Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
It's a "Muppet Family Christmas!"
Labels:
Christmas,
News,
Strange Kids Club
Rocking Out with 'Ren & Stimpy's Crock O' Christmas'
would be returning to Nickelodeon (albeit on its sister network, Nicktoons) this coming January I've been in an extra special nostalgia mood. So much that I started digging through my assortment of Ren & Stimpy related paraphernalia for the first time in years. Low and behold what did I find, but a copy of the dysfunctional animated duos Christmas-themed album, Ren & Stimpy's Crock O' Christmas.With such classic holiday hymnals as 'Decorate Yourself' and 'It's a Wizzleteats Kind of Christmas,' Crock O' Christmas proved to me just why I so fondly remember the adolescent goofballs. Sure, some of the humor is crude, but let's be honest: when was the last time you've heard a fart joke delivered so masterfully as when Stimpy and his son Stinky (the Fart) reminisce in 'What Is Christmas?' I dare you to find a more endearing ode to feline projectile vomit than 'Cat Hairballs' or any album anywhere that has such a love for Yaks.
An Eye-Gouging Christmas Tale of Trees and Revenge
Labels:
Christmas,
Horror,
Indie Film
Otherwise known as Treevenge, the film is a veritable PSA for not messing with Mother Nature on Christmas because she will f*ck you up. We're not talking about some malnutritioned hippies with homemade signs here, no sir. Directed and produced by the same team as the forthcoming Hobo with a Shotgun (Jason Eisener and Rob Cotterill) Treevenge is a film whose concept and execution far exceed its low budget. A big hit on the indie circuit when it premiered last year, Treevenge exposes the "horrifying reality of the lives of Christmas trees."
Makes perfect sense when you think about it. But beyond its facepalm plot, this short boasts some of the most insane holiday-themed deaths that I've ever seen. The coup de grâce, however, comes around the 14 minute mark when a screaming infant and a killer tree go face to stump... it will blow your mind (literally). If there's one new Christmas tradition you should make this year, it's seeing this film in its entirety.
William S. Burroughs 'The Junky's Christmas'
Labels:
Animation,
Christmas,
Claymation,
William S. Burroughs
So what do you get when you mix copious amounts of drugs with the traditional spirit of goodwill during Christmas? Some would call it a typical family get together (is that just me?), but surrealist author William S. Burroughs calls it The Junky's Christmas. Directed by Nick Donkin and Melodie McDaniel in 1993, this claymation-animated short is narrated by Burroughs himself and was even produced by none other than Francis Ford Coppola.
Do the 'Monster Christmas Mash' and Get Down with Your Jolly Self
Full of such holly jolly jingles as "The Reason for Treason" and "The Creep Castle Chorus, Marching Band & Dissecting Society," Monster Christmas Mash is more of a fun collection of short skits and spoken word lyrics than it is actual music but it's nonetheless enjoyable listening to Igor and his Master debate the need for being good on Christmas eve or Dracula singing Jingle "Blahs" [Bells].
'ALF's Special Christmas' or The Most Depressing Christmas Ever Told
Labels:
ALF,
Christmas,
Puppets,
Television
Ah, Christmas. It's a time for candy canes, fat jolly men dressed in red suits, and... little kids riddled with terminal diseases?! At least, that's the premise for this ho-hum holiday special courtesy of an 80s era AIDS-phobic mentality and ALF's need to consistently remind viewers that he's the kind-hearted Homer Simpson of space aliens.
Ever since I was a kid, there's been this love/hate relationship with ALF in which my memories of the show are always better than the actually quality of them. Granted, what kid wouldn't love an over-sized, smart mouthed space alien from the planet Melmac who likes to eat kittens and cause unwarranted havoc on the poor Tanner family? Honestly though, ALF was kind of a jerk.
SKC's Geeked-Out Holiday 2010 Gift Guide
Labels:
Article,
Christmas,
Cool Stuff,
Countdown
(Re)Animations: Infinite Santa 8000
Set in a post-apocalyptic landscape full of mutants, monsters and madmen Infinite Santa 8000 is an independently produced web series that chronicles the exploits of the man known as Infinite Santa and his companion, a young robot/clone girl, as they fight the evil forces of Dr. Shackleton. An interesting setup for sure, but does this Santa deliver the goods?
Beware the Bearded Man... 'Rare Exports' Full Review
Labels:
Bloodsprayer,
Christmas,
Indie Film,
News
Hey there fellow strange kids! I just wanted to let you know that I recently had the opportunity to review the upcoming film, Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale for Bloodsprayer.com and although I can't re-post my review here I can share a snippet of my impression...
As Jalmari Helander’s first feature length film Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale offers an impressive ensemble of unknown talent emphasized by a solid script and foreboding score, all of which have been deftly honed over the course of his previous short films (Rare Exports, Inc. and Rare Exports: The Official Safety Instructions). On some levels it’s comparable to John Carpenter’s The Thing, by way of The Monster Squad, and though the film doesn’t spend too much time explaining it’s premise we are given enough visual cues to allow our imagination to fill in the gaps.Suffice it to say, I thought the entire film was fantastic! If you want to check out the entire review, head on over to Bloodsprayer and share your thoughts.
Kicking off Christmas with the Crypt Keeper
Labels:
Article,
Christmas,
Horror,
Music,
Tales from the Crypt
Start your engines! Today marks the first day of December and the beginning of many "25 Days Of" style countdowns on televisions to remind us of the impending awesomeness that will ensue. AMC has been broadcasting Scrooged with a 4-night marathon, CBS aired Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer last night on prime time, and it won't be long before TBS brings the season home (ad nauseum) with 48 hours of A Christmas Story.
While all of that is good and well for about 90% of the general population, what you may ask does Christmas offer the non-conformist? Well, as luck would have it, there's the creeptastic caroling of John Kassir as the Cryptkeeper, whose holiday-themed album Have Yourself Scary Little Christmas includes such classics as Deck the Halls with Parts of Charlie, 'Twas the Fright Before Christmas, and my personal fave Revenge of the Cryptkeeper. Released way back in 1994 I had completely forgotten about this lost little gem until I saw a promo for it mischievously thrown in at the end of a sixth season Tales from the Crypt episode (see above).
Preview 'Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale'
Labels:
Christmas,
Cool Stuff,
Horror,
Indie Film,
Preview,
Video
Based on a series of short films by Helander, Rare Exports Inc. (see above) and Rare Exports: The Official Safety Instructions, this feature length adaptation finds a band of Finland archeologists who inadvertently discover the "real" Santa Claus, a terrifyingly real (and most likely rabid) representation of 'ole Saint Nick. Unearthed by a reindeer hunter and his young son while searching for the cause behind a recent string of missing children, Santa doesn't take to kindly to being held captive and before long his elves come looking for him... and they ain't too jolly either.
Interview w/ Laurie Pizzi from Knit Terrors
With the holiday season literally upon us (it's almost sad to think that Christmas has now started to eclipse Halloween AND Thanksgiving) the stores are filling with overpriced knicks and/or knacks for your family and friends. That's why this year at the clubhouse we'll be searching for something a little more special to stuff your stocking. Something such as Laurie Pizzi's Knit Terrors whose custom creations are certain to warm any horror fans still beating heart this winter. Laurie was kind enough to stop by and offer us some insight into the creation of her little minions as well as offer some tidbits of what's in store for the future of Knit Terrors.
Thanks for joining us, Laurie. Can I interest you in some zombie jerky or perhaps a tall glass of Tang?
Is it un-vegetarian for me to indulge in zombie jerky? Eh, I won't tell if you won't!
So how did your interest in knitting first develop?
A few years ago I decided it was something I wanted to learn. I got sick of finding scarves that in my opinion were way too short, so I asked my incredibly talented grandmother to teach me. That was about 5 or 6 years ago, and I haven’t stopped knitting since! My grandma’s amazing and I credit her with any sort of creativity I have. She’s one of my biggest cheerleaders.
A Flintstone Christmas
A true testament that you're never too young or old to enjoy either Christmas or cartoons, A Flintstone Christmas (1977) is one of those rare experiences in which everyone can revel in the holiday spirit. Although most Christmas cartoon specials that are produced today are targeted at younger audience members (8-12 age range), A Flintstone Christmas provides the same sense of childhood entertainment alongside a nostalgia-factor for older viewers and, just like a fine carton of eggnog, its aged fairly well.Preceding Tim Allen's escapade as 'ole Saint Nick in The Santa Clause, the plot for A Flintstone Christmas follows Fred and Barney as they take fill in the Jolly One when Santa sprains his ankle delivering gifts at Fred's house. Meanwhile, Fred must deal with his Scrooge-esque boss, Mr. Slade, who is expecting Fred to perform at his Christmas party. Chuckle-inducing antics ensue and the rest, they say, is prehistory. Yabba-dabba-do.
Twas the Night Before Christmas
Rankin and Bass has to be, hands down, one of the most legendary animation studios when it comes to the high art of the Christmas special. Boasting the highest pedigree of classics, Rankin/Bass have given us such snowy-eyed seasonal adaptations as Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus, not to forget a little story called Twas the Night Before Christmas (1974).Based on the Clement Moore poem of the same name, Twas the Night Before Christmas has everything that a timeless made-for-tv special needs; full of songs, moral lessons, and an interpretation of the "true meaning" of Santa is revealed. The story revolves around a nerdy pipsqueak of a mouse who is too smart for his own good, first attempting to expose the "fraudulent myth" of Santa and then inadvertently destroying the town's Santa-inspired monument (a giant clock). Per the rules of Christmas specials (#1225), the mouse must then save Christmas by somehow fixing the clock and working past his disbelief in the 'ole jolly one. Suffice to say there's a reason why Santa wears boots... and these boots are for stomping.
Prep and Landing - Take Two
Okay, so now that all that political hogwash has... er, washed away, its time for some toons! That's right, not just one toon but a double stack of holiday-themed tinsel toons: A Charlie Brown Christmas and the long awaited (for me at least) Prep & Landing. Both airing on ABC, Prep & Landing is Disney's first Christmas television special for the station that follow two elven crack(ed) commandos charged with preparing each house for Santa's arrival. Of course in toon world nothing ever goes quite as planned and they soon find themselves tasked with saving the day by making sure the big man can pull through a wicked snow storm.Although I've come to know what to expect from good 'ole reliable Chuck, I must say that I'm looking forward to seeing what Disney has in store for us. Is this destined to become another holiday classic, or an ill-dated dude like the Monsters-vs-Aliens Halloween special this past October?
Prep & Landing is set to premier at 8:30/7:30c on ABC, preceded by A Charlie Brown Christmas at 8:00/7:00c.
He-Man and She-Ra Christmas Special
Call it a lesson in absurdity but I just can't help myself. There's just some things in life that no matter how bad they there in reality cannot shake the warm fuzzinessof childhood nostalgia. One such guilty pleasure? He-Man and She-Ra Christmas Special.
A paradoxal plot device unto itself, He-Man and She-Ra Christmas Special follows two young Earth boys who are accidentally transported into the world of Eternia by Orko's magical mischief. Captured by the evil duo of Hordak and Skeletor, the boys soon find themselves trapped in the frozen tundra alongside their captor (Skeletor). Under Christmas special regulation #1225, it then falls to Skeletor to save the day and return the children to safety upon which he is "overtaken" by the spirit of the season. Following this the children get magical flying belts from a Santa clad He-Man. You heard that right, they gave nine year old kids flying belts. What's next, light saber wielding hamsters? Watch out kids, Snuggles is one with the Dark Side!
A Cosmic Christmas
Chalk another on up for Nelvana as it seems old or new, the Canadian animation company can't miss. This time around we're taking a look at they're 1977 Christmas classic, A Cosmic Christmas.Best described as Stars Wars meets A Christmas Carol, A Cosmic Christmas borrows heavily from the biblical Three Wise Men motif as three intergalactic travelers visit our world in search for the true meaning of the holiday. Upon their arrival the three aliens meet a young boy, Peter, and his pet goose Lucy (get it, Lucy Goosey) and together they experience the magic of Christmas.
Though it offers some sci-fi charm, the religious tones are hard to miss. If this doesn't offend you or seem forced, then A Cosmic Christmas should suit you fine. However, if you prefer the magic of Christmas more geared towards Santa than the Son of God, you should check out this little gem of holiday joy.
Will Vinton's Claymation Christmas Special
There's nothing like creepy animated dinosaurs and Elvis-inspired raisins to let you know that the yuletide is among us— especially when they thoughtfully crafted through the vision of Will Vinton. Vinton is perhaps best known as the award-winning Claymation director behind the California Raisins, M&M's Red & Yellow mascots, and more recently The PJs television show. In his surreal animated style, Vinton manages to create a holiday themed absurdity that is both surreal and traditional. He seems to effortlessly draw from the biblical tales such as the Three Wise Men while intersecting with walruses dancing on ice. Pure genius!
Though I can't recall having seen Vinton's brilliance as a child (aside from the California Raisins), I am sure that it would've given me more than enough cause to be good, lest I be devoured by a purple, Santa-clad triceratops. Oh yeah, those glasses don't full me, you know that candy cane he's munching on was made from the flesh of bad little boys and girls. No doubt.
Check out YouTube for part 2 and part 3.
Trailer Terrors: Scrooged
Bill Murray is a comedy legend. I say this with the utmost confidence (I choose to grant a reprieve for the abominable Garfield flick in favor of his Zombieland cameo), knowing that there a very few "traditions" I maintain over the course of my life. And yet watching Scrooged (1988) on, around, or before Christmas has been an immutable past time since I can remember. I must have been around 9 or 10 when I was first being introduced to Scrooged on cable television (thanks USA network). It was a film that came across terrifyingly frightening and charming all in one and the fact that it was funny made me love it even more. Unfortunately, there are many movies nowadays that carry the same magical mixture of humor, horror and holiday spirit as Scrooged does with most the newer fare catering to younger viewers. Granted, there is nothing wrong with that at all, but its nice to know that there's an acceptable buffer between Black Christmas and Dora's Christmas Carol Adventure.
Prep and Landing... bumped
Shucks. I was so looking forward to the premiere of Disney's made for tv Christmas special Prep & Landing tonight on ABC. Alas, it seems that animation can't hold a flame to politics... even if the political presentation in mention is a moot point. Sigh.Its impressive to mention, though, how thurough ABC was in changing all of the air dates across the web. It took a good hour of searching to make sure that I wasn't crazy about the show's Dec. 1st premiere date. I realize that some of you may find it odd (or even slightly offensive) to compare a 30-minute cartoon to a Presidential speech but, really, is the President going to tell us anything that the Today show won't reveal tomorrow?
Oh well, I guess tonight's as good a night for the Grinch as any.
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