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Jack Frost has been granted an extended life, Ghouls and Boils! With more schlock than shock, this earnest slasher is truly a gift to manunkind. Wait. Don’t tell me you’ve never heard of this one, fellow freaks. No, it does NOT star Michael Keaton as a harmonica-blowing blues musician resurrected as a snowman in order to bring joy and comfort to his family. This Jack Frost, arriving a year before THAT other similarly titled holiday film, is about a revenge-seeking snowman, possessed by a serial killer, on an endless hunt for blood. He hugs with daggers, smiles with sharp spiky ice-teeth, and likes to decapitate carolers.
I highly recommend you crack open the eggnog, pour the rum and bourbon freely, and kick back while watching the on-screen slaughter of this pissed off snowman. He’s unyielding in his attacks and, as he can blow himself through cracks in doors in a spray of white powdery snow, seemingly unstoppable. He’s also pretty damn funny, wise-cracking himself through one kill after the next.
Written and directed by Michael Cooney and featuring the talents of Eileen Seeley and Rob LaBelle, this low budget horror-comedy was indeed a labor of love for all parties involved. Honestly, you can feel that joy radiating out from the screen. This was obviously made by people who love what they are doing. From the very beginning – in which we see two drivers sharing the same window on a snowbound night as they drive the notorious Jack Frost (Scott MacDonald), a death row inmate, to his place of execution – we know that nothing about Cooney’s movie needs to be taken seriously and it wallows in that fact ceaselessly.
The two goofs behind the wheel of the prisoner transport wind up crashing into a genetics truck and, as Frost makes his escape from the wreckage, he is hilariously melted into a warm puddle of goo by some slimy ooze spraying out from the back of the overturned truck. Screaming all the way down to the ground, his particles mix with the freshly fallen snow and – Ta Da! – he is suddenly transformed into a carrot-nosed, scarf-wearing snowman. Ah, the magic of yellow snow.
Quick to revisit the town responsible for his capture and, hopefully, kill Sheriff Sam Tiler (Christopher Allport), Jack Frost hoppity hop hops his way to Snowmontown. Stopping him is going to take the entire town because, on this snowy night, Hell itself can’t melt this beast. Frost is on a path of war and his intentions are cold to the touch. He murders the local bully, attacks and has his way with the bully’s sister (Shannon Elizabeth from American Pie fame) while she’s in the shower, and torments everyone else in his way.
The script, while sounding pretty vicious, is all bark. It’s quite silly, in fact, which tends to turn some gorehounds off from fully embracing it. That; however, hasn’t stopped the movie from amassing a fairly sizeable cult following. You can’t be this ludicrous and remain unknown for too long and, seeing as how it had its own direct-to-video sequel three years after it debuted, there is quite the demand for its resurrection over the years.
Vinegar Syndrome has answered the pleas of Jack Frost’s foaming fans with their handling of the film’s 1080p debut. This is a new 2K scan of the original 35mm elements and it looks as remarkable as this low budget silly horror film is going to get. With the murderous Jack Frost back on shelves this holiday season, it seems that Christmas indeed came early!
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[tab title="Details"]
MPAA Rating: R for violence and gore, language and some brief sexuality.
Runtime: 89 mins
Director: Michael Cooney
Writer: Michael Cooney
Cast: Scott MacDonald, Christopher Allport, Stephen Mendel
Genre: Horror
Tagline: He's chillin...and killin
Memorable Movie Quote: "Gosh. I only axed you for a smoke."
Theatrical Distributor: No theatrical release
Official Site:
Release Date: No theatrical release.
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date: November 25, 2016
Synopsis: A serial killer dies, comes back as a snowman, and wreacks havoc.
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[tab title="Blu-ray Review"]
Blu-ray Details:
Vinegar Syndrome Exclusive with Lenticular Cover / Limited to 3,000 units
Home Video Distributor: Vinegar Syndrome
Available on Blu-ray - November 25, 2016
Screen Formats: 1.85:1
Subtitles: English SDH
Audio: English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1; English: Dolby Digital 2.0
Discs: Blu-ray Disc; Two-disc set; DVD copy
Region Encoding: Region A
Vinegar Syndrome caps off the release year with one the season’s highlights. Jack Frost on blu-ray is something fans had long-thought impossible. Their work on the picture and the print is to be commended. Presented in its intended aspect ratio of 1.85, it is the punched-up color you will notice first. The reds are delicious and the greens are fertile. The powdery white flakes of snow are divine. From clear pools of water as Frost leaves his calling card to the glint of silver in the holly and trim, the transfer has the film loaded with details and fresh-looking life. And then there’s Shannon Elizabeth dripping wet in stunning HD. Need I say more, Freaks and Geeks? The sound is presented in a choice between DTS HD MA 5.1 and 2.0 options.
Supplements:
Commentary:
-
Recorded by Cooney and featuring Elijah Drenner, the commentary is both informative and fun. It will certainly please fans of Jack Frost as it dives into the making of the flick and the hope that everyone had that there would be some effects money dumped into it. There wasn't and, trust me, I think the film is better as a result.Special Features:
Special Features:
We have two NEW interviews featuring Actor Scott MacDonald and another with DP Dean Lent. Both interviews are fun and informative, focusing on how the film was shot and the history of their involvement with its production. This is a surprise release from Vinegar Syndrome and they have delivered a package that fans will want to own. That simple fact cannot be stated enough.
- Video Introduction by Michael Cooney
- Limited Edition Lenticular Artwork By Chris Garofalo
- Happy Scary (16 min)
- Shooting Frost (6 min)
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