a double shot of christmas spirits

Posted in Film by Ashley : December 22, 2007

Yes, it’s holiday time again and you know what that means! Christmas movies! Last night we hunkered down with our Christmas movie pals for the annual Christmas Evil showing! You know, I actually think I like this more each time I see it. Another one of those old classics brought back to life by the wonderful folks at Troma (of course), this is easily the best Christmas horror film out there. No competition. Brandon Maggert plays Harry, a young boy whose love of Christmas is upset buy witnessing his mother put out the stocking for Santa in a way much different then what he was used to. He grows up to be a manager at a toy factory where he remains obsessed with Santa Claus and toys for the kiddies and Christmas… So obsessed that he can’t stand any criticism of the holiday or bad boys and girls. He keeps watch on the kids in the neighborhood, noting their behaviors in great big “good” and “bad” books. Then, on Christmas Eve, he sets off to do the Santa thing. With a home-made suit, that is genuinely one of the best Santa costumes I’ve seen, and a white van with a sleigh painted on the side, he goes about his rounds: delivering toys to the good kids and treating the bad folks how they deserve to be treated.

 

Christmas Evil

standing too close to the chimney

 

 

Christmas Evil

ho ho ho

 

Maggert gives an inspired performance as the crazy-man, everyman, Santa-man who fights for the spirit of Christmas on his own terms. Knowing that Christmas is more important than, well, anything else, he leaves behind such outdated topics as laws and he brings cheer or havoc wherever he goes!

And we also watched the 1984 TV version of A Christmas Carol starring George C Scott as Scrooge and David Warner as Bob Crachit. I thought this was a great version. Richly told, with great actors, and a level of depth to the story greater than I remember in other versions, this seems flawless. In addition to the above well-played and involving story, Scott is great as Scrooge and it features some great ghosts (especially Edward Woodward as Christmas Present).

 

Edward Woodward

christmas present

 

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