Saturday afternoon (two days ago) was full of chores and running errands, but Saturday night turned into a simply delightful movie marathon with me, my Husband, our two cats, and the couch.
We started our evening with some horror comedy - and I'll get to that one in another post soon - but I wanted to focus on the film we watched TWICE that night. Twice. Two times. In a row.
We both made the mistake of messing with our phones too much through the first half hour of A Christmas Horror Story, and that was in part why we needed to see it again. The other reason we needed to see it again, immediately, was because it was that good. It was *that* good, folks.
The first 10 minutes are especially crucial to pay attention to so that the entire movie will fall into place perfectly. And what I thought would be a sinister horror comedy (and it is ... a little), actually turned into a brilliant play on symbolism, society, and morals. This movie took a serious turn - not something one would expect based on the poster image...
The film is also more of an anthology than it is one big story about Santa. And yet it's also one big story about Santa. There are three different "stories" happening all at the same time, but they are connected and here's where this film requires your full attention. The stories are interwoven so well, so cleverly, and with such innovation that when we watched it a second time our minds were pretty much blown by what we did not see/connect previously.
Other bonus points:
- Scandinavian Santa. I particularly enjoyed the embroidery detail around the collar. My Scandinavian heritage approves.
- The importance of William Shatner's role.
- The demons were especially effective.
- One story revolves around women's health and their rights to it - and I didn't get worked up and angry even though the subject would suggest otherwise... I was a merrily mystified by how well done this story was told.
- I could probably spend hours in awe, hunting down all the tiny details and symbolism.
- It make me laugh - at parts. It's also very frightening. It's also very sad ... bone-chilling sad...
- The twists, particularly the big one at the end, really blew me out of the water.
You'll probably need someone nearby to hug by the time the ending rolls around. Don't say I didn't warn you.
Superb, shocking, brilliant, jarring, and Cold-Hearted. This is a surprising film on all fronts.
Pairs with cozy winter food and stiff drink - right out of the bottle. Watch with some friends, make it a mimosa afternoon or a session IPA evening, but again - you really really really need to pay attention to everything otherwise you're cutting this movie watching experience short.
I rented this movie from my local video store (Rain City Video). Use the links under Find It. Watch It. on Horror Habit's sidebar to see where else you can find this really amazing feature.
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