Black Christmas, I gave you, my heart.
The very next....13 years later, you gave it away.

This is 2019's Black Christmas, a Film that was, well, not received well.  I've gone all of this time without watching it.

That said, it took me 17 years from its release date to watch the 2006 Remake.  This one was only 6 years.

The Plot, well, is a loose Remake of the original Bob Clark Film.  Much like the so-called Prom Night Remake, it takes some elements, uses the name and...that's it.

This one has ladies in peril on Christmas, but not from an unseen killer, not trapped in the House...and not with a bizarre, tacked on Third Act in the Hospital.

So, if you want to be mad at this Film, do it for different reasons than 'It's another Remake.  LOL.  Hollywood has no original ideas anymore!'

Can our vastly different Cast of would-be Victims stop the killer (or killers) before it is too late?

To find out, read on...

She thinks she escapes...but fails.

The Story follows a Sorority that has some issues with many people on campus.

But who cares- it is Christmas!

After a satirical remake of the Christmas song from 'Mean Girls,' they start getting threatening texts from...the Founder of the School.

Said Founder is obviously dead, but they did force the Campus to remove his bust from display.

'Do you like Christmas Movies?'

Things escalate when some of the girls go missing.

We also get some light homages to the original (and possibly Exorcist 3).

The group manages to band together when the killer breaks into their Sorority House.
Just like in the Original...kind of.

However, things take a turn when more than one killer appears...and it only gets weirder from there.

This is one of those Films with a bizarre turn (or 3) in Act 3 that you will either love or hate.

Until then, feel free to (festively) stream it now...

A Film that I honestly liked more than the official Remake from 2006.

If you're burnt out on Remakes, consider a Film like this that is less paint-by-numbers than many.  Whether you let this Film play out or not, there's something there to see- even if it is well hidden.

A 'Remake' that gave me lots of bizarre joy.  It's definitely 'a lot' though!

A Merry Christmas to all who read this, whether you give this Film a chance or not.

 As teased last week, I bundled all of these gifts together for you.

If you want to know my take on all of the Films (save the 2025 Remake), here they are...

1) Silent Night, Deadly Night (MONDO BIZARRO: Yuletide Classic: Silent Night, Deadly Night): A Cult Classic that traumatized a generation...of yuppies and baby boomers...with its ad campaign.

The actual Film is typical '80s Slasher carnage with a festive flair.  Woo!

2) Silent Night, Deadly Night- Part 2 (MONDO BIZARRO: Holiday Trash: Silent Night, Deadly Night- Part 2): A Film that started out as a blatant cash grab became a world famous meme.

As you may or may not know, the plan was to shoot a tiny bit of footage of the Brother grown up and mix in the original Film footage to sell the same Film twice.

They added so much that it became much more.  It became true Garbage (Day) that people love.

3) Silent Night, Deadly Night 3 (MONDO BIZARRO: Forgotten Sequels: Silent Night, Deadly Night 3): Ah yes, the Film that I once bought on VHS...since that was all it had at the time.

This Threequel follows the Brother, who somehow survived being shot in the head.  He's now Bill Mosely and he's tracking a blind, psychic lady on Christmas...because reasons.

4) Silent Night, Deadly Night 4- The Initiation (MONDO BIZARRO: Tubi Thursday: Silent Night Deadly Night 4- Initiation): aka the cash grab one by Brian Yuzna.

This is the least connected 'Sequel' so far with Ricky now a hobo (with his head restored) who works for Witches that empower women...or something.

Great VFX by Screaming Mad George though.

5) Silent Night, Deadly Night 5- The Toymaker (MONDO BIZARRO: Holiday Tubi: Silent Night, Deadly Night 5- The Toymaker (1991)): The Film that accidentally made one man into a hypocrite (against his will).

Outspoken Critic of the first Film Mickie Rooney is playing an evil Toymaker whose 'son' is a killer doll.   

No Ricky to speak of...since this was an unrelated Film that got rebranded to sell more VHS tapes.

6) Silent Night (2012) [MONDO BIZARRO: Merry Deathmas: Silent Night (2012)]: The kind of, sort of Remake that nobody wanted.

Over 20 years after the last Film, this one- likely inspired by the wave of Horror Remakes- does little with the premise, raises a million questions and is, honestly, not that good.

Bonus: The Japanese Cover Art for the original Film (MONDO BIZARRO: Lost in Translation?: Silent Night, Deadly Night)

 A Christmas gift that was lost in the move.

For a brief period, I posted many Reviews to a different site and didn't bother to put them here too.

As such, I 'missed' this one to complete my Omnibus for Silent Night Deadly Night.

This is Brian Yuzna's...

So when a woman jumps to her death *while on fire* from a building, she follows the story.

She runs across a woman (Maud Adams) who runs a weird Bookstore.

She also has to keep away from Clint Howard...

He witnessed the burning and seems confused.

He's also somehow Ricky, who went from a blond guy who says 'Garbage Day' to Bill Moseley with a brain pan to...this.

She is drawn deeper into the Cult that this lady is running.

This is a Film with Screaming Mad George on VFX, so they go for it.

The Cult keeps dosing her and she doesn't realize it.

Ricky kills her boyfriend and then...things somehow get worse.

They want her to kill her boyfriend's brother to complete the ritual.

The End.

Everything Trashy Everywhere All The Time

A weird Film that is technically canon...maybe...i guess.

If you like weird Films and don't mind a barely passable connection to the Series, this is fine.  I won't tell you the other Film that was 'inspired' by this one.

A Film that is technically a Christmas Film, but mostly an excuse to connect Scenes of crazy effects.  That said, they are fun (and gross) effects.

 What happens if you flip a Holiday Classic into a Horror Film?

You either get Nightmare on 34th Street (real) A Christmas Murder (not real?) or...

He is trying to buy up all of the small businesses, including one owned by The Cigarette Smoking Man.

On Christmas Eve, a masked killer takes out the Smoking Man and then others.

While he's trying to kill Jimmy Caruthers (son of Joel McHale), his Sister stops him.

A year later, she's miserable as nobody wants to talk about everything that happened, even the deaths.

She goes to a Bridge and wishes that she was never born.

As the pun Title would imply, this actually works.

Like George Bailey, she sees what life would be like without her.

Everyone is sad.
Justin Long is basically a despot.

To find out, stream it now.

A fun Film which takes a familiar Plot in some new directions.

It won't replace your Classics, but it is a nice addition.  Just like Henry, you can trust my judgement...

A fun twist on a Christmas Classic.  Time will tell if this one joins those Films in your Holiday rotation.

 Oh joy, a Film that is even LESS about Elves than the 1980s Horror Film also called Elves.

This one is less disturbing for its Plot, but does have its moments...

They couldn't put fake lights on the stove?!?

As noted, this is technically a Sequel to The Elf.  I covered that in 2023.

I'd stick with Exploding Kittens.

This plays out by one of the Elf Dolls (there are basically 2 and they never act like the Cover Photo) being near you and someone's face being morphed into Elf-like faces.

It is a genuinely creepy and good effect, to be fair.

So, naturally, this Christmas update of The Happening Meets The Boy can't just feature this.

To see if this all ties together, stream this Film now.

How do you make me bored with tiny, creepy little killers?

Regardless, it doesn't exactly bring the Christmas cheer for all you weirdos like me.

A Film that has a good effect...and not much else.  It is padded to hell and just can't decide on what it should be about.

 Do you know that Shane Black loves Christmas?

If you didn't, now you do.

The guy has written many Screenplays and Written/Directed Films that have grossed over $1 Billion.

For him, the Most Wonderful Time of the Year is a great time to set Screenplays.

Let me show you why...

1) Giving

Lethal Weapon- Riggs and Murtagh give each other a reason to keep going.  They give each other motivation.

The Long Kiss Goodnight- Samantha is able to reveal the truth, giving safety to everyone.

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang- Harry gives a new purpose to Perry and Faith.

Iron Man 3- Stark gives (or loans) his suit to Pepper, setting up her own suit for Endgame.

2) Parties

Lethal Weapon- We see Murtaugh celebrate with his Family.

The Long Kiss Goodnight- a pre-awakened Samantha celebrates the Holiday.

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang- Our Hero meets our Heroine first at a Christmas Party.

Iron Man 3- Tony tries to have a private party with Pepper at home.

3) Trees

Lethal Weapon- the climax takes place in the Street surrounded by said trees.

The Long Kiss Goodnight- shoot out by some trees?  Yep!

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang- they aren't outside in L.A. Winter, but they show up.

Iron Man 3- does the richest Avenger have a tree?  Oh yeah!  So do many others too.

4) Snow

Lethal Weapon- Los Angeles is not big on snow, sadly.

The Long Kiss Goodnight- snow is everywhere in the outdoor Scenes.

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang- More L.A. Winter- damn!

Iron Man 3- Black with the save here as Iron Man crashes into the Midwest and is laid out in the snow.

As a bonus, it nearly matches the plight of exasperated John McClain in Die Hard 2.

5) Christmas Past & Future

Lethal Weapon- Riggs' past readies him for his future challenges with Diplomats and others.

The Long Kiss Goodnight- her violent and dangerous Christmas prepares her for...a return to normalcy.

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang- Harry survives a Christmas case to become a Detective.

Iron Man 3- Tony's past exploits during the Season created his future Extremis foe.  Whoops.

Lethal Weapon- Murtagh's family grows to include Riggs.  Aw!

The Long Kiss Goodnight- her family is her anchor and she even returns to it, forgoing action (for now).

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang- Harry and Perry become just like (a dysfunctional) family by the end.

Iron Man 3- Stark destroys his old family (the suits) to make a new one...eventually in Endgame.

Are there more examples and Themes to cover?

If so, let me know and Merry Christmas!

 A Film about a dark, blood sacrifice- Merry Christmas to me!

This is The Sacrifice Game, a 2023 Horror Film brought to me by Shudder.  I had more plans for Christmas than I can manage- basically a free/cheap way to cover the 2019 Black Christmas Remake- this Year.

As such, I'll settle for this Film- the Horror Version of The Holdovers.

* 1970's Setting- check.
* Student(s) and Teacher left at a School- check.
* Lots of death- okay, just this one.

This one is recent, so minimal SPOILERS ahoy!

They are very ritualistic and there's clearly something more going on.

Bad news- they are headed towards a School.

There's worse news, of course.

A trio of people are left there for Christmas.

A young lady abandoned by her Stepdad due to a business, a strange girl stuck there for no clear reason and a Teacher to watch them.

Things go badly for everyone involved.

Oh, and they're here to summon something evil...

What happens when things don't quite go their way?

To find out, stream this festive fright now.

A fun, freaky Christmas Film for all of you out there who don't want to watch A Christmas Story all day.

A Film that is more than what you think.  It doesn't reinvent the wheel either- so just enjoy it!

 Let's wrap our yearly look at Krampus Films up with one that I probably should have done first.

When you look up Krampus Films, this one usually comes up first.

Is it the bad CGI?  The 2015 release date?

Yes.

Some vague amount of time later, a girl is annoyed with her Foster Parents and pulls out a strange doll.

A terrible CGI Model...I mean, Krampus shows up and kills both of them.

We are told that they were burned up as well.

This Cop- who looks like Claudio Castagnoli if you squint- is on the case.

At least they sprung for the make-up effects on him.

The Child Psychologist is on the case.

I'm sure that won't pan out.

Krampus is continuing to punish those that are bad, seemingly at the girl's beck and call.

This...is really what they went with.

Can the truth get revealed?

To find out, ho-ho-hop on over to Tubi to stream it now.

One of the OG Krampus Films- even if still only exists due to the Hollywood Film.

They did, however, get me an early present- another fake Movie Search Engine...

There are worse Krampus Films and it aimed high.  Unfortunately, the Plot was still kind of silly when you really think about it for five seconds.