Black Christmas (1974)

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And all through the house, not a creature was stirring... except maybe Billy, 2008-12-29
Black Christmas is a fun, old slasher pic. One that eschews most of the slasher film formulas for the better (not surprising since this was done before there was a 'slasher film' genre). The characters behave realisticly and they respond to threats in ways that won't make you angry. br / br /The movie has a nicely creepy opening and a terrific half hour of an ending. The problem is that there's forty minutes or so in the middle that is sorta draggy. It isn't wasted time or anything, but maybe shoul have been paced better. br / br /Still, 'Billy' is genuinely scary. The obscene calls will make your flesh crawl and that 'eye behind the door' shot really haunts me. Easily worth watching (and the remake isn't as bad as you've heard either).

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Merry Christmas Billy (It's Been 34 Years Since You Terrorized The Sisters of Pi Kappa Sig on Christmas Eve), 2008-12-25
"Black Christmas" is an original, innovative holiday slasher flick that influenced countless imitations, including John Carpenter and Debra Hill's highly successful "Halloween." Directed by the versatile Bob Clark (director of the zombie horror hit "Children Shouldn't Play with Dead Things" as well as the heartwarming family comedy "A Christmas Story"), "Black Christmas" is a Canadian horror gem that has its own cult following and a website: ItsMeBilly.com. Though it never spawned a sequel, a successful remake was released in 2006. br / br / The plot is chilling, suspenseful, and realistic. A few days before Christmas, an unknown psychopath sneaks into the attic of a sorority house. He makes obscene phone calls that terrify the residents. One girl (Claire Harrison played by Lynne Griffin of "Curtains") is suffocated with a dry cleaning bag and her corpse seated in a rocking chair in the attic. She remains there throughout the storyline, unknown to those below. br / br / The viewer never sees the killer's face. All we learn about him is that his name is Billy and he had a sister named Agnes. He may have killed her. Before killing a victim, he refers to her as "Agnes." br / br / The cast is great. John Saxon ("A Nightmare on Elm Street") is Lieutenant Kenneth Fuller who is investigating Claire's disappearance. Olivia Hussey ("Psycho IV") is the pregnant heroine, Jessica Bradford, who is terrorized by her angry boyfriend, Peter Smythe (Keir Dullea). Seventies scream queen Margot Kidder ("Sisters" and "The Reincarnation of Peter Proud") is the depressed alcoholic student, Barb Coard. Art Hindle (of David Cronenberg`s "The Brood") is Claire's worried boyfriend, Chris Hayden. Andrea Martin ("My Big Fat Greek Wedding") is the only actor to star in the 2006 remake. Playing a student, Phyllis Carlson, in the original, Martin returns in the remake as the sorority housemother. br / br / "Black Christmas" is a creepy, atmospheric horror slasher with a downbeat, open ending; it reminded me of the ending in "The House on Sorority Row." "Black Christmas" is a must see for fans of holiday slasher fare and slasher flicks in general. It is definitely a holiday horror classic. Watch it back to back with the remake for an interesting perspective on how horror films have evolved over the past thirty years. br / br /Merry Christmas! And may all your Christmases be black!!!

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Much Better Than The Recent Version, 2008-12-23
I first saw Black Christmas many years ago when I rented it on VHS at Blockbuster; so you know it was awhile back. I love 70's 80's horror movies. I don't know if its' the creepy atmospheric scenery or what, but I love old horror movies from this time period. I like Black Christmas for the most part because you never get to see the killer; you only hear his creepy, crackling, high pitched screams on the other end of the telephone. I also love Margo Kidders' character, as a crass talking, booze drinking, bitchy housemate. I will say to anyone who loves horror movies; get Black Christmas and add it to your collection, you won't be disappointed.

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An Underrated and Overlooked Christmas Horror Classic, 2008-12-19