Good Tidings (2016)
Matt Boiselle
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Starring Alan Mulhall, Claire Crossland, Julia Walsh
Directed by Stuart W. Bedford
It’s coming down the calendar-track like a runaway freight-train, and there’s nothing any of us can do to stop it. Once Halloween’s over, and the Thanksgiving turkey’s run dry…old pissed off Saint Nick is coming, and he’s bringing a slew of killer Santa flicks with him, so stick that in your stockings. Alright youngins, get yer asses down by the tree and sip on a little eggnog, cause we’re going to dish out some Good Tidings.
A very sadistic trio of Kris Kringle costume wearing psychos decides it’s festive enough a time of the season to break into a courthouse that shelters homeless folk, and it’s up to a former vet named Sam (Mulhall) to put the squash on these yuletide looneys before the slay-time commences (get it?). Bottom line here: it’s simple, it’s effective, it’s low budget, but DAMN is it fun to take in, and director Stuart Bedford should be proud to have a seasonal slasher under his belt – well done, sir! It’s apparent that the object of setting this film up for you all and knocking you down with details is utterly pointless – there are killer Santas on the loose here, people – what more do you want? Actually, Bedford does a nice job of giving some of the saviors here some rather interesting backstories, which are shown at different intervals of the film.
Alongside Sam are an intriguing blend of junkies and hobos that are more than willing to kick a little holly-jolly ass, and it’s that kind of reckless abandonment that makes this movie such a boot in the padded pants. Aside from your usual “nonsensical thinking”, herky-jerky plot traversing, and a fairly disappointing view of bodies that we as an audience, NEVER get to see dispatched, it still plays out as an overall treat to view with both strong performances and cinematic views that you normally wouldn’t expect from a low-budget presentation. So make sure this upcoming holiday season that you keep this little present closely in mind, while it might not rival such classics as Black Christmas or Silent Night, Deadly Night, but it sure beats Santa ramming some pitch-black coal in your piehole when you sleep.
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Film
Categorized:Reviews
