Soundtrack Review: Creepshow

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Creepshow
Released by La-La Land Records
First in 2003 & then again in 2014 in an expanded edition
Original release has 14 tracks with a Total Running Time of 1:06:49 min.
Expanded release has 48 tracks with a Total Running Time of 75 min.
Composed and Performed by John Harrison

2003 Release
2014 Expanded Release

George Romero and Stephen King made this movie as a homage to the old EC Comics of the ’50s, such as Tales from the Crypt and Vault of Horror. Listening to Harrison’s score for this movie is just like reading through the comics yourself. The eerie sounds both in and around the music is incredible, making this one of my favorite scores of all time. Granted, the film itself in one of my favorites, so the music just adds to that.

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Soundtrack Review: I Kill Giants

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I Kill Giants ScoreI Kill Giants
Released by Varèse Sarabande, 2018
17 Tracks with a Total Running Time of 53 min.
Music by Laurent Perez del Mar

While this might be a little off the usual horror path that we’re on, I am a sucker for soundtracks, and this is a movie about giants, so it kind of fits, right? I had never even heard of the title before getting this to review, but I did make the mistake of watching the trailer before listening to the score, because then I knew I couldn’t get a fresh take on it. But I have to say from what I seen in the trailer, the music that Laurent Perez del Mar created is just beautiful. Right from the first track, Barbara, we get that magical feel of this unique little girl. This firs track is quiet and somber, but almost gives off a sense of wonder.

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Movie Review: The Crawling Eye (1958)

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The Crawling Eye (1958)
Directed by Quentin Lawrence
Starring Forrest Tucker, Laurence Payne, Jennifer Jayne, Janet Munro, Warren Mitchell, Frederick Schiller, Andrew Faulds, Stuart Saunders, Colin Douglas

The Trollenberg Terror originally was a TV serial from 1956, with writer Peter Key trying its best to replicate what Nigel Kneale had been doing. Unfortunately, none of this original series exists so it’s hard to judge it, but damn wouldn’t it be cool to see now? In 1958, a film version was made, this time written by Hammer’s own Jimmy Sangster. It was released in the UK under the same title, but here in the states, it got re-titled to a much more appropriate moniker…The Crawling Eye! I mean, let’s face it, what sci-fi/monster kid wouldn’t be lined up to see that film back then?

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Cinepocalypse 2018 Announce First Feature!

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Cinepocalypse 2018

Chicago’s own Music Box Theatre had already announced the return of Cinepocalypse, taking place from June 21st to June 28th, featuring over 50 features being screened! They have announced that Doctor Strange director Scott Derrickson and screenwriter C. Robert Cargill have been slated to be the Co-Presidents of the 2018 Cinepocalypse Feature Film Jury!

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Mystery Photo 4-16

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Didn’t think we’d miss a Mystery Photo two weeks in a row, did you? I’ll blame Cinema Wasteland for last week not having an updated photo. But here is today’s new photo, better late than never. But before we get to it, let’s go over the last one. It was from Norman J. Warren’s Prey, also known as Alien Prey for those that remember the old VHS days. Great little low budget flick. Kudos to the following for sending in the correct answer: Aaron Christensen, Michael Shields, and William Wilson.

Now on to this week’s photo. Going old school again with another black and white title, so see if you old timers can guess it! As always, please do not post your answers here, but instead send them to us in an email to jon@kitleyskrypt.com. Good Luck!

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Book Review: Horror!

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horrordefinitiveHorror! The Definitive Companion to the Most Terrifying Movies Ever Made
Published by Carton Books, 2013. 360 pages.
By Kim Newman & James Marriot

Let’s start with the good stuff, shall we? With an original retail price of only $24.95, this book covers some of the best the genre has to offer. Starting at the very beginning of horror movies and moving its way through the more recent films in the early 2000’s, covering 340 different titles. The reviews give a very brief synopsis without giving too much details away, concentrating more on the facts and thoughts about the title, which we really enjoyed. Newman and Marriot really know their stuff.

This is the kind of book that is great for a newer fan that is just getting into the genre since it is a perfect place to start, using it as a checklist to slowly go through. Even a seasoned fan might want to double check to see if they’ve missed any of the classics covered here, or maybe some they might want to go back and re-visit. Not to mention possibly learning a bit more about the genre and the films.

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Horror History: Sheila Keith

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Sheila KeithSheila Keith
Born June 9th, 1920 – Died Oct. 14th, 2004

If you’ve seen more than a couple Pete Walker films, then you probably know who Sheila Keith is, or at least have seen her. And you’ve seen her work in his films, then you are definitely going to remember her! Keith was this wonderful older lady who seemed to excel in playing twisted and demented characters, even if she looked like your friendly old grandmother. While she did work a lot in other smaller roles and in a few TV series, it is her work with Walker that us deviant horror fans remember and love her for.

In Walker’s Frightmare aka Cover Up (1974), which happens to be my favorite role of hers, where she plays a cannibalistic matriarch, with such zest and conviction, that she is one of the scariest women you’d ever want to come across. She also appeared in Walker’s House of Whipcord (1974), The Confessional aka House of Mortal Sin (1976), The Comeback (1978), and House of Long Shadows (1983), where she worked alongside the likes of Carradine, Cushing, Lee, and Price!

Keith’s performances were always so strong and powerful that it amazes me that she did not get a ton of work in other movies. Maybe it was because Walker’s films didn’t receive a lot of critical acclaim.

Soundtrack Review: A Quiet Place

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A Quiet Place soundtrack

A Quiet Place
Released by Milan Records, 2018
16 Tracks with a Total Running time of 48 min.
Music by Marco Beltrami

The thing that struck me right away was that for a movie with “quiet” in the title, this score does not follow that thought. Even in the opening track, It Hears You, it starts with low pounding that starts to increase in volume, to jumping to a much higher range, making its presence known. I had sort of expected a much lower tone and feel to this movie since I was guessing (haven’t not seen the movie yet) that there wasn’t a lot of noise in the movie, so the music would be more quiet and subdue. That is not the case.

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Wasteland Survivor

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For the last 18 years, we’ve been heading to Strongsville, OH for the Cinema Wasteland convention. And this last weekend was no different. Each and every time we set up there, we have a blast. Picked up more than a few Blu-rays from Diabolik DVD (which I think a lot of people coming through the door were), but came home with some great titles that I can’t wait to pop in and watch! There was a real nice crowd this year, and even though they just weren’t the book-buying crowd, we still had a blast. And that is because of these people below, plus plenty more that I didn’t get photos of.

I’ve mentioned before of our convention family and these people are part of that. They truly are one of the best part of these little gatherings. We get to talk about the recent films we’ve seen, older ones we’ve discovered, and all eager to hear other’s opinions on them. Sure there is always a little ribbing going on, but when done amongst great friends, it’s taken for what it is. And having the difference of opinions makes the conversations even more interesting. I’m sure most of us go away with a few new titles on their Need-to-Watch list each and every time.

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Movie Review: Last Shark (1981)

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The Last Shark (1981)
Directed by Enzo G. Castellari
Starring James Franciscus, Vic Morrow, Joshua Sinclair, Giancarlo Prete, Stefania Girolami Goodwin, Gian Marco Lari, Chuck Kaufman, Gail Moore, Joyce Lee

It was not uncommon for a foreign film studio to make their own version of a popular US film. I’m not talking remakes, mind you, since that would imply buying the rights for it. I’m just talking on using the same ideas, storyline, or theme, but changing them enough to make it their own. Just look at when William Friedkin’s The Exorcist came out … there were tons of rip-offs … sorry, films made that were “inspired by” just in Italy alone. Now this wasn’t a bad thing, and we’re not complaining, since we love a lot of those … variations. But when a new film called Great White hit the US shores in March of 1982, Universal Pictures filed a lawsuit against the producers of the film, stating that it was too similar to their film Jaws and Jaws 2. After only a month on the screen, it was pulled. Of course, that didn’t stop the producers from making a reported $18 million for that single month. Not too bad for a rip-off, huh?

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