Hey folks, Ambush Bug here. And just in time for Christmas, I have a special review from AICN COMICS’ very own Mr. Pasty, who was able to take a look at a new documentary called I AM SANTA CLAUS!

Below is the review, but before that, I wanted to take this time to wish everyone a Happy Holiday from all of us at AICN COMICS and AICN HORROR!

Find out how to see this film here

I AM SANTA CLAUS (2014)

Directed by Tommy Avallone
Starring Mick Foley, Russell Spice, Jim Stevenson, Santa Claus, Bob Gerardi, Tommy Dreamer, Rob Figley, Connie Gerardi, Bobby Goodrich, Sid Haig, Brian Heffron, Artie Lange, Jerry Lawler, Roddy Piper, Dee Snider
Find out more about this film on its website here, at Double Windsor Films, and on Facebook here!
Reviewed by Mr. Pasty

Dressing up as Santa Claus is something this generation of cosplayers can relate to. But what I learned from watching I AM SANTA CLAUS, directed by Tommy Avallone, is that some of the men behind the beards have trouble separating the man from the myth. As such, life is nothing more than downtime between paying gigs, which only come once a year. What drives a grown man to dress up like a mythical figure and endure an onslaught of needy children? As miserable fire sprinkler designer Frank Pascuzzi explained, no one wanted to have anything to do with him until he donned the big red suit. Now he's showered with cheer wherever he goes, and in his quest to never let that go, legally changed his name to Santa Claus. That tells me there's something rooted much deeper than "make a few bucks, make a few kids smile," but that's probably what the point of this movie is to begin with. The promotional materials even ask you, "Whose lap is my child sitting on?"

There are a couple of things that need to be said up front about this movie, which is well crafted and surprisingly touching. Chief among them is the fact that I AM SANTA CLAUS is inappropriate for children, and I would go as far to include early teens in that "parental discretion" advisory. Be prepared to see jolly St. Nick explain what makes him so jolly behind closed doors. It presents an unsettling juxtaposition of gift-seeking toddlers sitting on the lap of a man who not long before, was gallivanting at his annual "bear club" gathering. When it was first mentioned onscreen, I interpreted that as the men who go swimming in icy lakes during the winter and boy, was I way wrong. That's not a condemnation of sexual orientation, but rather an indication of the struggle to preserve my own pristine image of Santa Claus.

Secondly, this movie is not about Mick Foley, who is profiled along with a handful of other "real bearded" Santas. It may (in part) be marketed that way to appeal to the WWE audience, but pro wrestling fans rushing in with expectations of seeing Mrs. Foley's baby boy are likely to be disappointed. The artist formerly known as "Mankind" is the only recognizable character, but surprisingly enough, also the least compelling. Foley doesn't need the money (one Santa lives in his daughter's basement and survives on social security), nor does he need the affection, thanks to a warm and loving family. He's just a (really) nice guy who loves Kris Kringle and gets a thrill out of serving as a conduit for the Christmas spirit. It will melt your heart, but it won't put fire in your belly. That's reserved for the supporting cast, who are society's most popular fellows before Christmas, but undoubtedly the loneliest on Christmas day, when the music stops and they're left without a chair. If life only makes sense during the month of December, what else is there to do the other 11 months? Look forward to December, which can make for a pretty tough year. Viewers will get to experience that struggle and I'll admit to my share of lumpy throats.

Now it's time to figure out whether or not I AM SANTA is a "good" movie. I definitely recommend it. In a way, this documentary is a lot like the many characters it profiles. At times it struggles to find its identity, but it has an unmistakable charm and a heart of gold. Above all else, it will challenge what you know about Christmas and make you think about what exactly it is that makes Santa Claus such an endearing figure. From what I've seen in I AM SANTA CLAUS, I'm convinced it's the man, not the myth.

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