Santa-dote 2010

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Warning: This is not for people under the age of 18. Period.  So for the past couple of years I've tried to provide you with a holiday palate cleanser. Something to offset all the traditional Christmas/Hannukah/Winter Solstice/Kwaanza delirium that sets in right about now (although, is it just my imagination, or are people acting with a bit more restraint and common sense this year?) Top of my list of things to see and do this year is a film I haven't seen yet myself, but I've been told by a friend is good. Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale looks like just the sort of flick to put the edge on. Looks like the real Santa is a truly bad one and is being kept frozen in the arctic by scientists. It's playing in NYC until December 14, so catch it if you can.

From scary to funny. From Mad TV: If you want to get back to scary Santa, here's an oldie but goody from 1972. What could be better than Joan Collins in a stand off with crazy Santa. I don't know what's more frightening, an insane St. Nick, or the home decor in this little segment. I stumbled upon literary references to Christmas and Santa by accident when listening to Stories: All-New Tales, edited by Carolyn Parkhurst. They are tales of mystery and horror by the likes of Neil Gaiman, Roddy Doyle, Joyce Carol Oates, Peter Straub, Walter Mosely, the list goes on. In one story a group of bitter people take out a hit on Santa; in another called Human Intelligence by Kurt Anderson, we learn the true identity of the man from the North Pole, and it ain't the guy in the Finnish film. Get it out of the library, (please always check your local library first--libraries need all the love you can give them) or buy it, it's a good read for people who love the horror genre. And while you're at it check out 20th Century Ghost Stories, by Joe Hill aka Joseph Hillstrom King, deeply related to Stephen and Tabitha King. Joe Hill is as talented as his father. I kid you not. And for those who would like to take a quick trip down memory, visit Santa-dote 2 highlighting bad Christmas cards and gifts, and the very first Santa-dote, featuring Divine, Billy Bob Thornton, creepy Santas and the works. Good Yule!

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