Music Box of Horrors 2022

The Music Box Theatre in Chicago has announced the date for this year’s 24-hour horror movie marathon of madness! It will take place from noon on Saturday, Oct. 22nd to noon on Sunday the 23rd. They have only 2 films announced so far, Idle Hands (1999) and Bill Hinzman’s Flesh Eater (1988), but there will be much more to come!

Tickets are $30 until Oct. 21st, then they are $35. If you’re a Music Box Member, then you can take of $5 of those prices.

Unfortunately, we will not be vending there once again this year. Usually, we have been at the Monster Bash convention in PA on the weekends of the marathon. But this year, there is another event, that honestly is kind of a once-in-a-lifetime event that I don’t want to miss. There is always a chance that falls through, so if it does, we’ll at least be at the marathon if not vending. Only time will tell.

But for all the info and updates, head over to their website HERE.

Horrors at the Music Box in Chicago

While we all wait for news of this year’s Music Box of Horrors, Chicago’s best 24-hour horror movie marathon, there are more than a few interesting screenings coming up there that might peak the interests of local fans!

This Wednesday, at 9:15pm, they are screening the 1982 epic Boardinghouse, one of the earlier shot-on-video films that actually did play theaters. I know this for a fact because it played at the theater I worked at and was both confused and blown aways by it! Plenty of nudity and gore, as well as a lot of W-T-F moments, it is definitely like nothing else you’ve seen. And getting to see it on the big screen is a whole other experience! There will be an introduction to the film by author and film critic Preston Fassel, author of the book Landis: The Story of a Real Man on 42nd Street, the first ever biography of Sleazoid Express found Bill Landis. There will also be a post screening conversation as well.

Continue reading

Nosferatu 100-Year Anniversary Screening in Chicago

This year marks the 100 Year Anniversaries of F.W. Murnau’s Nosferatu, originally released back in 1922. That’s right, folks. A whole century ago. There is a reason this film is still being screened in theaters all these years later, as well as why it is a very important step in our horror history. Sure, it was made without permission from Bram Stoker’s widow, and was ordered by the courts to be destroyed. But lucky for us, prints of it survived and all these years later, we are able to look at this amazing piece of cinema and still be in awe of what they created ten decades ago.

And to be able to see it on the big screen! With a live organ accompaniment? What more could you ask for! On Saturday, March 5th, at the Patio Theatre in Chicago, they will be screening Nosferatu, with Jay Warren playing the organ during the film. Tickets are only $7 each, with a special introduction by TCM personality and film historian Dr. Annette Bochenek.

If you have never had the chance to see this on the big screen, what better time than its 100-year anniversary? As a horror fan, both young or old, novice or well-seasoned, this is an opportunity not to be missed. For all the information, head over to the Patio Theatre’s website HERE.

The Drive-In That Dripped Blood

The Skyline Drive-In, located in Shelbyville, Indiana, has announced a weekend celebrating the British films studio Amicus, which specialized in making horror anthology films. Over two days, Friday March 25th and Saturday, March 26th, they will be screening 6 titles from Amicus, and all of them anthologies! In fact, some of these are some of the best that studio put out! Here’s the lineup:

Continue reading

Mental Health & Horror: A Documentary

I was made aware of this new documentary from my friend and fellow horror fan, BJ Colangelo, and knew that not only did I need to contribute, but also help spread the word about it. For a lifelong horror fan that has been defending this deviant genre of cinema seemingly since I became a fan at 6-years old, it’s hard to get anybody to see any positive attributes to watching scary movies! I’ve always said that this passion has helped me not only get though some tough times, but also gave me a community that I felt like I belonged to. So yes, for me, it had a positive effect. But that is only the beginning.

Jonathan Barkan is creating a documentary, with tons of interviews with people that are horror fans, creators in the industry, to health professionals who agree that the horror genre can have a positive impact on people. So far, they have interviewed close to 30 people, from horror fans, icons, critics, historians, directors, and writers, from around the world and are not done just yet.

There are many ways to support this project so click on the link HERE to be taken to their indiegogo page. If there is a way to help prove any positive impact the horror genre has to people, I’m all for it. Check out the trailer below and please do what you can to help, from donating to even helping spread the word.

April Ghouls Drive-In Monster Rama

The lineup for this year’s April Ghouls Drive-in Monster Rama has been announced! And if you’re a fan of the ’80s, then you’re going to be in for a real treat. Such a great mixture of titles, from renowned classics to some great titles that you’ll have the chance to see on the big screen.

Tickets are only $10 per person each night, plus there is camping available on both Friday and Saturday. For more information, head over to either www.riversidedrivein.com or dvddrive-in.com.

Mom n Pop Documentary

My favorite job of all time was when I worked in a movie theater. My second one though was at a video store in the mid ’80s. It was great getting first dibs on any new releases that came out, as well as going through their catalog of titles that I hadn’t seen yet. Of course, there is all the promo items we’d get that I would snag any and all that I could get my hands on.

Continue reading

Nightmare Industry – Italian Horror Documentary

From the producers of the In Search of Darkness documentaries comes a new one that looks to be just amazing! Nightmare Industry is a new documentary coming out soon that is going to cover the Italian horror film industry. With Phillip Escott and Eugenio Ercolani as the co-directors and producers, I have a great feeling that this is going to be essential viewing. According to Escott, they want to “tell the ultimate story about Italian horror cinema.” He also states that their goal for this project is for fans to learn something, which has my support right there! Escott said “I want them to be entertained. I want them to have fun, because that’s what Italian horror cinema is all about. But I also want them to walk away enlightened. I want them to learn. A lot about what went into making these incredible movies.”

Continue reading

Dawn of the Dead at Music Box in Chicago

Now I will admit that out of George Romero’s Dead Trilogy (yes, nothing exists after Day), I would put Dawn of the Dead (1978) as my least favorite. I know, I know, but I will defend that statement!

BUT . . . no matter what, if you have not had the chance to see this film in the theater, and live near the Chicago area, then you need to fix that and come out to the Music Box Theatre, either on Friday, Feb. 4th, or Saturday, Feb. 5th, for a special midnight screening of the original theatrical cut of this epic film. I’ve already checked and this will be screening in the main theater too!

Continue reading

Mystery Photo 12-20

Welcome to Monday! Our last one before the big holiday this weekend, and one more week closer to calling this year over. Still hoping it will be better next year but doesn’t look like we’re heading in that direction anytime soon. But back to the task at hand. Our photo from last week was from the 2010 Hong Kong film Dream Home. First time I watched this one, it just blew me away. I’ve seen it several times since then and it still packs one hell of a punch. Not for the light-hearted, that is for sure. Kudos to the following for sending in the correct answer: Christopher Dyer, Kevin Hart, and Bryan Martinez. Well done!

Now on to this week’s photo. Another “new” title for me and I just loved it, so wanted to pass it on here. Take a peek and see if you recognize it. Just send your answer to me at jon@kitleyskrypt.com. Good Luck!