Blu-ray Review: CHRISTMAS EVIL

CHRISTMAS EVIL
a.k.a. YOU BETTER WATCH OUT

Written & Directed by  Lewis Jackson
Distributed by Vinegar Syndrome

  I have to admit I had never heard of CHRISTMAS EVIL when it was sent to me for review.  I have seen what I thought was most all of these Christmas related horror films, but somehow this one has alluded me all these years.  I love Christmas themed horror movies for some reason.  I guess the vast differences in feelings you get from horrible things happening during what is normally one of, if not, the happiest times of the year just really works for me.  My favorite Christmas themed horror film has been SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT, but after viewing Vinegar Syndrome's release of CHRISTMAS EVIL, I think I have a new favorite!   Here is the plot synopsis from the Vinegar Syndrome website:

 When he was a boy, Harry idolized Santa Claus, but one Christmas Eve, he witnessed something horrifying that forever shattered his innocent understanding of Santa. Now an adult, Harry wants to embody the pure Santa Claus he grew up loving. He works at a toy factory and keeps records of who’s been naughty and nice, but the spirit of Christmas isn’t what it used to be and he can’t take it. So, garbed in his red suit, Harry decides that the only thing he can do is to become Santa himself and make all of the naughty townspeople pay…in blood!

  This is a film I will be sure to revisit over and over.  In fact, I think I have found me a new holiday tradition!  CHRISTMAS EVIL is a very well made film on all levels.  I found the acting to be great, especially from lead actor Brandon Maggart , who gives a great performance as a man who has some obvious mental issues!  His character keeps a list of all the neighborhood kids and writes down anytime he sees any of them do anything wrong.  Some of these lists are pretty funny and include such awful things such as "picks his nose" and "improper body hygiene"!  Ha!    The film has some dark comedy intertwined into it, but the film is mainly a straight horror flick, and a fine one at that!  Great camera work, great music, great acting.....CHRISTMAS EVIL has it all!

  I also must comment on the Blu-ray transfer of this film.  The picture quality is remarkable and if it weren't for the horrible clothes and big hair, I would have never believed this film was from the 80's.  The picture clarity was remarkable.  

Vinegar Syndrome has done an excellent job releasing Lewis Jackson’s cult favorite Christmas Evil newly restored in 4k and on blu-ray for the first time!  Special Features include the following:

+ Blu-ray & DVD Combo Pack | Region Free | DTS-HD Master Audio
+ Restored in 4k from 35mm archival elements
+ Commentary track with Lewis Jackson
+ Commentary track with Lewis Jackson & Brandon Maggart
+ Commentary track with Lewis Jackson & John Waters
+ Archival video interviews with Lewis Jackson & Brandon Maggart
+ Original theatrical trailer
+ Deleted scenes & screen tests
+ Storyboards & comment cards gallery


CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to purchase the DVD/Blu-ray Combo Pack

DVD Review: DON'T OPEN TILL CHRISTMAS (1984)

   

DON'T OPEN TILL CHRISTMAS
Directed by  Edmund Purdom
Distributed by Mondo Macabro / TLA Releasing

Just in time for Christmas comes this little known slasher flick from Mondo Macabro and the great folks at TLA Releasing.  TLA is selling this film under their TLA Cult line.   I say this film is "little known" because I, for one, had never heard of it before.  Maybe some of you already knew about this one, but I sure didn't.  I am glad I finally got to know about this film, even if it is 27 years after it's initial release! For those of you like me that aren't familiar with this film, here is the basic plot synopsis from TLAcult.com:

It's Christmas time in London - the season of good will to all men. A time for celebration, a time for family, a time for presents. This year, it's also time for a masked maniac to be let loose on the streets. His intended victims are chosen at random but they all have one thing in common: they are dressed in the flowing white beard and bright red robes of Santa Claus.
The police are baffled as the horrific death toll rises. Fourteen dead Santas and only three killing days left until Christmas.

 This is a classic 80's slasher film that at first seems to be a little short on plot, focusing more on just the killings, but changes toward the end with a plot twist and the reveal of the killer.   All the elements of a great 80's slasher film are contained in DON'T OPEN TILL CHRISTMAS, including bad 80's hair and clothes, synthesized background sounds and music, gratuitous nudity, and some bad overacting.   All this adds up to a blast from the past when watching this film.   Most everyone will agree that the 80's was the best decade for slasher flicks, so getting to see a new one that I hadn't seen before was quite a treat!

Like all great slasher flicks, there is plenty of blood in this film.  The effects are really good including a stabbing scene so realistic I still wonder how they did it and a castration scene that will make me think twice when using a public restroom ever again!   

The killer is targeting people in Santa costumes and the flashback as to why that is will make you understand why those in Santa suits are getting singled out.   The only thing I didn't understand is why (when it is all over the news and paper that there is a killer on the loose targeting those dressed in Santa costumes) there are are so many people still dressing in Santa suits out in public!

DON'T OPEN TILL CHRISTMAS was definitely a fun find and one I will be adding to my yearly holiday viewing schedule from here on out.   

The DVD is packed with some cool extra features including:

* 52 minute "Making Of" feature
*  Documentary about producer Dick Randall
*  Trailers
*  Extensive production notes
*  Mondo Macabro previews


CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to purchase the DVD

Check out the trailer for the killer Santa Clause film, SINT

It looks like killer Santa movies is the popular thing now. I read on Shattered Ravings a couple of weeks ago about a Finnish film called RARE EXPORTS. That movie looked good, but I think we might have a new king of killer Santa movies! Quietearth.us has posted a trailer for a film called SINT, a dutch film (Netherlands) that depicts Santa Claus as a brutal killer who kidnaps and murders children when there is a full moon on Dec. 5th. I am assuming "Sint" is the dutch word for 'Saint", but don't quote me on that. Anyway, take a look at the trailer and let me know what you think! Either way, both of these films look better than the U.S. take on a killer Santa with SANTA'S SLAY starring wrester Bill Goldberg! Bleh!!

CLICK HERE to watch the trailer

CLICK HERE to visit the film's official website