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Why do people feel like they have to defend movies like this?

posted 18 years ago by sean-mcclain-dc-sw
22 replies | jump to latest

Coming on the heels of "Bug", made earlier this year, and reading everyone's reactions, I can't figure out why people defend "psychological thrillers" like this.

John Waters has made good movies before. This wasn't one of them. Maybe it was one of his favorites, but it doesn't make it one of his best. No matter how you try to paint it, it fails. Was it an art house movie, where we were supposed to feel sympathy for "Santa"? Should have thought about that before Santa gave some of the good kids some dead parents for Christmas. Was it exploitation slasher fare? Then why the long, drawn out exposition and the scene with the kids surrounding Santa? Was it a heartwarming christmas story to share with the kids? Then mom shouldn't have been felt up five minutes into the movie. Was it a serious, honest look into the trauma and personal struggles of the Santa character, akin to Falling Down and similar greats? Then why the hell is he flying off in a 100-horse open van at the end of the movie?

There isn't a way of looking at the movie that makes it good. Jack Daniels can't make this movie look good. The only value this movie had, that of b-movie kitsch you can show at a party, was destroyed when, out of nowhere and without warning, the serial killer Santa turned into E.T.

All of the above is just my honest opinion. If you really enjoyed this movie, don't let me dissuade you or ruin it for you; I'm glad you liked it, and would love to hear something good about this movie from someone who enjoyed it. But for crying out loud, if you didn't like the movie, it's not your ethical responsibility to defend to the death someone else's failed art.

[–] stickley85 13 years ago

You know it's weird with all the controversey that surrounded Silent Night,Deadly Night,it's amazing how this film went unnoticed like it did.

[–] The-Kurgan 13 years ago

Just to add my two cents (several years after the thread was started), I don't consider this a "slasher" film at all, nor do I think we're supposed to connect with, or feel sorry for, the protagonist. No, what I saw was a fairly fascinating picture of someone whose mind is fragmenting as we watch, and in that respect, the lead actor did a stunning job of making that a reality for the viewer. Whatever else one might say about the movie, pro or con, it's this single aspect of the film, seeing this man disintegrate under the pressures of life as his illusions shatter and become replaced by delusions, that makes it completely priceless.

If I were a psychology teacher, I think I'd make my students watch this. Would make for some interesting class discussions!

[–] stickley85 13 years ago

That's what I heard to.This was supposed to be a Dark Comedy/Drama type of film,and I guess who ever decided to promote it advertised it as a slasher I guess.But I find it more of a psychological thriller type of film.

[–] 13 years ago

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[–] Danimal_77 11 years ago

You made the same post 1 year apart from the other, saying pretty much the same thing as you did the year before.

[–] 11 years ago

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[–] ciffou 9 years ago

The only thing a B movie has to do is to entertain.
This does not even do that.
It's so boring and the killing takes such a long time.
I was falling asleep.

[–] Hamasaurus68 9 years ago

You said 'John Waters has made good movies before. This wasn't one of them. Maybe it was one of his favorites, but it doesn't make it one of his best.'

John Waters had nothing to do with the film, he just gave commentary. The fact you thought this one was actually one of his movies shows that you have no idea what you are talking about. It basically renders whatever criticism you have useless.

No one is saying it is academy award material...it just has camp value as a twisted take on a revered holiday. That's what people like about it. Part of effectively criticizing a movie is taking into account certain fanbases and how it is perceived, not whether you belong to said fanbase.

[–] sillyspaghetti 9 years ago

I agree with you on the high camp value. It's cheesy and darkly amusing in places. I just love it for its silliness. One of my favourite "Christmas" films.

[–] [deleted] 2 years ago

It's a great film.