Category Archives: Misc. Ramblings

It’s Rondo Time!

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That’s right, folks, it’s that time of year again. The official ballot has been cast for the annual Rondo Awards celebrating 2023. I have been fortunate enough to have been nominated in 3 different categories this year, a personal best, I believe!

But before I get to all that gloating, I wish to congratulate everyone who has been nominated, and a special shoutout to my personal friends that were as well. They are Rod Barnett, Eric McNaughton, Darrell Buxton & the We Below Dead family, Christopher Wayne Curry, Anthony Taylor, John Bowen, Ron Adams, Richard J. Schellbach, Derek Koch, and my HorrorHound family: Aaron Crowell, Nathan Hanneman, Ernie Rockelman, Jessica Dwyer, and Jason Edmiston.

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HorrorHound 100th Issue!

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It was way back in April of 2006, when Aaron Crowell walked up to my vendor table at Cinema Wasteland and handed me a copy of this new magazine they had just started, called simply enough HorrorHound. While I did a thing here and there for them, I officially became a columnist for them with issue #16, which was in 2009. Now, here is it 2024 and issue #100 is about to hit the newsstands. Where the hell did the time go?

I grew up with horror magazines, being the starting point for my horror education. While there were the reference books, it was magazines like Fangoria, Gorezone, Famous Monsters, and Cinefastique leading the way, along with other titles like Rue Morgue, HorrorFan, Slaughterhouse, Monsterscene, and countless others that came out over the years, was where we learned about our favorite movies and those behind them. So, to think that at some point in the future, I would be a staff writer for one of the leading magazines out there now is pretty surreal.

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Do We Need Another Naschy T-Shirt?

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Of course, that answer is a big YES! Not only is it another Naschy shirt, but it is from my very first and still my favorite of Naschy’s work, Horror Rises from the Tomb (1973)!

Taken from an ad sheet for the film, Silk Screams have used that to create a brilliant looking shirt that really is a must for any fans of Paul Naschy. They are taking pre-orders now so if you’re interested, just click on the link HERE and get your own Horror Rises from the Tomb shirt! You can never have too many Naschy shirts. Trust me on this one! You can check out the rest of their stuff HERE!

New Stop-Animated Short from Adam Ciolfi

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Back in Jan. of 2020, I first became aware of the incredible work of stop-motion animator Adam Ciolfi when he sent me a link for his short Fifth (2019). I enjoyed it so much that I immediately checked out some of his earlier work and found it all amazing. The fact that this old school style of animation still exists just warms my demented heart, bringing back memories of Mad Monster Party and the likes. Now, Ciolfi has a new short done and posted, one that gives a little nod to the good old-fashioned monster movies, entitled It Came from Beyond the Drain!

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Happy Holidays from Us at the Krypt

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Just wanted to take a second to wish everyone the happiest of holidays. I hope you are enjoying the moment, and feeding those passions that make you happy, no matter what it might be. It is what keeps us young at heart and in mind. I hope that Satan Claws leaves you something nice under the Axemas tree and that you get to spend time with those that are special to you.

And remember, at least we don’t have Big G stomping through our neighborhood . . . so at least we got that going for us . . . which is nice.

Movie Plans for 2024?

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While I know we might be a little preoccupied with the upcoming holiday in a couple of days, or any end of year celebrations, but since it is also close to the start of a new year, has anybody thought of taking on a little movie challenge? One of the things that I hear some fans doing, which I have done myself, is to make a little checklist of a particular film series, or maybe a bunch from one director, or even a particular sub-genre, and make your way through them during the next year. There’s no time limit (unless you want to set it for yourself) other than trying to get them through within those 12 months.

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Back from the Dead

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Just in case you did notice, the Krypt had been down for a few days while we were moving the domain over. Took a little longer than expected, but everything seems to be working just find now. Let’s just hope it continues that way!

In the meantime, we’ll have our new Mystery Photo posted on Monday, so for those that hadn’t sent in their guess, you have a few more days left.

As we get to the last couple of weeks before the end of the year, I’m still working on my Year End Review, and have a lot to cover! While I didn’t get nowhere near as many books read as I expected, I did knock out quite a few movies, and a lot more newer ones than I usually do too!

And if you’re still doing some holiday shopping, may I suggest maybe putting some of those dollars to a local artist or author. Not only does this help them with their endeavors, but also shows them that their work has meaning. Of course, I’m always one to suggest giving a book for a gift, because that is one that gives the gift of knowledge, or if its fiction, then you’ve given the gift of an escape into another world. Sometimes we all need that every now and then.

Okay, just wanted to post a little update to let you know what was going on here at the Krypt. Until then, Merry Cthulhumas!

The Exorcist at 58

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Yes, I know The Exorcist is 50 years old, not 58. But I am 58 and I see this film much differently than when I originally did in my younger years.

Last weekend, I had the chance to see a rare screening of the original theatrical version, from a 35mm print, on the big screen, at Chicago’s Music Box Theatre. This place really knows and appreciates the importance of such a screening and I’m thankful to be close enough to take advantage of them. And seeing a huge line down the block for this once again made the blackened heart inside this old horror fan swell. Seeing it in a crowded theater really makes the power of the film hit a little harder than watching it at home.

The reason this was a rare screening was that since 1999, the only version the studio rents out for screenings is the extended version, which they call “The Version You’ve Never Seen Before”. I saw it in the theater when it was released and aside from seeing some extra footage, I didn’t care for it as a whole. Now, I refer to it as either “The Version I’ll Never Watch Again”, or more simply the “Where’s Waldo” version, mainly because instead of using the image of Capt. Howdy’s face a couple of times in the film, the longer cut seems to stick it EVERYWHERE! Plus, there are just sequences, such as the famous spider walking scene, that while they are cool to see, I don’t feel they really don’t fit in the film.

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What Am I Thankful For?

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It is around this time of the year that I do try to really put some thought into what I’m thankful for. It is a shame that we have to wait until November to dwell upon that question and not every single day. Because that thankfulness should be there throughout the year. But I guess with this holiday, it is a reminder that we should take a minute at least to reflect. Honestly, this year, it has never been easier for me.

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Beast from Haunted Cave Released by Film Masters

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Not sure when I first came across Beast from Haunted Cave, but when I had learned it was filmed in South Dakota, my birth state, and it was a low budget monster flick, I was in. We’ve reviewed the film previously here on the Krypt (just click HERE), but recently Film Masters have put it out on Blu-ray, along with in a double feature disc, so we wanted to mention it here again.

Bottom line is that if you like those low budget monster flicks, and unusual ones at that, then you can’t pass up this new release from Film Masters. Not only does the print look great, being a newly restored 4K scan from 35mm archival material, but you get a bunch of extras, including an early Roger Corman feature called Ski Troop Attack, which was an early WWII drama using the same locations that were used in Beast. This is a great example of what Corman was doing with very little money, a small cast, but making it work to put out an entertaining little film.

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