Movie Review: Don’t Look in the Basement

by in Reviews: Movies and tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

(1973)
Directed by S.F. Brownrigg
Starring Bill McGee, Rose Holotik, Annabelle Weenick, Michael Harvey, Gene Ross, Jessie Lee Fulton, Betty Chandler, Robert Dracup, Harryette Warren, Jessie Kirby, Hugh Feagin, Camilla Carr, Rhea MacAdams

When you’re discussing low budget movies, the conversation could go a few different ways. You could be talking about the kind of titles that were being churned out in the ‘80s, when the video market was booming and everyone and their brother had a camera and was trying to make their own little production. Nothing wrong with those.

Continue reading →

Golden Age of Sci-Fi Soundtracks

by in Misc. Ramblings and tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Sure, it might say Sci-Fi, but we know these films are really horror films! None the less, fans of these movies just might want to get their pre-order in for this new soundtrack release coming out next month!

Dragon’s Domain has announced Volume 3 in their Golden Age of Science Fiction series, which features the scores from Elmer Bernstein’s work on Cat-Women of the Moon (1953) and Robot Monster (1953), and Edwin Astley’s score for Devil Girl from Mars (1954). Each soundtrack also includes the theatrical trailer. The total running time for the release is 56:52 min, with about 16 to 18 minutes for each film.

There is a special note when ordering, that these recordings are taken from analog masters and music & effects tracks, so there are certain limitations from the source tapes. But they have worked hard to preserve them as closely to the original recordings as possible.

Attack of the Con Crud!

by in Conventions and tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Last weekend, we hit our first convention of the year, HorrorHound Weekend in Cincinnati. That has traditionally been our first show of the year, and our biggest. And this year was no different. A huge crowd of people came out, on all three days, and it seemed that everyone had a great time. We spent most of our time behind our tables, having plenty of time to chat with friends, both old and new, as well as selling a lot of books, which honestly just makes my heart swell. Sure, that is what we are there for, to make money, but with every book that I sell, it means that there is a fan out there that is willing to take the time to read and learn about something they love. With the age of the internet, with people reading on their phones and Kindles, I just love it when I see someone still doing it old school! Gives me hope, not only as a bookseller, but as a fan.

Continue reading →

Silvia Tortosa – Rest in Peace

by in Rest in Peace and tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Spanish actress Silvia Tortosa only made a few titles in her career that featured over 100 TV and movie appearances, but when she did, she always made an impact with the viewer. Her first role was in a on TV in 1964, but horror fans will remember her as the Countess Irina Petrovski in Horror Express (1972), followed by appearing in Amando de Ossorio’s The Loreley’s Grasp (1973). She also appeared in Paul Naschy’s The Frenchman’s Garden (1978).

She passed away on March 23rd, at the age of 77. She may be gone, but I know horror fans will always remember her for her work in these highly memorable films. Our thoughts go out to her friends and family during this difficult time.

DtH Episode 66 – Women Horror Directors

by in Discover the Horror Podcast and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Chained (2012), Honeymoon (2014), and Relic (2020)

With over 60 episodes so far in our podcast history, we realized that in all that we covered, we had never covered anything by a woman director. We knew we needed to change that. Going through the history of women directors, we realized that not only wasn’t something new, but have been working in the industry since the beginning of film. And in the last two decades, have really started to show their stuff. So, to help celebrate Women’s History Month, we figured it was well past due that we tackle three films that were directed by women, once again, picking three random titles, but amazed to find just how similar they were to each other, not to mention being very effective in their craft, and storytelling.

Movies mentioned in this episode:

Continue reading →

Music Box Gives Us 24-Hours of Godzilla and More!

by in Movie Events and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

To celebrate 70 years of when Gojira first appeared on the big screen, the Music Box, along with the Japanese Arts Foundation, is pulling out all the stops, presenting multiple screening events, including a 24-hour marathon of the Showa-era films!!! Now, one my think you’d have to be crazy to spend that long of time sitting in a theater watching any series of movies. And you’d be correct. But those people with the puzzled look on their faces are the “normal ones” of the world and just don’t understand how amazing it would be to get to see 15 titles from the classic era, the one that I personally grew up with, all back-to-back. So, call me crazy, but I know on June 8th, I’ll be knee-deep in some of the greatest Godzilla films ever to be produced!

Continue reading →

Mystery Photo 3-18

by in Mystery Photo and tagged | Leave a comment

I have to say, I’m kind of shocked that more people didn’t get our photo from last week. The only and only Kevin Hart sent in the correct answer, which was from the 2020 film Relic, a real feel-good-movie of the decade! In fact, stay tuned on Wednesday for more about that! But congrats to Kevin for getting it correct!

Going a little older for this week’s photo, back in the days before color. Well, not that far back, but it is in black and white. Take a look and see what you think. If you do think you know it, send me an email, at jon@kitleyskrypt.com. Good Luck!

Movie Review: The Abandoned (2006)

by in Reviews: Movies and tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Directed by Nacho Cerdá
Written by Karim Hussain, Nacho Cerdá, and Richard Stanley
Starring Anastasia Hille, Karel Roden, Valentin Ganev, Paraskeva Djukelova, Carlos Reig-Plaza

I was lucky enough to see this in the theater when it was released in 2007 nationwide, as part of the After Dark Horrorfest’s 8 Films to Die For. This was the first year of this happening and it had some great titles in there, such as Mike Mendez’s The Gravedances and J.S. Cardone’s Wicked Little Things (you can read our review of that HERE). I knew of Cerdá work because of his 1994 short film Aftermath that made quite a lot of noise in the horror underground, with it being a very nasty and graphic tale of a coroner who just happens to be a necrophiliac. Very disturbing, but incredibly shot and very effective. So, when his first feature film was coming out, I wanted to take advantage of seeing it in the theater. And I’m glad I did.

Continue reading →

Romero Dead-Fest at the Midway Drive-In

by in Movie Events and tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

On May 18th, at the Midway Drive-In, located in Sterling, IL, they are having a special tribute to George Romero’s by screening the first three films in his Dead trilogy, Night of the Living Dead (1968), Dawn of the Dead (1978), and Day of the Dead (1985). And as a bonus, after Day, they will be screening The Crazies (1978), which I have to say is a nice addition to these other nihilistic films.

If you’re not close to the Midway, skip down to the bottom!

Continue reading →

Mystery Photo 3-12

by in Mystery Photo and tagged | Leave a comment

Yes, I’m a day late. I apologize for that but yesterday was a pretty full day with some extra Podcast work being done. Stay tuned for that! Our little group photo from last week was from the 1977 film The Sentinel that really featured an all-star cast! Kudos to the following for sending in the correct answer: Hoby Abernathy, Gregory Avery, Robert Baker, Dada Debaser, Dave Friedman, Kevin Hart, Troy Howarth, Lee Nattrass, and William Wilson.

Now on to this week’s photo. Take a peek and see if you recognize where this is from. Just remember, send me your guess in an email, to jon@kitleyskrypt.com. Good Luck!