Worst2First: My Top Ten Christmas Horror Films
Worst2First:
My Top Ten Christmas Horror Films
**THERE WILL BE NO SPOILERS**
#10
Jack Frost
After a killer dies, he's brought back to life as a snowman, and sets out to get revenge against the sheriff who put him in jail. The premise itself is outlandish, but what follows is a hilarious set of hi-jinks that's perfect for the 90s B-rated horror fan, filled with humorous puns and off-the-wall kills that prove the film doesn't take itself seriously, and therefore we shouldn't either. That doesn't mean it's not enjoyable, it's a fun little romp for the Christmas horror fan in us all.
#9
Santa's Slay
In this dark horror comedy, wrestler Bill Goldberg plays Santa, who was forced to be nice after loosing a curling match (yes, a curling match) to an angel, and had to give presents to children for a thousand years. Now the thousand years is up, and Santa is out to deliver his own type of gifts - murderous mayhem. The film is laugh-out-loud funny, with surprising cameos by the likes of Fran Drescher, Rebecca Gayheart, Chris Kattan, and James Caan, and Goldberg hams Santa up like no other.
#8
Silent Night
Loosely based off the "Silent Night, Deadly Night" franchise (and also loosely based off the true Covina massacre where a man dressed up as Santa and killed nine people), "Silent Night" centers on a deranged man who disguises himself as Santa and terrorizes a small town on Christmas Eve. Co-starring Malcolm McDowell and Jaime King, "Silent Night" is filled with gory violence, and supplies the second-best use of a wood chipper after "Fargo."
#7
Sint
Dutch director Dick Maas turns the classic tale of Santa on its head with "Sint," a dark-comedy film where Sinterklaas (the original Santa) wreaks havoc when Christmas lands on a full moon. The film has some great imagery and costume designs, especially when it comes to dressing Santa in his traditional garb instead of how Western audiences see him nowadays, and provides a thrilling, fun ride with unique kills and chills.
#6
Krampus
Blending Christmas horror and comedy, "Krampus" tells the story of the oft-forgotten companion of Santa, who punishes children who misbehave. In this film, a young boy looses faith in Christmas due to his dysfunctional family, and they're hunted by Krampus and his evil minions. Foregoing typical CGI effects, director Michael Dougherty brought in the minds behind the effects for "Lord of the Rings" to give Krampus a real-life feel. To top it off, the film boasts a strong cast including Adam Scott, Toni Collette, and David Koechner.
#5
The Children
When you think of Christmas, you think of families coming together, and children being youthful and innocent. Director Tom Shankland turns this concept on its head with "The Children," a British film where a group of families travel to a secluded home to spend the holidays together. When their children contract a strange sickness, they turn on their parents and try to kill them. It's a haunting tale involving incidents you think would never happen, and hope never will. The acting is superb, especially from the grown-ups, who wrestle with the fact that they'll have to kill their children before they kill them.
#4
Silent Night, Deadly Night
When he sees his parents murdered by a man dressed as Santa, young Billy spends his formidable years in an orphanage until he becomes of age, and the trauma that he suffered as a kid rises to the surface, and he in turn becomes a killer Santa. Basically the "Halloween" of Christmas movies, "Silent Night, Deadly Night" is most well-known for receiving such negative press that the film was pulled a week after release, but it's since grown a cult following - not to mention several sequels.
#3
The Nightmare Before Christmas
Most people believe Tim Burton directed this masterpiece, but it was actually Henry Selick behind the director's chair, based off the story from Burton's own imagination. Jack Skellington is the king of Halloweentown, but finds himself getting bored at the repetitive ceremonies. He discovers a whole new land filled with lights and candy, and a strange man named Santa, and wishes to bring that same cheer to Halloween, resulting in humorous consequences. The film is a classic, with stellar music by Danny Elfman, and a truly unique use of stop-motion animation that's truly a marvel to behold.
#2
Black Christmas
Known for the film that inspired John Carpenter to write and direct "Halloween," "Black Christmas" remains to this day one of the most iconic horror Christmas-themed movies ever. A strange man stalks and kills a group of sorority girls who are living on campus during Christmas, and the results are a bloody thrill ride filled with tension, chills, and truly scary moments, even for a film released in 1974, and Boasts a strong cast including Olivia Hussey, Margot Kidder, and John Saxon.
#1
Gremlins
Produced by Steven Spielberg and directed by Joe Dante, "Gremlins" remains one of the best horror-Christmas films ever, as well as Christmas films overall. The story centers on a young man who receives a unique Christmas gift - a mogwai he names Gizmo. He has to follow three simple rules - don't feed him after midnight, don't get him wet, and don't expose it to sunlight, but after he fails to do so, Gizmo releases other gremlins that aren't as friendly. Terrorizing the town, these gremlins are equally terrifying and oddly cute in a way that families can enjoy this film together, as the terror never gets too frightening for children, and Gizmo remains to this day one of cinema's cutest creatures. For a film released in 1984, the effects still hold well today, due to stellar effects and puppetry.
Comments
Post a Comment