24 Days of LosMas- The Gingerdead Man (2005)

I will be posting Christmas-themed horror films over the next 24 days of LosMas; for the eighth night, I am posting the 2005 Charles Band horror-comedy The Gingerdead Man.

The Gingerdead Man (2005)

Dir- Charles Band

A crazed psycho killer is brought back to life after his execution in the form of a gingerbread man when his ashes are mixed with the spice mix. He then terrorizes the daughter of his last victims, hoping to add to his body count. Directed by Full Moon creator Charles Band, The Gingerdead Man casts Gary Busey as the killer cookie in this silly but strangely entertaining comedy horror movie. The studio best known for the Puppetmaster series of movies bakes up another franchise that may not please the critics. Indeed, it entertains fans who appreciate the Charles Band style of films. The film would spawn a series of sequels, crossover movies, and merchandise as it has become a cult classic since its release in 2005. 

24 Days of LosMas- Feeders 2: Slay Bells

I will be posting Christmas-themed horror films over the next 24 days of LosMas; for the seventh night, I am posting the 1998 low budget comedy Feeders 2: Slay Bells

Feeders 2: Slay Bells

Dir: Mark Polonia & John Polonia

A zero-budget film brought to you by the team responsible for Feeders and Sharkenstein. While the world enjoys the Christmas holiday, aliens decide to attack Earth and target Santa along the way. One family decides to fight back and help Santa ensure that Feeders 3 can happen. Feeders 2 is directed and written by the Polonia brothers, known for their homemade effects and paper mache aliens. While this film has a fan base that appreciates the Polonia brothers' can-do spirit, this sequel to the equally homemade Feeders feels more at home with the dozen or so Krampus knockoffs. I appreciate the effort to make an alien Christmas movie, but this movie is better enjoyed by watching the Riff Trax version, which makes it more fun to watch.

24 Days of LosMas- Red Christmas (2014)

I will be posting Christmas-themed horror films over the next 24 days of LosMas; for the sixth night, I am posting the 2014 pseudo-documentary horror movie Red Christmas.

Red Christmas (2014)

Dir- Steve Rudzinski

Red Christmas is a pseudo-documentary-style film, not to be confused for the 2016 Craig Anderson film of the same name. Steve Rudzinski's 2014 horror film features Tara, a serial killer who kills men exclusively. She records her exploits, knowing that there will be a record of her exploits if she is ever caught. This Christmas season, she targets a possible victim at the mall showing how easy it is to lure any man home where she has sinister intent and a desire to please herself as she gets a sick thrill from her exploits. As the movie unfolds, Tara is unaware of another party watching her work, and what follows will add some unexpected twists. Red Christmas makes use of found footage, and Rudzinski skillfully makes the film more documentary style like Man Bites Dog or August Underground. Actress Amie Wrenn does an adequate job in her role, but some scenes drag on despite the movie's one-hour length. Thankfully Ms. Wrenn is engaging on camera and has great charisma despite her unmistakable psychotic personality.  

24 Days of LosMas- Follow (2015)

I will be posting Christmas-themed horror films over the next 24 days of LosMas; for the fifth night, I am posting the 2015 psychological horror movie Follow.

Follow (2015)

Dir- Owen Egerton

A young artist opens an early Christmas gift from his girlfriend and suddenly blacks out. When he awakens, his life is thrown in turmoil as a series of tragic events unfold as he tries to determine if the circumstances are genuine or in his mind. Follow is a 2015 psychological thriller directed by Owen Egerton and starring Noah Segan, Haley Lu Richardson, and Olivia Grace Applegate. Follow is a movie that shows how a single event can change the course of your life and send a person on a path of desperation. Although most of the events occur in a single location suggesting this movie may have started as a short movie, the scenes that unfold and the random visits do work well for the story, and Noah Segan does an excellent job as Quinn. Set in Texas, Follow does not feature the wintery look in most Christmas movies, but any native Texan will feel right at home. 

24 Days of LosMas- Hosts (2020)

I will be posting Christmas-themed horror films over the next 24 days of LosMas; for the fourth night, I am posting the 2020 sci-fi horror movie Hosts.

Hosts (2020)

Dir- Adam Leader & Richard Oakes 

A close encounter on Christmas Eve results in a young couple being taken over by unknown entities who then attend a neighbors family dinner where they hold the family hostage inflicting a series of cruel acts. Hosts is a 2020 English horror film directed by Adam Leader and Richard Oakes, who based it on a story they both created. The movie makes excellent use of practical effects and gets quite violent in some of the screen kills; the cast of unknown actors lends to the terror as the viewer waits to see what happens next. The film's name may be confused with the similarly titled 2019 screen life film Host, but even if you watch this in error, you as the viewer will not be disappointed by this holiday horror movie. 

24 Days of LosMas- Red Snow (2021)

I will be posting Christmas-themed horror films over the next 24 days of LosMas; for the third night, I am posting the 2021 vampire dark comedy Red Snow. 

Red Snow (2021)

Sean Nichols Lynch

Alone in a Lake Tahoe Cabin, a struggling writer (Dennice Cisneros) with a fixation on vampires finds inspiration when she rescues an injured bat that turns out to be a vampire (Nico Bellamy). Hoping to learn more about vampire culture, she offers him a place to hide out, but her curiosity may put her in danger from a vampire hunter and the vampires he is chasing. Red Snow is a holiday-themed black comedy directed by Sean Nichols Lynch, known for the 2015 drama Prep School. Dennice Cisneros shines in the starring role of Olivia, a vampire romantic who dreams of success as a writer and jumps at the chance to interview a real vampire. Nico Bellamy costars as Lucas, the injured vampire who agrees to help Olivia while suppressing his urge to feed on her. Vernon Wells also appears as a mysterious detective looking to capture Lucas. At 80 minutes, Red Snow does not wear out its welcome, and the delightful pairing of Olivia and Lucas makes for quite an odd couple. With recent vampire movies trying to stand out among the pack, it is refreshing to see a vampire comedy that isn't a derivative parody of Twilight or Dracula. Instead, Red Snow will appeal to fans of vampire movies looking for films along the lines of Fright Night and Dark Shadows, offering a bit of dark humor and some mildly gory bloodsucking.    

24 Days of LosMas- Treevenge (2008)

I will be posting Christmas-themed horror films over the next 24 days of LosMas; for the second night, it's the 2008 horror-comedy short Treevenge.

Treevenge (2008)

Dir- Jason Eisener

Treevenge is a Christmas horror short that features a community of evergreen trees attacked, kidnapped, and sold into bondage who then exact revenge on their holiday captors. Treevenge is a black comedy directed by Jason Eisner, best known for writing and directing Hobo With a Shotgun. Despite the fairytale-like premise, the film is very violent, with people of all ages brutally murdered by the vengeance-fueled firs. Nevertheless, Treevenge is a wickedly fun movie with enough dark humor to make every Christmas tree shopper consider switching to artificial evergreens.