dbborroughs

Disappointing low budget horror film about the holiday when a small boy knifed his family and the repercussions 15 years later.Give the filmmakers points for trying to make something good with in a limited budget, unfortunately we have to take away the same points for making a film that really isn't very good. The biggest problem of many is the film borrows too much from other horror films, beginning with Halloween who's iconic shot of Michael Myers walking out of the house after killing his family is weakly copied here (though sans monster mask). There are any number of other horror films that this film seems similar to, many themselves variations on Halloween, with the result being that there really isn't anything new, or worth seeing here. One could go into the film's other flaws (plot holes, uneven performances and weak technical ability) but its kind of like kicking a man when he's down. This is one holiday you're going to not want to celebrate.

... View More

jdollak

This is an awkward movie to review, because the production values reflect an entirely shoestring production. On one hand, they did an admirable job with low-end equipment and actors. On the other hand, it's really pretty bad.The plot summary suggests a story that is nearly identical to Halloween. Except that it takes place at Christmas.The ending twist is made obvious, if even you weren't looking for it, around 35 minutes in. The acting is usually dull, and occasionally hilarious. There's a great reading of the words "Good God" - check it out, it's around 44 minutes in. The mother is played way over the top. She likes to shake her head in order to emote, and when she gets really intense, she'll stop shaking her head around. There's a death scene that's wonderfully over the top - the guy is stabbed in the ear, and shakes compulsively for about 15 seconds.But to be fair, the production feels like an exceptionally well-done student film. There are obvious limitations - the bedrooms don't seem to match the house that the rest of the movie takes place in. You can hear cars driving by in a scene that's supposed to take place in a basement. This lends an amount of charm. If I knew the people involved in this production, I'd be proud of them. But as a serious movie, it's not possible to take it that far.

... View More