Black Christmas

Name: Black Christmas
Genre: Thriller, Horror
Released: December 25, 2006
Duration: 84 min
Rating: 22
Cast: Lacey Chabert, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Michelle Trachtenberg

2006

METASCORE

Generally unfavorable reviews based on 17 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 183 Ratings

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4.7

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4.7	User Score Mixed or average reviews based on 183 Ratings

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Black Christmas

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Movie Details & Credits

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) | Release Date: December 25, 2006 | R

Starring: Lacey Chabert, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Michelle Trachtenberg

Summary: The remake of the classic 1974 horror thriller in which a sorority house is terrorized by a killer who makes frightening telephone calls before murdering the sorority sisters during the Christmas break. (Dimension Films)

Director: Glen Morgan

Genre(s): Thriller, Horror

Rating: R

Runtime: 84 min

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Critic Reviews

Chuck Wilson

The flashbacks are wittily gothic, and the present-day murder scenes have the absurdist, chain-reaction intricacy of the "Final Destination" deaths. Read full review

Elizabeth Weitzman

Where the first film was a seminal forerunner of early stalker classics like "Halloween," this version feels as stale as old gingerbread. Read full review

Ty Burr

Silly, obvious, clumsy, and just gruesome enough to keep jaded genre fans from angrily throwing popcorn at the screen. Read full review

Gregory Kirshling

Twice as many accidental laughs as scares. Read full review

Jason Anderson

Lazy, perfunctory and free of tension, the new version will satisfy neither the admirers of the original nor anyone looking for a gory respite from seasonal good cheer. Read full review

Empire Kat Brown

Bad film fans will think Christmas has come early, everyone else should ask for the receipt. Read full review

Jim Ridley

The product itself isn't so much afterthought as afterbirth -- a bloody mess to be dumped discreetly. Read full review

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User Reviews

DJohnson

Apr 19, 2012

A decent, simple horror flick, though not as good as the original by any stretch of the imagination, i'm sure young adults will love this, specifically those that enjoyed sorority row.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

melissah.

Dec 16, 2006

Excellent acting! suspense was good, there was alot of gore and some disturbing parts but overall i really like this movie!

1 of 1 users found this helpful

maestraretirada

Apr 15, 2011

When this movie ended i felt that it missed something on its way, but nonetherless the girls acting were good especially Mary Elizabeth Winsted, Cristal Lowe and Michelle Trachtenberg

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

FitriAmirrol

Aug 13, 2010

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Black Christmas, the latest entry in a long thread of horror remakes, is no different than any other. Pointless and unnecessary, Black Christmas follows the plot of the original, without maintaing any sense of spook or scare which the first one offered (the longest chase scene displayed here was somewhere along 20 seconds).

Initially, the film seemed like a decent slasher film without many deficiencies. But after multiple viewings, and watching Bob Clark's stunningly macabre original take on the film, the reverence wears off, and the flaws start surfacing all but too blatantly obvious.

For one, the backstory and insight offered to the audience regarding our killer, Billy, had gallingly sunk the level of enigma and mystique surrounding the character so low until the antagonist had become nothing but a one-dimensional killer whose inevitable fall you would be awaiting ever so restlessly as the minutes crawl by. Though certainly, he could not have been any worse than the boneheaded stick figures Morgan had standing around like dishes in an all-eyeballs-you-can-eat buffet whose actions scream, "Kill me now!".

The exasperatingly predictable ending was so used and recycled over and over again that you'd be daft not to see the killer's encore in one brutal mortuary scene. I mean, come on, Hollywood! Spring for a new climax every once in a while.

Moving on, performances by the band of ogle-able eye candies were stodgy at times, although a few of the leads did not do all that badly as relative newcomers standing so close to the spotlight. Katie Cassidy and Crystal Lowe did good jobs, seeing as how this is the first time they possess screen times greater than 15 minutes. Although we've seen better from Michelle Trachtenberg and Mary Elizabeth Winstead, they're not to be blamed completely. On a second thought, all of them performed ably, considering the poorly-written screenplay they were forced to reenact.

However, not all is completely bad with the film. I, for one, remarkably found Black Christmas to be visually stunning and optically magnifect. It's a treat to the eyes, though not to the ears, as Shirley Walker's final score composition is not nearly as decent as could be, with the cues taking sharp turns up and down at supposedly "boo" moments (plus, one or two of them sounded like direct rip-offs from GarageBand). Nevetheless, the disorienting angles set up by Morgan is a job well done, as it gives the film a wonderful sense of eeriness and discomfort it would alternatively lack.

Black Christmas's entertaining use of over-the-top gory spectacle also ends up in favor with the film, as it provides a sort of "campy" style one might find difficult to see in slashers nowadays since most of them would prefer to obtain a PG-13 rating rather than give viewers their money's worth. Despite that, the film's just one more eyeball-pop away from being labelled "torture-porn". Therefore, Morgan has found just the right equilibrium that keeps the film's gore at hand. Additionally, there are quite a number of decent and memorable kills here. And on that note, I'd also like to direct my sincerest kudos to Morgan for an eerily horrifying flashback sequence, concerning a rolling pin, a cookie cutter and fresh milk.

The set and production designs were top-notch. They did a wonderful job in assuring that they get the feel and the look right. Although present sorority house may look comfy and cheerful, there's a hidden disquieting note, dubiously emphasized by excellent use of lightings. One more asset worthy to note is the film's short duration. Those not a fan of gore will only have to sustain 80 minutes of this film before the credits roll over. But then again, if you're not a gorehound, why even bother?

Verdict:
Despite Morgan's well intentions to recreate a strong slasher film from the 1970s, his visage of this re-imagination never succeeds to strike the right note. Regardless of some high points, Black Christmas is better off skipped, especially if you're not exactly a fan of carnage.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

marcmyworks

Jun 5, 2014

Hilariously Dimension films thought that this film would market better by having Christmas related death scenes added to the trailer, of which none appear in the actual film. This should have been the first indication that maybe the movie needed to be tweaked. Far too much in your face andHilariously Dimension films thought that this film would market better by having Christmas related death scenes added to the trailer, of which none appear in the actual film. This should have been the first indication that maybe the movie needed to be tweaked. Far too much in your face and not enough suspense.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

bfoore90

Jan 3, 2020

Another needless 2006 horror remake noone wanted or asked for, this movie is so absurdly bad its almost trying.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

BrinaK.

Dec 22, 2006

As Jennifer Hudson proves to be one of the best actresses and best singers of our generation, Beyonce and Sharon Leal prove to be equally outstanding. I have never seen such a Oscar-worthy masterpiece filled with so many Oscar-worthy parts. Eddie Murphy may have erased his career mistakes As Jennifer Hudson proves to be one of the best actresses and best singers of our generation, Beyonce and Sharon Leal prove to be equally outstanding. I have never seen such a Oscar-worthy masterpiece filled with so many Oscar-worthy parts. Eddie Murphy may have erased his career mistakes and declared his best performance ever. A Oscar nomination in his spot would be more than appropriate. He showed tremendous talent in his singing and powerful acting. Jamie Foxx and his outstanding show could bring him another Oscar, this time as best supporting actor. Danny Glover and Anika Noni Rose, in smaller Parts are also outstanding. The movie is undeniably powerful and totally unforgettable. See it and cherish the memories weeks after, because this one will stick with you for life. It is life-changing and it is worth a 2000 dollar ticket if you ask me! It is a privilege to see a movie this amazing. A Genius Masterpiece.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful

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