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Christmas Horror Movies – Part 1

Christmas Horror Movies – Part 1

With Halloween still eleven months away, and cheerful jingles being played ad nauseam since 12:01 a.m. on November 1st (if not earlier in some stores), for many horror fans, this is the slow part of the year.  However, the Christmas season is actually ripe with horror touches if you know where to look. Horror and Christmas actually have a long history together – from Krampus to the old tradition of telling scary stories on Christmas (remember that line from It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year – “there will be scary ghost stories”). Many filmmakers have modernized that tradition to create amazing frightfully fun Christmas horror movies.

Here are some of the best films to add some scary to your merry Christmas: 

Chistmas Horror Movies: Part I

The Plot: Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, becomes bored of the same old Halloween routine. When he wanders into Christmas Town, he is inspired and tries to take over the holiday from “Sandy Claws” for a year – with disastrous results.

While there is heated debate in my household as to whether this is a Christmas or Halloween movie (and we have called it a Thanksgiving film as a compromise), this is one of the most-referenced horror-Christmas family films. Its music is catchy and memorable, and the unique style of Tim Burton shines through this stop-motion masterpiece.

The Plot: On December 5th, 1492, bishop Niklas and his murderous gang are killed in a fire after townsfolk rebel against their evil ways. They place a curse on the town, causing their ghosts to rise from the grave every December 5th that has a full moon. Over the years, as the truth of the gang is forgotten, Sinterklass becomes the legend of a benevolent Dutch Santa Claus that gives presents to kids. In 2010, a full moon presides over the annual Sinterklaas festival, causing Niklas and his gang to go on a murderous rampage in the town.

This action-packed horror film from the Netherlands is a fun watch for groups of friends. It adds a wonderful twist onto the rich Dutch folklore of Sinterklass and creates beautiful horror imagery from the traditional depiction of Saint Nick. It is a lesser-known Christmas horror, but worth a watch for horror film enthusiasts.

The Plot: On Christmas eve, a murderous Santa Claus goes on a rampage. He knows if you’ve been naughty and will fatally punish you for your transgressions. Can Sheriff Cooper (Malcolm McDowell) and the Deputy stop the killer before they also get put on Santa’s deadly naughty list?

This is not the most cerebral or fantastic film on the list, but it is a fun gore-fest that delivers exactly what it promises. A loose retelling of the classic Silent Night, Deadly Night, and within the same franchise, it doesn’t deliver anything new, but it is a solid slasher flick. The kills are creative and disgustingly bloody. It also has tongue-in-cheek humor that adds a little sparkle to this popcorn flick. My friends and I enjoy the humorous lines, such as:

  • “Don’t put avocado on the burger!”
  • “Double ‘S’, double screwed”

The Plot: During Christmas break, a group of sorority girls are stalked and murdered by a stranger.

Released in 1974, this Christmas horror movie is a seminal early slasher flick. It inspired filmmakers (like John Carpenter) for decades to follow. While not as gory as its successors, the subtle murders are still effective at sending chills down one’s spine. Its elusive killer is a complete stranger to the girls. The arbitrary killings make it all the scarier – anyone could be next – even you!

Black Christmas was remade in 2006 and a retelling is being released this December on Friday the 13th, 2019. None, however, can outshine the original.

The Plot: Working late on Christmas Eve, businesswoman Angela Bridges plunges into a deadly game of cat & mouse with her stalker.

While I was skeptical about the restricted setting of the film, director Franck Khalfoun does a wonderful job of keeping the film action-packed mostly within the setting of a parking garage. Actor Wes Bentley is perfect for the twisted parking attendant. This is a non-traditional Christmas horror movie for those looking for something a little different this holiday season.

Christmas Horror Movies: Part 2

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s post continuing our Christmas horror movie list. When posted, you can see it here:

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Events Movies News

Fears & Beers: “A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child”

Fears & Beers: “A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child”

Uniting horror lovers year-round, Screamfest presents Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child for their latest Fears & Beers event on Tuesday, April 16th, 2019 at 7:30 p.m. The event takes place at the TCL Chinese 6 Theaters (6801 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028). Tickets are $16.00 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.

The fifth installment of the popular franchise focuses on Alice (Lisa Wilcox), a survivor of the fourth, who believes Freddy Krueger (Robert Englund) has been eliminated for good. She optimistically hopes to start a life with fellow survivor Dan (Danny Hassel). The nightmares begin soon enough, though, and Alice learns she is pregnant. When her friends start dying, Alice suspects that Freddy is using the fetus within her as a weapon. Can she fight the demon while protecting her unborn child?

Fears & Beers events include a screening, Q&A, trivia, prizes, and more. They are wonderful events that bring together horror fans from around the area for an evening of socializing and fun. Each ticket includes a free beer for all guests over 21.

This month’s event includes screening of the 5th installment of the Nightmare on Elm Street series, a Q&A with Lisa Wilcox, Kelly Jo Minter, and other cast (TBA) moderated by Brian Collins of Birth.Movies.Death , and the usual socializing at the theater bar.

I hope to see you there!

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Art Entertainment

The Horror Photography of Joshua Hoffine

The Horror Photography of Joshua Hoffine

If you type “horror photography” into your search bar, the first site that appears is for Joshua Hoffine. You might not know him by name, but you have probably seen his work.

Hoffine’s photography mixes the horrific with the fantastic. Each image seems to come directly from our collective nightmares – from the thing under the bed to what lurks just around the corner. His art not only contains macabre antagonists, it also features elaborate sets that blur the line between reality and fantasy. The locations seem almost familiar, but include just touches of something off.

While creating these fascinating shots, Hoffine also includes friends, family, and even his own daughters to bring his vision to life.He constructs the movie-like sets and allows his subjects to act out the scene in front of the camera, causing each photograph to tell an all-to-familiar scary tale.

The images have been a source of nightmares and inspiration to many people in the horror/haunt industry. Visit Hoffine’s official website at: http://www.joshuahoffine.com/#/1 to see his entire collection.

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Film Friday Movies

“Jack” Short Film

“Jack” Short Film

Drew Daywalt is an expert in creating eerie short films. His youtube channel is full of creepy little movies that are sure to please any horror fan. Mockingbird and There’s No Such Thing never fail to creep me out, even though I have seen them dozens and dozens of times by now.

In Jack, Daywalt sets up the beginning of a horror tale in less than 60 seconds. Made for the Santa Barbara MINUTE Film Festival, this piece achieves its goal and makes us want 60 minutes more to find out the rest of the story. It is a wonderful inspiration and example of making every second count in your film.

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Events News

ScareLA Call for Films 2015

ScareLA Call for Films 2015

Attention filmmakers! ScareLA is now seeking submissions for their 2015 screening room. Both shorts and features are accepted, and you are able to submit as many of your films as your heart desires. Only the best of the best will be screened!

Do you have a film that embodies a Halloween and Haunted Attraction theme? Would you like a shot at screening it during a convention to be seen by the most die hard haunt, horror, and Halloween fans from across Southern California? Dig up your screener and send it in to the ScareLA staff!

Filmmakers whose works are chosen to be screened will receive two one-day admissions to ScareLA and bragging rights. Last year the most popular screenings had 50-100 audience members and with a new venue, more space, and more attendees, expect that number to skyrocket in 2015.

To submit your film, go to: http://scarela.com/scarela-film-submissions/  Fill out the easy submission form for the ScareLA Call for Films 2015 and you’re done!

I hope to see you all there. Happy Hauntings!

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