Photo: movieposter.com
GREMLINS (1984) THE GIST: When Billy's inventor dad picks up a obscure-yet-cuddly creature named Gizmo from Chinatown to give Bill as a Christmas present, he has no idea what kind of hilariously horrifying holiday hijinks his son is in for. You see, when Rand bought the Mogwai, the seller told him to make sure he followed three very important rules: don't expose it to bright light, don't get it wet, never, ever expose it to bright lights. But of course, all three end up happening, causing Gizmo to spawn a bunch of mischievously monstrous critters called - you got it - Gremlins!
NAUGHTY OR NICE?: Naughty by nature. I mean, it is about a group of impish creatures whose main goal is to wreck havoc on the lives of early 80s icons (Phoebe Cates! LITTLE COREY FELDMAN!).
WHY IT GETS US IN THE SPIRIT: With it's creepy killings and cheeky innuendos,
Gremlins certainly isn't your typical festive fare. But that's why it's so much fun. Sure, Christmas is supposed to be all about love and family but what about the families who love cheesy horror movies just about as much as they do each other?
MAGIC MOMENT: When the Gremlins invade a local multiplex to catch a showing of
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Let's just say they love them some classic Disney sing-songs to death.
SANTA SIGHTING!: The jolly gift givers in this holiday-themed horror classic are well, horrifying. Especially for the still-believing set. One impersonator gets mauled by a gaggle of Gremlins - while the cops watch! And another meets what remains one of the
most nightmare-inducing off-screen killings ever. Four words: Always check the chimney.
ACCOMPANYING CAROL: Speaking of chimneys..I can't think of a better seasonal song to go with this slasher than "The Chimney Song." Just Google it.
PERFECT PRESENT FOR: Your anti-Christmas tweenage brother. Within an hour and half, he'll transform from Grinch to giggling geek boy.
