Parents' Guide to Black Christmas

Having little to do with either the 1974 classic or the very poor 2006 remake, this holiday horror reboot is a strong attempt at a feminist statement that often goes either haywire or not far enough. Black Christmas, like its predecessors, is set in a sorority house at Christmastime, and there are brutal killings, but that's all these movies have in common. (The earlier two were more traditional "slasher" films.) At first, the new movie raises interesting discussions about how some classes are largely taught based on the writings of White men, without much diversity. The characters even argue about it, with interesting takes.

Directed and co-written by Sophia Takal, the movie also spends a little time getting to know its characters, establishing their friendships and relationships in natural ways and using the holiday atmosphere to interesting effect. But as a horror movie, Black Christmas is pretty bland; the killings aren't scary, and they don't have much emotional impact. As soon as their friends die, the other characters seem to simply forget about them. Then, the final showdown contains an evil plot so ludicrous that it largely negates all the arguments the movie was trying to make. The original 1974 version is still the best: smart, scary, and atmospheric, with strong characters and performances. This one gets points for trying, but it doesn't quite work.