Kids, it’s that time of year again. Who needs hunky bachelors decked out in flannel in some quaint little New England or Midwestern hamlet oozing Christmas drip?

Not us.

Sam picked out a nice alternative to the typical film faire for the Yuletide season. Dead End is a strange little film, but well crafted given its modest budget, and wonderfully acted by veterans Ray Wise and Lin Shaye.

The film plays with the gruesomeness possessed in one’s imagination. It doesn’t go for the cheap jump scares, but instead builds on atmosphere and the tension of the mundane, like getting lost on a never ending lonely two lane road, and wondering what will happen in the dark when the needle hits “E” .

For those of you who are purists about your Christmas scares, fear not, because we have a classic to follow up this episode, right before the fat man in the red suit arrives. Have fun this holiday season, be safe, and most of all, don’t take any shortcuts.