Connect with us

News

Christmas Evil’s Brandon Maggart Reflects On the Holiday Horror Classic

Published

on

Well, Christmas is coming up, so there’s probably a good chance you’re going to be watching Lewis Jackson’s Christmas Evil soon, if you haven’t already. We had the opportunity to send some questions over to Brandon Maggart, the actor who made the film so memorable with his portrayal of a disturbed man who takes it upon himself to play the part of Santa, much to the chagrin of the townspeople.

Maggart’s a busy man. He didn’t answer all the questions we sent him, but he made up for that by answering others and providing us with some Christmas Evil memories that are included in his upcoming book.

Here’s the brief Q&A session:

iHorror: Do you have fond memories of working on Christmas Evil? What is the one thing you remember about working on it more than anything else?

Brandon Maggart: Fond memories? It was grueling work. Freezing. I hated the spirit gum to glue the beard to my face. The Jack Daniels on my limo ride home after work.

iH: Can you tell us a little about what you’re working on these days?

BM: Writing and painting. I have two books available on Amazon: A novel, My Father’s Mistress, and a novella: Dear Kate, Love, Henry. Behind These Eyes Such Sweet Madness Lies will be available next month. With : The Trunk in My Attic to be out before 2016.

iH: Would you return to the horror genre if the right project came along?

BM: No. I’m too busy writing.

He then includes this bit as further response to that question: 

This aging actor of 80 years, whose sharp memory and physical capabilities have begun to diminish, creates a stage on which he lives, acts, writes, paints, and makes love. He manages this by using an ability (passed on, genetically) to be in more than one place and time at the same time. He ventures from his traveling chair by traveling without leaving. His traveling is done on the small attic stage beneath his brow and behind his eyes. Accuse him of self-mythologizing if you wish, but he creates his own work, holds soirees for his cast of fascinating and celebrated guests from times-past. And, he enjoys blissful intimacies with the beautiful and talented actress, Vivien Leigh. He explains this Utopian world by his ability to access his desired experiences through something akin to quantum entanglement; meaning a non-local connection.

An interesting interview to say the least.

As mentioned, we had some additional questions for Maggart. Luckily, the provided material from his book actually answers some of them. Here’s what he gave us from his forthcoming book Behind These Eyes Such Sweet Madness Lies:

“Before shooting began, Jackson sent me to a private screening of Fritz Lang’s film, M, starring Peter Lorre. The reason being that some humanity is within a man even though he has committed the vilest of crimes. When cornered by the enraged townspeople who are about to kill him, Peter Lorre’s character pleads his case: “You are capable of making the decision to kill me or not to kill me. When I kill, I cannot help myself:” Because pedophiles have no choice? But, in my case, Harry (Santa) was doing what he thought he was obligated to do. And, he couldn’t understand why the angry torch-bearing townspeople couldn’t see that he was doing what he was supposed to do… Reward the “good” and punish the “bad.” (Yes, I did fall on the slippery ice. Didn’t hurt)

There were scenes that I couldn’t relate to. “How do I do this?” The first time I approached Jackson about my problem, he gave me the perfect direction: “It’s abstract.” I was home-free after that. “I’m the paint in this picture.” Jackson is the painter.

My drinking wasn’t in full swing until I was into my late thirties. (I have been sober for over thirty-three years, now) At one point, I was playing the lead character in a film called, of all things: Christmas Evil.  I never drank on the job, but after work on location, and on my fairly long limo drive back to my home on Riverside Drive, Jack Daniels was my steady companion. The film was written and directed by a very intelligent and dedicated young man named Lewis Jackson.

I took the job because I needed a job. I auditioned, and I won the role. That’s why I took the job. Many actors say they take jobs only after much scrutiny and debate. I happened to be watching the wonderful Maureen Stapleton being interviewed on an afternoon news show on the local NBC station in New York, when she was asked how she chose her roles. She thoughtfully considered the question and said, “First, I read it. If I don’t throw-up, I take the job.”

But, in this case, the role was a wonderful psychological study about how a young impressionable boy, who had been told that Santa Claus was “good,” comes to a tragic end. From the first scene, when the boy, thinking he hears Santa downstairs, finds a shocking scene taking place between his mother and Santa, we know that this will not end well. The boy rushes back upstairs to his room and in a fit of rage accidently cuts his hand. On a close-up, we see blood trickle across his hand. It is red. It is the red of rage. There is much red throughout the film.

(One of Fiona’s many wonderfully written lyrics very well describe her color red:  (The Fiona being referred to is Fiona Apple, my daughter.)

“But he’s been pretty much yellow / And I’ve been kinda blue / But all I can see is Red, red, red, red, red now / What am I gonna do”)

Not being a “horror film,” commercially, the film was a failure, but it later surfaced and, according to some, has become an “official cult classic.” The film is shown during the Christmas season most every year at selected movie houses for the occult. Maybe Jackson didn’t come up with the film he had in mind, but, under the circumstances, he did a pretty damn good job. Lewis Jackson says, “It’s a film that will not die.”

Christmas Evil hit Blu-ray from Vinegar Syndrome in November. Check out Maggart’s turn on Sesame Street here.

'Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire' Popcorn Bucket

1 Comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

News

‘Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3’ Is a Go with Enhanced Budget and New Characters

Published

on

Winnie the Pooh 3

Wow, they’re churning things out fast! The upcoming sequel “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3” is officially moving forward, promising an expanded narrative with a larger budget and the introduction of beloved characters from A.A. Milne’s original tales. As confirmed by Variety, the third installment in the horror franchise will welcome Rabbit, the heffalumps, and the woozles into its dark and twisted narrative.

This sequel is a part of an ambitious cinematic universe that reimagines children’s stories as horror tales. Alongside “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey” and its first sequel, the universe includes films such as “Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare”, “Bambi: The Reckoning,” and “Pinocchio Unstrung”. These movies are set to converge in the crossover event “Poohniverse: Monsters Assemble,” slated for a 2025 release.

Winnie the Pooh Poohniverse

The creation of these films was made possible when A.A. Milne’s 1926 children’s book “Winnie-the-Pooh” entered the public domain last year, allowing filmmakers to explore these cherished characters in unprecedented ways. Director Rhys Frake-Waterfield and producer Scott Jeffrey Chambers, of Jagged Edge Productions, have led the charge in this innovative endeavor.

The inclusion of Rabbit, heffalumps, and woozles in the upcoming sequel introduces a new layer to the franchise. In Milne’s original stories, heffalumps are imagined creatures resembling elephants, while woozles are known for their weasel-like characteristics and a penchant for stealing honey. Their roles in the narrative remain to be seen, but their addition promises to enrich the horror universe with deeper connections to the source material.

'Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire' Popcorn Bucket

Continue Reading

News

How to Watch ‘Late Night with the Devil’ from Home: Dates and Platforms

Published

on

Late Night With The Devil

For fans eager to dive into one of this year’s most talked-about horror films from the comfort of their own home, “Late Night with the Devil” will be available for streaming exclusively on Shudder starting April 19, 2024. This announcement has been highly anticipated following the film’s successful theatrical release by IFC Films, which saw it earning rave reviews and a record-breaking opening weekend for the distributor.

“Late Night with the Devil” emerges as a standout horror film, captivating audiences and critics alike, with Stephen King himself offering high praise for the 1977-set film. Starring David Dastmalchian, the movie unfolds on Halloween night during a live late-night talk show broadcast that disastrously unleashes evil across the nation. This found footage-style film not only delivers scares but also authentically captures the aesthetic of the 1970s, drawing viewers into its nightmarish scenario.

David Dastmalchian in Late Night with the Devil

The film’s initial box office success, opening to $2.8 million in 1,034 theaters, underscores its wide appeal and marks the highest opening weekend for an IFC Films release. Critically acclaimed, “Late Night with the Devil” boasts a 96% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 135 reviews, with the consensus praising it for rejuvenating the possession horror genre and showcasing David Dastmalchian’s exceptional performance.

Rotten Tomatoes score as of 3/28/2024

Simon Rother of iHorror.com encapsulates the film’s allure, emphasizing its immersive quality that transports viewers back to the 1970s, making them feel as if they are part of the eerie “Night Owls” Halloween broadcast. Rother lauds the film for its meticulously crafted script and the emotional and shocking journey it takes viewers on, stating, “This whole experience will have viewers of the Cairnes brothers’ film glued to their screen… The script, from beginning to end, is neatly sewn together with an ending that’ll have jaws on the floor.” You can read the full review here.

Rother further encourages audiences to watch the film, highlighting its multifaceted appeal: “Whenever it is made available to you, you must attempt to view the Cairnes Brothers’ latest project as it will make you laugh, it will creep you out, it will amaze you, and it might even strike an emotional cord.”

Set to stream on Shudder on April 19, 2024, “Late Night with the Devil” offers a compelling blend of horror, history, and heart. This film is not just a must-watch for horror aficionados but for anyone looking to be thoroughly entertained and moved by a cinematic experience that redefines the boundaries of its genre.

'Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire' Popcorn Bucket

Continue Reading

News

‘Strange Darling’ Featuring Kyle Gallner and Willa Fitzgerald Lands Nationwide Release [Watch Clip]

Published

on

Strange Darling Kyle Gallner

‘Strange Darling,’ a standout film featuring Kyle Gallner, who is nominated for an iHorror award for his performance in ‘The Passenger,’ and Willa Fitzgerald, has been acquired for a wide theatrical release in the United States by Magenta Light Studios, a new enterprise from veteran producer Bob Yari. This announcement, brought to us by Variety, follows the film’s successful premiere at Fantastic Fest in 2023, where it was universally praised for its creative storytelling and compelling performances, achieving a perfect score of 100% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes from 14 reviews.

Strange Darling – Movie Clip

Directed by JT Mollner, ‘Strange Darling‘ is a thrilling narrative of a spontaneous hookup that takes an unexpected and terrifying turn. The film is notable for its innovative narrative structure and the exceptional acting of its leads. Mollner, known for his 2016 Sundance entry “Outlaws and Angels,” has once again employed 35mm for this project, cementing his reputation as a filmmaker with a distinct visual and narrative style. He is currently involved in adapting Stephen King’s novel “The Long Walk” in collaboration with director Francis Lawrence.

Bob Yari expressed his enthusiasm for the film’s upcoming release, scheduled for August 23rd, highlighting the unique qualities that make ‘Strange Darling’ a significant addition to the horror genre. “We are thrilled to be bringing nationwide theatrical audiences this unique and exceptional film with terrific performances by Willa Fitzgerald and Kyle Gallner. This second feature from talented writer-director JT Mollner is destined to become a cult classic that defies conventional storytelling,” Yari told Variety.

Variety’s review of the film from Fantastic Fest lauds Mollner’s approach, saying, “Mollner shows himself to be more forward-thinking than most of his genre peers. He’s clearly a student of the game, one who studied his forebears’ lessons with adroitness to better prepare himself to put his own mark on them.” This praise underlines Mollner’s deliberate and thoughtful engagement with the genre, promising audiences a film that is both reflective and innovative.

Strange Darling

'Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire' Popcorn Bucket

Continue Reading

Embed Gif with Clickable Title