XXX-mas

We went to see this fully expecting to enjoy it. But it greatly surpassed our expectations. James Dean proves you don't need a large budget to put out a purely entertaining film. Drew Marvick absolutely slays it (or should that say sleighs it) as a demented Santa Claus bringing a bit of humor. Dolly Leigh as Julie Treats is wonderful in the survivor damsel in distress role and it is always great to see Felicia Rose on the screen. Marianna Montes brings a sense of innocence to the proceedings as Sara the film assistant. I also have to give some shoutouts to Madelyn Paige as Foxy, Shaun Scott as Jack Rabbit and Kaity McAllister as Angel Luv for turning in some great performances in supporting roles.

This film stars a lot of the same people that are in Murdercise. So I figured it would be worth a shot. Sadly, the acting is so bad that if you speed up the film to 1.2 speed most of the cast will start sounding human again. Otherwise, lines come off stilted and poorly timed. With huge gaps between lines - as if the actors and actresses are being prodded into their lines by someone off camera. I have to assume the director just let all this poor timing be filmed, and then the editor had no choice but to keep the slow pacing because the film barely cracks the 1 hour mark as is. So if you cut anything you'll be left with a film that is too short for American standards. I love bad movies, low budget movies, but I hated this.

Drew Marvick was great in Murdercise (7 out of 10 stars from me) and he comes off pretty well here, but his character doesn't afford much acting - just laughing and killing. And why wasn't his laugh a variant on "Ho Ho Ho"? Seemed like that laugh was teed up for the role.

The uber scene was one of the hardest parts to watch, but the "party" wasn't much better. Good luck.

"XXX-Mas" is a low-budget indie horror masterpiece that doesn't hold back on holiday thrills and chills! The film boasts an impressive ensemble cast led by Drew Marvick, Morrigan Thompson, Jessa Flux, Jonathan May, Chris Ruppert, and the iconic Felissa Rose, who deliver top-notch performances that elevate the movie.

Drew Marvick's portrayal of an indestructible killer Santa addicted to cookies and milk is a standout, bringing a terrifyingly festive edge to the character. The costumes, especially Drew's Santa get-up, are remarkably authentic, making him look more like the real deal than your typical mall Santa.

What sets "XXX-Mas" apart is its commitment to practical effects, which bring the gore and kills to life in a vivid and believable manner. The lone VFX kill is seamlessly integrated, showcasing the filmmakers' dedication to quality and authenticity.

The movie's soundtrack is filled with classic Christmas tunes and adds a layer of festive ambiance to the blood-splattered chaos. From the outset, the kills come thick and fast, making use of the large ensemble cast to create suspense and unpredictability. Director James Dean doesn't shy away from delivering what the title promises - there are plenty of thrills, spills, and ample doses of both horror and holiday titillation.

Clocking in at a brisk 72 minutes, "XXX-Mas" wastes no time, making it a perfect addition to the seasonal watchlist. It's an instant Christmas classic that promises annual revisits, thanks to its unabashed embrace of the holiday spirit, mixed with a healthy dose of horror. Special mention goes to Rudy Ledbetter, a consistent presence in indie horror, adding his signature touch to the film.

For lovers of festive frights, "XXX-Mas" is a must-watch, offering a gleefully twisted take on the yuletide season that'll leave viewers both horrified and filled with holiday cheer.

Had a chance to watch James Dean's movie XXX-Mas. It's a fun Christmas slasher movie, starring Drew Marvick as a blood-thirsty Santa who wreaks havoc on the set of an eccentric adult film director's latest production.

While you have horror icon Felissa Rose in the cast, this is easily Morrigan Milam's best role, delivering strong leading role performance as "Kristy", while the roles of Dolly Leigh, Jonathan May and Jessa Daisy round up, while Chris Ruppers delivers a perfect act as the film director.

Oh, and if you are making an indipendent movie there is no way you let Rudy Ledbetter out of the cast.

Off the bat, I'm a little biased because I have an Associate Producer credit. That being said, other than Felissa Rose's involvement and the basic premise, I knew very little about the film until I actually got to watch it. I was not disappointed. As someone who actively worships in the slasher genre, I have seen way worse films than this. The premise is interesting because the killer is really Santa Claus, not just some guy in a suit. The plot is a little thin, as they usually are, but the motive reveal twist is still very satisfying. On point special effects, very splattery. Considering the type of film this is, ample nudity from both sides of the spectrum, and a lot of the ladies are super curvy and the boobs are real. Even the performances are mostly not bad. My one gripe is the tag on ending. Generally in slasher films there's a tag on ending that tends to leave things "open" in case a sequel happens. Open to a sequel, just confused as to what even happened in that final scene. Anyway, a perfect addition to anyone's holiday horror list.