It looks like Hollywood has yet another classic movie remake in the works. According to Vartiety the Genre Company and Inferno’s Ember Productions are unwrapping the Christmas themed horror flick “Silent Night”.

Malcolm McDowell (Halloween) is set to star as the Sheriff and Steven C. Miller will direct the loose remake of TriStar’s 1984 film “Silent Night, Deadly Night.” Anchor Bay has picked up North American distribution rights to the project, which begins principal photography next month and will unspool this holiday season.

The original picture was about a young boy who watched his parents be brutally murdered by a man in a Santa outfit. After suffering abuse at a Catholic orphanage, the boy takes on the persona of the murderer and goes on a killing spree of his own. So far, details on the remake say that the film will center on a Midwestern town’s local law enforcement and their search for a killer dressed as Santa Claus who terrorizes people on Christmas Eve.

The original “Silent Night” spawned four sequels.

1984 Silent Night, Deadly Night film remake in the works!

The Christmas Cottage, is a Michael Campus film released on November 11, 2008 on DVD. It tells the story of the inspiration behind Thomas Kinkade’s painting The Christmas Cottage, and how the artist was motivated to begin his career after discovering his mother was in danger of losing their family home.

Kinkade, 54, died at his home in Los Gatos in the Bay Area of what appeared to be natural causes, David Satterfield said.

Kinkade’s sentimental paintings — with their cottages, country gardens and churches in dewy morning light — were beloved by middle-class America but generally dismissed by the art establishment.

The paintings typically depict tranquil scenes with lush landscaping and streams running nearby. Many contain images from Bible passages.

Kinkade labeled himself as the nation’s most collected living artist. His paintings and spin-off products bring in about $100 million a year in sales, and are said to be in 10 million homes in the United States.

He grew up in a trailer in Placerville, Calif., the town he often rendered in his art as an idyllic community of friendly citizens. After hitting upon the formula for inspirational landscapes and village scenes, he and his wife put their modest savings into publishing the first reproductions of his paintings in 1984. They sold 1,000 copies for $35 each and never looked back.

“I’m a warrior for light,” he told the San Jose Mercury News in 2002, in reference to his technical skills but also the medieval practice of using light to symbolize the divine. “With whatever talent and resources I have, I’m trying to bring light to penetrate the darkness many people feel.”

Before Kinkade’s Media Arts Group went private in the middle of the last decade, the company took in $32 million per quarter from 4,500 dealers across the country, according to the Mercury News. The cost of his paintings ranges from hundreds of dollars to more than $10,000.

“Thom provided a wonderful life for his family,” his wife, Nanette, said in a statement. “We are shocked and saddened by his death.”

Thomas Kinkade, painter of light, dies at 54

This week Drake Bell gave fans a peek at what’s happening on the set of the Fairly Odd Parents upcoming flick, A Fairly Odd Christmas, when he tweeted a picture of himself all bundled up.

Unfortunately Drake didn’t give us any information on when the movie will be out, but we’re hoping it will be in time for this Christmas! The live action film is currently in production, and stars Drake Bell as Timmy Turner. Wanda and Cosmo will be done via CGI. I’m sure fans of the series are super excited for the Christmas special, I know I am!!

Drake Bell on the set of A Fairly Odd Christmas

This just in via press release:

ABC Family announced that production has begun on the new original Christmas movie “The Mistle-Tones,” starring Tori Spelling, Tia Mowry, Jonathan Patrick Moore, Reginald VelJohnson and Tammy Townsend. Shooting in Salt Lake City, Utah, the movie is set to premiere as part of the network’s annual “25 Days of Christmas” programming event.

In “The Mistle-Tones,” Holly (Mowry), blessed with an amazing singing voice, is all set to audition for the newly vacated spot in a legendary local Christmas group which was founded by her late mother years ago. Shocked and upset when the slot goes to the barely talented best friend of the group’s leader, Marci (Spelling), Holly sets out to create her own musical group, The Mistle-Tones. After challenging their rivals to a sing-off on Christmas Eve, Holly finds herself on a journey to the real meaning of Christmas–with some new friends and a new love thrown in for good measure… Moore plays Holly’s boss Nick, while VelJohnson and Townsend portay her father and sister. The Mistle-Tones” is executive produced by Maggie Malina (“Single Ladies”), from a script by Jed Elinoff & Scott Thomas (“My Super Psycho Sweet 16”), and directed by Paul Hoen (“Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam”).

Part of the Disney/ABC Television Group, ABC Family is distributed in over 97 million homes. ABC Family features programming reflecting today’s families, entertaining and connecting with adults through relatable programming about today’s relationships – told with a mix of diversity, passion, humor and heart. ABC Family’s programming is a combination of network defining original series and original movies, quality acquired series and blockbuster theatricals. ABC Family is also the destination for annual Holiday events with “13 Nights of Halloween” and “25 Days of Christmas.” ABC Family. A New Kind of Family.

ABC Family’s original Christmas movie The Mistle-Tones in production, in Salt Lake

Martin Freeman will be rushing to Santa Claus’ aid in a new animated Chrsitmas flick. Variety reports that Martin joins a host of fellow British actors who are lending their voices to characters in Saving Santa, including Noel Clarke, Joan Collins, Tim Curry and Craig Fairbass. Freeman will voice the lead character, an awkward elf who has to rescue Santa’s headquarters when a villain called ‘Neville Baddington’ discovers its whereabouts.

Leon Joosen, whose animation credits include The Little Mermaid, will direct. Production on Saving Santa is set to start this week and the film is expected to be released around Christmas 2012, although no official release date has been set.

Saving Santa Plot Outline:

In the vein of THE SANTA CLAUSE and MIRACLE ON 34th STREET comes SAVING SANTA, a tender-hearted Christmas story for the entire family.

When a wealthy, disgruntled politician, Senator “Max Schmucker”, leads a global campaign to ban the myth of Santa Claus, the world joins his movement, causing Santa Claus to lose his magical powers.

As Christmas approaches and “Santa” and his lead Elf, “Elliot”…, are making their final rounds around the world, they get stranded in a small farming community. They’re stuck and living in a barn on the Logan Family Ranch, where they are soon discovered by “Miley”, and her older brother, “Zach”.

The two children learn about Santa and Elliot’s predicament, and realize that Schmucker’s movement to ban the belief in Santa Claus is actually behind Santa losing his magical powers.

Miley and Zach go on a wild escapade to hide Santa and Elliot from their parents, “Joe” and “Renae”, while at the same time, attempt to help Santa Claus regain his magical powers before Christmas is lost.

SAVING SANTA is a sweet, funny, holiday story about the belief in love, goodness and the spirit of Christmas.

Tim Curry, Martin Freeman to voice new animated Christmas flick ‘Saving Santa’

According to MLive.com, filming for a new made-for-TV movie, entitled A Dog For Christmas, is underway in the Rockford, MI area.

Sunday the movie’s star, Dean Cain, was spotted joking with the cast and crew while shooting a scene at the Ninth Bridge Market in Ada. Local resident Bruce Snider (who’s son plays Cain’s son in the movie) said Cain was being kind to everyone. “He’s just a really, really super guy, just very cordial.”

A Dog for Christmas is being shot primarily in Rockford through Feb. 6 and will air in November on a cable network like Lifetime or ABC Family. Sherman Hemsley and Dustin Diamond also star in the movie. The movie follows a 9-year-old girl who wants a dog for Christmas. ”It is essentially, though, just about extended family getting together in a house at Christmas, and all the hilarity and mayhem that can ensue,” Producer Joel Reisig said.

‘A Dog for Christmas’, starring Dean Cain, now filming in Rockford, MI

Hollywood is in the early stages of making a sequel to Cleveland-connected holiday classic, “A Christmas Story”. Showbiz columnists Marilyn Beck and Stacy Jenel Smith reported Thursday that casting is underway for “A Christmas Story Too,” to be directed by Brian Levant, whose credits include “Jingle All the Way” and “Beethoven.”

Their story says casting is now under way for the movie, which will be feature a teenage Ralphie “yearning for another special Christmas present, but this time it’s a 1938 Hupmobile Skyline convertible.” The filmmakers are looking for an 18-year-old actor to play a 16-year-old Ralphie. They are also looking to cast new Old Man, mom and brother, Randy, who’ll be a pre-teen in the new feature.

It’s too early in the game to know whether any of the film will be shot in Cleveland. The “A Christmas Story House” in Cleveland was promoting the casting call on its Facebook page with a link to the Hollywood casting site, Showfax.

There has already been one “A Christmas Story” sequel: 1994′s “It Runs in the Family,” starring Kieran Culkin as Ralphie, Charles Grodin as The Old Man and Mary Steenburge as Mrs. Parker. It was later released on DVD under the tile, “A Summer Story.”

The film’s producers are also looking to cast a new Old Man, mom and brother. The original “Christmas Story” was filmed in Cleveland, Ohio. No word yet on where the upcoming movie will be shot. We’ll keep you posted!

Source: cleveland.com

‘A Christmas Story’ Sequel in Pre-production

The first time I saw the Deer Hunter commercial, I about fell in the floor laughing!

Then this year’s Target commercials couldn’t be funnier… We all have an aunt or sister who turns completely crazy at Christmas… or is it just me?

And of course Cats can’t ice skate…

3 Hilarious Christmas commercials of the 2011 season…

UPDATED! Set the DVR! The Elf on the Shelf, to be broadcast on CBS as a special presentation on Friday, Nov. 25 (8:30 – 9:00 PM, ET/PT). Tonight, guys!!

Buy it on DVD – Elf on the Shelf DVD: An Elf’s Story

Nine-year-old Taylor McTuttle has reached a crossroads. Does he believe Santa Claus really knows who is naughty or nice? Does he even believe in Santa Claus anymore?

An Elf’s Story is the inspirational tale of Chippey, the young scout elf who is assigned by Santa to restore Taylor’s belief in Christmas magic. When the boy breaks the number one Elf on the Shelf rule, Chippey loses his Christmas magic; the entire McTuttle family loses its scout elf, and both Taylor and Chippey lose their self-respect. Through the power of love and forgiveness, both of them learn that true belief cannot be taught.

Destined to be a beloved family Christmas classic, An Elf’s Story is filled with fun, music and the timeless message that Christmas is something we carry in our hearts.

The Elf on a Shelf: An Elf’s Story is coming to CBS and DVD this November!

The bulk of Christmas DVD releases have come and gone, so we’re gonna list the releases all the way up to the big day here in one mega post.  They’re still some goodies to come…..

November 22, 2011

Becoming Santa

BECOMING SANTA is the story of one man entering the culture and character of Santa Claus for a single season. We follow Jack as he bleaches his hair, goes to Santa School and tries to do everything that Santa is asked to do. He works as a sidewalk Santa, does home visits, a Polar Express Train and a parade. Along the way, Jack collects children’s wishes, learns about the benefits of belief, the history and origin of Santa and the ordinary people keeping the Santa spirit alive. – Amazon

Prep and Landing

Disney presents Prep and Landing, a spirited comic adventure bound to become a holiday tradition at your home for years to come – complete with two bonus stocking stuffer shorts. – Amazon

A Madea Christmas:  The Play

When a wealthy family meets for Christmas at their posh Cape Cod estate, family arguments and secrets cause quite a stir. It will take the almighty Madea to save this Christmas and make it into a foot-stomping good time. Filled with great music and enough laughs to fill your holiday season with joy, A MADEA CHRISTMAS is a must-see. – Amazon

Beauty and the Beast:  The Enchanted Christmas

Celebrate the most magical time of the year with this Special Edition of the irresistible holiday classic inspired by Disney’s beloved classic — reuniting the original voice cast! Share the wonder as Mrs. Potts recounts another “tale as old as time” about a Christmas past that almost wasn’t — thanks to the scheming of former court composer Forte, who is determined to keep Belle and Beast apart forever. this enchanted adventure boasts exciting bonus features, delightful songs, spellbinding visuals and enduring themes of hope, friendship and love. Your family will enjoy the spirit of the season all year long with the timeless magic of Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas. – Amazon

November 26, 2011

Ice Age:  A Mammoth Christmas Special

November 29, 2011

The Stingiest Man in Town

December 6, 2011

A Christmas Wedding Tail

Jennie Garth of ”90210” stars as Susan, an unemployed Los Angeles museum curator and widowed single mom temporarily living in a small California town with her three sensitive sons. Jake (Brad Rowe of ”General Hospital”) is a single dad of two tomboys who owns a local winery. When Susan’s dog Rusty (voiced by Jay Mohr of ”Ghost Whisperer”) falls for Jake’s poodle Cheri (voiced by Nikki Cox of ”Las Vegas”), these canine matchmakers help their owners fall in love too. Now with a Christmas Day wedding to plan — and major complications threatening to unravel it all — can two mismatched broods find a way to make one happy family? Tom Arnold and Catherine Hicks (”Seventh Heaven”) co-star in this heartwarming holiday film from the producer/director of The Dog Who Saved Christmas Vacation and Your Love Never Fails. – Amazon

Christmas Spirit

A Christmas Wish

Single-mom Martha Evans is praying for a miracle to help her family this Christmas. Little does she know that her neighbors have been working behind the scenes to make her season bright. Starring Kristy Swanson, Edward Herrmann and Tess Harper. – Amazon

Saint Nick (Warning:  Horror/Comedy)

Christmas DVD Releases Mega Post: November 22 through Christmas