Kevin & Steve’s Horror Movies: Santa’s Slay (2005)

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Kevin: It’s Christmas Eve 2005, the Mason family is enjoying Christmas dinner when a very large and very angry Santa Claus (wrestler Bill Goldberg) comes down the chimney and kills them all. A few of the death highlights include Santa stabbing someones hands to the table with steak knives, a sharp pole that impaled through a young woman’s head, a head set on fire and then drowned in eggnog, and a man pushed into a glass case. Sound like your kind of slasher? What if I said that the actors dying in this opening scene were none other than James Caan, Fran Drescher, Chris Kattan, and Rebecca Gayheart? Let’s just say that by the time Santa grabs a leg from the table and smashes into Drescher head as she pleads, “I’ve been good!”, the movie had officially won be over. The first five minutes of “Santa’s Slay” delivers more genuine laughs than most Hollywood comedies deliver in their entire running times. Does the rest of the movie live up to the potential of this incredible opening? Well, not really but I’m getting ahead of myself.

Steve: Just as Wes Craven created an amazing opening scene in Scream, David Steiman was able to direct a memorable first scene in Santa’s Slay. This has all the makings of a stand alone, award winning short film. Great actors, funny and well delivered lines, and of course amazing deaths! If for no other reason, you must watch this movie for first few fast-paced minutes. It seems to go by in a flash, but you know what they say, time flies when you’re having fun!

Kevin: Believe me, “Santa’s Slay” is just as goofy as it sounds and just as fun too. You want a killer Santa murdering the naughty citizens while Robert Culp challenges Santa to one last game of hockey to decide who rules the world? Well, this is the movie for you. It has too much plot by half and not all of the jokes work but damn if this movie doesn’t work it’s ass off to do anything and everything for a laugh. I admire that in a low budget slasher. Even if the rest of the movie doesn’t live up to that terrific opening scene.

Steve: The production value of this film is high up on the ladder. The cinematography is done very well and the acting throughout the film is believable. The effects are fun and the deaths are not only inventive, but also interesting enough to keep your attention throughout the 78 minute flick. The story has a great look for a lower budget film and although the setup is top notch and is hard to follow, the rest of the film is still a fun watch and is great for that late December viewing.

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