Black Christmas

Yet another horror remake, Black Christmas rehashes Bob Clark's 1974 slasher flick about a bevy of coeds stalked by a psychopath in their sorority house on Christmas Eve. The new version supposedly updates the threadbare formula with laptop computers and cell phones, while also serving up backstory in the form of flashbacks illustrating the unhappy life of a boy who once lived in the house and was institutionalized after killing his mother and stepfather and injuring his younger sister. As for the doomed sorority girls, some are blonde, others brunette, but none appear—despite a university education—to have any brains, as they routinely place themselves in isolated situations. The film generates zero suspense with its endless stalking shots down hallways and across snowbound yards, which are interrupted by periodic would-be shocks—complete with plastic bags over heads, impaling, and ample spurts of blood. Incredibly rote and remarkably dull, this is not recommended. [Note: DVD extras include the 28-minute “What Have You Done? The Remaking of Black Christmas” featurette, “May All Your Christmases Be Black: A Filmmaker's Journey” production featurette (27 min.), three alternate endings (12 min. total), seven deleted scenes (7 min.), and trailers. Bottom line: a decent extras package for a pointless remake.] (F. Swietek)