Flashback Weekend A Howling Success!

I just wanted to give a little bit of a shout out to Mike and Mia Kerz, and the whole Flashback Family, for giving us fans an incredible weekend. That was our first show in close to 2 years, which was just killing us not to be around our convention family and friends. But it did happen this last weekend, at the beautiful Hyatt Regency Hotel, and we had a blast.

I didn’t get a chance to take too many photos over the 3-day event mainly because we were so busy at our table! Never a bad thing. But we got to chat with plenty of fellow fans, sold a bunch of horror reference books, and got to hang out until the wee hours in the morning talking about the genre we love!

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Mystery Photo 8-2

Welcome to August! Sorry for the late posting today, but we were at Flashback Weekend over the weekend and had one hell of a time, so I’m still pretty beat after that. Going to be a few days before I fully recover! So let me get this done before I pass out! Our photo from last week was from Lucio Fulci’s The Black Cat (1981), with one of our favorite actors, Patrick Magee. Congrats to the following for sending in the correct answer: Hoby Abernathy, Peggie Christie, Kevin Hart, Troy Howarth, Gary Laughner, Erik Martin, Gary McGuire, Tim Palace, Vincent Simonelli, Todd Warren, and Greg Wojick. You all are scholars in my eyes!

This week’s photo might be a little tougher. Granted, I usually say that, don’t I? Well, we’ll have to see how many send in the correct answer this time to see if I’m right. Take a peak, and if you know it, send your answer to us in an email to jon@kitleyskrypt.com. Good Luck.

Kryptic Army Mission: Aug. 2021 – Is It Terror? Or Is It Horror!

Being fans of the horror genre, we always know the stigma it receives from most, mainly because it is always akin to titles like Friday the 13th and their ilk. But even decades before Jason ever picked up a machete, the horror genre was still the red-headed step child. Even some of our horror heroes didn’t particular care for the word “horror”, often times preferring the word “terror” to be used, since it was meant to scare you, not horrify you. But what is the difference?

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Sleepy Hollow Soundtrack 4-Disc Release!

Back in 1999, the score for Tim Burton’s Sleepy Hollow, by the one and only Danny Elfman, was released by Hollywood Records. It features a 65-minute score that featured MOST of what was in the film. But now, thanks to Intrada, they are releasing a 4-disc set of this soundtrack! That’s right … 4 discs!

The first disc is the original release from Hollywood Records, with the 65-minute score. Discs 2 & 3 will have the complete 95-minute score, featuring every single note in the film! Then the 4th disc will have over an hour of original and alternate cues, tracks, and versions that were not used in the final score. Some pieces are quite different than what was eventually used.

If you’re a fan of this score, the movie, Danny Elfman, or Tim Burton, then this really is a must buy. Priced at $39.99, it will start shipping at the end of this month. For more information, just click HERE.

Robot Monster in 3-D!!!

A Kickstarter page was created on July 25th, in hopes to get enough money to release a 3-D version of one of the ultimate in Turkey movies, Phil Tucker’s 1953 epic, Robot Monster. Yes, it was originally shot and briefly released in 3-D, but hopes of ever finding and cleaning up a decent release of this never thought possible. Robot Monster is the story of an invasion by a alien in a monkey suit with a space helmet on, with a bubble machine as well. If you’ve not had the pleasure of seeing any version of this picture, you need to change it. It is so much fun.

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Mystery Photo 7-26

Sorry for the lack of updates lately, but it has been a very busy these last couple of weeks. And it doesn’t look like this week is going to be much better. With our first show in almost 2 years this weekend, Flashback Weekend in Rosemont, IL, we still have a lot to do to get ready. So let’s not waste time, right?

Last week’s photo was from the 1995 film The Prophecy, though when I first saw it, it was under the title God’s Army. Really enjoyed that one but unfortunately the following sequels sort of went downhill, if you ask me. But kudos to the following for sending in the correct answer: Hoby Abernathy, Aaron AuBuchon, Peggy Christie, Kevin Hart, Erik Martin, and Gary McGuire. Well done!

This week’s photo is a nice and eerie shot, with fog and spooky looking trees. And … what’s in that bag??? If you know it, send your answer to us in an email, to jon@kitleyskrypt.com. Good Luck!

Music Box of Horrors Returns

Chicago’s Music Box Theatre has announced the date for their 24-hour marathon that makes it’s return from the grave! It will be taking place from noon on Saturday, Oct. 23rd to noon on Sunday, the 24th. So far they have announced 4 features:

Strait-Jacket (1964)
Tenebre (1982)
Arachnophobia (1990)
The Faculty (1998)

Tickets are on sale now, at $30 until the day of the event, then it will be $35. But before you buy your tickets, please read the below notice from the Music Box about the event:

“All 2021 Music Box of Horrors attendees entering the Music Box Theatre will need to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, or have proof of a negative PCR test within the past 72 hours. Proof will need to be shown at the door before entering. The COVID situation is ever-evolving and the above is our current plan to ensure the wellness of all who attend the Music Box of Horrors marathon. If any of this changes, we will alert all ticket buyers and update this webpage accordingly.”

Mystery Photo 7-19

Sorry people, running a little late today, but our latest photo is up for you to ponder. But first, let us review last week’s photo, shall we? It is from the one and only, The Abominable Dr. Phibes (1971), starring, of course, Vincent Price. The photo is the remnants of poor Terry-Thomas, checking the box off for the curse of blood for Phibes’ quest. Kudos to the following for sending in the correct answer: Hoby Abernathy, Gregory Avery, Dahlia Daniels, Dave Fronto, Kevin Hart, Bob Hartman, Troy Howarth, Doug Lamoreux, Erik Martin, Gary McGuire, Jeff Owens, Jen Slotler, James Turner, and Nick Wilson. Well done!

For this week’s photo, don’t gaze too long into it, or you may end up just like the character in the photo! Just remember to send your guess to us at jon@kitleyskrypt.com. And Good Luck!

Flashback Approaches!

Our first real convention since October of 2019 is only 2 weeks away, and it looks like it is going to be HUGE! Moving to a new location, the Hyatt Regency O’Hare, this place looks to be not only a much bigger location, but is going to allow for even more fun. I can’t wait to be able to hang out with all our convention friends and family once again. It really has been way too long.

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New Criterion Blu-Rays

Normally I don’t announce too many Blu-ray releases, namely because there are so many, but these two that Criterion just announced really are must buys for fans, especially for those that have never seen before.

Jack Arnold’s The Incredible Shrinking Man (1957), based on the book by Richard Matheson, is usually mentioned in the sci-fi genre, but is one that I will definitely argue that is really a horror film, but is really much more than that. As our hero Scott Carey slowly starts to shrink in size, he battles all sorts of obstacles, from real terrors like a cat or a spider that has now become huge to him, or the psychological impact as he tries to realize exactly what is happening to him.

Kaneto Shino’s 1964 film Onibaba is such an underrated classic that I couldn’t recommend it enough. It is a simple tale of two women struggling to survive in war-torn medieval Japan, having to kill wandering samurai and sell their belongings just to stay alive. An older woman awaits with her daughter-in-law for her son to return from the war, but really starts having doubts when his friend returns alone. Trying to keep her one companion from running off, she puts on a demonic looking mask to scare her and seals her fate.

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