Editorials
12 Bloody Days of Christmas: Day 2 ‘Christmas Characters Gone Wrong’
The minute The Grinch steals Christmas, that Coca-Cola Santa starts pushing caffeinated products, and Charlie Brown butchers another tree, the start of the holiday season is in full swing. The world is on a high as school pageants kick off, Christmas carols bog down on just about every radio station, and, of course, hundreds of channels begin putting sappy movies into rotation. But what about those characters that have gone off the deep end- the ones that have turned many a movie from blissful to bloody, that have given us nightmares instead of presents? Even during the happiest time of year, there’s a chance that someone will walk away screaming… On the second day of Christmas, Bloody-Disgusting gave to me- “Christmas Characters Gone Wrong”
Day 1: Creepy Christmas Traditions
Day 2: Christmas Characters Gone Wrong
Day 3: Horrifying Holiday Decorations
Day 4: Twisted Yuletide Tales
Day 5: The Nightmare Before Christmas
Day 6: Creepy Christmas Movies
Day 7: Terrifying Toys
Day 8: Top 10 Potential Holiday Weapons
Day 9: Horror’s New Year’s Resolutions
Day 10: Top Picks for the New Year
Day 11: Ghosts of Christmas
Day 12: Happy Horror Holidays
The old guy with the beard is kind of disturbing to begin with. Am I the only one who finds it strange that people allow their children to sit on some stranger’s lap begging for toys? My parents forced me to do it, I’m sure my children will get lulled into the same thing- but come on, any other time of year this would be a crime. That’s why it doesn’t surprise me that horror movies have taken Santa to a whole new level. From the murderous teenager disguised as Chris Cringle in SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT to the demonic side of Santa in SANTA’S SLAY, it’s enough to keep you from leaving milk and cookies by the fire.
I have a soft spot for the talking snowman with a heart of gold. He’s a harmless guy, and if he gets on your nerves, all you have to do is shove him in the sunlight and save the hat for later. It’s a simple solution to a dosage of cheer. But then my childhood fantasy went flying out the window when, one morning during my high school years, courtesy of HBO, I caught a glimpse of the movie JACK FROST. While it may not be a critically acclaimed psychological thriller, the thought of a serial killer invading Frosty’s cheery self was very disturbing. Who am I kidding… it’s STILL disturbing.
And before you ask, no, I’m not going to reference that blasphemous remake starring Jim Carrey (wait, did I just say that?). The Grinch was never really a `kind’ figure to begin with- he symbolizes anger, hostility, hatred- just about every stereotype in the book. He does redeem himself, but only after he’s destroyed half of Whoville. So you’re probably wondering- what the hell am I talking about? Where did the Grinch go wrong?
Two words: The Simpsons. It’s painfully obvious that something is out of place when the Grinch is waiting outside the house with a knife, begging Homer to come out and play. Last time I checked, the only weapon the Grinch had was Max.
For a child, there’s nothing better than Christmas morning. The brightly lit tree, a plump stocking, those beautiful packages waiting underneath- it’s what they’ve been waiting for all year long. But what happens when those gifts turn on you? Just ask the little boy from CHUCKY how it turned out for him. Or, better yet, ask his mom. GREMLINS is another example- as cute as Gizmo is, we all know he’s a pain in the ass. And his siblings are even worse.
I had no idea the Gingerbread man could be taken to a level of insanity above what I saw in SHREK’s torture scene. When that short Napolean dude chopped off the little guy’s legs, I really thought he was a goner. But, alas, someone made something a bit more twisted- THE GINGERDEAD MAN, which has since been followed by GINGERDEAD MAN 2: PASSION OF THE CRUST, and will see itself in 3D next year. It’s another story of a serial killer trapped inside of something that usually makes us smile. Let’s face it, with Gary Busey at the helm, it was never meant to be a Christmas classic.
Next time you’re watching your favorite holiday film, be it A Christmas Carol, Home Alone, or whatever tweaks your neurons, remember that there are some corrupted characters out there that are sure to bring more fear than cheer.
Don’t forget to show your love for Andrea by visiting her blog: The Albin Way
Editorials
‘The Vampire Lestat’ Concert Event Launches New Season With The Ultimate Expression Of Fandom
There are thousands of passionate fans decked out in gothic chic and champing at the bit like feral creatures. They’re screaming for Lestat, a legendary vampire-turned-rock star, as if the entire crowd has been glamored into submission.
The entire experience is magic, but not because some supernatural thrall has been activated. What’s going on is even more special. It’s the power of the effusive fandom that’s been authentically assembled by AMC’s sublime Immortal Universe, namely Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire, now, The Vampire Lestat.
The Vampire Lestat is far from the first Anne Rice adaptation, and it’s not as if there’s been a lack of erotic vampire material for audiences to sink their teeth into. On June 2nd, during a one-night-only spectacle, New York City’s prestigious Beacon Theatre shook from Sam Reid’s bravado performance and an audience full of adoring fans who had already memorized Lestat’s songs.
It’s clear that The Vampire Lestat just hits differently than its predecessors. It’s become more than just a TV series at this point, and this opulent display of ego, swagger, and pure sex is the perfect way to premiere the new season and give back to the fans who helped make Interview with the Vampire/The Vampire Lestat such a breakout success. It’s exactly the sort of hyperbolized hedonism that would make Lestat cackle.
For all intents and purposes, AMC has successfully created the illusion that this concert/premiere is just one of the many destinations on Lestat and his band’s 54-stop tour that is simultaneously playing out on this season of television. It’s such a sophisticated and thorough level of interactive fan engagement that the audience doesn’t just understand, but also manages to accentuate through its involvement.
It’s a level of seamless synergy that’s not unlike the give-and-take relationship of vampire and victim.
Before the concert started, “LeStans” were sitting in the Beacon and flipping through a fake Rolling Stone issue with Lestat emblazoned on the cover, complete with interviews with the undead frontman inside. Other fans were admiring the vinyl pressing of Lestat’s EP as they walked past a section of undead band merch. Fandom and fantasy blur together, and it all becomes this elaborate, immersive experience. Fan celebration, erotic gothic fantasy, and a lavish rock concert transform into one beautiful thing.
To this point, AMC Global Media’s Chief Content Officer and President of AMC Studios, Dan McDermott, introduced the event by reiterating to fans, “You are the heartbeat of the series.” That’s abundantly clear on nights like this as that heartbeat collectively pulses to this performance. In terms of how AMC engages with The Vampire Lestat’s fans, it’s as bold a reinvention as the season itself.
This intuitive gamble speaks to AMC’s creativity in this department and a fandom that is eager to seize such opportunities. It’s the same innovation that led to zombie walks for The Walking Dead and real-life Los Pollos Hermanos restaurant pop-ups from Breaking Bad. It’s a great way to pump up the audience for The Vampire Lestat and then maintain that enthusiasm for the whole season.
For most series, a rock ‘n’ roll concert just doesn’t make any sense as a promotional tool. The Vampire Lestat finds itself in a very unique position where it can deliver an excellent concert at an iconic theater, but also use it to showcase The Vampire Lestat’s music by Daniel Hart (who was shredding on stage alongside Reid and the rest of their band) and, more than anything, Sam Reid’s endless charisma.
The way in which Reid feeds off of the crowd’s energy, modulating his performance and giving different sections of the Beacon life, is a perfect distillation of the series’ thoughtful relationship with its audience and how it’s become such a breakout success for AMC. AMC Studios President Dan McDermott emphasized that the fans are the reason that the show is still here and why an event like this is even possible. It’s rare to see a series in which every single cog in the machine is so perfectly attuned to its fans. Reid’s fans already cheer whenever they see him, so why not translate that to a concert setting?
It’s clear in this season of television that Reid was born to be a rock star, but it’s surreal to see him effortlessly command the stage — and the audience — at every step of the concert. He recites Shakespeare monologues and bitches out Armand between songs, all while the audience screams in support. For the duration of this concert, Reid is Lestat, and he’s given thousands of fans a memory that’s as immortal as any vampire.
Now bring on the encore and get this show on the road!
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