My favorite job of all time was when I worked in a movie theater. My second one though was at a video store in the mid ’80s. It was great getting first dibs on any new releases that came out, as well as going through their catalog of titles that I hadn’t seen yet. Of course, there is all the promo items we’d get that I would snag any and all that I could get my hands on.
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With all the slasher films that came out in the late ’70s and early ’80s, one of my favorites has always been My Bloody Valentine (1981). Not sure if it was because the location where the killer was stalking was different than all the summer camp ones, or that the killer looked so damn scary in all that miner getup, but either way, I think the film worked, and still works, even today. But we recently lost a cast member from that memorable film, Paul Kelman, who played T.J., one of the minors stuck down deep in the earth with a killer with a pitchfork!
While he only played in one other horror title, Black Roses (1988), he will still be remembered from fans, not only because of that role, but also his relationship with his fans. Our thoughts go out to his friends and family during this difficult time.
Directed by Marcel Sarmiento & Gadi Harel
Starring Shiloh Fernandez, Noah Segan, Michael Bowen, Candice Accola, Andrew DiPalma, Eric Podnar, Nolan Gerard Funk, Jenny Spain
Ricky and JT, two high school friends and delinquents, decide to skip school one day and head to a local asylum that has been closed for years. During their wanderings, destruction of property, and being chased by a wild dog, they come across something that changes their life and their friendship forever: a naked woman tied to a medical gurney. At first, they think she’s dead, but then she moves. While they try to decide just what to do with her, things get even stranger.
Continue readingThe Wolfman
By Danny Elfman
19 Tracks, with a total running time of 66:06 mins.
The last soundtrack from Danny Elfman that we bought was his score from Sleepy Hollow, which I hate to say but we were never really impressed with. In fact, it has been a long time since Danny Elfman has blown me away with a score Shame really too since he did some amazing ones back in the ’80s and ’90s. Because of that, I really haven’t been keeping track of what films he’s been working on. But once The Wolfman came out, I knew I’d have to pick up the score no matter what and give it a chance. Boy, am I glad I did.
Taking cues from the music and feel from the old Hammer films, Elfman has given us an incredible gothic and moody score. Sure, there are a few cues that sound very similar to other scores, especially the main hook from John Williams’ score from Dracula (1979). But none the less, Elfman does a great job bringing the violins and other strings that really set the mood and tone for this movie. Being a huge sucker for violin themes, we were really happy with hearing them used over and over here. Throw in some cellos and other strings, and we’re good to go. From the action-based themes to the slower and atmospheric cues, it’s great to see Elfman come up with a score that shows that he still has that talent left in there. We had almost given up hope.
And here is our last photo for January already! Where does the time go? I was thrilled to see so many correct answers sent in for last week’s photo too! Being that I grew up on Made-for-TV horror movies, it seems that I wasn’t the only one that knew this one! It is from this 1973 tele-film The Devil’s Daughter, with a huge all-star cast, such as Shelly Winters, Belinda Montgomery, Robert Foxworth, Joseph Cotton, Diane Ladd, Robert Cornthwaite, Abe Vigoda, and even Jonathon Frid! Ah . . . those were the days. Congrats to the following for sending in the correct answer: Hoby Abernathy, Gregory Avery, Brett Baish, Todd Barwick, Brian Doering, Chris Dyer, Dave Fronto, Kevin Hart, Bob Hartman, Troy Howarth, Doug Lamoreux, Gary McGuire, Charles Miller, Jeff Owens, and Todd Warren. Awesome job!
This week’s photo might be a little tougher. I know I always tend to say that, but let’s see how right I am. Just take a peek below and see what you can come up with. Just remember to send your answer in an email to jon@kitleyskrypt.com. Good Luck!
Directed by Scott Cooper
Starring Keri Russell, Jesse Plemons, Jeremy T. Thomas, Graham Greene, Scott Haze, Rory Cochrane, Amy Madigan, Sawyer Jones
Keri Russell plays a schoolteacher who has recently moved back to her small hometown in Oregon to live with her brother. We’re not given a lot of details, but we know that she left home at an early age because some issues with her father and the abuse she had taken, which she is still dealing with. One day in school, she notices a young boy in her class, Lucas, that seems to be very withdrawn, and because of her past, she recognizes the signs of some sort of abuse. But when she tries to help him, he refuses any and wants to just be left alone.
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Warning Sign (1985)
Released by Invada
29 Tracks with a total running time of 54 min.
Original Motion Picture Soundtrack by Craig Safan
Right off the bat, within the first few seconds of listening to this score, hearing the electronic sounds, it feels incredibly dated. Now that isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it shows you the time when it was made. Just look at what John Carpenter did in the ‘80s before you start criticizing. But that being said, this score is very subtle in its approach, almost like something you’d be listening to while in a deprivation tank. There are some tracks with a little more up-tempo music but for the most part it is slow and soothing.
Continue readingDirected by Peter Jackson
Starring Pete O’Herne, Terry Potter, Mike Minett, Craig Smith, Peter Jackson
Peter Jackson is very well known amongst all movie fans, either through his version of King Kong (2005) or especially The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. But most horror fans know Jackson from decades before, when he had made some over-the-top gory pictures that were just insane. Either with aliens invading a small town in New Zealand, a twisted version of what the Muppets could have been like had they actually been real, or one of the bloodiest and goriest zombie movies ever committed to film. Not to diminish any of those other titles, but THAT is why horror fans know Mr. Jackson.
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Larrez. Rollin. Franco. Do those names mean anything to you? And if so, what images come to mind? For those that are aware of those names and their work, you might have an image of a vampire or two floating through your mind. In this episode, we take a look at 3 unique vampire films that are quite different than what most would consider a traditional genre entry, and each from a different director. We cover Jose Larrez’s Vampyres (1974), Jean Rollin’s Fascination (1979), and Jess Franco’s Vampyros Lesbos (1971).
The original George Romero film Creepshow (1982) is one of my all-time favorite horror films, no questions. I would consider it one of those perfect films that just couldn’t get any better. So, when the sequel came out, trying to reproduce the same feeling of the original, I was very excited but very apprehensive that they would be able to strike gold twice. Well, they didn’t. But it not only was entertaining, I think it still holds up today.
One of the best ways to enjoy a film even more is to know more about the behind-the-scenes. When you understand maybe some of the production issues they had, or problems with the funds, cast and/or crew, it makes you see the end results a little differently. Might not make it a better film, but at least you see it and understand a few things a little differently. So, I’m thrilled to see a new book coming out that is tackling this sequel.
The Making of Creepshow 2 by Lee Karr will be published in August of this year, from Plexus Publishing. Running over 300 pages, author Karr chronicles the film from the pre-production to the finished product. There is a day-by-day diary with production files, scripts, storyboard art, and notes from director Michael Gornick himself. We get to hear from a ton of people involved in the film, from costume designers, stunt coordinators, and other members of the cast and crew.
I can’t wait to dig into this one!
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