The Worst Noel: 'Black Christmas' (1974) with James Codoyannis

To kick off the latest cycle of "Unorthodox Holiday Suggestions", Emilio brings the original 'Black Christmas', Bob Clark's other holiday themed masterpiece from 1974, to the group just in time for spooky season.  Joining the usual three cohosts is James Codoyannis, fellow cinephile and editor for film/TV who worked on the well-received, recently released indie film "We Strangers".  The group digs into this proto-slasher classic, highlighting the way this movie is in such great control of its tone and atmosphere, the changing nature of the POV shots, at iconic atonal piano sound design/score, the amazing voice acting work by Nick Mancuso as Billy, and much more.  The group also discusses the many ways 'Black Christmas' intersects with and diverges from John Carpenter's 'Halloween', the much more popular and influential slasher film from the 1970s, and discusses the filmmaking decisions that implicate Peter as the killer, and whether or not it works for building suspense.  It's a great conversation about what makes 'Black Christmas' such a important entry in the horror canon!

Follow James on his socials:

INSTAGRAM: @codboyannis

LETTERBOXD: jcodoyannis

BLUESKY: @codboyannis.bsky.social

WE STRANGERS now available on rent & buy at AMAZON, APPLE TV, and other places

Follow @westrangersthefilm on INSTAGRAM

SEAWEED STORIES now available to watch on Leo DiCaprio's YouTube Channel

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Chapters

• 0:00 Intros