just copy and paste the ballot, and mark who you’re voting for, and send it off to David Colton, the Grand Poobah of the Rondos!

Nightbreed Soundtrack Expanded!

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Almost 35 years since its release, we’re finally going to get the Danny Elfman’s complete soundtrack for Clive Barker’s Nightbreed. Needless to say, I’m more than thrilled. Say what you will about the film, whether it’s the theatrical cut, director’s cut, or any of the extended, bootleg, Cabal-cuts out there, I just love this movie, and have always loved the score.

Originally released by MCA which had 22 tracks and ran 46:42 minutes, it was pretty great. But now, thanks to fine folks at Intrada, we will now have the complete score which runs 75:19 minutes, in a special 2-disc release. The first disc has the complete score, while the second disc has the original release of the score, plus another 21:16 minutes of extra stuff, such as some alternate cuts, and 3 different versions of the song Country Skin, which no version of that is included first disc.

You can order it directly from Intrada (click HERE) or from Screen Archives (click HERE), where I get a lot of my soundtracks from!

Golden Age of Sci-Fi Soundtracks

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Sure, it might say Sci-Fi, but we know these films are really horror films! None the less, fans of these movies just might want to get their pre-order in for this new soundtrack release coming out next month!

Dragon’s Domain has announced Volume 3 in their Golden Age of Science Fiction series, which features the scores from Elmer Bernstein’s work on Cat-Women of the Moon (1953) and Robot Monster (1953), and Edwin Astley’s score for Devil Girl from Mars (1954). Each soundtrack also includes the theatrical trailer. The total running time for the release is 56:52 min, with about 16 to 18 minutes for each film.

There is a special note when ordering, that these recordings are taken from analog masters and music & effects tracks, so there are certain limitations from the source tapes. But they have worked hard to preserve them as closely to the original recordings as possible.