Gremlins

The rules were so simple

One of my Christmas traditions is to watch a Christmas themed horror movie.  This year it was one of the best "Gremlins"

There isn't much more to be said about the movie, it's horror classic.  It was one of the few horror movies that was a hit from day one.  There was no slowly building it's audience like a lot of movies. 

It's been a while since I've watched this so I thought I would share a couple of things I noticed. 

1.  Why don't the Gremlins multiply when they walk on the snow, it's wet after all.

2.  Why is Zach Galligan's character the only one with a job in the family? I know dad is supposed to be an inventor but couldn't he work a regular job too?  Their financial situation doesn't seem that great, yet the mom doesn't work either.  Seems a shame to put all the burden on the son. 

3. When people talk about kick ass women in horror they forget Lynn Peltzer (played by Frances Lee McCain).  When she hears the Gremlins upstairs, she doesn't run, she doesn't call for a man, she grabs a butcher knife and takes care of business.  She managed to kill three out of five by herself.  Not a bad record.  

4. For an additional commentary go to: The Movie Crypt Adam Green, Joe Lynch and Zach Galligan do one that has some great info in it. 

Merry Christmas, and always follow the rules when given a mystical creature. 

The babadook

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It's a rare movie that lives up to all the hype, but "The Babadook" does. Writer/director Jennifer Kent delivers one of the best horror films I've seen in a while, and certainly the best one this year. 

The story revolves around widowed mother Amelia and her son Samuel.  Samuel has the kind of behavioral problems that make me glad I don't have kids. One night before bed Samuel asks Amelia to read him a book he found on his shelf.  Once Amelia begins reading from "Mister Babadook" the problems begin.

The film is very claustrophobic with most of the action taking place in the family's house.  The look of the house and art direction in general are amazing.  The effects are refreshingly not CG, and it helps the feel of the film.

Jennifer Kent delivered a great movie and I can't wait to see more from her.