Tuesday 15 December 2009

THREE ON SUNDAY



'Friends,

Next Sunday at Dan's I will be showing some holiday-themed stuff for Three on Sunday.

Santa chimpanzee climbing down chimney, stop-motion Winter Xanax, and the first (and best) Xmas slasher movie.

XanaXmas y'all?

(Throughout the evening I will also be playing a video fireplace loop by the great animator PES.)

As usual, it starts at 10:30PM and it is free.

Come out and say hello.


Martin'



SANTA CLAUS STORY
Castle Films, 1940? (9 min.)



Cameraman Eugene W. Castle created Castle Films in 1924 and in its 40-year history created over 1,000 short films ranging in all ranges of subjects. Castle’s films were sold through mail order to institutions and home projectionists. “Santa Claus Story” is just one of many holiday-themed shorts, but few are as strange. This “story” consists of a children’s lecture using stock footage of monkeys fighting over food, wearing Santa outfits, and ripping open gifts.

WINTER CAROUSEL (CARROUSEL BORÉAL)
Ladislaw Starewicz, 1958 (12 min.)



Polish stop-motion animator and entomologist began his career in 1910 attempting to film the battle of two live stag beetles. Unsuccessful, Starewicz later used dead insects with articulated joints, creating puppets of the subjects he studied. As his technique improved, Starewicz began using elaborate (and often disturbing) puppets to create his fantastic and strange narrative films. Created late in the animator’s life, “Winter Carousel” is a quiet, delicate children’s film beautifully celebrating the passing of the seasons.


YOU BETTER WATCH OUT! (CHRISTMAS EVIL)
Lewis Jackson, 1980 (95 min.)



Harry Stadling (Brandon Maggert) is obsessed with Christmas! In fact he wants to "be" the authentic Santa Claus, with a real suit, sleigh and reindeer. Ever since he learned the "truth" about Santa, he's tried to make Christmas a reality. Growing up a toy maker, Harry is met with naysayers and critics who mock him for his yuletide beliefs, but
he wants people to get the presents they deserve, even if that means giving the gift of murder! Director Lewis Jackson’s dark comedy is, according to cult film director/auteur John Waters, "the best seasonal film of all time”.

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