Lumsdal Good , But It Is Overrated By Some

Chirphymium It's entirely possible that sending the audience out feeling lousy was intentional

Ortiz Excellent and certainly provocative... If nothing else, the film is a real conversation starter.

Haven Kaycee It is encouraging that the film ends so strongly.Otherwise, it wouldn't have been a particularly memorable film

azathothpwiggins It's Christmastime, and the sisters in a sorority house are getting ready to go off on their various holiday excursions. Unbeknownst to any of them, someone has climbed in through the attic window. This can't be good, especially since they've recently been receiving a series of very disturbing phone calls from someone they've dubbed "Super Tongue". When a girl named Clare vanishes, the fear begins to build. Those who've stayed behind, will wish they had gone home this Christmas. Director, Bob Clark (CHILDREN SHOULDN'T PLAY WITH DEAD THINGS, DEATHDREAM) has fashioned a yuletide classic of terror w/ BLACK CHRISTMAS. The mysterious intruder is creepy and menacing, and the obscene calls are truly deranged. Listening closely to them, one gets an idea of just what sort of person is making them, which deepens the sense of unease and coming tragedy. Jess (Olivia Hussey) gets the worst of the phone calls, and could be in grave danger. Her hot-tempered boyfriend, Peter (Keir Dullea- BUNNY LAKE IS MISSING) is a little unhinged himself. Offsetting all this, is a wicked sense of humor, exemplified by the bawdy, happily audacious Barb (Margot Kidder). Never without a drink and / or a cigarette, she can't seem to open her mouth, unless a dirty joke comes out! Amazingly, the levity only serves to increase the level of dread. Co-stars John Saxon (A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET) as police Lt. Fuller. A highly influential masterpiece of horror...

trishaade My understanding is that BLACK Christmas is considered to be a cult classic because it is one of the first slasher movies; it laid the foundations for those that came later. Although pretty well done overall, it does have some problems. The film is lightly based on an urban legend - it concerns a Christmas holiday murderer who primarily targets those living in a sorority house. The killer may or may not be involved in some other murders around town, but the focus here is on the people living in the house.The acting is fairly well done by all of the cast, however, some of the characters are very one dimensional. We only see one side of their personality - the conservative virgin, the vulgar party girl and the inept policeman are perfect examples. There are others who are a little more fleshed out and have more depth to them, but the movie does suffer from that shallowness as many horror movies do.Unlike the slashers that came later, BLACK Christmas is very tame in it's graphic violence. Many of the murders take place off screen although the aftermath is generally seen. Although very little blood is filmed, the movie does have a fair amount of bad language so be warned if you don't like profanity or sexual references. It's definitely not suitable for kids.The film is really genuinely creepy in parts, especially in the interactions between the killer and the girls living in the sorority house. The ending is quite creepy as well.Parts of the movie don't make a lot of sense though. I don't want to get into any spoilers here, but lets just say that certain things should easily be heard when things are quiet. And of course, you have the character who stays and puts herself in danger when she's knows that things are quite amiss - one of my biggest pet peeves with horror movies. The film is pretty well paced overall which made it enjoyable to watch. Although some reviewers disagree, I actually did like it's final scenes but I wouldn't want to live in a town where the police don't think things through to a logical conclusion.If you like your horror tame, this one would be a pretty good choice if you can handle the vulgarity. There are other "entry level" horror films that are better, but this one is okay. I don't know that a seasoned horror buff who likes their movies bloody and violent would like it though.

thiszizlife That Guy Had One Creepy Sounding Voice ManExcellent start to a Gothic horror plot. A man walks across the scene, but who is he? And why is he there? The narrative is convoluted at times like this. NKE could symbolize a culture counterfeit in American society. And the songs ... no Christmas spirit like this anymore, that's for sure. Hot damn! This is what I mean when I say "culture counterfeit." The first line we hear is "Hey, who left the goddamn front door open?" love @@@@ like this. This film is NOT trying to be a film, it's just happening and a camera seems to be rolling. Then the camera shifts. And I Love how we see the POV of the killer in this one. Bob Clark is right on the money. Though why are we informed about a 720 train into the city? We're never going to go there. And where is Mt. Holly, is that a city name where Barb want to go? Nobody clues us in on these details. Like why does Barb drink? Why does she compare her sex life with a turtle? What is she alluding to. I want to know these things. Anyhow, I love Jess's "Hello's" in this one. She must have of said hello a hundred times. I will be talking a lot about Jess and Barb as we go further. First, the sorority house. How is Barb comparing this to a convent? Clark gives us a good jump scare, and later comes up with some clever ideas. Old clothes and old jokes, that's what we get with this film, "old tradition vs modernity." We all like to drink during the holidays, but stringing lights on trees and caroling seem far fetched today. What this film reminds me to do is brush. Why else have a lady brushing her teeth shot? I ought to brush more, okay. So, anyhow, Jess dates a musician in this film. And I wonder why? How does this tie into the story plot? And doesn't Mr. Harris realize that college is about drinking and partying, at least more than 20 percent of it is. And 80 percent of it is writing papers. I think he falls into the later category. Clark has a good visual eye, I will say that, and he happens to be one of my favorite directors. The film focuses on abortion and premarital marriage a little, and I wonder about why the director adds this stuff in during a time of sharing and love. Peter really doesn't like his piano does he? Lol! Clark uses a lot of nice mid-range shots throughout the film, and gives some nice ones of the conservatory. Every scene is straight forward with no real intention to try to make money off of what the masses want, it's just Clark doing what he does best. Peter is fed up and wants out of the conservatory. "He is an artist, he is high strong." I'm reminded here of father Karras in The Exorcist when he says he is losing his faith. So the idea of this struggle is constant with Peter. He wants the baby, becomes desperate, and tries to force Jess into marriage. So that idea is there. And faith is never with any of these people as they continue along their path, they seem to have individual goals and reasoning. Jess wears a crucifix and wants an abortion, so what's the reasoning behind that? About the acting. John Saxon makes this film really hold together. And he looks so good on film, big fan. There are just too many other things that are inconsistent with the plot. I would like to know more about the sorority sisters, what their major is? I would have scripted a few things differently, sure. Though this is a graceful film. I just wanted more space. Where always in the same place with Clark. Some shots are the same. This film becomes hard to follow and doesn't flow well. I found myself lost towards the end. Still a very good film!

Realrockerhalloween The definition of a cult classic black Christmas was the standard whodunit set around Christmas.While house sorority girls are getting ready to head out for the holidays they are being stalked by a crazed maniac.It may be a controversial idea, but I found it better then Halloween. It has a mysterious killer, a big house to work with, faster paced and better characterization. I felt like a kid hiding under the covers during some of the brutal scenes. It could be very creepy like when the killer would taunt them or talk about sexual content that I suspect he was performing on the bodies.The music even became an entity that reached a pitch at climatic scenes resulting in nearly turning my hair white.I can't say there was ever a dull moment. I watched it dozens of times and have never been bored by it. It always has the characters involved in parties or on a hunt and noting around. I nearly suffered whiplash.Black Christmas may be ignored by critics at its release, but now has the cult following it deserved.Special mentions to Marget Kidder who was a delight and my favorite character. Olivia before her Romeo and Juliet days and John Saxon we all know from elm street. Ask for black Christmas this December. It'll be the best present you ever got.8/10.