24 Days of LosMas- Dead End (2003)

I will be posting Christmas themed horror films over the next 24 days of LosMas; for the seventh night, I am listing the 2003 thriller Dead End.

Dead End (2003)

A family taking a trip on Christmas Eve encounter a bizarre series of events after the father takes a shortcut from their usual route. They pick up a hitchhiker and her baby only to learn that it is one of many dark and mysterious events that seem to occur on an endless road. Dead End is a French horror movie directed by Jean Baptiste Andrea and Fabrice Canepa. The film has an excellent cast featuring horror screen queen Lin Shaye, Ray Wise, and Alexandra Holden. The film plays out like an episode of the Twilight Zone and has enough surprises to make this movie a horror-thriller you can enjoy any time of year. 

24 Days of LosMas- Dismembering Christmas (2015)

I will be posting Christmas themed horror films over the next 24 days of LosMas; for the sixth night, I am listing the 2015 slasher Dismembering Christmas.

Dismembering Christmas (2015)

Seven high school students decide to stay in an isolated family cabin to party before attending a Christmas Eve wedding. Once there, they encounter a couple of townies who warn them of bad things occurring. Ignoring these requests, they soon find they are now at the mercy of a black-clad killer taking them out one at a time. Dismembering Christmas is a low budget film produced by Slasher Studios and directed by Austin Bosley. Following the usual slasher gamebook, this movie does mimic the style of an 80s summer camp movie but changing the setting to the winter holidays. The cast is adequate, and the events play out without losing too much attention for the audience. Despite the movie's low budget, horror fans will appreciate the practical special effects and creative kill scenes that will leave you guessing who is next and who will survive. Dismembering Christmas is better than most Christmas themed horror movies and would still be a decent movie even if it was set during the summer.  

24 Days of LosMas- Once Upon a Time at Christmas (2017)

I will be posting Christmas themed horror films over the next 24 days of LosMas, for the fifth night, I am listing the 2017 slasher Once Upon a Time at Christmas

Once Upon a Time at Christmas (2017)

A small New York town is living in fear as a murderous duo dressed as Santa and Mrs. Claus murder citizens in a pattern that plays into the 12 Days of Christmas. As the police are left baffled, a young woman fears she may be next as the murders get closer to her. "Once Upon a Time at Christmas" was released in 2017 and was helmed by British director Paul Tanter. Simon Philips plays the killer Santa and is pretty terrifying in the role, but Sayla de Goede's Mrs. Claus channels too much "Suicide Squads" Harley Quinn, and as a result, her role seems less scary and more copycat. As a holiday horror movie, "Once Upon a Time at Christmas" fails to stand out with its all too predictable pace and cliched plot. The real crime was using CGI for the murder scenes instead of practical special effects that would look more natural. Overall the movie joins a collection of mediocre holiday slashers that will show up on streaming clients and Red Box. 

24 Days of LosMas- Body (2015)

I will be posting Christmas themed horror films over the next 24 days of LosMas, for the fourth night, I am listing the 2015 psychological thriller Body (2015)

Body (2015)

Three young women bored on Christmas Eve decide to follow a friend's suggestion to visit her uncle's mansion and enjoy some fine living while he is on vacation. Yet their night of games, drinking, and fun is interrupted by the groundskeeper and the realization they are trespassing. The situation is worsened when the man is severely injured in a struggle leaving the three to decide if they will report the accident. "Body" is a 2015 psychological crime thriller directed by Dan Berk and Robert Olsen; the film stars Helen Rogers, Alexandra Turshen, Lauren Molina, and Larry Fessenden. The film does present some challenging moral dilemmas involving friendship and how far one is willing to protect someone who is making a terrible situation worse. "Body" does benefit from some great roles, especially Ms. Rogers and Ms. Turshen, as well as veteran indie director and producer Larry Fessenden in the eponymous role.  

24 Days of LosMas- Christmas Apparition (2018)

I will be posting Christmas themed horror films over the next 24 days of LosMas, for the third night, I am listing the 2018 holiday thriller Christmas Apparition. 

Christmas Apparition (2018)

The holidays can be quite stressful for people, and having a personal tragedy can only make it worse to cope. Emma (Katie O Jones) is a college senior who has to find a place to stay over the Christmas holiday as her dormitory is closed due to maintenance. Due to her mother's troubles and inability to stay with a sibling, she takes a job from a woman she meets in a coffee shop who needs a baby sitter. The children she is charged with include a moody 17-year-old teen girl and her 15-year-old withdrawn brother. Chrissy (Maura Chappelle) is a talented pianist, and William (Matthew Chapelle) displays a talent with his sketches, but both children seem withdrawn and indifferent to Emma. The house is beautiful but devoid of holiday decorations and cold; Emma tries to make the best of the situation but soon finds that her inner demons may cause problems with her teenage charges as the holiday approaches. Colleen Griffen directed Christmas Apparition and is a repacked film initially titled "The Cold and the Quiet." Despite its title, there is very little to suggest this is a Christmas movie, but the lack of Christmas cheer plays into the plot that is more holiday drama than horror. 

24 Days of LosMas- Whoever Slew Auntie Roo? (1971)

I will be posting Christmas themed horror films over the next 24 days of LosMas, for the second night, I am listing the 1971 thriller Whoever Slew Auntie Roo?

Whoever Slew Auntie Roo? (1971)

Long before slashers took over the horror scene, one of the more interesting niche genres was the "Psycho Biddy" craze that featured Oscar-winning actresses in their later years starring in a series of horror thrillers. These movies included "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane," "Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte," and "What's the Matter with Helen?" 

"Whoever Slew Auntie Roo?" was one of these films featuring Oscar-winning actress Shelley Winters as a wealthy widow who hosts several local orphans for the holidays in her vast estate. Calling herself "Auntie Roo," she hosts a holiday banquet and gives the children toys to compensate for losing her daughter years before. Two orphans draw her attention as the young girl reminds Auntie Roo of her deceased child while the brother suspects she may be hiding ill intentions. "Whoever Slew Auntie Roo?" is a dark take on the tale of Hansel and Gretel, with the two children fearing the seemingly sincere intentions of the old woman who does indeed hide a dark secret. Not a real horror movie, the film is a decent take on the classic fairy tale with Shelley Winters excelling in her role as Auntie Roo. A fun twisted fairy tail for those looking for a fun Christmas themed thriller. 

24 Days of LosMas- Santa Jaws (2018)

I will be posting Christmas themed horror films over the next 24 days of LosMas, for the first night, I am listing the 2018 Horror Comedy Santa Jaws.

Santa Jaws (2018)

A teen graphic artist helps create a graphic novel with his friend featuring a Santa themed shark. He is surprised to see his creation come to life as it stalks his family and community after he is frustrated by the holiday's stresses. Santa Jaws is undoubtedly one of the more absurd Christmas Horror titles as it swims into the popular fantasy shark attack genre that movies like the Sharknado franchise helped spawn. Despite its low budget and bargain CGI, the film has some fun creatures kills and a pair of young, likable heroes who bond as they try to defeat this Christmas-loving menace. Misty Talley directed Santa Jaws as a campy B movie and has made a career with other shark-themed films that are often found on SyFy Channel and Tubi.