Dismembering Christmas (2015)

Sadly Over-hyped

As Good As It Gets

The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

I wanted to like it more than I actually did... But much of the humor totally escaped me and I walked out only mildly impressed.

Seven high school students decide to spend Christmas at a remote cabin in the woods. Things go awry when the teens find themselves being stalked by a mysterious killer.Director Austin Bosley, working from a compact script by Steve Goltz and Kevin Summerfield, does a sound job of crafting a strong yuletide atmosphere, relates the absorbing story at a brisk pace, makes fine use of the bleak snow-covered sylvan landscape, takes time to develop characters that the viewer truly cares about, and generates plenty of tension. The competent acting by the capable cast keeps this picture on track: Baker Chase Powell as the easygoing Mark Turner, Danielle Doetsch as the snippy Katie, Leah Wiseman as the sweet, but jealous Emma, Bosley as the amiable Travis, Nina Kova as the perky Sam, Johnathan Krautkramer as the wimpy Justin, Marla Van Lanen as friendly neighbor Joan, Jennifer Lenius as the charming Claire, and Scott Seagren as jerky local Frank Fuller. The sharp cinematography provides a pleasing polished look, with plenty of impressive and invigorating dynamic hand-held camera-work. Dylan Curzon's spirited shivery score offers several neat variations on familiar noel tunes. A worthwhile slice'n'dice romp.

I really wanted to like this film, and while I didn't hate it, I think I said, "WTF?!?" at least 20 times. If I hadn't rented it and was watching it for a horror movie challenge, there is a good chance I would have turned it off, due to the really bad sound in some places, especially at the beginning. When they were crunching through the snow and talking, I couldn't even understand what they were saying. I had the TV's sound up really high so I could usually hear them, but then was continually turning it down.Then there was the editing in spots. There were more spots then this, but I'm trying to keep this review short. Two of the women are down by the lake, and Mark is coming down the stairs, then he's just instantly by their side.Emma all of a sudden freaks out for no reason (she doesn't yet know there's a killer on the loose). She's staring at us, slowly backing up to the wall. But there is nothing/no one there. Then she wakes up and is laying on the floor right next to the fire place with her head on rock. (Was she drugged and I didn't notice?)The step-dad at the beginning looks to be around the same age as the kids. And the way he was putting the presents under the tree… shoving them under with the ribbon on the bottom. Petty of me, perhaps, but it was done in such a way that it really stood out.And some of the shots were played out way too long, like when the step-dad was decorating with the tinsel on the counter. And when they are tromping up the stairs, instead of focusing on the feet forever, at least give us a butt shot!Some of the actors did a pretty good job, like Mark and Katie. And Justin reminded me looks wise, of a cross between Jensen Ackles and Matthew Lillard, so that was nice. Plus the naked butt shot was appreciated.But where where the boobs?? It's a slasher film! When Katie was in the bathroom getting ready to take a bath, this would have been a perfect opportunity.If I were to watch this again, it would be as a drinking game with a group of friends. We would drink every time one of us said, "WTF?!?"; because we couldn't hear what they were saying, the story line stumbled due to editing, or some rando shows up even though they are supposed to be in the middle of nowhere, and it is way too cold to just be wandering around the woods in Wisconsin.

If you were looking for a generic horror movie this is it. I would like to call BS on most of the deaths. I say that because even a modestly aware person would notice a potential threat coming. ******spoiler**** I reference the snowman death, are you telling me that a killer is able to sneak up on the character coming from the person's front? One may cite blocked line of sight, but really, its like if a killer was fat and trying to hide behind a twig. Another ***spoiler*** clichés like watch alarm going off randomly when hiding from said killer is very lame. One last bull crap that urked me was when one character, sees their friend get killed, runs out of the house... then stops may 30 feet from the house to take a breather...I say I am a horror junkie and some films are going to be subpar, but I would think that directors would try to be smart about it.

Dismembering Christmas is in my opinion Slasher Studios best project. Although I am a fan of their previous work I think this film goes above and beyond anything they have done before. The film is just overall a lot sharper looking and is very well filmed. Austin Bosley does an amazing job directing this. It was nice to see Steve Goltz return with a writing credit to this film along side Slasher Studios co- creator Kevin Sommerfield. The film was delightfully awesome! The tone was a lot more present in this film and although there was less gore than previous SS features, when there was gore it was done extremely well. The cast done fantastically. Lead by Nina Cova and Leah Wiseman and with a few Slasher Studios Favourites thrown in for the fans this film will go down as Slasher Studios break through film. Although Don't Go To The Reunion was a personal favourite of mine I feel on the wider scale of thinsg this will will be the studios break out hit!