Review #31: Silent Night Bloody Night (2008) - Short film

Silent Night Bloody Night is a short, yet semi-sweet, Christmas-themed film from 2008. While it's not a film which I feel is overly creative, it does pack a decent punch toward the end. With it's short running-time, I can think of no reason not to give this one a shot.

Source: IMDb
Length: 7 minutes
Number of Ratings from IMDb: 19
Country of Origin: USA
Director: Christopher Ameruoso [Silent Night Bloody Night]

After a flashy title screen, with a rather sinister score playing in the background, we are introduced to Max and his girlfriend Frankie.

Max is a business man (quite a sleazy one at that) who is often quite busy, and so over Christmas, he'll be on a business trip. Prior to his departure, Frankie wanted to give him a present. Max has one also, and they exchange gifts.

Max's gift happens to be Christmas-themed lingerie, which Frankie is noticeably not appreciative toward, but decides to give Max a strip dance and showcase the present. While more interested in carnality as opposed to Frankie's gift to him, Max receives the gift anyway.

A gift that Max may not have been expecting, of course.

From here on out, suffice it to say that Max's night doesn't go to well.

The ending is not one overly shocking, but it is filmed well, and I've no complaints about it. In fact, Lindsay Crolius, the actress who portrayed Frankie, has an aura very much like Sheri Moon Zombie's Baby from House of 1000 Corpses. It was well-acted insanity.

Overall, this was a mostly solid short, especially considering that it's Ameruoso's directorial debut, along with the acting debut of the two main actors. At the same time, there were a few portions which were just a bit troubling.

The sound at times had the music playing louder than the speaking, which made it, in places, a bit difficult to fully understand what was being said. This only happened once or twice, and as such. was not deeply hindering, but I did take notice.

Secondly, and this may well be more nitpicking than anything, but at a few points, the acting felt pretty wooden. Crolius was pretty solid throughout, but at times, Bradley Fowler (portraying Max) seemed a wee bit stale.

That said, the positives definitely outweigh the negatives.

The production had an extremely slick look about it, and in fact, doesn't seem amateurish at all. This may be largely in part due to Ameruoso's background in photography. If this is so, it served him very well.

Overall, it's a solid short. Nothing overly spectacular, but above average at the same time. Highlights include the acting and the ominous score used. Detractors mainly revolve around a few audio issues.

My rating: 7.5/10

IMDb page

- Michael