Daydreamer's Film Talk

There’s no denying that everyone knows who Santa Claus, or jolly old St. Nicholas, is and what he represents to the Christmas holiday. But only recently has America become fascinated with the folklore of Krampus, said to be the shadow of St. Nicholas who punishes the naughty children. While there are many variations as to how he punishes, it can be said that director Michael Dougherty’s film simply titled Krampus will become a definitive version for fans of his work.              The plot of the film concerns the holiday gathering of two families for Christmas. It’s apparent with their differing lifestyles that they don’t get along, and although Max, the younger child of the hosting family, writes a letter to Santa wishing everyone would get along, his cousins mock his letter in front of everyone. To him, this is the final straw and he renounces Christmas and his family and rips up his letter. As soon as he does this...

Director Kevin Smith has always been known to be three things: a comic book fan, a native of New Jersey, and a filmmaker in the comedy/drama genre. That changed when three years ago he released his first horror film, Red State, devoid of any of the humor he was known for. This year, he’s released his second film to have horror elements, but this time his style of comedy is present, the end product being Tusk. Tusk stars Justin Long as Wallace Bryton, a podcaster who specializes in finding people he deems bizarre and sharing the experience with his co-host and best friend Teddy, played by Haley Joel Osment. His next project brings him to Canada, where after his original interviewer is unavailable, finds a listing for a room that promises interesting stories to listen to. The lister turns out to be Howard Howe, played by Michael Parks, an old man who shares his tale of a walrus that saved his life to Wallace, but then reveals to him that he plans for Wallace to be his new walrus fr...