The trailer and the Tv spots for this film were bullshit, thanks Dimension. I remember seeing this opening night and was just so overly disappointed. Mostly due to the fact that all the parts I was waiting for. Later on I found out that depending on what country it was released in their was a different final girl. Something I still don't know is true. Regardless I went in search of a foreign copy I never found. Ultimately I discovered courtesy of Wikipedia that the awesome kills and crazy ass scenes in the Tv spots and trailers were filmed just for that. Well it's 13 years later and I got over my original feelings for this film and finally appreciate this trashfest exactly for what it is. And I like it because I revisit it every year.
BLACK CHRISTMAS
Dimension 2006 84 Mins. Katie Cassidy, Michelle Trachtenberg, Lacey Chabert, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Kristen Cloke, Andrea Martin, Crystal Lowe, Robert Mann and Oliver Hudson star. Written and Directed by Glen Morgan Rated R for graphic violence, strong language, gore, sexuality and nudity.
It's important when watching this version of Black Christmas to remember that it's a movie of excess. everything is so over the top. The performances, the dark humor, the mean spirit, the gore drenched killing scenes and eye gouging and the crazy ass storyline. Although it never reaches the heights of it's classic, feminist predecessor this version has it's charms. It's without a doubt one of the trashiest films I've ever scene and doesn't know when to stop. And it's actually quite clever in the way it dissects the Holiday as well as the satirical social commentary. Set around a group of Sorority sisters on Christmas Eve that are stalked by a psychotic madman. The sisters start disappearing one by one and than there's a naughty flashback to how the whole ordeal began packed with jaundice, child rape, murder, cannibalism and abuse amongst other festive topics. When we return to our final girls they do their best to fight for their lives as he crawls through walls and sets up a ghastly display in the attic awaiting it's next victims.
Unlike the original this version features a feisty group of stereotypes played out to their fullest instead of being well rounded characters. Katie Cassidy (When a stranger calls remake) is the lead in our version and she's the good girl. Oliver Hudson (The Breed) is her cheating, douchebag boyfriend whose making his way through the sisters. Michelle Trachtenberg (Buffy the vampire slayer TV) is the mouthy, bitchy one. Lacey Chabert (Party of Five) is the rich girl with the sass to match. Mary Elizabeth Winstead (10 Cloverfield Lane) is the bitchy southern princess. Kristen Cloke (Final destination) is a feisty businesswoman in search of her half sister. Crystal Lowe (The Final Destination) is the drunkard filled with an abundance of knowledge and Andrea Martin (Black Christmas 1974) is the house mother. Basically most of them are assholes but it's all in good fun as they get sliced, diced and gouged. Although not in the creative ways in the false advertising but in entertaining ways nonetheless.
It's hard to compare the two films as this one is so different. the film makers here went for an over the top retro slasher that doesn't take itself too seriously. the movie is filmed stylishly and the execution by Glen Morgan (Final Destination) is confident. It may not make everyone's Christmas list but it's on mine every year. The movie was a modest success making 21 million world wide on a 9 Million budget.
RATING= 8 Killer Santas out of 10
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