Signal Horizon

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The Horror Pod Class Episode 111: Krampus

Live from the Dr. Henry Armitage Memorial High School AV Room

Welcome to episode 109 of The Horror Pod Class. My name is Tyler and I run Signal Horizon a magazine dedicated to exploring genre fiction in and out of the classroom. 

Orrin introduces himself.

Tonight on the Horror Pod Class we are going to spend some time talking about what we have been watching and reading, we will help you find some free genre content on the internet and finally we will spend the remainder of the episode discussing Our version of a Hallmark Christmas movie….Krampus

What Have We Been Watching, Reading, Excited About

Orrin: In December I have gotten back to something close to my usual movie viewing habits, but I haven’t really watched anything recent, except for the remake of Castle Freak. Since I initially typed this, I actually watched The Call on Netflix and it is super good! And I’ve been reading Scott Nicolay’s latest translation of Jean Ray, Circles of Dread, as well as the newest Junji Ito release from Viz, Hellstar Remina, which they’re just called Remina.

Tyler: Micreations, The Stand, Satar

Dark Corners of the Web

Krampus 2, Mother Krampus, Mother Krampus 2, At least 7 different Krampus movies. Also https://gointothestory.blcklst.com/2020-black-list-word-cloud-logline-challenge-997fc0332802

Essential Question: Is Krampus a low key Christmas Carol

While the holiday season represents the most magical time of year, ancient European folklore warns of Krampus, a horned beast who punishes naughty children at Christmastime. When dysfunctional family squabbling causes young Max (Emjay Anthony) to lose his festive spirit, it unleashes the wrath of the fearsome demon. As Krampus lays siege to the Engel home, mom (Toni Collette), pop (Adam Scott), sister (Stefania LaVie Owen) and brother must band together to save one another from a monstrous fate.

Cast overview, first billed only:
Emjay AnthonyEmjay AnthonyMax
Adam ScottAdam ScottTom
Toni ColletteToni ColletteSarah
Stefania LaVie OwenStefania LaVie OwenBeth
Krista StadlerKrista StadlerOmi
Conchata FerrellConchata FerrellAunt Dorothy
Allison TolmanAllison TolmanLinda
David KoechnerDavid KoechnerHoward
Maverick FlackMaverick FlackHowie, Jr
Queenie SamuelQueenie SamuelJordan
Lolo OwenLolo OwenStevie
Sage HunefeldSage HunefeldBaby Chrissy
Leith TowersLeith TowersDerek
Curtis VowellCurtis VowellDHL Man
Luke HawkerLuke HawkerKrampus

https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/krampus-2015

Krampus as an entity is SCARY AS FUCK

https://filmschoolrejects.com/25-things-learned-krampus-commentary/

Ginger Bread Cookies are creepy

Roots of Krampus in the winter solstice which is December 21st. 

The Snow Globes at the end are a smorgasbord of famous houses (Psycho House and others)

Story Arc of Christmas Carol
  1. Scrooge is a dick
  2. Visited by Marley
  3. Ghost of Christmas Past
  4. Ghost of Christmas Present
  5. Ghost of Christmas yet to come
  6. Scrooge is no longer a dick

Yule Cat:

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/each-christmas-icelands-yule-cat-takes-fashion-policing-extreme-180961420/

Four Movies:

Orrin: Gremlins and Rare Exports seem like the obvious choices here.

Tyler: Trick r Treat and Jack Frost

Legendary Entertainment is also producing Godzilla vs. Kong which is cool. Dougherty wrote it but is not directing.

https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/krampus-2015

ALU

This film isnt good.

This film isnt bad.

This film isnt average.

This film is quite simply a film.

I took nothing away from it. The directing was competent. The story was serviceable. The acting was fine for the most part. I understood what it was trying to achieve, but it just didnt work for me. I could’ve stared at a wall for the same amount of time and probably have enjoyed it more. At least then I can just let my mind get lost in thought, whereas this film basically shut it off with how dull it was. The one thing this film did achieve was killing my Christmas spirit.

Now dont get me wrong, that sounds overly negative, and in some ways it is. I hated this film because it gave me no reason to hate it. It gave me no reason to like it. It gave me no reason to even put up with it. It has no reason.

Next Time: Our favorites of 2020