MOVIE REVIEWS

Review by Wuchak

**_Micro-budget sequel padded with footage from the first film_** During Christmastime in East Willard, Massachusetts, two siblings visit their older brother’s grave and stay at a family’s house where they learn of the legend of Black Peter, Santa’s dark brother. But it’s the lost journal of a man named Jeffrey Butler that’s really horrifying because it concerns the town’s real-life creepy past. "Silent Night, Bloody Night 2: Revival" (2015) is a sequel to the original movie from 43 years earlier and is not connected to the no-budget British remake from 2013 called “Silent Night, Bloody Night: The Homecoming,” which only cost $20,000. This one didn’t have much more money to play with; I can’t find a specific amount, but even if it was over twice that, say $50,000, this is a spare change budget flick. The original film was made in December-March, 1970-71, and cost $295,000, which would be $2.3 million in today’s dollars (2024), which means it had more than enough resources for a competent film. Regrettably, this can’t be said for this one. While Julia Farrell is a worthy protagonist as Angelica Zacherly, it’s otherwise strapped with bad acting and dull writing. It’s also visually unappealing, totally lacking the creepy mood of the original. When the most interesting parts of a flick is the reused footage from its predecessor, it’s not a good sign. Speaking of which, close to a third of the runtime involves footage from that original movie, which smacks of the lousy “Silent Night, Deadly Night 2.” But at least the footage here is sepia toned. I only recommend this if you’re an uber-devotee of the first film and don’t mind really low-budget Indies. It runs about 1 hour, 27 minutes, and was shot in Nebraska, which is a dubious substitute for New England (at least the original was shot around Oyster Bay on northwestern Long Island). GRADE: D+