MovieChat Forums > You Better Watch Out Discussion > Why do people feel like they have to def...

Why do people feel like they have to defend movies like this?

posted 17 years ago by sean-mcclain-dc-sw
22 replies | jump to latest

Coming on the heels of "Bug", made earlier this year, and reading everyone's reactions, I can't figure out why people defend "psychological thrillers" like this.

John Waters has made good movies before. This wasn't one of them. Maybe it was one of his favorites, but it doesn't make it one of his best. No matter how you try to paint it, it fails. Was it an art house movie, where we were supposed to feel sympathy for "Santa"? Should have thought about that before Santa gave some of the good kids some dead parents for Christmas. Was it exploitation slasher fare? Then why the long, drawn out exposition and the scene with the kids surrounding Santa? Was it a heartwarming christmas story to share with the kids? Then mom shouldn't have been felt up five minutes into the movie. Was it a serious, honest look into the trauma and personal struggles of the Santa character, akin to Falling Down and similar greats? Then why the hell is he flying off in a 100-horse open van at the end of the movie?

There isn't a way of looking at the movie that makes it good. Jack Daniels can't make this movie look good. The only value this movie had, that of b-movie kitsch you can show at a party, was destroyed when, out of nowhere and without warning, the serial killer Santa turned into E.T.

All of the above is just my honest opinion. If you really enjoyed this movie, don't let me dissuade you or ruin it for you; I'm glad you liked it, and would love to hear something good about this movie from someone who enjoyed it. But for crying out loud, if you didn't like the movie, it's not your ethical responsibility to defend to the death someone else's failed art.

[–] Chainsaw Slasher 17 years ago

Looks like your really missing the point here. You're jumping to conclusions when you state he turns into "ET" when in fact, we dont know what happened or how it happened at the end. Does that ending piss me off? it sure did! But its just a movie, some people like the ending since the ending does indeed stick out drastically when compared to the other events of the movie. For some people it works, for some, it doesnt. I think its rather contradictory to say its just your opinion and then state that theres no way looking at the movie that makes it good, when in fact there are tons of people who enjoy it. Obvously, there is a way to look at it as good, you're either not getting it or not one of those people.

______________________________________

"Life's a pain and God's a sadist."

[–] MindlessFilms 17 years ago

Since when did John Water direct this movie? Lewis Jackson wrote and directed the film.

[–] wahlbergcasket 17 years ago

haha, no kidding. i guess since his name is on the cover people think he made it?

[–] senchokid 17 years ago

Sean McClain, you're a friggin' idiot. John Waters did NOT direct CHRISTMAS EVIL.

[–] Maxwell85 17 years ago

Listen at the end, you can hear him crash. The actual flying was in his head.

[–] egus-2 16 years ago

Let's turn it around. Why do people (you, Sean) feel they have to attack movies like this? And where did anyone "defend to the death" what you deem "failed art?" Strawman much?

[–] vengeance20 7 years ago

This film received positive reviews, turning it around is just dumb! Furthermore, it's not so much of a case of "having to" attack films like this it's how they "are" attacked. Films like this are sitting ducks for attackers because of how *beep* they are!No one has to feel any need they already feel a need based on what they feel. People who liked this balls up of a film obviously don't know what they're talking about!

[–] gishikin 16 years ago

John Waters directed this? go to the title page and ACTUALLY look at who directed this.You cant even get your $hit right, why should any body care about your ignorant opinion?

[–] usmcbatman0311 16 years ago

to sean-mcclain-dc-sw
you ask; why we feel we have to defend this movie...
why do you feel that you have to tear it down???

long live moss garcia!

[–] Squonkamatic 16 years ago

You are supposed to feel like a jackass for realizing that you've squandered the Christmas spirit every year since the age of 12, or feeling unbridled contempt for how the movie reminds you of those who do. The biggest rat in the film is Harry's brother, who insists on holding Harry to the same standards he lives by and therefore will always see him as a failure -- rather than accepting him for who he is & making the best of things. Christmas isn't just a holiday from an work or an excuse to drain our Visa cards, it's a spirit that you either get or you don't.

And if you don't, you'd better watch out ...

[–] 16 years ago

[deleted]

[–] 16 years ago

[deleted]