Your Christmas Movies! Whatcha' Watchin' this Christmas season?

[The Reaper Man@Cult Labs]

As the teen brigade put the tree and the decorations up yesterday,I decided to kick of the Crimbo film season with the Blu Ray of Christmas Evil.

'You Better Watch Out',one of the film's alternative titles is a far more appropriate moniker,as the protagonist,Harry-(mentally disturbed from Santa tampering with Mommy!) is a genuine Robin Hood type character and is far from evil.....

Vinegar Syndrome have done the film proud on this BD release and it looks and sounds fantastic.

Waiting for the new U.S. edition of the original Black Christmas to arrive!

Silent Night Deadly Night next methinks!

[Susan Foreman]

The TRUE spirit of Christmas!

[Demoncrat]

Originally Posted by Susan Foreman

The TRUE spirit of Christmas!

I second this emotion

[MacBlayne]

Originally Posted by Stephen@Cult Labs

I've actually had lots of people at work tell me Lethal Weapon isn't a Christmas movie, and have to explain to them that any movie set during the festive period is a Christmas movie.

If it's by Shane Black, it's going to be Christmas. I'm pretty sure I saw a Christmas tree in the background in The Nice Guys trailer.

[Inspector Abberline]

Stigma (1977 )
Entirely different kettle of ghosts this short film, again directed by Lawrence Gordon Clark and based on a original story by Clive Exton.Although not a bad story I do think it was bad idea not to continue with the M.R.James stories or any other classic author ,I think the period setting for these stories make for a more timeless film,as soon as something is set in the 60's or 70s then its immediately dated the film. The story concerns a family living in the country side,while the mother and daughter are home some workmen who are laying a new lawn discover a giant ancient stone.As soon as the soon as the stone is disturbed the mother Kate Binchy as Katherine starts bleeding from the pours of her skin.There's no doubt that film does build a feeling of unease,and as the stone is uncovered , a skeleton is found underneath,mean while Katherine has started bleeding profusely . Its obviously a curse that has been uncovered with unearthing of the skeleton. The story has no real conclusion were just left with the mystery of both events happening at the same time.There is a genuine creepiness in having these unconnected events happening but with no real motive to connect them,at the end of the film were just left scratching our heads feeling none the wiser.Which obviously let s our imagination fill in the gaps.The daughter at the end says that the body was a witch who was buried under the stone.and is seen peeling an onion,not sure what the significance is of the onion but im sure are residence witch might be able to help on this one.Stigma if anything could of done with abit more in the way of back story,its to short to be a really effective as a good horror story.

[Inspector Abberline]

The Ice House.{1978}
Predictably another non period piece and the last in that present series,is to say the least pretty much a disappointment,it looks and feels more like an episode of Tales Of The Unexpected but without the usual sting in the tale at the end of its story,In fact Roald Dahl would of binned this tale.Although it has potential and has some very intriguing ideas it never delivers any shocks or thrills.Directed by Derek Lister and based on a story by John Griffith Bowen it really lacks any sort of energy or interest.Set around a private health farm ,Paul (John Stride) is there to recuperate after leaving his wife. The main problem being is that series had been great up until the last two episodes,and comparing these two to the rest was going to be a problem.And truth be told how ever many time I have watched this particular episode I really have trouble arousing any interest in anything that is happening on the screen.The story of The Ice House and the aroma of the vines and the brother and sister who run the residential health spa,is im afraid all a little boring and somewhat staid . Alright call me dunder head but I think a story line and some explanatory dialogue would of helped this film no end,im all for using one's imagination etc but sometimes you like a bit of good old fashioned story telling , it never hurt Jackanory did it. I may be being abit harsh but I could not get into this drama,and believe me I have tried my best on numerous occasions. I would be very interested in hearing an opposing view (but be warned i give a mean Chinese burn and nipple twist) .Does anyone actually like this film,answers on a postcard or sticky down envelope.....

out of 5

[bizarre_eye@Cult Labs]

Despite 'liking' your review, I actually enjoy The Ice House. It's certainly not the best Ghost Story for Christmas episode but there's something about the slightly surreal off-kilter nature to it that I like.

[Inspector Abberline]

Originally Posted by bizarre_eye@Cult Labs

Despite 'liking' your review, I actually enjoy The Ice House. It's certainly not the best Ghost Story for Christmas episode but there's something about the slightly surreal off-kilter nature to it that I like.

Well im glad it has its fan's , by the way which arm do you want your Chinese burn on.

[Demdike@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by bizarre_eye@Cult Labs

Despite 'liking' your review, I actually enjoy The Ice House. It's certainly not the best Ghost Story for Christmas episode but there's something about the slightly surreal off-kilter nature to it that I like.

Oddly although i'd never recommend it to anyone i've watched it several times. Although there's nothing on the surface to make you go 'wow' i always enjoy it.

Has anyone watched the series Supernatural? A BBC series from the late 70's. It's lovely and Gothic but so, so boring.

[MacBlayne]

I posted this on Krank and the reaction has been less than great. Oh, well...

Life is full of many mysteries. Why do cows always face north or south while eating? Why did some mammals return to the sea after evolving the ability to walk on land? And why do people, year after year, nominate It’s a Wonderful Life as one of the greatest Christmas films ever made?

That Frank Capra’s ode to corn and bullshit could prove to be so popular is downright perplexing. In case you don’t already know, It’s a Wonderful Life follows the non-adventures of George Bailey, a Walter Mitty type who was forced to give up on his dreams to run his dad’s Savings & Loans business. Driven to the brink after his moronic uncle Billy loses $8,000 (that’ll be around $90,000 today), he is ready to top himself when he is rescued by the guardian angel, Clarence. Fed up with his life, Clarence shows George what life would be like if he didn’t exist.

As George Bailey, Jimmy Stewart delivers the most infuriating performance committed to film. So annoying is he, that only Clarence (Henry Travers) and Jar-Jar Binks come close to him. The film’s best scene is the one that doesn’t feature Stewart – where a young George is slapped about by his elderly boss.

And let’s not forget the film’s running time: two hours and ten minutes. Ask many what It’s A Wonderful Life is about and they will give you some variation of the above synopsis. But, the bloody angel doesn’t show up until the ninety minute mark. So for an hour and a half you will have to put up Jimmy Stewart yelling, “HOTDOG!” again and again; doing his best imitation of a record skipping whenever he says “and” (and believe me, it’s a f****** lot) and being an overall nuisance of a c*** before we get to see the horrors that would happen to his town if he wasn’t born.

And what horrors indeed. Why, there’s a bar that serves hard liquor to the working class. What heinous bastards! And then there’s the… the… the… Forgive me, but it’s as hard to type these following monstrosities as it was to witness them but… there was a dancing club!!! And it was probably filled with scandalous wenches. Honestly, was this the worst Capra could think of? At least toss in an opium den or a pimp or two.

Capra’s ballad for middle-class conformity and white picket fences is one of the most sickly films ever made. It’s the type of film that I could imagine Margaret Thatcher cackling to, as she twirled a glass of sherry between her fingers while Dennis passes out on the recliner. The overall message is one that admonishes you for attempting to aspire to greater things. Instead, you should be proud of licking your superior’s boots. Don’t ever change.

It’s a Wonderful Life. It’s Actually Shite.