Underworld: Blood Wars
Released by Lakeshore Records, 2016
23 Tracks with a Total Running Time of 60 min.
Music by Michael Wandmacher
Opera Blu-ray Hits the Stage!
Opera remains one of my favorites from Dario Argento. There is so much about this film that I love, from the subtext he was throwing in there, the amazing camerawork, the score, and everything else in between. And now, thanks to Scorpion Releasing, it will soon be hitting Blu-ray in what looks to be an incredible release.
It will have “a new 2K scan from the original negative with extensive color correction – exclusive to this release.” It will also feature two different English tracks (which has me slightly puzzled on why) as well as the Italian track with English subtitles.
You will also have the opportunity to see the film in either 2.35:1 ratio or in 1.78:1. It was filmed for 2.35:1 but was made available to be screen in the other format if desired where it was being screened. While I think I’d always prefer the 2:35.1 ratio, it is nice that they have both.
Book Review: When Animals Attack
When Animals Attack: The 70 Best Horror Movies with Killer Animals
Edited by Vanessa Morgan
Published by Moonlight Creek Publishing, 2016. 415 pages.
First of all, I must state that I am in this book, writing about the ’50s flick The Giant Claw, so some might think this review could be a little jaded. But I can assure you, I am only a very small part of a much larger picture here. What editor Morgan has done is collected a wonderful array of voices here to give praise (some more than others) to a particular killer animal movie that hits home to them. And that single element alone is reason enough to pick up a copy of this book.
While there are a ton of classic films discussed within these pages, I will say that some of them covered here are not great films at all. In fact, some are real turkeys. But that doesn’t mean they are not entertaining, or at least deserve their little day in the spotlight. Or even just the fact that they need to be covered, no matter what. I mean, this is a book about killer animal films, right? Even with the lesser films, the author gives their reasoning on why they enjoy it so much, and that is probably my favorite part about this project. The essays are personal. This isn’t just stating facts upon facts, but why the author loves it and why it means so much to them.
Soundtrack Review: Penny Dreadful Season 2 & 3
Penny Dreadful: Seasons 2 & 3 Release by Varèse Sarabande, 2016.
Season 2: 25 Tracks with a Total Running Time of 71 min.
Season 3: 23 Tracks with a Total Running Time of 71 min.
Music Composed by Abel Korzienowski
Classic.
Just like the series, the music by Korzienowski is classical, elegant, beautiful at time, as well as terrifying as well. A perfect example of his is track 4 from Season 2, entitled Poison. It starts out with a quiet and relaxing piece of strings, but before too long, the emotion starts to turn darker, sad at first but then a gloom breaking through, completely changing the feeling of the piece. Just beautiful. That really is the beauty of what Korzienowski can do, and is well on display here in these two volumes.
Another element that is used here that I just love is the vocals. Not sure if it would be called chanting or just plain vocals, such as in Track # 12, Dolls Have Hearts, but they give us a unique sound but also distinct feeling that falls over you. I also love that besides the vocal aspect of it, a lot of strings are used, which is probably one of my favorite instrument group. It can bring so much depth and emotion to your ears. Granted, like in the opening track of Season 3, The Master, the strings are accompanied by some thundering horns that give it a more ominous feel to it, but this is still surrounded by the strings. Just love it.
If you are a fan of the series, then you will be a fan of these soundtracks. But honestly, even if you’ve never seen a single episode, but love classical music, with more of a sinister theme to it, then I think you will really enjoy these. Whether you just have it on in the background, or want to enhance some game you’re playing, this will help lure those victims in.
Mystery Photo 12-26
So while this recent holiday might have been the cause of the lack of updates we’ve had (or not had) lately, that doesn’t mean I’m going to forget a Mystery Photo Day! But before we get to this week’s, let’s cover the photo from last week. It was from the Steven Spielberg’s made-for-TV movie Duel. The ones that sent in the correct answers were: Hoby Abernathy, Cate Cameron, and Doug Lamoreux. Well done!
Now on to this week’s photo. This poor chap was one of those that must have said the wrong thing to the wrong person to end up in this situation! So see if you can’t recognize where this is from.
Please remember not to post your answers here, so others can give it a try. Just send us an email at jon@kitleyskrypt.com.
The Kryptic World Tour 2017
Yes, 2016 is just a few weeks away from being in the history books. Some might consider it a bad year, some a good one, but it definitely has been an interesting on. So as we all look to 2017, with hopes of a much better world, what better way to do that by announcing the dates for our 2017 Tour! And yes, we can call it our World Tour, even though we are not leaving the states. I mean, they do call it the World Series and they never leave the country, so why can’t we, right? Then again, maybe if that lotto ticket finally hits, maybe we will make it across the pond. Stranger things have happened!
But none the less, we’ve updated our Tour list on the top menu that shows the conventions that we are planning to be at this year, or at least the ones closest to the first part of the year. There might be some additions to that, but we’ll update those as we go. We also have them listed below.
Mystery Photo 12-19
Hello Monday! Yeah…I’m feeling the same way. But that is not going to stop us from having another Mystery Photo Monday, is it? I know our updates have not been as plentiful these last couple of weeks, but we’ve been a little busy around the Krypt here getting ready for the holidays. But have no fear, we’re still here!
Our last photo was from the hilariously twisted 2006 British film Severance from Christopher Smith. Such a demented little flick, huh? Pie, anyone? Kudos out to the following that did send in the correct guess: Hoby Abernathy, Doug Lamoreux, Lee Marohn, Kevin Matthews, Dustin Moravich, Gregg Olheiser. Well done!
Now to this week’s pictorial challenge. I tried to use a shot that shouldn’t be as easy to recognize. Wait…does that mean I’m using an easy movie title? Could be. Or maybe I’m just making you think it is, while in reality it is from some obscure little flick that few have heard of. Now would I do something like that? Anyway…give a look and then send in a guess.
Please remember not to post your answers here, but send them to us in an email to jon@kitleyskrypt.com.
And good luck!
Mystery Photo 12-12
It seems our last photo was a bit tougher than what we’ve been giving you, since we only got one correct answer sent in, which was from Hoby Abernathy. So kudos to him for recognizing this pic from the 1967 film Dracula in Pakistan, or also known as The Living Corpse. This is a real treat for fans of unusual films, especially versions of the Dracula story. And yes, it does include dancing. Mondo Macabro put this out on DVD a few years ago so if you can still find a copy, I’d highly recommend it to those who like strange cinema.
So let’s get to this week’s photo. As much as I was tempted to go with some snow-covered shot, I thought I’d forgo that and keep it simple. Well, try to at least. Here’s this week’s mystery pic, so take a gander and see what pops into your head.
Remember not to post your answers here, but send them to us in an email at jon@kitleyskrypt.com. Good Luck!
Horror History: Ronald Stein
Ronald Stein
Born Apr. 12th, 1930 – Died Aug. 15th, 1988
He started his musical career writing scores in college, working with different opera houses and orchestras in throughout the early ’50s. It was in the mid ’50s that he started working for American International Pictures (known then as American Releasing Company). His first film was the Roger Corman directed western Apache Woman (1955). He worked for them for many years, scoring classic horror and sci-fi films like It Conquered the World (1956), The She-Creature (1956), Attack of the Crab Monsters (1957), Invasion of the Saucer Men (1957), Dementia 13 (1963), and many more. He even composed the theme song for Jack Hill’s Spider Baby (1968) with Lon Chaney singing, as well as the rest of the score for the film.
Stein was obviously a perfect match for AIP since he worked fast and cheap. Between the years of 1956 and 1958, he scored 8 films each year. Not a lot of time when you think about the way it is done these days. Thankfully quite a few of his scores are still available today on CD and are really fun to listen to.
Movie Review: Cold Prey
Cold Prey aka Fritt vilt (2006)
Directed by Roar Uthaug
Starring Ingrid Bolsø Berdal, Rolf Kristian Larsen, Tomas Alf Larsen, Endre Martin Midtstigen, Viktoria Winge, Geir Olav Brath
This film is a perfect example of where you can have a story that isn’t the most original in concept, but is filmed in a way that it’s still very entertaining. The film deals with a group of people head off to a mountain to do some snowboarding. After one of them breaks his leg, they make their way to an abandoned hotel for the night. But once they are there, they realize they are not alone. But by then, it may be too late. A simple story that in the wrong hands, would just be another dime a dozen slasher films. But not here and not with director Uthaug.
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