Music Box Celebrates Horror in October!

September 9, 2026 by Jon Kitley in Movie Events and tagged Amityville II: The Possession, Attack the Block, Begotten, Black Magic with Buddha, Black Sunday, Darkness, Diane Franklin, E. Elias Merhige, Event Horizon, Guillermo del Toro, Halloween, Hammer Films, Horror of Dracula, I Saw the Devil, In the Mouth of Madness, Joe Dante, John Carpenter, Leif Jonker, Mario Bava, Michael Dougherty, Music Box of Horrors, Music Box Theatre, Peeping Tom, Possession, The Devil's Backbone, The Howling, The Innocents, The Leapord Man, Trick 'r Treat, Val Lewton | Leave a comment

This year’s Music Box of Horrors, their annual 24-hour horror movie marathon, as we know sold-out in record time this year. Literally within minutes. Just crazy. But honestly, it shouldn’t be a surprise with what the Music Box has been programming, with plenty of stuff to keep us horror fiends excited all year long. They have announced a few more titles for this year’s marathon, which we have everything they have listed on their website below, or you can just click HERE to right to their page.

Amityville II: The Possession (1982) with Diane Franklin in person for a post-film Q&A
Attack the Block (2011)
Black Magic with Buddha (1983)
Danse Macabre (2011)
The German Chainsaw Massacre (1990)
The Haunted House (1921)
I Saw the Devil (2010)
The Leopard Man (1943) – Val Lewton!!!
Suspiria (1977) – Ultra-rare IB Tech 35mm print English-language, original UK release version

But it is the rest of October that is just jar-droppingly stunning with the number of amazing features, Q&As, and everything else they have listed. This isn’t the full list, but just a few titles that I think are pretty special or have a special guest attending! For the entire lineup, just click HERE.

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DtH Episode 130 – Twice Told Tales: Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark

September 3, 2026 by Jon Kitley in Discover the Horror Podcast and tagged Bailee Madison, Barbara Anderson, Buy Pearce, Don't Be Afraid of the Dark, Eddie Ritchard, Garry McDonald, Guillermo del Toro, Jack Thompson, Jim Hutton, John Newland, Katie Holmes, Kim Darby, One Step Beyond, Troy Nixey, William Demarest | Leave a comment

Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark (1973 & 2010)

We know we’ve covered our share of made-for-TV movies, especially from the 70s, but this time out we’re looking at a staple from the 70s that was later remade in 2010, with none other than Guillermo del Toro producing. The story is about an old house that has something living in the sealed-up fireplace. And when you’re warned not to open it, maybe you should listen. For those that grew up in the ’70s, the original was one that gave that generation a lot of nightmares. Even if you didn’t see it upon the original airing, it was one that was sought out by horror fans because of its reputation. Then over 35 years later, since del Toro was one of those kids affected by it, he wanted to do his version.

While these two versions are similar in some ways, they are also very different. How effective is the original, and then compared to the updated remake? Tune in to find out!

Movies mentioned in this episode:

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Criterion Releasing del Toro’s Frankenstein

July 16, 2026 by Jon Kitley in Misc. Ramblings and tagged Alexandre Desplat, Christopher Frayling, Criterion Collection, Dan Laustsen, Frankenstein, Frankenstein: The Reborn Cut, Guillermo del Toro, Jacob Elordi, Jon Burlingame, Kate Hawley, Martin Scorsese, Mia Goth, Mike Hill, Oscar Isaac, Patti Smith, Tamara Deverell | Leave a comment

I can’t say I’m surprised to hear the news yesterday that Criterion will be releasing Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein on 4K and Blu-ray this October. They’ve released a lot of his previous films, and have always done such stellar work, so while I’m not surprised, I am damn excited about it. With a planned release on Oct. 27th, the 4K+Blu-ray set will be 4 discs, that will feature 2 versions of the film, both in 4K. It will have the theatrical version on one disc and a new 158-minute extended director’s cut of the film, called Frankenstein: The Reborn Cut, both with Dolby Atmos soundtrack. The Reborn Cut will have a new commentary by del Toro.

Other features on the set include:

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Pan’s Labyrinth Returns to Theaters

July 4, 2026 by Jon Kitley in Movie Events and tagged Doug Jones, Guillermo del Toro, Pan's Labyrinth | Leave a comment

This year is the 20th anniversary of Guillermo del Toro’s film Pan’s Labyrinth, an incredible tale of about a young girl who is battling three different trials in a fantasy world, while dealing with something even more terrifying… reality. Especially when that reality is during war time and your new stepfather is one sadistic SOB. The film won the Academy Award for Best Achievement in Cinematography, Best Art Direction, and Best Makeup, and had been nominated for Best Original Screenplay, Original Score, and Best Foreign Language Film. But at the Ariel Awards, Mexico’s Oscars, it won Best Picture, Best Direction, Best Actress (Mejor Actriz – Mercedes), Best Cinematography, Best Score, Best Art Direction, Best Costume Design, Best Makeup, and Best Special Effects, and was nominated in three other categories.

So it seems that it wasn’t just me who absolutely loved this film, and it still remains as one of my favorites of del Toro’s work. In fact, I even have the Faun tattooed on my arm, along with the quote from del Toro “Unlike a maze, a labyrinth is a constant transit. It’s about finding, not losing, your way.” Words to remember.

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Double Dose of Frankenstein Soundtrack?

March 24, 2026 by Jon Kitley in Misc. Ramblings, Reviews: Soundtrack and tagged Alexandre Desplat, Frankenstein, Guillermo del Toro | Leave a comment

Even before the movie came out, because I was so excited about it, when Alexadra Desplat’s soundtrack became available on Amazon in a digital format, I bought it. It had 37 tracks with a running time of about 105 minutes. Granted, for a movie almost 2 1/2 hours long, and being del Toro, you know it’s going to have a big score. That is the artwork on the left below.

But about a week ago, I saw they were releasing the actual CD soundtrack, put out by AEC, (pictured on the right below) but even though it is a 2-disc release, it does not have the whole score that I originally purchased on Amazon. This version only has 29 tracks, but it doesn’t list the complete running time, but it looks like it’s about 15 minutes shorter. Not sure why they would do that, but there you have it. If you want the longer score, the digital format might be the only way. They are both showing available on Amazon.

The Thing Expanded

March 7, 2026 by Jon Kitley in Misc. Ramblings and tagged David Clennon, Dean Cundey, Greg Nicotero, Guillermo del Toro, Ian Nathan, Joel Polis, John Carpenter, John Carpenter's The Thing, Keith David, Kurt Russell, Peter Maloney, Richard Masur, Stpehen Colbert, The Thing, Thomas G. Waites | Leave a comment

I know with the amount of attention this has been getting, from all over social media to just the fans aching to see and hear more about not only one of their favorite films, but let’s face it… it’s simply one of the greatest horror films ever made. Am I right? But why this post when everyone in the horror genre already knows about it, possibly even supported the online support process to get your name in the credits as well as some cool additional stuff besides the documentary. Simple. Because we need to remember the fact that upon its initial release, it was hated by most critics and the general public. But us fans… we knew then how fantastic and incredible this film was. And we supported it then and continued to support it until those lame critics faded away, along with those words they wrote some 40+ years ago. Unlike those words, this movie has lasted.

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What a Time to be a Horror Fan

January 23, 2026 by Jon Kitley in Misc. Ramblings and tagged Amy Madigan, Frankenstein, Get Out, Guillermo del Toro, Misery, Ryan Coogler, Silence of the Lambs, Sinners, The Shape of Water, Weapons | Leave a comment

Horror fans and the Oscars have not had a long and friendly relationship. Over the decades, when some incredible performances have been given out in a wide variety of titles, because they are classified as horror, they usually get passed over. Not always, but in the history of cinema that is well over a century old, let’s face it… traditionally, if it is a horror film, it won’t get nominated besides maybe in makeup or visual effects.

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2025 Year End Review Part 2 – Best Viewings

January 2, 2026 by Jon Kitley in Year End Reviews and tagged Bride from Hades, Bring Her Back, Bryan Bertino, Dakota Fanning, Daniel DelPurgatorio, Danny Philippou, Dark and the Wicked, Frankenstein, Guillermo del Toro, Heart Eyes, John Lithgow, Kathryn Hunter, Marshmallow, Michael Philippou, Monster Island, Peony Lantern, Rule of Jenny Pen, Ryan Coogler, Satsuo Yamamoto, Sinners, Strange Darlings, Talk to Me, The Long Walk, The Monster of London City, The Red House, The Ugly Stepsister, Together, Trouble Every Day, Vicious, Weapons, Wolfkin, Zach Cregger | Leave a comment

And who says there are no good movies coming out these days? For the last couple of years, my Best Viewings of the year have mainly been recent releases, most from that current year. And 2025 was no different. There are 2 from the ’60s, 1 from 2023, 1 from 2024, and the rest from 2025. That tells me a couple of things. That either in past years, I was busy playing catch up with a lot of older great titles that I had never seen before, or that there are some still people out there busting their ass to make some original and entertaining horror films.

I didn’t think I was going to make it, but I set a new personal record for me, barely, but still did it. I manage to knock out 447 films this year, with 209 being new viewings. It sometimes amazes me how many I actually get through each year, but honestly, there are some nights when I can get through 3 movies with no problem. It really has to do with the love of cinema.

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Frankenstein Books from del Toro

October 28, 2025 by Jon Kitley in Book News and tagged Frankenstein, Guillermo del Toro, Insight Editions, Mary Shelley | Leave a comment

With the release of his version of Frankenstein, it was only natural that there would be some books put out on the making of it, and here they are. Buckle up though, because one of them is a bit pricy, but like most of the books on del Toro’s work, I’m sure it will be well worth it.

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Making of the Descent Book

May 31, 2025 by Jon Kitley in Book News and tagged Dog Soldiers, Guillermo del Toro, Janine Pipe, Neil Marshall, Sausages: The Making of Dog Soldiers, The Making of The Descent | Leave a comment

Back in 2002, Neil Marshal did something that not many directors could do. And that was getting a film to premiere on the Sci-Fi Channel that was actually a damn good movie! That film was Dog Soldiers. And then, in 2005, he broke another rule by making a movie about spelunking . . . and making it damn good as well! That film was The Descent, which is about a group of women out on a cave exploring vacation that end up not only getting stuck underground but then come across something else living down there.

In 2022, author Janine Pipe gave us Sausages: The Making of Dog Soldiers, but now she is back giving us another book on Marshall’s second feature film, The Descent, this time with Marshall working alongside Pipe. The title is simply called The Making of The Descent and is the definitive book that contains extensive interviews with the cast and crew, with plenty of photographs and illustrations, Marshall’s notes and memories of the film, and much more.

This 176-page hardcover edition will be available in August, being published by Telos Publishing, priced at £34.99, or about $47. For a film that director Guillermo del Toro calls a “bona fide top-tier horror film”, I’m sure this book with be more than worthy of any film fan’s library.