Unearth Films have announced they will be releasing the 1988 film The Unnamable, based on the story from H.P. Lovecraft. Back in the video days, the creature on the box art would pretty much guarantee any horror fan picking it up. Now it will be getting a DVD and Blu-Ray release in a 4K scan and color corrected print coming from the original negative, with a 5.1 and DTS Surround sound. It will be released on October 9th.
This release looks to have a ton of extras as well. Such as:
Frankenstein: How a Monster Became an Icon
Published by Pegasus Books, 2018. 254 pages
Edited by Sidney Perkowitz & Eddy Von Mueller
Being a sucker for any books on Frankenstein, the movies, the novel, and/or anything in between, it was a no-brainer to add this one to my library when it came out. At first glance, I figured it would be another one of those psycho-babble titles, filled with such ludicrous ideas and theories. But as I started to dig into it, not only were my initial fears were wrong, I found this a very intriguing and interesting read, with plenty of ideas, theories, and information that really got my brain working.
Editors Perkowitz and Von Mueller have gathered a collection of authors that really know this subject and have quite a few interesting things to say about it, as well as giving the reader a variety of subjects relating to Shelley and her famous creation. The book covers a variety of topics, from Shelley’s original novel, to the many adaptations of it, to the science and the morals and ethics behind it. There is even an interview with filmmaker Mel Brooks, talking about Young Frankenstein (1974)! There are chapters that discuss different aspects of Shelley’s story, such as the creature and how it is looked upon, perceived, and treated, and why? These are the parts that I found most fascinating since it really gave you some ideas to think about, if Shelley really had these in mind when she wrote it. We get to hear about how Frankenstein’s creature has invaded the media over the last 200 years and how it is used, which again, I found very interesting to see how far this character has come these last two centuries.
Death Smiles on a Murderer (1973)
Directed by Joe D’Amato
Starring Ewa Aulin, Klaus Kinski, Angela Bo, Sergio Doria, Attilio Dottesio, Luciano Rossi
Italian icon Aristide Massaccesi, used so many different pseudonyms throughout his career, it’s tough to keep track of them. But the one name that he is most commonly known under is Joe D’Amato. This film here is his first real horror film as director, as well as co-writing it and being the cinematographer. It really does show his style, because he usually didn’t go for anything really flashy or outrageous, but still packed a punch.
Big Bad Wolves
Released by Moviescore Media, 2014
18 Tracks with a total running time of 54:16 min.
Music Composed by Frank Ilfman
When I first got this soundtrack to review, I hadn’t even heard of this movie, or even the composer. After reading the synopsis of it, it did have me intrigued. What is fascinating is that for a movie that has a pretty brutal storyline, about a father torturing a man who think believe is responsible for the sadistic murder of his child, the soundtrack that accompanies it is oddly enough very beautiful. Though there are tracks that do give you a hint of what this movie is about, such as in the track Scream for Me. This starts out slowly before building up the pace and volume, raising the tension as it does.
I’m a sucker for a good old fashion ghost story, one that has a puzzle that needs to be solved before the end of movie. They can be creepy, eerie, and downright scary. The Changeling (1980) is all that and more, and is one of my favorites. George C. Scott stars as a composer who is struggling with the recent lost of his wife and daughter after a tragic accident. After moving into an old mansion that he’s rented, he starts to hear strange noises, voices, and music, making him dig deeper into this mystery that is slowly starting to unravel before him.
Killing of the Dolls / Necrophagus
Released by Quartet Records, 2017
24 Tracks with a Total Running Time of 53 min. Music Composed and Conducted by Alfonso Santisteban
First and foremost, major kudos to Quartet Records for releasing this double soundtrack on CD. I remember seeing Necrophagus, under the title Graveyard of Horror years ago on VHS, and I never would have even thought that someday I would be able to have the soundtrack of this rare title on CD! And now here it is on a double feature soundtrack with Killing of the Dolls, another score by Alfonso Santisteban. Wonders never cease. But let’s get to the scores.
Gods of Grindhouse
BearManor Media, 2013. 169 pages.
Edited by Andrew J. Rausch
I know everyone out there knows the name of Roger Corman. But what about Ted V. Mikels? Or Ray Dennis Steckler, Jack Hill, or Bill Rebane? These gentlemen, plus a few more, are the names covered in this very important book. The guys are from the filmmaking industry that I feel are much more important than the likes of Michael Bay. Why? Simple. There movies are something you will remember and will stand the test of time. Each generation will discover and be entertained by them. Without the talented craftsmen discussed in this volume, there would be no Quentin Tarentino. So while their movies may be the jest of places like MST3K, that doesn’t take away from what their films are about, as well as the people that struggled to get them made and distributed.
I know I preach over and over on this site about how important it is to know your history when it comes to the genres, but I wouldn’t keep saying it if I really didn’t believe it. So many younger filmmakers, such as the previous mentioned Tarantino, grew up watching the films from these guys, being inspired to make their own mark with their films. So yes, it is VERY important to know these guys and their work. And this book is a great way to start.
It’s always nice to start the week off with a little bit of trivia, right? Hoping to make it start off on a good note if you recognize our little photo. For this last one, quite a few people knew that the screen shot was from Bob Clark’s 1974 film Deathdream (or Dead of Night, or The Night Andy Came Home). Kudos to the following people: Hoby Abernathy, Scott Bradley, Cate Cameron, Craig Clark, Richard Garcia, Jennifer Glonek, Troy Howarth, Gary Miller, Richard Schellbach, Michael Shields, Kristin Wicks, Will Wilson, and Greg Wojick. I figured that since it was Memorial Day, it was appropriate to post a photo about losing a loved one in the military. In all honestly, I think this film, even though a horror film, really shows the devastation that it brings to the families when hearing that kind of news.
So let’s get to this week’s photo, shall we? Digging into the history files for this little black and white classic, so let’s see if the name comes to your mind, as it is about to for this little girl. Remember not to post your answers here so others can have a guess at it. Instead, just drop us an email (jon@kitleyskrypt.com) with your guess. Good luck!
After having another excellent time at the Cinevent Classic Film Convention’s 50th Anniversary show, we are now getting ready for the next stop in the Kryptic Anniversary Tour, which will be the Monster Bash Conference. This show is taking place in Mars, PA, from June 22nd to the 24th and continues to be one of our favorite stops on our annual tours. Now only does it have one of the best dealer rooms around that is tempting every single dollar I make at my own table, but there is so much stuff to do throughout the whole weekend. There’s plenty of panels and Q&A’s with the guests and other scholarly types, such as Victoria Price, Brandy Gorcey, Joyce Meadows, Janina Faye, Sharyn Moffett, Kris Yeaworth, Gregory Mank, Tom Weaver, and many more.
Killer Klowns from Outer Space: Re-Imagined
Released by Varèse Sarabande, 2018
21 Tracks with a Total Running Time of 61 min.
Music from the film by John Massari
When you have a great score for a movie that you just happen to love and have seen many, many times, I tend to get a bit nervous when I hear the score has been “re-imagined”. Some of the sounds and themes are something you remember when from watching the film, so to change those in anyway can make a noticeable difference. Fortunately, any differences here weren’t enough to take away from the enjoyment of what this is…a re-imagining.
kitleyskrypt.com 