Cartoon Sunday: Elvira's Very Scary X-Mas

Merry Christmas Eve, lurkers! As a quick reminder, TBS will be premiering American Dad's 15th season tomorrow night. 

Not only will tomorrow night's episode be a premiere, but also a Christmas premiere. Yes, it will be a new episode on CHRISTMAS. TBS deserves a gold star!

Speaking of animation and TV Christmas specials, did you know that in 2010, Elvira had an animated short for Christmas? 

Earlier this month, I discovered her animated short on YouTube. It's amazing what you find online.

Hopefully, fellow Horror fans will enjoy it. I managed to stumbled upon a rare gem, that I never knew existed.

"Elvira's Very Scary X-Mas" is technically a Christmas Horror Stop-motion Animated Short. 

With the help of the creators of Killer Klowns From Outer Space, the animated short was featured on her show, Elvira's Movie Macabre.

If you are a Gen 'Xer, Millennial, or an Xennial and watched Horror movies and shows during the '80s, then you should already know about Elvira. I don't expect younger adults and children (Generation Z) to know about Elvira.

Even though the so-called "Mistress Of The Dark" is on social media sites like Twitter, chances are highly great that younger Millennials and Gen Z barely know much about her, if anything at all. 

Elvira was DECADES before younger Millennials and Generation Z's time.

In this Christmas Horror Stop-motion Animated Short for today's Cartoon Sunday, Elvira hunts for the perfect Christmas tree.

Elvira's Movie Macabre "Elvira's Very Scary X-Mas" (2010)

Cartoon Sunday: Mr. Nightmare's A Christmas Horror Story {Animated}

How's it going lurkers? There are literally ONLY 7 more days until most of us celebrate Christmas and only 4 more days until Pagans celebrate Winter Solstice. 

Hanukkah began last Tuesday, December 12th and will be ending in 3 more days.

Have most of you finished shopping for presents? If not, this will be the LAST  week for you to do your shopping.

I keep saying "most" because as I have said many times over the last 3 years, Orthodox Christians do NOT  celebrate Christmas, until January 7th. This means they STILL will have ample time to finish all their Christmas shopping.

As a quick word of advice to the ladies, make sure to wear COMFORTABLE SHOES, while shopping at the stores. This excludes wearing high heel shoes. I wasn't even wearing high heels, last night and my feet were killing me. Without a doubt, my thighs and feet definitely got a full workout, last night. 

After Christmas shopping at 2 MALLS for 4-5 HOURS (talk about burning calories) with my oldest aunt last night, I almost did not work on today's blog for Cartoon Sunday.

Speaking of which, I have another Animated Christmas Horror Short to share with you. 

Have you ever witnessed a dark and creepy-looking figure at the bottom of your stairs, during the time of Christmas? 

I can't say that I have. This is coming from someone, who normally sees the creepiest figures.

Like some other Animated Christmas Horror Shorts, Llama Arts adapted Mr. Nightmare's "A Christmas Horror Story" into another animated short.

Be prepared to feel a little disturbed after watching "A Christmas Horror Story" for today's Cartoon Sunday.

Mr. Nightmare "A Christmas Horror Story" {Animated By Llama Arts} (2016)

Early Song Saturday: BATZZ In The Belfry's O Holy Night {Creepy Goth Cover}

How's it going lurkers? Originally, I planned to share this Song Saturday blog, tomorrow. Considering how incredibly exhausted I've been these last few weeks with chores, shoveling snow, and Christmas shopping, I am sharing Song Saturday 1 day early.

It has been a while, since I last published a festive Song Saturday blog featuring any Goth Rock. The last Song Saturday I published with a Goth Rock song for Christmas (if memory serves me right) was in 2013. In case you missed London After Midnight's "The Christmas Song," click right HERE.

London After Midnight's "The Christmas Song" was 1 of my earliest Song Saturday blogs I published, after building my website, It's Not All Gumdrops & Unicorns in 2013. It's amazing how time flies.

This next Goth Rock Song Saturday blog features the Goth Rock band, BATZZ In The Belfry. BATZZ In The Belfry has been around for the last 10 to nearly 15 years.

Nelson founded the band in San Francisco, CA during 2003. He wanted BATZZ to sound more like a Classic Goth Rock band.

After listening to the band perform the Christmas song, "O Holy Night" on their 2007 debut album, Sparks Fly Upward, I noticed that BATZZ sounds somewhat similar to Sisters Of Mercy.

If you have ever listened to the 1980's Goth Rock band, Sisters Of Mercy, imagine lead singer Andrew Eldritch singing "O Holy Night." BATZZ In The Belfry's cover of this song sounds creepy.

Even though BATZZ sounds creepy covering "O Holy Night," they still managed to do the song justice. Everyone cannot sing "O Holy Night." 

Over the years, I have noticed that everybody can't hit the notes for this Christmas song. Even if they can, somebody usually RUINS the song by changing the style of how the song is meant to be sung in an attempt to sound "edgy" and innovative. 

After discovering 2 years ago, that the late great Scott Weiland sang "O Holy Night" on his 2011 Christmas album, The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year, I was HIGHLY disappointed.

It was not that STP's late frontman could not perform the song. It was the style of the cover that really disappointed me as a longtime fan; His cover was a joke!

Can you imagine Scott Weiland turning "O Holy Night" into a Calypso song? 

As much as I loved and still love Scott Weiland as the original lead singer of Stone Temple Pilots, I HATED his version of "O Holy Night."

I refused to add Scott Weiland's version of "O Holy Night" to the Song Saturday blog I published 2 years ago.

The blog I published 1 week after Scott's death, featured Christmas songs from his album, The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year.

Meanwhile, BATZZ In The Belfry's cover of "O Holy Night" managed to sound creepy but still decent.

Critics may claim, that BATZZ In The Belfry was only trying to sound "edgy," in their attempt at covering "O Holy Night." However, I do NOT  want to turn off the song.

BATZZ's creepy cover sounds like it should be used for a tragic ending of a Christmas Horror film. 

Don't believe me? Listen to the cover for yourself and you be the judge.

Batzz In The Belfry "O Holy Night" Sparks Fly Upward (2007)

Song Saturday: Rachel F. Williams' It's NOT Christmas

How's it going lurkers? Literally the day after Thanksgiving, some TV networks began airing Christmas specials. 

It sucks that most network programmers refuse to air any Christmas Horror films.

Today everything is "offensive" and The Sensitivity Police are always on cue for the easily "triggered." I believe most TV networks fear a backlash over airing Christmas Horror films.

Even though there are other religious groups celebrating their own traditions and holidays before Christmas, December is meant to be about happiness, family, and celebrating Jesus' birthday.

Throughout the year however, Christmas overshadows EVERY single holiday. This is all the more reason why I feel there should be MORE Horror movies and songs about Christmas.

I can only imagine the number of Santaphobics in existence. This is especially after watching Christmas Slashers from the 1980's.

There are at least several of them that exist. All those, who did not already know, I published a review about Retro Christmas Slashers, a few years ago.

The closest to a Christmas Horror film, that any network will probably choose to air is Gremlins. I don't know if Krampus aired on any of the premium channels yet.

It has been 3 years, since I last published a blog review about Christmas Horror films. If I have enough time out of my hectic schedule, I will try publishing another blog review about Christmas Horror films.

All this talk about Santaphobia, blog reviews, Christmas Slashers, and Christmas Horror Movies in general puts me in the mood for Christmas Horror Music. Like I always say, music used in a movie helps to set the tone for the movie.

It appears that Rachel F. Williams shares similar interests and views as my own. Rachel F. Williams is not only a Romance, Fantasy, and Horror author, but also a music composer.

The song, "It's NOT Christmas" can be found on her album, 17 Tormented Souls. To embrace the horrors of Christmas, here's Rachel F. Williams' "It's NOT Christmas" for today's Song Saturday.

Rachel F. Williams "It's NOT Christmas (Insane Epic Horror Rock Music)" 17 Tormented Souls (2016)

Song Saturday: Austin Dickey [Featuring Into The Flood's] Krampus

How's it going lurkers? Yes, it is that time of season again. In about 3 more days, Saint Nicholas' evil, cloven hoofed sidekick, Krampus will punish all misbehaving children, while seducing buxom women with his long tongue in between.

On December 5th, Krampus will arrive with his birch switch, sack, and lumps of coal to punish the "naughty." 

Then, Saint Nicholas will arrive the following day to reward well-behaved children with presents in their stockings.

Earlier this week, I had the hardest time choosing which song to share with you all for Song Saturday. 

Because Krampus Day is creeping around the corner in 3 more days, I am sharing this festive collaboration by Austin Dickey and Into The Flood.

Into The Flood is a Metalcore band from Tacoma, WA. Last week, I watched their music video for "Death Posture." The song is not bad. I recommend listening to this band, whenever you have the chance.

According to Austin Dickey on YouTube, Into The Flood composed a Metal version of "The Nutcracker (The Mountain King)." Dickey asked if he could perform the vocals and write lyrics for the song.

Sure enough, this collaboration came to fruition making the song, "Krampus" his very own. For today's Song Saturday, here is Austin Dickey's innovative collaboration with Into The Flood on "Krampus."

Austin Dickey [Featuring Into The Flood] "Krampus" (2016)

Who Are The 13 Yule Lads Before & During Christmas In Iceland?

How's it going lurkers? Happy Yule/Winter Solstice to all my Pagan friends and subscribers! 

Sorry there wasn't a Song Saturday or Cartoon Sunday for last weekend. I have been extremely busy this month both on and offline with family, friends, helping them, and others who have been in need of help this month.

During the month of December, I am usually not this busy. Honestly, I CANNOT  believe how fast this December has gone. It was just December 1st. Now, it's December 22nd (Winter Solstice). In 3 more days, it will be Christmas. Yay!

Since it is Yule/Winter Solstice, I thought I would discuss the 13 Yule Lads. The 13 Yule Lads are a part of the Icelandic folklore. An Icelandic poet named Jóhannes úr Kötlum published a poem in 1932 called "Jólasveinarnir." The Icelandic society in Iceland was reintroduced to the Yuletide folklore by the poem, "Jólasveinarnir."

During the last 13 nights before Christmas, the 13 Yule Lads, which were normally depicted as being mischievous and criminal pranksters, love to wreak havoc. They wreak havoc by supposedly coming from the mountains to scare naughty Icelandic children before Christmas.

The 13 Yule Lads are similar to Saint Nicholas and his evil sidekick, Krampus. The 13 Yule Lads either reward good children like Saint Nicholas, or PUNISH naughty children like Krampus.

Nearly a decade ago, I learned a little about the 13 Yule Lads, while watching IMF. The network's abbreviation stood for International Music Feed. 

I enjoyed watching that music channel a lot more than MTV, MTV2, and VH-1 combined at the time.

IMF exposed its viewers to both mainstream and underground music videos from around the world. A favorite show of mine, which aired on IMF was Hello World.

Hello World helped to educate viewers about other countries and random facts about them. This was along with learning about entertainers from those countries.

Not only did the network air Hello World, but there were also brief segments during commercial breaks on IMF, which helped viewers to learn more about other ancient folklores. 

Had it not been for International Music Feed, I would've NEVER discovered the 13 Yule Lads.

During the last 13 nights before Christmas, each Yule Lad arrives and departs on certain dates.

The 13 Yule Lads:

1) Stekkjarstaur (Sheep-Cote Clod)- During December 12th-25th, this stiff and peg-legged Yule Lad harasses sheep.

2) Giljagaur (Gully Gawk)- During December 13th-26th, he hides in gullies, while waiting for an opportunity to sneak into the cowshed and steal milk.

3) Stúfur (Stubby)- During December 14th-27th, this abnormally short Yule Lad steals pans to eat the crust left on them.

4) Þvörusleikir (Spoon-Licker)- During December 15th-28th, this malnourished lad steals Þvörur to lick. Þvörur is a type of a wooden spoon, that has a long handle.

5) Pottaskefill (Pot-Scraper)- During December 16th-29th, he steals leftovers from pots.

6) Askasleikir (Bowl-Licker)- During December 17th-30th, he hides under beds and waits for someone to put down their 'askur' (a type of bowl with a lid used rather than dishes). 

Then, he steals it.

7) Hurðaskellir (Door-Slammer)- During December 18th-31st, he loves to slam doors, especially during the night.

8) Skyrgámur (Skyr-Gobbler)- During December 19th-January 1st, this Yule Lad has an affinity for skyr, which is like an Icelandic strained yogurt.

9) Bjúgnakrækir (Sausage-Swiper)- During December 20th-January 2nd, he hides in the rafters and grabs sausages, that are being smoked.

10) Gluggagægir (Window-Peeper)- During December 21st-January 3rd, this voyeuristic Yule Lad looks through windows in search of things to steal.

11) Gáttaþefur (Doorway-Sniffer)- During December 22nd-January 4th, this lad with an abnormally large nose and an acute sense of smell, sniffs for laufabrauð or an Icelandic bread, which is normally eaten around the time of Christmas.

12) Ketkrókur (Meat-Hook)- During December 23rd-January 5th, he uses a hook to steal meat.

13) Kertasníkir (Candle-Stealer)- During December 24th-January 6th, this last Yule Lad follows children, in order to steal their candles. 

In ancient times, candles were made of tallow (fat from cattle and sheep), which made them edible.

Since we are on the topic of the 13 Yule Lads and because there wasn't a Song Saturday last weekend, it's only appropriate to have a festive song by the Icelandic singer, Björk.

Björk "Jólasveinar" How The Juice Stole Christmas (1995)

Song Saturday: Scott Weiland Christmas Block

How's it going lurkers? Throughout the week, I meant to publish some other blogs but it's that time of the year when everyone's busy shopping for mostly Christmas gifts. That's along with our house FOREVER undergoing construction and scheduling doctor's appointments.

Throughout this past week, I have been so busy that I have been too tired to function properly. As if being sick the last 2 months wasn't miserable enough, I went from having allergies to another cold.

Aside from having a hectic week, I managed to listen to 1 of Scott Weiland's cover albums yesterday. 

Last weekend, I mentioned that the late Stone Temple Pilots and Velvet Revolver lead singer released his own Christmas album. It's titled, The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year.

Since I have NOT  kept track of songs written and performed by Scott Weiland over this last decade, I had no idea that he released his own Christmas album in 2011, until he died more than 1 week ago.

I CANNOT help emphasizing how incredibly sad and disappointing it is to learn, that another talented musician died from substance abuse.

Out of the 3 dead Grunge vocalists (Nirvana's Kurt Cobain, Alice In Chains' Layne Staley, and Stone Temple Pilots' Scott Weiland), Scott Weiland was definitely the most talented Grunge vocalist, who died from hardcore drugs. Scott and Layne had more singing versatility than Kurt Cobain in regards to musical talent.

Like I said before to others, I don't discredit Kurt Cobain for having talent. Honestly, I believe that Kurt Cobain was extremely talented, when he illustrated his own art. 

Have you ever seen any of Kurt Cobain's paintings? They were phenomenal!

However, Scott Weiland was a unique frontman. He had the ability to sing in more than 1 musical genre and sub-genre, which was highly underrated about the man. 

While listening to Scott's Christmas cover album, I became really depressed. This was especially when listening to Scott Weiland cover the late Bing Crosby's "I'll Be Home For Christmas." As somebody said on YouTube, listening to him singing the song is a "sad, twisted irony."

Now that Scott Weiland is dead, he will NOT  be home for Christmas with his current wife and children. We as Scott's family, friends, bandmates, and fans wish that he would've went to drug rehab and stayed long enough to get clean for us all.

This is the 2nd Song Saturday in a row that features music from the late Scott Weiland. I just stumbled upon at least 3 music videos/live performances of him covering Christmas songs.

Scott Weiland's live performance of "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" debuted on Jay Leno, nearly 10 years ago. Out of the 3 songs for today's Song Saturday block, it is my favorite cover.

1) Scott Weiland "The Christmas Song" [Nat King Cole Cover] The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year (2011) 

2) Scott Weiland "I'll Be Home For Christmas" [Bing Crosby Cover] The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year (2011)

3) Scott Weiland "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" [2006 Judy Garland LIVE Cover] The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year (2006)

'Tis The Season For Christmas Slashers [Anna H's Review]

How's it going lurkers? As I already said in the previous Song Saturday blog, I have a blog review about Christmas Slashers.

With me being so busy doing last minute Christmas shopping, watching Christmas Slashers, etc. I did not have enough time to publish my review, sooner.

Orthodox Christians don't celebrate Christmas Day, until January 7, 2015.

Therefore, I'm sharing my Christmas Slasher Review today.

Since last Monday morning, I watched a few Christmas Slashers. 

Last year, I only watched Silent Night, Bloody Night (1972) and the 2012 remake of Silent Night, Deadly Night. 

On Monday morning, I watched Black Christmas (1974) and Tuesday I watched Christmas Evil (1980).

These Slashers have year gaps between them, and they will be reviewed in chronological order.

Just a quick reminder, I am somewhat biased against these Christmas Slashers mostly because I expected for them to actually frighten me.

1) Silent Night, Bloody Night Trailer (1972)

 

Theodore Gershuny's Silent Night, Bloody Night was originally released as Night Of The Dark Full Moon and is also known as Death House.

Silent Night, Bloody Night was filmed in 1972 but was shelved for 2 years. It was not until 1974 that the Slasher was released in the movie theaters. Silent Night, Bloody Night takes place on Christmas Eve 1950. 

Wilfred Butler returns to his mansion only to discover that it was turned into a mental institution for the criminally insane. 

That same day, Wilfred is shown running outside his mansion, while on fire soon collapsing to his supposed death in the snow. The towns people believe that Wilfred's death was accidental and his mansion is shut down.

About 22 years later, lawyer John Carter and his assistant Ingrid arrive in a small Massachusetts town. He meets with the town's nobles, Mayor Adams, Sheriff Bill Mason, Tess Howard, and Charlie Towman. John is revealed to be Jeffrey Butler's lawyer. 

Jeffrey is Wilfred Butler's grandson. Jeffrey Butler tries selling the Butler mansion for $50,000 by noon the next day.

After John Carter calls his wife, it has been revealed that he is cheating on her with his ASSISTANT, Ingrid. John and Ingrid stay the night at the Butler mansion for dinner and sex. During sex, they are slaughtered in bed with an axe!

Then, the killer calls the police station's phone operator (Tess) in a low, muffled voice. The killer claims to be "Marianne."

Watching Silent Night, Bloody Night last December bored me. If memory serves me right, I started dosing off at my keyboard just watching it.

The film's trailer, dark and spooky night scenery, the voyeurism, music score, menacing phone calls, and Wilfred Butler's low, muffled voice were creepy. Otherwise, Silent Night, Bloody Night was very slow and boring.

2) Black Christmas Trailer (1974)

Bob Clark is best known for creating Porky's and A Christmas Story. Most don't know, that he created Black Christmas. The movie was originally titled Silent Night, Evil Night.

As a filmmaker, Bob Clark had versatility. Black Christmas was literally created 9 years before A Christmas Story. Those 2 Christmas movies were from completely different film genres, which is fascinating.

Black Christmas is revered as 1 of the original Christmas Slashers. Not only is this considered to be 1 of the original Christmas Slashers, but it also contributed to the launching of the Slasher Genre.

In fact, John Carpenter was inspired by Black Christmas, which is why Halloween exists today.

Silent Night, Evil Night (Black Christmas) takes place in a sorority house with promiscuous sorority girls preparing for Christmas Break. As they are having their Christmas Party, they start receiving strange and obscene phone calls. They automatically assume it's a prank caller.

All the while, Barb taunts their sorority sister, Clare for being a virgin. Clare becomes so annoyed with Barb's insults, that she goes to pack her clothes in her room. Suddenly, their housemother's meowing cat appears.

Clare starts hearing strange noises, is smothered to death from behind with a clothing bag, and is carried to the attic. Her corpse is later propped in the attic's rocking chair RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE WINDOW! Supposedly, no one knows what happened to Clare. Her sorority assumes, that she is MISSING.

The characters in Black Christmas annoyed me. They are depicted as obnoxious, stupid, and morally depraved sorority girls, including the so-called "heroine," who wants to abort she and her boyfriend, Peter's baby.

After the harassing phone calls, tapping of the phone wires, and the investigation, no one caught the serial killer!

The movie's trailer, harassing phone calls, ominous film score, the red herring character (Peter), Billy's Doberman colored eyes peeping through the door, his hidden appearance, and the camera angles, pans, and zooms were all creepy. Otherwise, Black Christmas didn't frighten me. I was highly disappointed.

Gee, I guess "my skin IS on too tight."

3) Christmas Evil (1980)

This 1980 Christmas Slasher was originally released as You Better Watch Out and is also known as Terror In Toyland.

I could not help rolling my eyes, while laughing at this Christmas Slasher. Watching Christmas Evil was a joke! The YouTube vlogger, Dr. Wolfula does a better job at reviewing THIS movie than I could ever do without laughing hysterically behind my keyboard.

Dr. Wolfula's Christmas Evil Review (2010)

Harry, a deranged toymaker at Jolly Dreams wasted 33 YEARS of his life being traumatized over his daddy role playing as Santa Claus and I assume he watched some tongue action under his mommy's nightgown, then threw a tantrum and broke his snow globe only to cut himself? OMG! THIS IS TOO HILARIOUS FOR WORDS!!!

Was Daddy the so-called "Clit Commander" dressed as Santa on Christmas Eve?

Regardless, Harry's Santaphobia was and still is hilarious. 

Had Christmas Evil's filmmaker been more clever with possibly showing Harry accidentally walking in on his mother moaning from mind shattering orgasms, during sex with his father, or if he witnessed his mother being beaten and/or raped, his trauma would've been MORE convincing and realistic. None of what I mentioned was shown in Christmas Evil.

If any of those situations could've been demonstrated to the audience without the child actor being on the set for the scene years ago, Harry's trauma would've been more convincing.

He became a deranged, mass murderer because Daddy was caressing Mommy's thigh under her nightgown, while being a CUNNING LINGUIST  in a Santa costume!

OH NO! I saw Daddy dressed as Santa Claus, while doing weird things under Mommy's nightgown by the Christmas Tree! So traumatizing! Now, I have SANTAPHOBIA!!!

Harry's bizarre behavior, his Santa memorabilia, the music score, and the film's trailer were the only creepy qualities about Christmas Evil. Watching Harry murder 3 church parishioning bullies in front of everyone on the stair steps made me laugh so hard, I cried hysterically.

That's besides him smothering and slitting his co-workers' throats with a knife, as well as flying into the moonlight like a scene out of E.T. with his SANTAMOBILE.

Harry may have been a creepy and deranged stalker taking on the constant roles of being Santa Claus, but overall, I just could NOT  take Christmas Evil seriously.

4) Silent Night, Deadly Night Trailer (1984)

The original Silent Night, Deadly Night was notorious for its controversial Slasher trailer 30 years ago. There were 3 Christmas Slashers, which existed years BEFORE Silent Night, Deadly Night was created. However, it was the most condemned and demonized.

Militant, Stay-At-Home Mommies and Christian zealots protested on the streets and literally called Tri-Star Films to have Silent Night, Deadly Night banned NATIONWIDE.

Siskel and Ebert persecuting the filmmaker contributed to Silent Night, Deadly Night's bannings from theaters after its 1st week. Here's something really interesting. Both A Nightmare On Elm Street and Silent Night, Deadly Night released on November 9, 1984.

Silent Night, Deadly Night outperformed A Nightmare On Elm Street; On the same day, it blew A Nightmare On Elm Street out the water!

My family claimed years ago, that parents took their children to watch it in the movie theaters. Other sources claimed, that the trailer was advertised, during times when children were watching TV.

After watching Silent Night, Deadly Night last week on Christmas morning, I was disappointed.

The opening for Silent Night, Deadly Night was phenomenal yet cheesy all at once. A little boy sang, as the movie's title rushed onto the screen with animated blood being splattered.

On Christmas Eve 1971, the 7-year-old Billy Chapman and his family go to visit his institutionalized grandfather. Billy's grandfather is supposedly "catatonic." The doctor escorts Billy's parents to review his grandfather's records. 

Suddenly, Billy's grandfather traumatizes him about Christmas and Santa Claus. He starts telling Billy that Santa punishes naughty boys and girls.

After witnessing his "catatonic" grandfather's disturbing behavior, while hearing his grandfather's grisly secret about Christmas, Billy's Santaphobia is soon born.

Yes, Santaphobia really does exist. It's also a main contributor to Silent Night, Deadly Night's plot.

Billy was already traumatized by his grandfather and is soon subjected to more trauma. 

Down the road, a robber dressed as Santa Claus robbed a liquor store, while shooting the clerk dead. That same robber kills Billy's father, shortly after.

The robber proceeds to rape Billy's mother and slits her throat with a knife. Once Billy witnesses this traumatic incident, he is placed in an orphanage where he is subjected to more trauma and physical abuse by Mother Superior.

Whenever Billy witnesses people having sex, he automatically views it as rape.

Witnessing a co-worker being raped by another co-worker, after being forced to dress as Santa Claus for work triggers Billy's serial killing spree.

I spent more time sympathizing and empathizing with Billy Chapman than any character.  

Silent Night, Deadly Night's music score, highly misleading trailer, Billy's grandfather, the antique toy soldiers, and Santa Claus decorations creeped me out. Overall, this Christmas Slasher barely scared me; It didn't make me jump out my skin watching it. 

I kept bracing myself for a scare, but the scares failed to deliver for me. I am starting to believe that I have become desensitized to Horror. 

Then again, Silent Night, Deadly Night's trailer STILL manages to give me goosebumps even after watching the entire movie. 

Seriously, how can trailers for Horror movies be more frightening than the actual movies? Does that make any sense?

Whoever put its movie trailer together should've made this highly controversial Christmas Slasher more appalling. All that outrage and protesting to have Silent Night, Deadly Night banned in '84 for NOTHING.

Talk about a HUGE disappointment.

5) Silent Night Trailer (2012)

OMG! This Christmas Slasher is nothing like the original Silent Night, Deadly Night. This remake doesn't even have a real story to it.

The serial killer's Santa Claus mask is frightening, whereas everything else is extremely contrived. I nearly fell off my bed from laughing hysterically at Silent Night, last Christmas Eve.

Watching the killer Santa literally tase that bratty 12-year-old pill popper to death still is hilarious and the best part of the entire movie.

I discussed Silent Night with my friend, Charlie JJ Kruger from Horror-Punks.com, 2 months ago. Charlie agreed with me about this Slasher being terrible. He is not lying. Silent Night was a Shit Sandwich.

Out of all 5 Christmas Slashers, Silent Night, Deadly Night is the best in my opinion and Black Christmas creeps behind it. 

Even though neither Christmas Slasher frightened me, I believe casual viewers will be, especially for those who are easily scared of Horror. 

Silent Night, Deadly Night is more convincing and has a better plot in regards to Billy Chapman's serial killing spree.

Meanwhile, Billy's entire physical appearance in Black Christmas (not to be confused with Billy Chapman) is never shown.

We only know that Black Christmas' Billy is a stalker/serial killer. That in itself is enough to scare people, since stalkers and serial killers really do exist.

If you happen to watch these Christmas Slashers (you can YouTube them all for free), let me know what you think!

Cartoon Sunday: Escape The Magical Christmas Star

How's it going lurkers? Happy Winter Solstice or Yule to my Pagan friends and a few subscribers! Hopefully you are enjoying YOUR holiday.

Originally, I meant to share a Charlie Brown Christmas Special, but changed my mind at the last minute. Instead, I have 2 Animated Christmas Shorts dating back to 2009. 

Even though both animated shorts were from several years ago, their illustrations are still beautiful.

First and foremost, I have a Christmas short of the Forever Friends. Forever Friends were sketched teddy bears that launched in 1987 by Deborah Jones. 

The greeting card publisher, Andrew Brownsword chose to use her bears sketchbook designs for greeting cards. 

During the early '80s, he and Deborah collaborated in a flat above a Chinese takeaway in Reading, Berkshire.

By 1994, Hallmark Cards bought Andrew Brownsword Ltd and Andrew soon agreed to become the CEO of Hallmark Europe.

Jones' illustrated bears were rebranded as "Between Friends" specifically for the children's greeting cards demographic, 3 years later.

Then by 1999-2000, Hallmark Illustrators were handed Deborah Jones' Between Friends bears and rebranded as "Forever Friends." 

Watching Forever Friends' animated short, "The Magic Christmas Star" is adorable, soothing, and festive. 

Forever Friends "The Magic Christmas Star" (2009)

Meanwhile, Mark G. Murphy's animated adaptation of Hugh Whyte's "Escape" has a darker tone. 

Originally created in 2005, "Escape" was a private holiday card only sent to Whyte and Murphy's clients, family, and friends. Flash 8 was used to create the animation. 

"Escape" has been slightly modified and updated for its 2009 YouTube release. This short begins with a man, who is alone on Christmas Eve. His dog supposedly helps him discover something.

After watching both of these Christmas shorts for today's Cartoon Sunday, let me know your thoughts about them.

Mark G. Murphy's Animated Adaptation Of Hugh Whyte's "Escape" (2005; 2009)

 Merry Christmas & Happy Solstice!

Song Saturday: The White Coffin Terror's "Silent Night, Deadly Night"

How's it going lurkers? Before I turned off my TV last night, I heard that vinyl records are making a comeback for the younger generations on my local ABC News. The younger generations supposedly like the sound quality from vinyl albums.

I still have some vinyl albums from the 1980's, when I was growing up. Some records are children's Christmas albums. The rest are '80s Rock and Pop albums by The Bangles, Paula Abdul, Milli Vanilli, Dokken, and the '80s Glam Metal band, Cinderella.

By the time of reaching adolescence during the '90s, I bought more Rock CD's. Had I been a little older during the '80s, I probably would've had more vinyl records than CD's.

It has been ~15 years, since I last listened to Dokken's Back For The Attack vinyl album. Suddenly, their classic music video for "Dream Warriors" comes to mind. 

In 1987, "Dream Warriors" was the theme song for A Nightmare On Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors. Watching Dokken's music video was creepy. Their music video for "Dream Warriors" featured Robert Englund as Freddy Krueger.

I remember Dokken's "Dream Warriors" being in heavy rotation on MTV in 1987. Until this day, I don't know what scared me more at 5 years old, Freddy Krueger's skin-burned face or his claws? 

Now that I am an adult, I believe it was Krueger's face. However, I still feel that gremlins are more horrifying than he is because of their fugly eyes. 

Normally, I believe the uglier, the more frightening something or someone is.

For instance, have you ever seen something/someone so hideous that you screamed with horror?

As harsh as it may sound to say about someone, I am sure there are other lurkers reading this blog and completely understand my views. It is SO easy to be frightened by someone or something that's downright hideous.

It is not always the face that can be creepy. Sometimes that person or thing can have the most hideous eyes and you will be creeped out, if not traumatized.

In fact, I watched the shitty remake of Silent Night, Deadly Night, last year. I never had the chance to watch the original Christmas Slasher from 1984, but I did watch the 2012 remake, Silent Night.

Silent Night Trailer (2012)

While watching the trailer for Silent Night, I was instantly frightened by the hideous eyes on that Santa Claus mask. 

Like I already said, it's easy to be frightened, if not traumatized by something or someone so hideous. The eyes on that Santa Claus mask rivals the hideous eyes on gremlins.

Last December, I published a blog on Horror-Punks.com about the Silent Night, Deadly Night remake. Silent Night was a joke. 

Last month, I had a conversation with a fellow Horror-Punk friend, Charlie J.J. Kruger. Even though I have never watched the original Christmas Slasher, we both agreed that Silent Night was terrible.

Watching that bratty, pill-popping, 12-year-old girl literally get tased to death and The White Coffin Terror's song as the ending theme were the best. The Santa Claus mask was the only part of Silent Night, that was scary. 

In 2 more weeks, I will try setting aside more time to watch the original Silent Night, Deadly Night and give a review for it. Watching the Christmas Slasher is not set in stone, but it is my goal.

Since I am already on the topic of songs from Slashers, it would only be fitting to share a little Psychobilly Christmas Music.

Originally, I planned to share The White Coffin Terror next week. Now, I have decided to share them today. 

Anyway, here is The White Coffin Terror's "Silent Night, Deadly Night" for today's Song Saturday.

The White Coffin Terror "Silent Night, Deadly Night" Psychobilly Christmas (2008), Silent Night Ending Theme Song (2012)

Song Saturday: London After Midnight's The Christmas Song

 

How's it going lurkers? I swear, this month has been crazy for me. I am sure it has been just as crazy for many others as well. Now that it's December, there are several holidays throughout this month.

Hanukkah ended for Jewish people on December 5th. Then, December 6th was Saint Nicholas Day. 

Happy Belated Hanukkah and Saint Nicholas Day to those of you, who celebrate both holidays!

Today is Winter Solstice also known as Yule for the Pagans. Happy Yule or Winter Solstice for Pagans!

In 4 more days, it will be Christmas for the rest of us, who celebrate it. If I don't publish more blogs before Christmas, Merry Christmas to everyone else! 

Speaking of Christmas, I thought I would continue to maintain the "Christmas Spirit" by sharing another Song Saturday. 

Right now, Blogsterians are publishing their own Song Saturday blogs. I was going to share London After Midnight's "The Christmas Song" over there, but it seems pointless.

As opposed to the Baby Boomers on Blogster, younger adults from Generations X and Y will at least acknowledge AND appreciate my content. I am currently active on several different social networking and blogging sites with younger adults.

Yesterday, I joined another social networking site called Horror-Punks.com. Horror-Punks.com seems like a Horror/Goth version of MySpace. I feel that I can assimilate better on Writer's Cafe and Horror-Punks than on Blogster.

Blogster has too many divisive Baby Boomers fighting over politics and religion. They fail to grasp that everyone doesn't share their views, care to be chastised, and don't care for their self-righteousness.

Anyway, here is London After Midnight's "The Christmas Song" for today's Song Saturday.

London After Midnight "The Christmas Song" Oddities (1998)

 

HAPPY YULE AND MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Who Remembers The Gremlins Audiobooks From Hardee's?

This blog was originally published October 1, 2013. 

How's it going Blogsterians? I hope everybody doing well. Since it's October, I chose to share a throwback from nearly 30 years ago

If you existed in 1984 (I was only 2 years old), you may remember that Christmas Horror Comedy, Gremlins.

 

 

 

 

Gremlins Movie Trailer (1984)

It was 1 of the most controversial movies during 1984. Actually, 1984 in general was quite a controversial year regarding entertainment.

Democrat, Tipper GORE had a spazz attack about her precious 12-year-old daughter's music. Karenna was listening to Prince's "Darling Nikki" from his Purple Rain album.

Tipper was SO triggered that it led to her becoming the founder of Parents Music Resource Center (PMRC) and having her "Tipper Stickers" (a.k.a. "Parental Advisory" labels) plastered, if not engraved into explicit album covers.

Also, the PG-13 rating was launched in 1984. Gremlins was highly controversial years ago because it originally had a PG rating.

Those of us, who watched the movie, already know it was a really violent for children in '84. There were many complaints about 1 of the gremlins being killed in the microwave. I can't remember his name. However, I remember that scene nearly 30 years later.

Gremlins Microwave Scene (1984)

If I were Billy's mother, I would've killed that gremlin in the microwave, too! Watching that as a PG-rated Horror Comedy was and STILL is terrifying. Their big, fugly eyes still give me goosebumps just staring at them.

Not only was there controversy over the violence in this PG-rated movie, but there were also complaints about Gremlins being racist against black people.

This was because gremlins ate fried chicken, wore snapback hats, breakdanced, and listened to Jazz and Blues in the bar. 

Am I the only person laughing at such ridiculous claims? 

Some people in 1984 read a little TOO much into Gremlins. Even though Gremlins triggered lots of controversy, it was still very popular in 1984. 

The movie was so popular, that it had its own merchandise. YouTube vlogger, Andre (a.k.a. "Black Nerd") had a vlog in 2012 showing his display of Gremlins merchandise from both movies.

I am very disappointed to say, that vlog was deleted. I don't know why Andre's vlog was deleted from YouTube. Regardless, it sucks that his video is gone. I thought his vlog was awesome. Meanwhile...

I remember having a plastic Gizmo figure, when I was a toddler. As my mother pushed me around in store buggies, I played with him. 

Decades ago, Hardee's sold a series of 5 audio tapes/45 record audiobooks, which were adaptations of the Gremlins movie.

I ONLY  had Part 3 of the 5 record audiobooks. Talk about nostalgia and showing my age. Because I mentioned the audiobooks and since someone actually uploaded them to YouTube, I thought I would share their audiobooks with you all.

Audiobook 1: Gremlins "The Gift Of The Mogwai" (1984) 

Audiobook 2: Gremlins "Gizmo And The Gremlins" (1984)

 

Audiobook 3: Gremlins "Escape From The Gremlins" (1984)

 

Audiobook 4: Gremlins "Gremlins Trapped" (1984)

Audiobook 5: Gremlins "The Last Gremlin" (1984)