12 SLAYS OF CHRISTMAS >>>

Admit it, Santa can be down right creepy sometimes. We've seen him walking down the street with droopy eyelids, boozy breath and unrecognizable stains on his fluffy white cuffs, or posing in pictures of yore, some awkward looking child perched on his velvet covered knee, the off-white beard clinging to his chin like a tobacco-stained stalactite, and his skeleton-like hands, all loose skin and arthritic, wrapped around a candy cane, a supposed gift of goodwill.

Now, it's time to take creepy to the next level with Silent Night, Deadly Night, where, instead of gifts and stockings and the occasional bottle of Mickey's, Santa wields an ax and employs a twisted method of checking off the naughty list.

Playing at The Grand Cinema tonight and tomorrow, as part of the Grindhouse Theater series, the Silent Night, Deadly Night showing also features the extra gimmicks that film programmer, coordinator and host Justin Giallo adds as a signature accompaniment to his screenings. And of course, it will be played in 35mm film, just the way Giallo and other cult-classic followers prefer.

Before the film - an appetizer if you will - is David Walker's (BadAzz MoFo magazine) festive mini epic holiday short, Black Santa's Revenge, which will be hosted by Giallo.

There will also be a raffle and trivia with prizes and giveaways from creepy sponsors Cult Collectibles - Figures From The Fringe!, Rotten Cotton, RaroVideo and Fangoria. Limited edition posters by Creepycult will be for sale as well as goods from local indie vendors SKULLCLOWN, Nerdy Stuffs, String Theory: Knitted & Crochet Gifts, Poison Apple Tacoma and others.

When I asked Giallo how it felt to provide a much-needed service to Tacoma, he replied, "In my opinion, it feels spooktastic! It's awesome knowing that so many horror/cinema fans and misfits from all different ages come together and get to have the experience of seeing these films, most for the first time and more importantly in 35mm. 35mm is something to be treasured and I never thought I would have so many people supporting, loving it and digging all the films we've been programming and my gimmicks! It's the best feeling in the world! To quote the classic cult flick, Freaks, ‘Gabba Gabba We Accept You! We Accept You! One of Us!'"

The festivities begin at 8 p.m., film starts at 9:09 p.m. Tickets are $9 at the door or online.

THE GRAND CINEMA, FRIDAY, DEC. 21-SATURDAY, DEC. 22, 8 P.M., $9, 606 S. FAWCETT AVE., TACOMA, 253.593.4474