24 Days of LosMas- He Sees You When You’re Sleeping

 

24 Days of LosMas- Carnage for Christmas (2024)

I will post Christmas-themed horror films over the next 24 days of LosMas; for the nineteenth night, I am posting the 2024 slasher Carnage for Christmas. 

Carnage for Christmas (2024)

A true crime podcaster named Lola returns to the small town where she grew up to spend the holiday with her sister. What she considers a boring, conservative town proves her wrong when a series of murders draw out her detective skills as she learns about her town's dark secrets. Carnage for Christmas is a 2024 Australian holiday slasher directed by Alice Maio Mackay. As a holiday horror movie, Carnage for Christmas features a Santa-clad killer, but unlike other slashers, this movie is a more detective story than a traditional slasher. Jeremy Moineau portrays Lola, a trans woman who uses her skills to delve into her hometown's urban legend concerning a killer named The Toy Maker. Lola is clearly in her element as she turns to new friends who are all seen as outsiders to the closed-minded residents. The cast is pretty good, including Dominique Booth, Olivia Deeble, and Joe Romeo. The movie has great gore effects and is well-paced for its 70-minute run time. While some in the horror community might not appreciate a cast of mostly LGBT characters, the storyline of Carnage for Christmas works as a vehicle to show the real-life violence that occurs in this community, and Lola proves to be an outstanding sleuth and final girl.  

24 Days of LosMas- Silent Bites (2024)

I will post Christmas-themed horror films over the next 24 days of LosMas; for the eighteenth night, I am posting the 2024 vampire movie Silent Bite.

 

 Silent Bite (2024)

On a cold wintery Christmas Eve, a gang of bank robbers pull off a heist and flee to a predetermined location to hide from the police. As the winter snow worsens, they find their sanctuary isn't as safe when a woman and her pack of vampires decide to feast on them. Silent Bite is a 2024 vampire movie directed by Taylor Martin and written by Simon Phillips. Silent Bite is a Holiday horror movie with a unique premise, given its isolated setting and winter backdrop, It is the perfect vehicle for a vampire story. Simon Philips, who appears as the leader of the bank robbers, stands out with his rugged look and boss man demeanor. Sayla de Goede appears as the mother vampire and has appeared alongside Phillips in two Christmas horror films. While the movie starts out as a heist movie, it turns into a vampire free-for-all in the tradition of From Dusk Till Dawn but without Salma Hayek and the heavy violence. The rest of the cast works well, given their limited character development, as this film is more like a battle of survival, much like 30 Days of Night. Silent Night has a great premise and works reasonably well, given its limited budget and lack of significant star power.      

24 Days of LosMas- Sister Krampus (2021)

I will post Christmas-themed horror films over the next 24 days of LosMas; for the seventeenth night, I am posting the 2021 horror movie Sister Krampus.

Sister Krampus (2021)

A nun is kicked out of her order for being defiled by soldiers; she turns to Krampus to seek revenge. Decades later, two sisters traveling in that village encounter the spirit of the Nun, who decides to pursue one of them for a sinister purpose. Sister Krampus is a 2021 indie horror movie directed by Mark Polonia, featuring his usual actor company. As with the majority of films produced in the past decade utilizing Krampus in its title, we have a movie that is nothing more than a gimmick film featuring the dark Christmas character with a terrible story and low-budget look. The other traits found in Mark Polonia's movies are present, including using the same group of actors, bargain basement sets, and pointless dialogue. Sister Krampus is set in Austria around Christmas, but it looks like it was filmed in the northeast USA in summer. The history is wrong, and soldiers' uniforms were a mix of army surplus and spirit store props. The only great notable feature is the poster art that Mark Polonia has for this film and the Krampus creature costume, which was well made and looks cosplay-worthy. Sister Krampus is a terrible movie, but it is an improvement when stacked up with other Krampus knockoffs and many of Polonia's other low-budget catalogs.  

24 Days of LosMas- Darkest Night

I will post Christmas-themed horror films over the next 24 days of LosMas; for the sixteenth night, I am posting the 2012 found footage film Darkest Night.

Darkest Hour (2012)

On Christmas Day, a newly engaged couple travels to her family home near Manila for a family dinner and to share the news of their engagement. As the large family enjoys a holiday dinner, a series of bizarre events bring tragedy to this seemingly happy family. Darkest Night is a 2012 horror movie made in the Philippines and directed by Noel Tan. Darkest Hour is a supernatural horror movie presented in found footage style. As with most films in this genre, the camera work is unsteady and made to look amateurish as an unseen family member is filming. Much of the movie occurs during a power outage, so many of the scenes are lit by lanterns and candles, making it difficult to see the actors who are yelling at one another. While the blackout is a suitable plot device, the film drags in many scenes, leaving the viewer wondering if there is more to this film than strange noises and people running around screaming at each other. While this movie starts with a great premise, the end result is derivative, as the yelling and screaming overshadow the supernatural storyline.            

24 Days of LosMas- A Creature Was Stirring (2023)

I will post Christmas-themed horror films over the next 24 days of LosMas; for the fifteenth night, I am posting the 2023 isolation horror film A Creature Was Stirring.

A Creature Was Stirring (2023)

A nurse caring for her sick daughter during an intense blizzard discovers two strangers have broken into her home looking for help. While she seems hospitable, the secret she harbors about her daughter comes out, and their fate rests in the mysterious intentions the strange woman has for them. A Creature Was Stirring is a 2023 isolation horror movie directed by Damien LeVeck and starring Annalise Basso, Chrissy Metz, and Scout Taylor Compton. While the film appears to be a home invasion story, there is so much more to the story as the events play out. The isolated setting and Christmas storm set the mood for this film, and you will wonder what is happening. The small cast does an excellent job in their roles, with Annalise and Chrissy effectively portraying the mother and daughter. The film features excellent special effects and some cool creature design to add to the spooky storyline. The only issue some audiences may face is an ending that may confuse some, but the whole movie is left to some interpretation, and repeat viewing may reveal more clues.      

24 Days of LosMas- Ice Quake

I will post Christmas-themed horror films over the next 24 days of LosMas; for the fourteenth night, I am posting the 2010 climate thriller Ice Quake.

Ice Quake

A government scientist and his family find their Christmas holiday ruined when a series of earthquakes in Alaska threatens their community and safety. As if the quakes were not bad enough, the scientist learns that huge methane pockets are being released that could create a national disaster. Ice Quake is a 2010 SyFy disaster movie directed by Paul Ziller and starring Brendan Fehr, Holly Dignard, Victor Garber, and Jodelle Ferland. Like most SyFy movies, Ice Quake features a few notable actors, rampant CGI, and plots that start absurd and go to eleven. Ice Quake's cast is likable and features a post-Silent Hill Jodelle Ferland. While the film is less ludicrous than Sharknado, there are a number of absurd events that are best left unquestioned, as the film is pretty entertaining and can be enjoyed as a popcorn flick. There is no gore, and most deaths are due to freezing, so this is a family-friendly film for audiences that enjoy watching silly SyFy TV movies.