Christmas Evil
by Lewis Jackson
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DVD details
Actor: Andy Fenwick, Brandon Maggart, Brian Neville, Dianne Hull, Jeffrey DeMunnDirector: Lewis Jackson
Brand: RYKODISC
DVD: Region Code 0
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language)
Format: Color, Director's Cut, Dolby, DVD, NTSC, Special Edition, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.78:1
Running Time: 100 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2006-11-14
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Model: SFD0060
Studio: Synapse Films
Product features:
- Harry Stadling (Brandon Maggert) is obsessed with Christmas! In fact he wants to "be" the authentic Santa Claus, with a real suit, sleigh and reindeer. Ever since he learned the truth about Santa, he s tried to make Christmas a reality. Growing up a toy maker, Harry is met with naysayers and critics who mock him for his yuletide beliefs but he wants people to get the presents they deserve, even if
DVD Reviews of Christmas Evil
DVD Review: Better than One Hour Photo
Summary: 4 Stars
I've probably seen quite a few movies involving a loner with psychological issues that seeks to punish those who don't adhere to his idealized world view. Taxi Driver is easily my favorite of this type of film, maybe because the Travis Bickle character resonates with me in some deep, dark way. There are others that I find irritating, such as One Hour Photo, because they lack any real complexity or willingness to really go for the gusto. In One Hour Photo, for example, Robin Williams' character is obsessed with developing pictures because they represent happy memories that he can never have. He is no Travis Bickle, that's for sure. Travis doesn't have a cut and dry source of meaning to focus on, he's just vaguely disgusted. Maybe he'll assassinate a politician, or maybe he'll rescue a young girl from prostitution. And then catch a matinee at the porno theatre. All I know is, Taxi Driver isn't one-dimensional and safe like One Hour Photo. Taxi Driver is how all psychological suspense descent into madness character study movies should be, in my opinion.
Christmas Evil probably leans more toward One Hour Photo in that the main character is obsessed with Christmas because the holiday represents the happy memories that he can never have. His house is filled with toys, he sleeps in Santa Claus pajamas and he spies on children to see if they're misbehaving (keeping records in his good and bad children books). He even works in a toy factory. From what I could tell, his issues stem from his witnessing Santa Claus (who was actually his father) undressing his mother in the living room as a child. Not much of a reason to become a wacko adult, but I guess he was a really sensitive soul.
The violence in Christmas Evil is suprisingly subdued, and I can't really understand why anyone would classify it as a slasher film. It's not really as campy as I though it would be, either. In fact, most of the movie is pretty low key and decently acted. Nothing about is particularly gratuitous or obnoxious. It's just about a guy who wants to be Santa Claus and spread good holiday cheer, even if a few people have to get killed.
What sets it apart from One Hour Photo is that it's not as sterile (i.e. dull) and the ending is way better than the cop-out conclusion of the Robin Williams movie. Christmas Evil is certainly no Taxi Driver, but it doesn't try to wrap up everything so nice and neat. And, of course, a crazy Santa is way more interesting than a crazy guy who develops photographs.
John Waters is a big fan fan of Christmas Evil, and I can understand why during certain parts, but it is nowhere near as outrageous as most John Waters movies. It's not really outrageous at all, but, instead, quietly twisted. It's difficult to determine what sort of film watcher to recommend this movie to, because it doesn't go far enough into horror or campiness to satisfy those who enjoy that sort of thing. Nor is it as gritty as Taxi Driver or as slick as One Hour Photo.
Christmas Evil might just work as a mildly dark alternative to tradional holiday fare, but I don't know that it will blow most people away.
Description of Christmas Evil
Harry Stadling (Brandon Maggert) is obsessed with Christmas! In fact he wants to "be the authentic Santa Claus, with a real suit, sleigh and reindeer'. Ever since he learned the 'truth' about Santa, he's tried to make Christmas a reality. Growing up a toy maker, Harry is met with naysayers and critics who mock him for his yuletide beliefs. but he wants people to get the presents they deserve, even if that means giving the gift of murder! Cynics and uptight hypocrites beware! Lewis Jackson's classic black comedy horror film, CHRISTMAS EVIL (aka YOU BETTER WATCH OUT!) is, according to cult film director/auteur John Waters, 'the best seasonal film of all time. I wish I had kids. I'd make them watch it every year and, if they didn't like it, they'd be punished!' Time to hang those stockings from the fireplace and get ready. the sadistic holiday chestnut CHRISTMAS EVIL is here in an all-new Director's Cut edition. Transferred from the director's own personal film elements, this version of CHRISTMAS EVIL is the original first cut of the film containing even more scenes and never-before-seen footage!Bestsellers in DVD
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