In a Nutshell. Mini reviews of movies old and new. No fuss. No spoilers. And often no sleep.

Tuesday, 23 December 2014

Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984)

Amid controversy comes Charles E. Sellier Jr.'s holiday horror film about a young man haunted by Christmas. The effective opening scenes detail the slaughter of his parents by a Santa-clad murderer and one very strict religious upbringing, leaving his mind fragile and warped. But the proverbial shit doesn't hit the fan until a cruel twist of fate forces him to don the fat man's suit. The well-constructed build up is what makes the ensuing rampage so satisfying. The look of the film is above-average and while the acting is at times cheesy and over-the-top, it fits right in with this grindhouse classic. But I will admit the killer's droning exclamations to "Punish!" get old pretty quick.

3½ mean left hooks out of 5

1 comment:

cuckoo said...

:bearclap:

A great little treasure just waiting to be found.

3 1/2 Punishments out of 5 from me too.