Tales from the Grave, Volume 2: Happy Holidays (2005) Online

Hello everyone, this is Todd Martin, who wrote the segment "Angel" for this wonderful film. I have worked with Stephanie Beaton in the past and there is not enough good things that I can say about her. She is a very wonderful person who is nice, fun to be around, talented and very hard-working. When I had the opportunity to contribute to this film I jumped at the chance! I hope that you guys enjoy it as much as I do. I think that every story is very great and that everyone involved should be proud. I feel that the acting is well-done and that the directing is also top-notch. For years I have wanted to see a collection of holiday themed horror shorts and I was not disappointed with this film. I advise you all to check out this film because I think that you will enjoy it very much!

Fresh off the heals of a very cool outing Stephanie Beaton has amazed us once again by offering up her latest TALES FFROM THE GRAVE 2: HAPPY HOLIDAYS. Luckily I was able to watch this one right after watching the first so I was pretty damn happy to see numerous themed shorts woven into a world of pain and fear. Taking the road of holidays past you, the viewer are in for a treat.

Here's something to ponder about Valentines Day. What an odd holiday. Sure cupid comes along and strikes you with his magical arrow and you fall in love with someone. But why the hearts being blood red? Seem Beaton plays of this scenario and introduces us to Hobart. Hobart is your typical scrawny nerd, yearning for acceptance in society. Only his ideas on how to achieve this are a little misguided. Hobart believes he is actually a vampire and holds a vampires ball at his house. Making his way through the crowd he introduces himself to each and all. All mocking him the entire time. No one would believe him until Seth pays a visit and shows them vampires do actually exist. Just not Hobart. Short and sweet this segment gets its point across. Nice ambers and a fitting musical score make this an enjoyable viewing.

As the holiday changes we look upon the lives of Tom and Edna. Tom has been obsessed with Leprechauns for as long as he can remember. He's hunted this mythical being for many, many years. So many years that now even his wife think him beyond the point of sanity. But it seems if Tom may have gotten that big break his searched for. He's found a Leprechaun. He bags it up and takes it back to his house. Once home he beats on it trying to gain power and wealth. That turns out to be a big mistake Leprechauns aren't little cuddly animals people…They'll mess you ass up and that's what he does.

The excellent little holiday called Halloween rolls into town and theirs a new horror themed museum opening on Halloween night. A group of punks take up the affair and make the tour. Finding it all a bit childish one of the group says they should come back after hours and have their own tour. Upon returning things go wrong as one can't keep his hands to himself and steals some of the artifacts, thus releasing the curse of an ancient evil mummy. With great mighty the summoned spirit shows no mercy as he scalps a few people and orally impales some with toothbrushes. Once again this was one of Stephanie's shorts I'd really like to see as a full length.

Up next we have a couple heading to her family's for Thanksgiving dinner. On their way their car breaks down on the dark rednecked road. A large goofy local rolls up and the freakiness begins. Taking them back to his family we soon learn this backwoods ass family is Marcy's family, and he's the main course. This was a really kick ass short..I so freakin loved this segment. Excellent , excellent storytelling." I'm gonna love ya a great deal more when I'm picking my teeth with your collarbone" Last in this fine collection is the tale of a couple heading off for the holidays to Grandpa and Grandma Patton's. But it's not only the old couple it's their retarded grandson, Leroy. As words and conversations escalde at the dinner table and Leroy's feeling are hurt the couple realize they're in for the worst night of their lives.

Stephanie Beaton is quickly becoming one of my favorite directors in the scene. Playing with the big boys and quite frankly kicking a ton of ass she's offering some very cool films. She's got a fresh new vision on the horror genre and I'm anxious to see what she does next. For those of you who would like to check out some of her stuff you can head over to her site of Razor Digital Entertainment, they carry most of her catalog. A must see folks…go check it out.

I had so much fun watching the different stories in this dark horror movie. I specifically enjoyed the Halloween episode. Elisa Eliot (http://www.ElisaEliot.com) steals the show as a miserable scared teenager. The special effects are great and the cast is a bundle of fun. The Director weaves together comedy and action to create an exciting romp through the different holiday seasons. Each chapter has its own unique vibe, plot, and horror characters and they are all glued together by the uniquely morbid storytellers voice. For the horror genre lovers this is a great choice to sit around with a bunch of friends and have a good laugh and a good scare on a dark and stormy night. If you are expecting the canned Hollywood high budget scream-like thrillers, this one is not for you. It is a gritty take on all the standard horror stories