Black Christmas is yet another horror remake. This remake does vastly improve upon the original, but it isn't spectacular.

The premise to the film is that a sorority occupies a house previously dwelt in by a serial killer. A few of the members and the house mother are still there for the holidays when the serial killer comes home. Death and dismemberment ensue.

There is a lot more back story in the remake than in the original. That was a plus. You get to understand why the serial killer became just that. He's shown in the mental institution and being tortured by his mother prior to that.

Also, the girls in the sorority are aware that the house was previously the serial killer’s. They even get him a present each year. This was not present in the original.

The house mother is played by Andrea Martin, who was one of the girls of the sorority in the 1974 version. That was neat. I always love when someone from the original is also in the remake. It’s a fun little pop culture phenomenon.

There was a lot of detail to this version of the film, especially with respect to the serial killer’s preferences. He likes presents wrapped in newspaper, just like when he was a kid. He has an eye fetish. At first, it’s fascinating. But then you realize that there’s really too much detail in that it is used to foreshadow in a way that lends the film a very high level of predictability. The ending that was supposed to be such a twist could be seen coming as soon as it was set up.

Although the remake of Black Christmas was a vast improvement to the original, I didn't enjoy it. It was extremely formulaic. Take one twisted individual, toss in an escape from a mental institution, add in a few female victims and a difficult situation to get out of, mix in an ample helping of gore and wallah – you have your basic, cliché horror flick.

A good horror film needs to have gore and suspense but also a strong story, likable characters and a message. Black Christmas 2006 only has the gore and the story. Sure, it is a lot to ask of a movie, but movies have been around a long time. Lots of things have been done. The expectations have been raised. And Black Christmas 2006 does not meet them.

Grade: C