Book Tip - Yuletide Terror: Christmas Horror on Film and Television

Are you looking for an unusual Christmas treat? Look no further. The new book Yuletide Terror: Christmas Horror on Film and Television is what you should be reading today.

Here's what to expect...

Yuletide essays and interviews

The first half of Yuletide Terror: Christmas Horror on Film and Television consists of essays on famous Yuletide horror films and themes, as well as interviews.

Acclaimed horror writer Stephen Thrower is the one to open the party with an essay on the most famous Christmas horror film, Black Christmas. He discusses the production and initial reception of the film, how it got its cult status, and how it influenced many genre filmmakers.

126 Best Movies of All Time

Earlier this year, my friend Wim Castermans passed away after a short battle with cancer. Some of you will know him as the skilled programmer of the Offscreen Film Festival and as one of the writers of When Animals Attack (he wrote the essay on The Killer Snakes).

Today would have been his 45th birthday. For the occasion, I'm sharing with you his favorite movies of all time.

Clowders | Cover reveal

I'm thrilled to reveal the cover of my upcoming supernatural thriller, Clowders.

The design is once more by Gilles Vranckx, who also created the covers for Avalon, Drowned Sorrow, When Animals Attack, GPS with Benefits, and Next to Her.

What do you think of the cover of Clowders? Let me know in the comments.

Blurb

Clervaux, Luxembourg. This secluded, picturesque town in the middle of Europe is home to more cats than people. For years, tourists have flocked to this place – also known as “cat haven” - to meet the cats and buy cat-related souvenirs.

When Aidan, Jess and their five-year-old daughter, Eleonore, move from America to Clervaux, it seems as if they've arrived in paradise. It soon becomes clear, though, that the inhabitants' adoration of their cats is unhealthy. According to a local legend, each time a cat dies, nine human lives are taken as a punishment. To tourists, these tales are supernatural folklore, created to frighten children on cold winter nights. But for the inhabitants of Clervaux, the danger is darkly, horrifyingly real.

Initially, Aidan and Jess regard this as local superstition, but when Jess runs over a cat after a night on the town, people start dying, one by one, and each time it happens, a clowder of cats can be seen roaming the premises.

Are they falling victim to the collective paranoia infecting the entire town? Or is something unspeakably evil waiting for them?

Their move to Europe may just have been the worst decision they ever made.

14 Best French Christmas movies

What are the best Christmas movies made in France?

Tired of watching the same ones over and over again? Do you need something different?

We heard you.

Here's a list of the most popular French Christmas movies in chronological order. The films in this list are an interesting mix of comedies, animated children's stories, war dramas, and horror.

Be sure to let me know your favorite French holiday fare in the comment section!

Book tip - Cats on Film by Anne Billson

I found the purrfect present for the cat-loving movie fan in your life: Cats on Film by Anne Billson.

I first met the author at the Offscreen Film Festival in 2014 when a mutual friend suggested we get in touch because of our common interests: we both publish horror fiction and movie reference guides, and we both write blogs about cats and movies.

Around the same time, we were also thinking about creating a book about cinema cats. As I was concentrating on Avalon and When Animals Attack, Anne was the first to develop the idea. The result is now available for purchase.

The Story Behind Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer

This is a guest post by Beth Carpenter, author of the novel A Gift for Santa.

When I was growing up, my favorite Christmas special was always Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer. I can still picture it on my parents’ big console television, with commercials showing electric razors gliding across the snow and Burl Ives as the singing snowman.

You all know the story of Rudolph, the reindeer that didn’t fit in because of his red nose. Rudolph struggled, but in the end, he was able to take his place on Santa’s team and become a great success. But do you know the story of Rudolph’s creator? He has some struggles of his own before he became a success.

10 best things to do in London during the holidays if you love movies

Get ready for the most wonderful time of the year with the best London Christmas events for movie lovers in November and December.

London is one of the only cities in the world that is totally immersed in its own typical Christmas magic. In addition to watching the dazzling decorations in the shopping streets and listening to the carol singing around the capital's biggest Christmas tree on Trafalgar Square, there is a bounty of lesser-known holiday activities that will delight any movie fan.

Celluloid Diaries scouted out the best cinematic events in London during the Christmas season. But beware, if London wasn't already on your list of European cities to visit during the holidays, it probably will be after going through this list of activities.

Ten movies to watch if you love Flatliners

Have you guys seen the 2017 remake of Flatliners yet? Just like the original version from 1990, the story focuses on five medical students who embark on a scary but exciting experiment: they stop each other's hearts for short periods to trigger near-death experiences. When they are brought back, it seems like they have taken something from the afterlife with them.

If you haven't seen Flatliners, you should, because the film is super creepy and entertaining.

That being said, this is NOT a piece of art. In fact, the reviews have been awful. With a more honest and realistic direction, Flatliners could have been a compelling, character-based narrative. Instead, director Niels Arden Oplev focuses his energy on making his film hip and creepy, and thus also flat, uninspired, and at times a little silly.

But... it's a fun choice for a scary night out at the movies.

Scary Christmas movies to watch during the holidays

The time has arrived to start watching Christmas films. Are you bored of the usual fare of romance and comedy? Do you like your Christmas movies with hints of terror or blood?

Then you might want to check out the nearly 200 (!) Christmas horror movies featured in the new book Yuletide Terror: Christmas Horror on Film and Television which is now available for pre-order. This comprehensive compendium unwraps the true meaning of films featuring everyone from the Krampus and Scrooge to killer snowmen and evil elves. It contains essays and reviews by acclaimed authors such as Kier-La Janisse (House of Psychotic Women), Amanda Reyes (Are You in The House Alone?), Stephen Thrower (Nightmare USA), Mike Gingold (Fangoria), Owen Williams (Empire), and more.

To celebrate the occasion, seven writers from Yuletide Terror - Mike Gingold, Kier-La Janisse, Paul Corupe, Leslie Hatton, Owen Williams, Alexandra West, and Diane Rogers - share their favorites and why they should be on everyone's list of Christmas horror movies to watch.

The films are in no particular order, but we saved everyone's favorite for last. Can you guess which one it is?

The art of DC - The dawn of superheroes

The exhibitions at the Musée Art Ludique in Paris are a must for everyone who enjoys movies and comic books. Its vocation is to pay homage to the artists who entertain us by imagining and drawing some of the most memorable images of our century, thus becoming a part of art history.

For the end of the year, the museum has teamed up with DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Consumer Products to debut The Art of DC – Dawn of the Super Heroes, a one-of-a-kind exhibition that celebrates DC’s history, mythology, art, and characters. It features nearly 250 original drawings, more than 300 preparatory sketches, and a selection of authentic costumes and props used in the blockbuster DC films.

Here are some pictures of the exhibition, as well as an overview of the movies and superheroes it presents.